Walktober might be ending, but there’s lots of places to walk and people to walk with

With the last day of October brings our Walktober SA celebration of walking to an end.

We’ve loved seeing the places you’ve been walking, awarding weekly prizes and showing you some of the best places to walk.

Use the the Heart Foundation Walking app to help keep track of your walking and reward you for stepping it up. Join or start a Heart Foundation Walking group today, use the promo code ‘Family’ and you will enter the draw to win a $500 Target voucher. Read more or download the app at walking.heartfoundation.org.au.

Grab one of our themed Best Walk lists for some ideas on where to walk:

With over 550 walks and trails on our website, there’s sure to be somewhere near you to go for a walk.

You’re just two feet from some of the best places in South Australia.

Winner of the three-day Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail experience

Take a walk on the wild side. Win a Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail experienceTake a walk on the wild side. Win a Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail experience

Walking the Kangaroo Island Wilderness TrailWalking the Kangaroo Island Wilderness TrailWalking the Kangaroo Island Wilderness TrailEnjoying the Kangaroo Island Wilderness RetreatKangaroo Island Wilderness Retreat

As part of WalktoberSA – a celebration or walking throughout October – we brought you a chance to take a walk on the wild side by winning a Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail experience thanks to SeaLink.

Thanks to everyone who entered, the winner of the competition, who was randomly selected, is Angela Versace of Panorama. Congratulations, it’ll be a superb trip!

Nature’s secrets are waiting to be discovered at every step of the 61 kilometre five-day trek, with the trail weaving its way through the most botanically unique area in all of South Australia before reaching the rugged, remote and spectacular coastline of the Southern Ocean.

SealinkSeaLink have a range of new packages to walk the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail by camping along the way or staying in accommodation off the trail and enjoying the luxury of a hot shower and comfortable bed each night. Walk from 2 or 3 days up to the full 5 days – view the 3 packages. The range of experiences means the beauty of the track is open for all to explore. Extend your stay after completing the trail to experience some more of the island’s unique wildlife, mouth watering food and wine and laid-back lifestyle.

Winners of “View From My Walk” photo competition, week 4

View from my walk winners, week 3

The winners of our fourth and final week of the “view from my walk” photo competition, are:

Thanks to Scout Outdoor Centre, @capturing_senses1 has won a Stratos 26 day pack. The 26L daypack provides a fully adjustable ventilated back system and hipbelt, allowing for increased comfort in warm weather. And @meltheunit has won a $50 store voucher for Scout Outdoor Centre.

The competition is part of #walktoberSA – celebrating walking throughout October.

Looking for a way to build walking into your weekly schedule?

Parkrun have regular walks and runs each Saturday, social share

Are you looking for a way to build walking into your weekly schedule?

Don’t be put off by the name Parkrun, walkers are always welcome to join. They organise free, weekly, 5km timed walks or runs. They are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in. These are set up as events usually in pleasant parklands surroundings and are run by a volunteer network.

With 32 Parkruns held each Saturday morning throughout South Australia, there’s bound to be one near you. Search for one nearby you via their map at parkrun.com.au/events, or review the list below.

Not one near you? There might be soon, Parkrun is spreading rapidly throughout South Australia, having added 12 new events in the first 9 months of this year, since starting their first one here in SA in 2012.

Throughout October we’re celebrating walking with #walktoberSA

Walking can transform your life, hear Bill’s story using walking to recover from a stroke

Walking can transform your life. Bill talks about how after suffering a stroke he felt pretty low, and to overcome how frustrated he felt he decided to start walking, at first doing small walks then slowly challenging himself to do more.

“Back then I felt pretty hopeless at walking, but now, the personal satisfaction cant be described really, it’s nature, the birds, the bees, the waterfalls, it’s freedom, it’s so beautiful. Everyday you see something that you don’t see the day before.”

Throughout October we’re celebrating walking with #walktoberSA

Transcript:

I suffered a stroke back in 2002, and for a long time I couldn’t walk and after about 12 months of that I got very frustrated, so I tried to have a go, and that’s why I started.

I was down on the beach, feeling pretty low, because I couldn’t walk properly, and I met a friend of mine, who I used to work with, who met me on the beach. He was doing a fitness walk, as people do, and he met me and wondered why I was stumbling. We got to talking and decided he would stay with me every day thereafter helping me to take another 10, 20 yards, climb these stairs, let’s not climb, let’s do another set, that’s just how it worked… and [I feel] very very lucky.

Walking now is almost a daily thing, I try and take one day off a week, I try and force myself to do that. Usually every day 7 or 8 k’s along the beach, and then once a week I try and get and up into the Hills or something and do 20 k 25 k hike.

The most challenging walk has probably been the Overland Trail in Tasmania. When I started hiking first my granddaughter joined me to help me hike, then my brother jumped in when she popped out and we both enjoyed it, so we decided to give the Overland Trail in Tasmania a go. Climbing up over Cradle Mountain and around the lake, and that was probably the most challenging, the rain, wind, you name it, we had it.

Back then I felt pretty hopeless at it, but now, the personal satisfaction cant be described really, it’s nature, the birds, the bees, the waterfalls, it’s freedom, it’s so beautiful. Everyday you see something that you don’t see the day before.

Bushwalks close to the city for evening hikes

With daylight savings short after-work hikes are a great way to get out and experience nature and the sunshine.

We’ve updated our previous list to add 20 more hikes, showcasing 45 short hikes which are close to Adelaide. All are an hour or two, up to three hours.

Prefer easier walks around Adelaide along rivers, the coast and metropolitan parks?

Check out our accompanying article:
30 Evening walks to enjoy now that Daylight Saving has started

Throughout October we’re celebrating walking with walktoberSA. Watch out for some more lists of best walks and hikes throughout the month.

45 Bushwalks close to the city for evening hikes

Sugarloaf Circuit1.

EAST: Sugarloaf Circuit

5.8km, 3 hours

The Sugarloaf Circuit hike is a 3 hour, 5.8km circuit through the cool sanctuary of Chambers Gully and Woolshed Gully, with splendid views of the city and coast. Watch out for koalas and kangaroos.


Continue reading article

Way2Go Walktober – a chance to practice new habits and walk to school

way2goThe Government of South Australia’s Active School Travel program Way2Go is joining in Walktober SA by supporting more families and children to walk to school.

Way2Go Walktober, from October 15 to 31, is a chance to practice new habits. Walk to school with your children – just once a week will make a difference:

  • try once a week and build up
  • take turns with other families to walk with kids and make it fun
  • mix it up by riding a bike or scooter (You all can ride on the footpath)

Too far to walk the whole way? Park the car nearby and walk part of the way to school.

Read more tips, including about planning ahead and how to support your child at dpti.sa.gov.au/Way2Go/way2go_walktober

We know that using active travel to get to school is good for children’s physical health, as well as their growing brains, bones, muscles and imaginations!

Here at Walking SA we’re keen to see more children walking and cycling safely to school. View our Position Statement.

Throughout October we’re celebrating walking with WalktoberSA.

Week 4: Share your “view from my walk” photo using #walktoberSA for a chance to win a weekly prize throughout October

View from my walk, photo competition week 4Share your “view from my walk” photo using #walktoberSA for a chance to win a weekly prize throughout October.

Take a walk in a nearby park, along the beach, along a river, in a national park or on your walk to work – anywhere in South Australia. October is ideal for walking – the temperatures are mild and the evenings are getting longer.

Stratos 26 day packThe weekly prize for the fourth week, thanks to Scout Outdoor Centre, is a chance to win a Stratos 26 day pack. The 26L daypack provides a fully adjustable ventilated back system and hipbelt, allowing for increased comfort in warm weather.

This week’s prizes will be drawn Monday 29/10/18. Last week’s winners were announced earlier today.

Good luck and enjoy a walk! You’re just two feet from some of the best places in South Australia.

Enter via Instagram or Twitter. Facebook users can post direct to our page via @WalkingSA to share their photo.

View terms and conditions.

The competition is part of #walktoberSA – celebrating walking throughout October.

Winners of “View From My Walk” photo competition, week 3

View from my walk winners, week 3

The winners of our third week of the “view from my walk” photo competition, are:

  • Facebook user Julia Patten with her photo of hiking Waterfall Gully at twilight
  • Instagram user Shelby Allen @shel_b_melissa with her photo of Day 18 of wandering through McLaren Vale. WalktoberSA has inspired Shelby to do a walk each day, be it on a beach, nearby reserve or a hike in a national park.

Thanks to Cleland Wildlife Park, the two winners this week have each won a Family Pass to Cleland Wildlife Park, valued at $61 each.

Share your “view from my walk” photo using #walktoberSA for a chance to win a weekly prize throughout October – use #walktoberSA for a chance to win. We’ll announce the week 4 prizes later today.

Take a walk in a nearby park, along the beach, along a river, in a national park or on your walk to work – anywhere in South Australia. October is ideal for walking – the temperatures are mild and the evenings are getting longer.

Good luck and enjoy a walk! You’re just two feet from some of the best places in South Australia.

Enter via Instagram or Twitter. Facebook users can post direct to our page via @WalkingSA to share their photo.

View terms and conditions.

The competition is part of #walktoberSA – celebrating walking throughout October.

Keeping active can help you stay physically fit and mentally healthy

Shared via Beyond Blue:

Regular physical activity is a good way to help prevent or manage mild anxiety and depression. Keeping active can help you stay physically fit and mentally healthy.

Research shows that keeping active can:

  • help lift mood through improved fitness and the release of natural chemicals in the brain
  • help improve sleeping patterns
  • increase energy levels
  • help block negative thoughts and/or distract people from daily worries
  • help people feel less alone if they exercise with others.

Physical activity increases your wellbeing. The current recommendation is at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the week. However, people with anxiety or depression may find it difficult to get started or get motivated, or continue to exercise on a long-term basis.

View Beyond Blue’s:

  • tips to get started,
  • examples of activities,
  • or download their Activity Plan template.

beyondblue.org.au/get-support/staying-well/keeping-active

Throughout October we’re celebrating walking with #walktoberSA

Hiking with children: how walking as a child led to being an active adult

Story via the Friends of the Heysen Trail.

Amelia writes of her family’s tradition of walking the Heysen Trail as a child – she was very much reluctant to do this, preferring to read books and make craft – and how by the time she was in high school she had well and truly caught the activity bug and to this day is still an active walker.

Last year she started walking the Heysen Trail as a family again, but this time with her own children. The great thing about the Heysen Trail is you don’t need to try and tackle it all at once, and can do short walks closer to Adelaide.

She asked her eight-year-old son his thoughts on the walks they’d done so far:

‘One of my favourite sections was the boggy bits. The others squelched into the mud probably because you’re bigger. But me, I got through easier and was dancing around waiting at the end of the bog.’

‘I liked the green and the tweeting of the birds. I liked going over the fields in the sunshine. I loved looking at the old mines with their deep, dark holes. I liked the feeling of the grass rustling against my leg because it was so long. I loved going through the valleys and hearing the echoes of our voices, cooo-eeee.’

Read the full article on the Friends of the Heysen Trail website.

Week 3: Share your “view from my walk” photo using #walktoberSA for a chance to win a weekly prize throughout October

Share your “view from my walk” photo using #walktoberSA for a chance to win a weekly prize throughout October.

Take a walk in a nearby park, along the beach, along a river, in a national park or on your walk to work – anywhere in South Australia. October is ideal for walking – the temperatures are mild and the evenings are getting longer.

The weekly prizes for the third week, thanks to Cleland Wildlife Park, is a chance to win one of two Family Passes, valued at $61 each. Valid for 2 adults and 2 children OR 1 adult and 3 children.

This week’s prizes will be drawn Monday 22/10/18. Last week’s winner was announced earlier today.

Good luck and enjoy a walk! You’re just two feet from some of the best places in South Australia.

Enter via Instagram or Twitter. Facebook users can post direct to our page via @WalkingSA to share their photo.

View terms and conditions.

The competition is part of #walktoberSA – celebrating walking throughout October.

Winners of “View From My Walk” photo competition, week 2

View from my walk competition winner, week 2The winner of our second week of the “view from my walk” photo competition, is Instagram user thehikinglibrarian with a photo of her daughter and herself completing the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail. What a great experience for a parent and child, to walk together for 5 days, planning and undertaking the experience together,  escaping into nature and forming memories together.

Throughout October you can enter our draw for a chance to win a 3-day experience on the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail thanks to SeaLink.

Thanks to Rays, thehikinglibrarian has won a set of two Leki Anti-shock Trail AS walking poles. With Rays you can find gear to go for a hike, a paddle, or camp, and outdoor clothing and footwear for men, women and kids. Visit their store on Main North Road, Enfield or shop online.

Share your “view from my walk” photo using #walktoberSA for a chance to win a weekly prize throughout October – use #walktoberSA for a chance to win. View Week 3 prize details.

Take a walk in a nearby park, along the beach, along a river, in a national park or on your walk to work – anywhere in South Australia. October is ideal for walking – the temperatures are mild and the evenings are getting longer.

Good luck and enjoy a walk! You’re just two feet from some of the best places in South Australia.

Enter via Instagram or Twitter. Facebook users can post direct to our page via @WalkingSA to share their photo.

View terms and conditions.

The competition is part of #walktoberSA – celebrating walking throughout October.

Living a healthy lifestyle through joining a walking group and good nutrition: one man’s story of life with diabetes and rehabilitation

Glenn with his local Heart Foundation Walking group

Glenn with his local Heart Foundation Walking group

A great story of transformation through walking from Heart Foundation Walking:

Glenn McLennan was diagnosed with Diabetes in 2010 and by 2011 had his first operation on a foot. Unfortunately, complications set in in 2016 and by January 2017 both lower limbs were amputated.

12 months ago he joined his local Heart Foundation Walking group.

Walk Organiser Alison Gentles said, “He liked what he saw – a happy, friendly group and the flat surface because we walk at the shopping centre,” said Alison.

Glenn enjoys the social side of the group with the coffee catch up after the walk. With the support of the walking group, specialists and his local community; Glenn has a positive outlook and is committed to living a healthy lifestyle through walking and good nutrition. Glenn hopes his story will send a positive message to the younger generation about the importance of regular exercise and healthy eating.

Join a Heart Foundation Walking group to take positive steps to help reduce stress, have a healthier body, build stronger relationships, and most of all, be happy. With 128 groups across South Australia there’s sure to be one close to you.

Throughout October we’re celebrating walking with #walktoberSA

Article via Heart Foundation.

2018 Walking Awards recognising contributions to walking in South Australia

Many volunteers and others have contributed to South Australia’s great walking trails, walking clubs, and walking promotion and opportunities for health, wellbeing, recreation and tourism.

In its third year, last night’s annual Walking Awards at the Jade in Flinders St recognised sustained and outstanding contribution to walking at all levels throughout South Australia.

Awards were presented to 12 organisations and individuals, celebrating their contribution to walking in South Australia.

If you know of someone who should be considered for 2019’s awards please do consider nominating them, we’re accepting nominations throughout the year.

2018 Annual Walking Award Winners

2018 Award Winner: District Council of Cleve

District Council of Cleve

2018 Local Government Award – Organisation

The Council developed the 5km trail to a standard to be accessible to people with mobility issues. Many have made use of the trail, as well as local gym members, a local walking group, and the local parkrun – all assisting in the promotion of participating in structured and unstructured …

2018 Award Winner: South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI)

South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI)

2018 Special Recognition Award – Group/Organisation

On Saturday 5 May 2018, the final section of the 350km Lavender Federation Trail was opened at Clare. It had taken 21 years since the concept was imagined for the dedicated volunteers of South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI) to bring the trail from a vision to reality. …

2018 Award Winner: National Trust of South Australia – Hahndorf Branch

National Trust of South Australia – Hahndorf Branch

2018 Special Recognition Award – Group/Organisation

The trail honours the German pioneer women who regularly walked along the old Peramangk trails with their produce to sell in Adelaide. The Hahndorf Branch has been instrumental in establishing, maintaining and promoting the trail, having first walked the route in 1980 and opening the trail in …

2018 Award Winner: National Heart Foundation Walking

National Heart Foundation Walking

2018 Special Recognition Award – Group/Organisation

The Heart Foundation established the program to encourage thousands of Australians to get moving for better health. The program gives participants 20 weeks to walk towards the magic target of a million steps or complete 100 group walks. Built upon the strong foundation of their network of free …

2018 Award Winner: Department for Environment and Water

Department for Environment and Water

2018 Special Recognition Award – Group/Organisation

The Government of South Australia’s Department for Environment and Water established the Park of the Month program as a means of promoting our national parks in South Australia. Run in conjunction with Nature Play SA, this has been an exciting program focusing on individual parks with an …

2018 Award Winner: Peter Beer, Adelaide Bushwalkers

Peter Beer, Adelaide Bushwalkers

2018 Long Standing Contribution/Distinctive Service Award – Individual

Peter Beer has been a member of Adelaide Bushwalkers (ABW) since 1959 as a prolific walk leader, facilitating training for new members, Walks Secretary and President. He has published two books, “Flinders Ranges Walks”, and more recently “Adelaide’s Best Bush, Coast & City Walks”. Peter …

2018 Award Winner: Ted Chessman

Ted Chessman

2018 Special Recognition Award – Individual

As a trained and experienced walk leader Ted has for almost 30 years been involved in establishing walking groups. For 29 years Ted led 2 walks a week with the Keep Fit SA campaign (1989-1998) and later the Keep Walking group. He led walks of varying grades of difficulty, which enabled people …

2018 Award Winner: Andrew Govan, Bushwalking Leadership SA

Andrew Govan, Bushwalking Leadership SA

2018 Long Standing Contribution/Distinctive Service Award – Individual

Andrew has been involved in bushwalking since the early 1990s and has been a tireless contributor. He has been instrumental in continuing to ensure Bushwalking Leadership SA remains relevant and fit for purpose to the South Australian community. He is an active member of their Board and is …

2018 Award Winner: George Adams, South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI)

George Adams, South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI)

2018 Long Standing Contribution/Distinctive Service Award – Individual

For the past 19 years George has been involved bringing the vision of the Lavender Federation Trail to fruition. George has taken every opportunity to complete the trail by assisting in planning of the trail route, working bees, and marking the trail. As the trail grew in length, he undertook …

2018 Award Winner: Barry Stacey, South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI)

Barry Stacey, South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI)

2018 Long Standing Contribution/Distinctive Service Award – Individual

Barry served for almost 14 years as Secretary on the Board of the South Australian Recreation Trails Inc (SARTI), which has brought the vision of the 350km Lavender Federation Trail to fruition. As planning and construction of the trail spread further north, in his role as Secretary he has been …

2018 Award Winner: Cynthia Pyle, St. Agnes Bushwalking and Natural History Club

Cynthia Pyle, St. Agnes Bushwalking and Natural History Club

2018 Long Standing Contribution/Distinctive Service Award – Individual

Cynthia has served as Club Secretary since 2004, including collating the walking program, organising the Club’s publicity and being the first point of contact for enquires from potential members and current members. She leads many interesting walks where she shares her comprehensive general …

2018 Award Winner: John Wilson, Friends of the Heysen Trail

John Wilson, Friends of the Heysen Trail

2018 Long Standing Contribution/Distinctive Service Award – Individual

John joined the Friends of the Heysen Trail in 1990, volunteering in trail maintenance, collaborating on an interim Heysen Trail Maintenance Manual and in developing the first Management Plan for the Heysen Trail. Serving on the organisation’s Council since 1995, as editor of the organisation’s …