Why Bushwalking in Women’s Week Matters

By Outdoors NSW & ACT

Across New South Wales, more women than ever are looking for ways to improve their wellbeing, reconnect with others and spend time outdoors. Yet for many, participation in outdoor recreation can feel out of reach — not because of a lack of interest, but because of uncertainty.

Where do I go? Who do I go with? Is it safe? Do I need special skills or equipment?

These are common questions, and they matter. Because while walking is one of the most accessible forms of physical activity, fewer than half of Australian women meet recommended physical activity guidelines. At the same time, women are disproportionately affected by stress, social isolation and caring pressures — challenges that have only intensified in recent years.

Bushwalking Women’s Week (2–8 March) exists to bridge that gap.

Delivered by Bushwalking NSW, an Outdoors NSW & ACT member, and proudly supported by Women NSW, Bushwalking Women’s Week offers more than 50 entry-level bushwalks across the state, led by local bushwalking clubs. These walks are intentionally designed to be welcoming, supportive and local — removing the barriers that often prevent women from taking that first step outdoors.

The evidence is clear: nature, movement and connection matter

A growing body of evidence shows that spending time in natural environments supports mental health, reduces stress and improves overall wellbeing. Walking in green spaces has been shown to deliver greater psychological benefits than walking in built or indoor environments alone.

When walking is done in a group, the benefits multiply. Social connection is one of the strongest protective factors for mental health, particularly for women navigating life transitions, isolation, or returning to physical activity after a break. Guided, group-based outdoor activities create space for conversation, friendship and a sense of belonging — alongside physical movement.

Bushwalking Women’s Week brings these elements together: movement, nature and social connection, underpinned by local knowledge and community support.

Importantly, this initiative challenges the misconception that bushwalking is only for the experienced or adventurous. Many of the most rewarding walking experiences are close to home — on local tracks, reserves and bushland — and supported by clubs that are deeply embedded in their communities.

By offering entry-level walks led by experienced volunteers, Bushwalking Women’s Week creates clear, practical pathways for women to continue walking beyond the week itself. Participants leave knowing where they can walk next, who they can walk with, and how to stay involved locally.

From an ONSWACT perspective, this is exactly how sustainable participation in outdoor recreation is built:

• through welcoming entry points

• local leadership and volunteers

• and ongoing pathways, not one-off experiences.

Bushwalking in Women’s Week aligns strongly with broader health, wellbeing and participation priorities across NSW. It supports preventive health outcomes, strengthens community connection, and promotes safe, inclusive access to the outdoors — outcomes that sit at the heart of ONSWACT’s work across the outdoor industry.

When women feel confident and supported to access the outdoors, the benefits extend well beyond the individual. They ripple through families, communities and the places we care for — strengthening long-term engagement with nature and fostering stewardship of our bushland.

We encourage women across NSW to explore the program, find a walk near them, and take that first step outdoors.

👉 View the full program and register: www.bushwalkingnsw.org.au