wellness
How to start a walking group in your neighbourhood
Residents across Hobart suburbs are forming small walking groups to build fitness routines without gym fees or travel.
How we reported this
More than 40 residents in the Battery Point area launched a twice-weekly walking group last month using the Hobart Waterfront parkrun route as their base.
Interest has grown since UTAS health research released in May 2025 showed regular group walks cut isolation reports by 28 percent among adults over 45 in southern Tasmania. House price pressures and the recent Telstra outage disruptions have left many locals seeking low-cost activities close to home rather than relying on distant facilities.
Choosing routes that work
Battery Point streets such as Hampden Road and the Salamanca foreshore offer flat paths for beginners while the kunanyi/Mt Wellington summit track provides steeper options for fitter members. Groups can register free through the Hobart City Council community grants program which covers basic insurance for up to 20 participants at a time.
UTAS data from its 2024 active communities study found groups meeting three times weekly achieved average attendance rates of 65 percent after six months when routes stayed under five kilometres.
Practical first steps
Post a notice on the neighbourhood noticeboard at the Sandy Bay Woolworths or use the free UTAS community noticeboard online to gauge interest before setting a first meet time. Start with one short loop along the Derwent River path near the waterfront and collect contact details on paper rather than apps to avoid data issues during outages.
After the initial walk decide on a regular day and time then check with a local GP practice such as the one on Macquarie Street for any group health screening advice before expanding membership.