Melbourne's Free Outdoor Fitness Program is Back!

Main Yarra Trail Melbourne — Cycling and Walking Guide

The Main Yarra Trail is one of Melbourne's most rewarding shared paths — and one of the most overlooked by anyone who didn't grow up near it.

This guide covers the full route from end to end — where to start, what the surface is like, which landmarks to look for, how to get there by train, and which other Melbourne trails connect to it. Whether you're planning your first ride along the Yarra or coming back after years away, here's what you need to know before you go.

Regional Australians Walk 75 Minutes More in Walkable Towns

New research from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research has found that people in highly walkable regional towns walk 75 minutes more each week than those in areas with poor walkability — nearly double the difference seen in cities.

With regional Australians facing higher rates of chronic disease and fewer than one in four adults meeting physical activity guidelines, the findings make a strong case for investing in connected footpaths and safer walking routes outside metro areas.

Exercise Halves Premature Death Risk for Midlife Women

A major Australian study tracking more than 11,000 women over 15 years has found that those who consistently met physical activity guidelines through their 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s halved their risk of dying prematurely. The research was one of the largest studies of its kind globally. Here's what the study found, what the experts say, and how to start.

Get Active for Less: The Changes Proposed to Make Fitness More Affordable in Australia

With the cost of living biting hard, getting active can feel like the last thing you can afford. But a bold new proposal from Australia's peak fitness body could be about to change that — with $500 family vouchers for gyms and studios, tax-free gym perks through your employer, and even the ability to get a referral to a personal trainer from your GP. Here's what's on the table in the 2026 Federal Budget — and why it matters for every Australian trying to get moving.

Can an E-Bike Be the Key to Your Fitness Journey?

If you’ve ever felt that traditional cycling was too demanding or that injuries were holding you back from staying active, you aren’t alone. A recent qualitative study on the NZ HIKO e-bike programme highlights how electric bikes are acting as a powerful "circuit breaker" for inactivity. By reducing the physical strain on joints and making hills manageable, e-bikes are helping people manage chronic conditions like Type 2 diabetes and arthritis while providing a significant boost to mental wellbeing. Discover how this "power-assisted" movement is making fitness more inclusive, social, and achievable for Australians of all fitness levels.