wellness
How to start a walking group in your neighbourhood
Hobart residents are forming neighbourhood walking groups to boost daily movement and local connections amid winter conditions.
How we reported this
Battery Point residents launched a weekly walking group on June 10 that meets every Tuesday at 7am outside St George’s Church on Secheron Road and covers 5 kilometres along the Derwent foreshore before 8am.
Interest in such groups has grown since UTAS released findings on physical activity patterns in southern Tasmania last year, with many people seeking low-cost ways to stay active when indoor options feel limited by shorter daylight hours.
The Hobart Waterfront parkrun on Sunday mornings at 7.30am provides one established model, drawing 180 participants along the boardwalk near the Elizabeth Street Pier each week, while organised summit hikes on kunanyi/Mt Wellington via the Organ Pipes track start from the Pinnacle Road car park on the first Saturday of each month.
Selecting routes and meeting points
Groups often begin with flat terrain such as the path from Salamanca Place to the Wrest Point promenade before advancing to steeper sections around the Queens Domain. A simple sign-up sheet posted at the local IGA on Macquarie Street or shared in the Sandy Bay community noticeboard keeps numbers manageable at the start.
Organisers set a recurring date and time, such as Thursdays at 6.30pm from the North Hobart oval, and request participants bring a torch during July and August when light fades early.
Tracking progress and staying consistent
UTAS researchers reported in a 2025 survey that 68 percent of Tasmanians who joined regular group walks maintained the habit for at least six months, compared with 31 percent of those walking alone. No fees apply beyond voluntary contributions for group messaging apps, though some groups collect $2 per person monthly for basic first-aid supplies.
Anyone can begin by confirming a safe meeting spot, posting details three weeks ahead on neighbourhood noticeboards, and reminding members to check with a local GP before increasing distance. The next step is simply to turn up on the chosen day and note who arrives so the group can adjust pace and route for the following week.