For many women, the idea of bushwalking is appealing — fresh air, movement, time in nature — but the reality can feel intimidating. Questions like Where do I go? Who do I go with? Is it safe? Do I have the right skills? are often enough to stop people before they start.
This matters, because we know the benefits of walking — particularly in natural environments — are profound. Regular walking is one of the most accessible forms of physical activity, yet fewer than half of Australian women meet recommended physical activity guidelines. At the same time, rates of stress, anxiety and social isolation among women continue to rise, particularly following years of disruption, caring pressures and cost-of-living stress.
Bushwalking NSW Women’s Week exists to address these challenges — not with lectures or rules, but with experience.
With the support of Women NSW and Outdoors NSW ACT, Bushwalking NSW is hosting a state-wide bushwalking event, inviting women to get out of their comfort zone and explore around the next bend.
Across NSW, local bushwalking clubs are opening their doors and offering women a supported introduction to walking in nature. These aren’t extreme hikes or endurance challenges. They are local, entry-level walks led by experienced volunteers, designed to remove uncertainty and build confidence.
The evidence for this approach is compelling. Research consistently shows that spending time in green spaces can reduce stress, anxiety and symptoms of depression, while improving mood, focus and overall wellbeing. Walking in nature has also been shown to deliver greater mental health benefits than walking in urban or indoor environments alone. When people walk together, the benefits multiply — combining physical activity with social connection, belonging and peer support.
For women in particular, social connection is a critical protective factor for mental health. Group-based outdoor activities create space for conversation, friendship and shared discovery — especially important for women who may feel isolated, new to an area, returning to activity after a break, or unsure how to engage with outdoor recreation.
Bushwalking NSW’s Women’s Week also challenges a common misconception: that bushwalking requires specialist skills, expensive gear or distant locations. In reality, many of the most rewarding walking experiences are close to home — on local tracks, reserves and bushland — and supported by clubs deeply embedded in their communities.
By the end of the week, the hope is simple. That participants know where they can walk next, who they can walk with, and how to stay involved locally. Because when women feel welcome outdoors, the benefits don’t stop with a single walk. They ripple through families, communities and the places we care for — strengthening health, connection and stewardship of the bush for the long term.
See evidence below
Evidence Snapshot: Why Bushwalking Matters
Physical Activity
- Fewer than 50% of Australian women meet the recommended physical activity guidelines for health.
- Walking is consistently identified as the most accessible and sustainable form of physical activity, particularly for women across all life stages.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Spending time in natural environments is associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression, and improved mood and psychological wellbeing.
- Studies show that walking in green or natural spaces provides greater mental health benefits than walking in built or indoor environments alone.
Social Connection
- Social isolation is a growing risk factor for poor mental health, particularly for women experiencing life transitions, caring responsibilities or reduced community connection.
- Group-based physical activity, such as guided bushwalks, combines movement with social connection — a powerful protective factor for mental wellbeing.
Confidence & Participation
- Research shows that people are more likely to maintain physical activity when they:
- Feel safe and supported
- Participate with others
- Have clear pathways to continue locally
- Entry-level, locally led walking programs reduce common barriers such as lack of confidence, knowledge or social support.
Place & Stewardship
- Regular engagement with local natural environments increases connection to place, environmental awareness and care for bushland.
- Community bushwalking clubs play a key role in supporting safe access, local knowledge and long-term participation.
Why Bushwalking NSW Women’s Week Event
Bushwalking NSW’s Women’s Week brings these elements together — movement, nature, social connection and local pathways — creating welcoming opportunities for women to take their first step outdoors and continue walking beyond the week itself.
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