Walking SA is the not-for-profit peak body that leads, promotes and supports all forms of walking in South Australia, including walking for recreation, transport, health, wellbeing, organised events, adventure, environmental appreciation and fun experiences.

Our vision is to see more people walking more often.

Our members include walking clubs, informal groups, individuals and organisations whose aims and objectives align with those of Walking SA.

We provide leadership by:

• Promoting opportunities to improve the health and lifestyle of South Australians through walking.
• Offering expertise, guidance and advocacy for the development and maintenance of safe and supportive walking environments throughout South Australia.

We receive funding from members and the Office for Recreation and Sport.

History

Foundation & Early Years

Walking SA was formed as the Federation of Walking Clubs of SA in 1992, to unite the causes of individual walking clubs. By uniting the efforts of walking clubs and their members, Walking SA was able to protect walking areas, and protect rights of trail access.

Despite being the last bushwalking federation formed amongst Australian states, Walking SA was the first federation to be recognised as the peak walking body for their state, and receive government funding.

In 2002 the organisation’s name was amended to the Walking Federation of SA to allow for individual members, rather than just club members. In the mid-2000s the name Walking SA was adopted.

2013 Review

In 2013 the Office of Recreation and Sport (ORS) commissioned a review into the governance and organisational structure of Walking SA. The broad intention of this review was to make a series of recommendations regarding the future direction of Walking SA in the context of the current ‘walking’ environment in South Australia.

The recommendations proposed in the report are assisting Walking SA to clarify and strengthen our purpose and structure – and solidify our role within a state that has recently been deemed as having the highest levels of obesity in the nation. Now more than ever South Australia needs strong advocates to promote easily accessible and affordable forms of exercise and recreation – and Walking SA, adequately resourced, is well placed to assume this role.

The recommendations from this report have been adopted by both Walking SA and ORS.