A new study has found that people living in walkable regional towns across Australia spend significantly more time exercising each week, strengthening calls for governments to invest in pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to improve public health outcomes.
The research, led by the Menzies Institute for Medical Research at the University of Tasmania and published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, analysed linked Tasmanian health data and geospatial measures of neighbourhood walkability. It found that residents in highly walkable regional areas walked an average of 75 minutes more per week than those in low-walkability areas.
The study also found that people living in moderately walkable regional communities walked more than 60 minutes extra per week, while the difference in urban areas was smaller, with residents in highly walkable cities walking 38 minutes more than those in less walkable locations.
Lead author Dr Sharon Campbell said the findings demonstrate the importance of improving how easily people can move through their communities on foot.
“Our study assessed walkability based on how connected and convenient it is to get around an area by foot. For instance, how easily and quickly can you walk to the local shops, schools, parks or public transport,” said Dr Campbell.
“When we merged Tasmanian government health data with geospatial walkability assessments, we revealed a clear link between walkability and residents’ physical activity levels across the state, with an even stronger relationship in regional and rural areas.
“Our research found residents in high walkability regional areas walked 75 minutes more a week compared to those living in low walkability regional areas. Even those in regional areas of medium walkability walked over 60 minutes more a week compared to those in low walkability regional areas. In comparison, residents in high walkability urban centres walked 38 minutes more when walkability was high.”
According to the research, the analysis drew on large-scale population health datasets and spatial modelling to measure how proximity to everyday destinations, street connectivity and access to services influenced physical activity. The findings suggest that built environment factors may play a particularly important role in regional and rural settings, where distances between key services are often greater and infrastructure is less developed.
Senior author Professor Verity Cleland said improving walkability could help address longstanding health disparities between regional and urban populations.
“Imagine if all Australian towns were built with walkability in mind – everyone would be able to travel easily and conveniently on foot, boosting their health while saving money on fuel and protecting the environment,” said Professor Cleland.
“But traditionally, government planning and funding has prioritised roads and driving, particularly in regional areas, leading to lack of well-connected footpaths and facilities. Our research uncovered a higher number of regional areas that had low walkability compared to urban areas.
“Walkability shouldn’t be limited to urban centres. No matter where you live, you should be able to walk around your local area safety and conveniently. We need local, state and Federal Governments to do more to set up regional towns with walkable infrastructure to help boost health, particularly in our regional communities.”
The findings come amid rising fuel costs, which have prompted some Australians to reconsider how they travel within their communities, and align with broader public health efforts to increase physical activity levels nationwide.
Adjunct Professor Terry Slevin, chief executive of the Public Health Association of Australia, said increasing physical activity remains a national priority.
“Being physically active has an enormous range of health benefits including reducing the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes, dementia and heart disease, as well as improving sleep, mobility, strength, confidence and mental health,” said Professor Slevin.
“When it comes to health benefits, nothing beats it, and if we could put the benefits of physical activity into a pill, everyone would be taking it.”
He noted that fewer than a quarter of Australians currently meet recommended physical activity guidelines, which advise at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days.
“It is recommended adults do at least 30 minutes exercise most days of the week. Walking is a convenient, enjoyable and healthy way to get around. It’s something that families can do together, can be done in almost all stages of life and it is free.
“Improving walkability right across the country is a sensible and simple way to boost our physical activity and ultimately protect health and well-being.”
The Public Health Association of Australia will host its annual Prevention Conference in Hobart, also known as Nipaluna, from 5 to 7 May 2026, where researchers and policymakers are expected to discuss long-term strategies for strengthening prevention systems and improving community health.
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