Community stories of people transforming their health locally

More than 180 locals have joined structured wellness groups at Kurrawa Beach and Lamington National Park since January, with many reporting lower resting heart rates and improved sleep within eight weeks.

These accounts arrive as winter temperatures drop and daylight hours shorten, prompting residents to seek reliable outdoor routines before the spring tourist surge begins on the coast.

At Kurrawa Beach, participants meet three mornings a week for volleyball drills organised by the local Surf Life Saving club. Further inland, groups gather at the start of the Coomera Circuit trail in Lamington National Park for guided hikes that last between 90 and 120 minutes.

Beach and trail routines produce steady results

A 2025 Gold Coast City Council survey of 1,200 residents found that those exercising at beach or hinterland sites at least four times monthly recorded an average 12 per cent improvement in self-reported energy levels compared with the previous year. Membership fees for the volleyball sessions stand at $45 for an eight-week block, while national park entry remains free for pedestrians.

One Broadbeach resident who began attending the Kurrawa sessions in March now completes the full 5-kilometre Coomera Circuit loop without stopping. Another participant from Nerang shifted from indoor gym work to twice-weekly Lamington hikes and noted a 4-kilogram weight reduction by early June.

Next steps for interested residents

Those wanting to start can register for the next Kurrawa Beach volleyball intake through the club’s office on Goodwin Terrace or check the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service website for Lamington trail updates before heading out. Local medical professionals remain the first point of contact for personalised health plans.