Senior fitness programs offered free by local council

Sunshine Coast Council will run free senior fitness sessions at two coastal locations starting 15 July 2026, with registration opening through the council website this week.

The move comes as the region’s over-65 population grows and local health services report rising demand for low-cost ways to maintain mobility and balance. Council data shows one in four Sunshine Coast residents will reach retirement age within the next decade, prompting expanded outdoor programs that avoid indoor facility fees.

Classes will operate on the Mooloolaba Esplanade foreshore every Tuesday and Thursday at 9 am, focusing on gentle resistance bands and seated stretches. A separate walking group meets at the Noosa National Park coastal track entrance off Noosa Drive each Monday and Friday, covering flat sections of the trail before returning to the car park within 45 minutes. Both programs are led by council-contracted instructors and require only closed shoes and water.

Evidence from local research

University of the Sunshine Coast health studies from 2025 tracked 180 participants in similar council-led groups and recorded a 14 percent average improvement in timed up-and-go scores after eight weeks. Sessions remain capped at 40 people to maintain instructor attention, with no charge for equipment or entry.

How to join

Residents can book spots online or at the council’s Maroochydore service centre on Currie Street. Those without internet access can call the wellness line on 1300 007 007 for same-day confirmation. New participants are advised to check with their GP before the first class, as the programs continue through September with possible extensions based on attendance figures.