How to start a walking group in your neighbourhood

With early morning temperatures already climbing well above the seasonal average across the Illawarra, community walking groups are hitting their stride—from Fairy Meadow to Port Kembla—as residents look to stay healthy, connected, and cool.

After the city sweltered through a record hot June, interest in group fitness continues to climb. Bart Sutherland, coordinator of the City of Wollongong’s community wellbeing projects, said this week that new enquiries about walking programs were up by a third compared to last winter. “People are absolutely feeling the benefits of getting outside with others, especially in coastal places where there’s shade and a sea breeze,” he said.

Where to start in Wollongong

Locals have plenty of options to get walking together. Fairy Meadow Beach parklands, the shared path that hugs the coast from North Wollongong to Thirroul, and leafy suburban streets in Mangerton are all popular. Ready-made groups meet at Illinois Lane (Wollongong Central) on Wednesday mornings and at Stuart Park every Monday at 8.30am, organised by the national Heart Foundation Walking initiative. The Nan Tien Temple also hosts monthly ‘mindful walks’ through its surrounding gardens—a gentler option for all ages. Both the Heart Foundation and Illawarra Health Community led-walking projects welcome new members at zero cost, with weekly updates posted on their Facebook pages and noticeboards at local libraries.

For those wanting to organise a walking group from scratch, experts recommend keeping it simple. Start with two or three neighbours or friends, agree on a day, time, and route, and circulate the details on area Facebook groups (such as "Wollongong Buy, Swap and Sell" or "Community Noticeboard Wollongong"). The Wollongong City Council's social planning team offers a free downloadable guide called 'Walking Together' outlining tips for safe, inclusive events—available on the council's website.

Numbers, motivation, and next steps

There’s strength in numbers. According to NSW Active Living census data from 2025, people in group-based exercise are 1.6 times more likely to meet weekly physical activity guidelines compared to solo exercisers. And participation doesn’t have to break the bank. Annual costs are minimal—most groups operate free, or chip in a gold coin for snacks or safety vests. Large, established groups like those at Nan Tien Temple or Stuart Park report average attendance of 25-30 walkers each week, with ages ranging from teens to retirees.

With more hot days likely on the way, walking groups are also thinking smarter. Early starts (before 9am), shaded routes (try the Mangerton-to-Gwynneville gully path), and post-walk coffee meetups at spots like Diggies or Sandygoodwich keep motivation high. For anyone starting out, council safety officers recommend basic sun protection, carrying water, and sharing emergency contacts at the start of each session.

If you’re keen to launch your own neighbourhood group, leverage free tools: the Heart Foundation’s online group matching tool, Facebook events for RSVPs, and council-run wellness newsletters can all help get the word out. And with winter warmth sticking around, now might be the perfect time to lace up, step out, and bring your neighbours along.