Prevention Australia today revealed the nation’s top 10 walking towns. In association with Sunrise, Australia’s Best Walking Towns is a national initiative that publicly recognises the country’s most-loved walking areas while celebrating the health benefits of walking.

“From Noosa Heads to Narooma, Australia is blessed with fabulous walking destinations and we’re excited to publicly reward these towns for what they offer. All Australians are urged to get behind this initiative and vote for their favourite town,” said Natalie Filatoff, editor, Prevention.

Click here to vote for the town you believe should receive the accolade. Voting closes on Wednesday 30 June.

THE NATION’S TOP 10 REVEALED

QUEENSLAND
Townsville
Tropical North Queensland’s Townsville is home to a passionate walking community supported by an impressive infrastructure … “Walk up our obstacle-riddled Castle Hill goat track, through the 10,000 steps to Pallarenda, along the Strand, beside the river or around the streets of this tropical paradise—we are spoiled for choice!”

Noosa Heads
One of Queensland’s most popular tourist destinations, Noosa Heads is famous among walkers for the national park that bursts from its town centre across 454 hectares of bushland and down to the ocean. “We have walking tracks through the national park, around the beaches, rivers and lakes, as well as hills to test you as you climb against a backdrop of ocean, whales and dolphins …”

NEW SOUTH WALES
Port Macquarie
One of the oldest convict towns of NSW, Port Macquarie features walking tracks for people of all ages and fitness levels. “We have six major beaches, most with walkways built around the headlands or through the rainforests and reserves between them. We even have dog-friendly beaches …”

Narooma
A tranquil fishing town at the mouth of Wagonga Inlet in south-east NSW, Narooma is acclaimed for its natural beauty, whale watching and big game-fishing. “In Narooma you can choose your challenge: stroll easy flats or hike great hills. You can do ocean, inlet, lake or beach walks—all of which are within easy reach of town …”

VICTORIA
Bright
Nestled in the foothills of the Victorian Alps, Bright is a walker’s delight. Walks from and through the township, along the riversides and among the ever-changing deciduous trees provide endless pleasures for both locals and visitors. “An Autumn walk by the Ovens River is a celebration of life and nature—rippling water, colourful falling leaves, wildlife, dog walkers, pram pushers, joggers, and strollers. It’s heaven!”

Shepparton
Greater Shepparton, ‘the capital’ of the Goulbourn Valley, is the beating heart of Victoria’s dairy and agricultural industries. “In Shepparton, the Goulbourn River winds its way through farms, orchards and native forests. On our walks we see abundant wildlife and get a glimpse of real Australian bushland— all just a skip away from the city centre.”

SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Adelaide
Regarded as one of the most well-planned cities in the world, Adelaide offers a grid of streets set off by corridors of green space, making it the perfect destination for city walkers.“We walk through Adelaide’s leafy tree-lined streets, over both gentle slopes and puff-inducing hills, thankful for every day to live, and walk, in the kind of city that still feels like a country town.”

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Esperance
Boasting some of the whitest, most stunning beaches in the country, the three national parks of the Shire of Esperance – Cape Le Grand, Stokes and Cape Adrid—make the town a direct ticket to nature. “Esperance’s walking track follows some of the best beaches, jetties and parks in the world …”

TASMANIA
Launceston
Tasmania’s Garden City sits cosily nestled among hilly country where the Tamar, North Esk and South Esk rivers meet. Overflowing with 19th Century architecture, magnificent parks and riverside strolls, Launceston’s heritage charm in infused through every one of its walks and trails. “Launceston possesses everything you could ever want for the finest walks: water views, boutiques, parks, hills, wildlife, character, purity …”

AUSTRALIAN CAPTIAL TERRITORY
Canberra
Living at the heart of an extensive network of walking paths and tracks, and hosts of an international Walking Weekend, Canberra residents are born walkers … enjoy Lake Burley Griffin, Glebe and Commonwealth parks or explore Black Mountain. “Canberra is without doubt the best walking town in Australia! It has plenty of sunshine, challenging hills, lake views, national parks, national monuments …”

Picture Credit: Prevention