How to Start a Walking Group in Your Neighbourhood

Every Wednesday morning before sunrise, a circle of neighbours gathers on Campbell Parade outside Bondi Pavilion. Some are in well-worn joggers, others in office attire with takeaway coffees. Together, they form the Bondi Sunrise Striders — a local walking group started by two residents last summer that now counts more than 35 regulars. Their goal is simple: get Sydneysiders moving, rain or shine, and build new friendships along the iconic coastal path.

Community-led fitness has found new momentum in Sydney as many search for affordable, accessible ways to keep active. After three challenging pandemic years, and with the cost of gym memberships rising (Sydney’s average fee sits just over $22 per week according to Finder), grassroots group exercise is filling the gap. Local walking groups tap into the city’s unique social fabric and scenic backdrops — from the Four Frogs at Centennial Park, to Redfern’s walking mums, to veterans marching along Iron Cove.

Where to Begin

Successful groups usually start small. Kirsten Shaw, who helps manage the Inner West Healthy Hearts Meetup based out of Petersham Park on Brighton Street, recommends picking a familiar, accessible route as the foundation. “People love the Bay Run for a reason — it’s flat, dog-friendly, and there are plenty of bathrooms,” she says. Other Sydney favourites include the Hermitage Foreshore Walk in Vaucluse or the leafy trails circling Lake Mungo in Centennial Parklands.

There’s also a growing crop of organisations helping residents get started. Heart Foundation Walking — Australia’s biggest network of community walkers — lists more than 40 active groups across greater Sydney, including teams at Stanmore, Surry Hills, and St Leonards. Registration is free, and membership includes access to resources for starting your own group (plus the occasional step challenge and prize draw).

Numbers That Walk the Talk

According to recent ABS data, more than 27% of Sydneysiders now say walking is their main form of regular physical activity — a jump of nearly 8% since 2019. Group walks don’t just boost step counts: an Australian study published in BMC Public Health found that participants in neighbourhood walking groups recorded higher adherence and better wellbeing than those exercising solo. Beyond health, group meets help bridge social gaps: newcomers to Woolloomooloo’s Wharfies Walking Mob say it’s as much about sharing local stories as pacing through Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.

Costs are low to non-existent. Most groups advertise via free noticeboards or local Facebook pages ("Newtown Neighbourhood Walkers" and "Strathfield Step Squad" each have active Messenger chats). For those after something more structured, the City of Sydney supports several neighbourhood walking events — participation is usually free, but make sure to check dates and meeting points.

Getting started needn’t be daunting. Set a regular day and time, nominate a meeting spot (parks, playgrounds, even the corner café at Chippendale Green), and decide on a manageable route. Print up a few flyers for your local library or supermarket. The Heart Foundation provides safety tips and sign-up templates, or try Meetup.com’s Sydney wellness category to broadcast beyond your postcode. A WhatsApp group can keep everyone in sync — and it never hurts to offer coffee at the finish line.

With spring just around the corner, expect a fresh wave of step-seekers citywide. Lace up, invite your neighbours, and make movement a weekly ritual. If Bondi’s Striders can start with just two, there’s every reason your street could too.