WATCH: Jessica and George Cox on final stretch of King Island circumnavigation

Jessica Cox and her husband George were ahead of schedule after reaching Naracoopa on Saturday, about Day 4 into their winter circumnavigation of King Island’s coastline.

The pair set out from their Charles Street home in Currie last Wednesday and are now hoping to complete the journey and return to their starting point by Tuesday night.

Ms Cox is undertaking the walk to raise money for the Black Dog Institute and awareness of the mental health challenges faced by young people.

The walkers had been fortunate with the weather, encountering an angled wind on the opening day and heavy rain during the first night, but otherwise experiencing relatively favourable conditions.

While the weather had been kind, Ms Cox said the journey had been far more technically demanding than simply following beaches or established tracks.

“We are following the coast as close to the ocean as we possibly can,” she said.

“There have been hills, cliffs, rock faces and places where we’ve had to get over something and then reassess where we’re going.”

Ms Cox’s pack weighed about 18.5 kilograms when she left and had reduced to about 16.5 kilograms as food was consumed. Further supplies were expected to be dropped along the route.

George joined the walk after Ms Cox’s mother expressed concern about her completing the isolated journey alone.

Ms Cox said his company had been valuable when assessing difficult routes and negotiating steep terrain, although the pair did not always agree on whether to take the shortest option.

“There have been a couple of times where he’s wanted to take the shorter route and I’ve said, ‘No, I’m following the coast’,” she said.

Some sections required them to remove their packs to squeeze through gaps or climb over rock formations. A coastal section they considered unsafe also forced a detour of about three to four kilometres.

Tour operator Ian Allan of King Island Walks joined them for part of the difficult section between Fitzmaurice Bay and the Copperhead Trail, helping them negotiate cliffs and find the best route.

Ms Cox said the long stretch of soft sand between Surprise Bay and Red Hut had also been harder than expected.

“I thought the beaches would be the easy bit, but it turns out soft sand is kind of my Achilles heel,” she said.

The dogs accompanying the walkers were rested at Red Hut before the pair continued through the Dolphin mine site. Access had been arranged in advance, with the walkers completing breath tests, wearing safety equipment and being escorted through the operational area.

Ms Cox has also been managing a sprained ankle suffered on rocks during the first day and another fall when ground gave way beneath her in a mutton bird rookery.

Despite the setbacks, she said the journey had revealed how determined she could be.

“I think I’ve realised I’m a little bit more stubborn and determined than I thought I was,” she said.

By Saturday, donations had reached the walk’s original $7500 fundraising target. Ms Cox said she has raising it to $13,000, a “baker’s dozen”, in recognition of being a baker’s daughter.

After stopping for lunch at Naracoopa, the pair continued towards Cowper Point and Sea Elephant, with long stretches of beach and further water crossings ahead. By Monday they were heading towards Cape Wickham and then will tackle the rocky west coast heading on their way to Currie

Ms Cox thanked islanders for their encouragement, donations and practical assistance along the route.

“It’s amazing to see the support,” she said.

Donations can be made at www.teamblackdog.org.au/fundraisers/jessicacox/king-island.