By the Wild Women Team
Sydney-based journalist, author and wellness authority Elle Halliwell knows all too well about finding the silver linings in life.
In early 2016, Elle was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a rare form of blood cancer. Two days after receiving the devastating news, she found out she was pregnant with her first child. Facing what felt like an impossible decision, Elle had to choose whether to go ahead with the pregnancy, potentially risking her own health and that of her unborn child.
It was during this time that walking came into Elle’s life – not as fitness, but as survival. Her daily walks helped calm her mind and gave her the space to process the diagnosis.
“My daily walks gave me the opportunity to process my thoughts and feelings, turn down the rumination in my head, and connect my mind and body,” Elle says. “It did wonders for my mental health and became the easiest way to practice mindfulness and presence.” 
Walking Through Life’s Biggest Challenges
Walking has been there for Elle ever since. This year, following the end of her marriage and a 20-year relationship, she embarked on a 500-kilometre solo pilgrimage through Spain, using walking once again to navigate a major life transition and embrace a new chapter.
Now, her walking journey has led her to Coastrek. As our newest Ambassador, Elle is urging women to swap burnout for adventure – and she’ll be walking alongside our trekkers as they train for Coastrek Sydney in March 2027.
The Most Underrated Wellbeing Tool
Elle says walking remains one of them most underrated tools for wellbeing, precisely because it asks so little of the people who do it.
“Out of all the exercise, fitness and wellbeing practices you can do, walking has one of the lowest barriers to entry. It’s free. You don’t have to book a session, you can do it alone or in a group, in the morning or at night, and it fits around your life. It’s accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels, and it has so many mental, spiritual and physical health benefits,” she says.
Her regular walks – including what she calls “walkie talkies” with friends and family – have also become a non-confrontational way to work through difficult conversations while getting exercise and sunshine.
More Over, Bushwalk – Here Comes the ‘Bouge Walk’
As part of her ambassadorship, Elle is on a mission to change the way in which women think about hiking – and she’s coined a term for it. Meet the ‘bouge walk’: the glam version of a your typical 'bushwalk'.
“A lot of women used to think hiking was for people who liked roughing it and pushing themselves to the extreme. I’m hoping to change that perception and show that even more challenging, multi-day hikes can be achievable and fun to tackle with friends,” Elle says.
“It’s all about incorporating little luxuries into your bushwalk – a hiking outfit that makes you feel your best, a delicious picnic spread, dinner at a nice restaurant afterwards, a stay at a nice hotel, or just a DIY pamper session.” We couldn’t agree more. Walk now, wine later!
Why Elle Is Joining Coastrek
Walking has opened Elle’s eyes to places she’d otherwise never have seen.
“Walking has helped me discover hidden gems in my neighbourhood, across Australia and in far-flung destinations around the world – places that simply can’t be experienced from a car window,” she says.
“That’s one of the reasons I’m so excited to be a Coastrek Ambassador. Coastrek takes people through some of Australia’s most spectacular coastal landscapes, and there’s something incredibly special about experiencing these environments on foot, alongside friends, while challenging yourself and reconnecting with nature,” Elle says.
“I encourage everyone to get outdoors, embrace adventure and explore the beautiful natural environments we’re so lucky to have right here on our doorstep.”
Hiking for Mental Health
Elle knows firsthand how much walking can do for your mental health, making her a natural fit as we continue our partnership with Beyond Blue. Coastrek trekkers raise vital funds for Beyond Blue’s free, confidential, 24/7 Support Service, which more than 300,000 people contacted last year.
Women Don’t Need Another Workout
Our founder, Di Westaway OAM, has watched the evolution of women’s fitness firsthand and believes the hiking boom sweeping the country is about something much bigger than exercise.
“Women don’t necessarily need another workout. They need an adventure”, Di says. “When you get women outside, walking together towards a shared goal, something shifts. The conversations become deeper, the laughter gets louder, and suddenly the things that seemed so overwhelming don’t quite feel so overwhelming.”
Di says Elle is a perfect fit for the Coastrek community.
“Elle has discovered what thousands of women who do Coastrek: that walking can change the way you feel, the way you think and the way you connect with the people around you,” she says. “She’s also proof that you don’t have to be an elite athlete to take on an extraordinary challenge. You just need to start walking.”
Elle joins fellow Coastrek Ambassador and Everest summiteer Bianca Adler, who is passionate about encouraging more young people to get outdoors and experience the benefits of nature and movement.
Walk Alongside Elle at Coastrek Sydney
Gather a team or two or more, choose your distance and start training ahead of Event Day – with Elle walking alongisde you.
- When: Friday 19 March 2027
- Where: Sydney Eastern Beaches
- Distances: 20km, 30km or 50km
- Teams: Two or more
- Training: 12-week training program provided
- Charity partner: Beyond Blue
- Registrations close: 7 February 2027
Since our first event in 2009, more than 90,000 people have trained for and completed a Coastrek, raising over $60 million for Australian charities. We can’t wait to have Elle, and you, on the trail with us.
Register for Coastrek Sydney or check out all our national event dates. To support Coastrek and donate to Beyond Blue, visit our donate page.
If this raises anything for you, Beyond Blue’s 24/7 Support Service is available on 1300 22 4636, or visit Beyond Blue's support page for email and webchat.
