Q1 Stair Challenge 2027
**Date to be announced soon**
77 floors.
One climb.
Real change.
Scale the 230m vertical climb of the Q1 to Skypoint, the most epic Finish Line in Australia and raise vital funds for LIVIN's mental health education programs for young Australians. Every dollar raised from the Skypoint Sea to Sky Q1 Stair Challenge helps start a conversation that could save a life.
Date: To be announced soon
Where: Q1, 9 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise
WHY WE CLIMB
Every step funds a conversation.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 44. LIVIN exists to change that. The money you raise goes straight into delivering LIVINWell — LIVIN’s mental health education program — to high school students across Australia.
Because it ain't weak to speak. And help is always close.
EVENT DAY
The essentials.
WHEN **Date to be announced soon Check-in from 6:30am, first wave 7:00am
WHERE Q1, 9 Hamilton Avenue, Surfers Paradise starting from Clifford Street. Finish at Skypoint, Level 77
WHAT YOU GET Medal, branded bib, electronic timing Plus eCertificate, drink, fruit, medal, sponsor give-aways and a Monday Morning story that’s hard to beat!
BRING YOUR CREW Family and friends can meet you at the top with $10 Skypoint entry on the day
How it works
REGISTER
Register and pay for your event entry here. Please note that your $50 fundraising commitment is separate to your registration.
FUNDRAISE
Raise or donate at least $50 for LIVIN via the fundraising page emailed to you upon registering; add a photo and your why, then share it wide.
CLimb
Take on 77 floors, finish at Skypoint with a medal, drink, the view and bragging rights!
MEET LIVIN
LIVIN was founded on the Gold Coast in 2013 in loving memory of our friend Dwayne Lally. Dwayne lived in silence with a mental illness and took his life. Like many people, he didn’t know how to ask for help because of the stigma around mental health.
Everything we do is about changing that, because It Ain’t Weak To Speak®.
Every dollar you raise at the Q1 Stair Challenge goes straight into LIVINWell, our mental health education program for high school students across Australia. It gives young people the knowledge to speak up and seek help early, before things get too hard to manage. That knowledge can change a life, and it can save one.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for young Australians, and together we can turn the tide.
Let’s climb, connect and support each other. Help people start LIVIN again.
IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK
❤︎
HELP IS ALWAYS CLOSE
❤︎
BREAK THE STIGMA
❤︎
IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK ❤︎ HELP IS ALWAYS CLOSE ❤︎ BREAK THE STIGMA ❤︎
FAQs
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Please keep to the railing whilst climbing the stairwell.
If it is obvious that someone wants to overtake you, please allow them to.
Do not push, shove or block other runners.
Failure to maintain good sportsmanship will result in disqualification.
Assist other climbers if they require help at any stage.
No Go Pro Style cameras to be worn during event. Filming of any kind in stair well is prohibited.
Participants must be at least 8 years of age to participate in the Sea 2 Sky - SkyPoint Sea to Sky Q1 Stair Challenge, or 6+ years if participating in the Junior Buddies Climb**.
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Click here to see the 2026 Registration costs.
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Starting from Clifford Street, participants will climb 77 floors to the SkyPoint observation deck in various categories, including Elite Runners, Teams and Fancy Dress.
Check-in opens at 6:30 am, with bibs available for collection on event day.
Waves start from 7:00 am, and climbers are spaced apart to keep the stairwell uncongested. Teams’ times are combined to determine category winners, while individual climbers aim to reach the top in 18-20 minutes. Multi-climbers require prior registration.
First aiders will be in attendance on the day. They will be located near the start line, finish line, level 31 and 59. If you need to stop for a minute or two on the way up our first aiders are super friendly! If you need a quick sip of water they will have one for you before you continue on to the top.
What to Expect on the Day & How it Works:
Whether you choose to run, walk or do a bit of both, you will notice your heart rate will rise significantly as you climb. For this reason we recommend that all participants warm-up so that you increase your heart rate by 25-30 beats per minute just prior to participating.
Individuals will be sent off one at a time with approximately a 10 second gap between participants. Teams will line up together at the start line and can choose to go one at a time or as a group. After each group starts, we ensure a gap before the next participants to ensure the stairwell remains uncongested.
All persons will start from the Clifford Street starting line. For team ascenders, buddies and junior buddies and schools challenge participants, your individual times will be added together after the completion of the last persons arrival at the observation deck. The team with the lowest combined time is deemed the overall champion for that category. Please note that all participants in a team must complete the climb in order to be eligible for prizes in respective categories.
Remember, a stair challenge is a short duration, high intensity activity. Most participants can expect to complete the challenge within 18-20 minutes. Please see the 'Should I train for the event' section for tips on preparing for the SkyPoint Sea to Sky Q1 Stair Challenge.
*It is very common to experience a cough in stair challenge events. Most people assume that it is due to poor air quality in the stairwell, or that there is excess dust, but that is not the case. It happens in any air environment, even outside events. -
When your registration has been paid, you’ll receive a link to your individual fundraising page.
Update it with your own photo and a blurb about why you’re raising funds for LIVIN and taking part in the Q1 Stair Challenge!
Kick start your fundraising by making a $50 donation.
Share your page to your socials or via email to encourage donations. And you’re off!
We can send you a Fundraiser Toolkit with information you can share with your friends, family and colleagues.
Get in touch with Deanna Van Reyk at fundraise@livin.org if you need fundraising support or would like to discuss your ideas.
Enjoy a great day out climbing the Q1, knowing you are taking on a challenge to help LIVIN create a world where suicide is no longer the leading cause of death amongst our youth.
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If you are unable to participate due to injury or illness, contact steve.corrie@active8change.com.au as we are happy to either:
Transfer your entry to a friend (must notify us 3 days prior to the event)
Transfer your entry to the following year (must notify us 3 days prior to the event)
NB: we are unable to provide refunds for registrations. If unable to participate, money raised for the charity partner via online fundraising cannot be returned, however we can count the amount donated towards a transferred entry (as above).
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The Bruce Bishop Car Park is a short walk from Q1, click here for more information. For other Gold Coast car parking information click here.
Transport options
To check out the easiest way of getting to and from the SkyPoint Sea to Sky Q1 Stair Challenge by public transport, click here. -
Click here to view photos from the event .
Photos can be viewed 24 hours after event completion. 10% of sales will be donated to event beneficiary, LIVIN | Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health.
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To maximise your performance in the Skypoint Sea to Sky Q1 Stair Challenge, we recommend some form of training. Remember that how you participate on the day is up to you - you can walk, run, shuffle...or do a little of each.
Have a look at our general training guidelines below and also check out the some great training spots near you, courtesy of our good friends at Stair Climbing Australia.
To complete a stair climb challenge you require good cardiovascular endurance. Essentially this can be achieved through common fitness activities like swimming, running, cycling and hiking. But to take your performance to the next level, you will also need good lower body muscular strength. This can be achieved through hill climbing, soft sand running, stair climbing (of course), squats and general weight training in the gym.
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If you are traveling for the event why not stay at the best address on the Gold Coast - Q1 Resort and Spa!
Simply click here to access 15% off normal room rates on the event weekend using code ACTIVE8
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The team at Skypoint have discounted the access to the Skypoint Observation Deck on the day to a flat fee of $10. So your family and friends can join you as you cross the Finish Line . Tickets can be purchased on the day at the Ground Floor Skydeck ticket counter.
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