This town's festival of walking will promote active living, bring community together and attract visitors to discover the natural gems of the region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The first Beaufort Walkfest offers an inclusive program of walks for all abilities from a 21km bush walk to an afternoon wheelie walk designed for people with walking frames.
Beaufort Walkfest organising committee member Jocelyn Reid said the event was established in response to obesity and mental health issues in the region.
It is also part of an effort to create an identity for Beaufort in preparation for the Western Highway bypass by promoting nature-based experiences.
"If we get people out walking it helps with their fitness and social contact which is very important, particularly for people who live alone," she said.
Walking can increase heart and lung fitness, reduce risk of heart disease and stroke, improve management of conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, increase muscle strength and reduce body fat, according to the Victorian government Better Health Channel.
Ms Reid said she walked for half an hour before breakfast every day.
"I have had one knee replacement, the other one is due in July, and I have also got a bad foot. The walking is slow but I see the benefits," she said.
The Beaufort Walkfest program starts at 8.30am on Saturday with the 21km Beeripmo walk and ends with a playground walk for families with children at 2pm on Sunday.
Other popular bushwalks include the Waterloo State Forest, Trawalla State Forest and Paradise walk, beautiful walks organising committee member Cara Lovejoy said many in the region do not know about.
Another highlight, according to Ms Lovejoy and Ms Reid, will be the heritage walk led by 89-year-old historian Shirley Boyle.
Fifteen walks in total are featured on the weekend program. All start at the Beaufort Community Bank Complex at 39 Park Rd in Beaufort unless otherwise stated on the program.
Contact Beaufort Walkfest on Facebook, via phone 0404 830 041, or email lovejoyc@mailcan.com to register, or arrive 30 minutes before the walk starts to register on the day.
All walks are free.
The Beaufort Walkfest is supported by Stockland Hill Wind Farm, Pyrenees Shire Council, Beaufort and Skipton Health Services, Beaufort Rotary, Beaufort APEX Club, Rainbow Arts and Culture Foundation and the Beaufort Bendigo Bank.
RELATED COVERAGE: