Go for your life

Did you know 43% of Victorians don’t do enough physical activity?

Does it also surprise you to know that 47% of Victorians are overweight or obese?

These are worrying statistics, so the Victorian Government has developed 'Go for your life' to help people be healthy and active. This means eating the right foods, getting out and about and generally helping all Victorians to lead healthier and happier lives. Find lots of exciting events, activities and healthy and active tips at Go For Your Life.

DSE helps you 'Go for your life'

Victoria is blessed with a range of parks, forests, reserves and wide open spaces. And they all make perfect places to be healthy and active. Try cycling or walking in our State Forests and in our Parks or in other places, a rail trail or volunteering in the outdoors.

DSE and partner agencies have developed programs such as the Walking trails classification and improvement project and the Gippsland healthy communities project to help you 'Go for your life' while experiencing the great outdoors.

Do you enjoy a bit of a ramble?

If you do, or think you might like to get out and about more, this program will interest you. DSE, along with other states and territories, has developed an Australian Walking Track Grading system to show you how hard or easy our walking trails are. Over the next few years DSE and Parks Victoria will grade walking trails in state forests, national parks and other public land in Victoria according to their level of difficulty. Walkers will have the right information to select the right trails to explore.

Several forest walking trails have been upgraded as part of this project.

Some of the upgraded trails you may like to experience are:

Short walks

The Ada Tree Walk of 1.5km is located near Warburton, There are new board walk sections along the track, a new car park, picnic facilities, toilets and interpretation signs in the Scenic Reserve describing some of the fascinating history of the area.

Bakers Gully Reservoir Walk at Bright in North East Victoria, is an easy 2km return walk from the township.

Merbein Common Walk at Merbein near Mildura, provides easy access from the town to the natural area of the Common.

Loop walks

Werribee River Walk is a 5km loop through picturesque forest near Daylesford.

Kendall's Loop Walk near Thornton, has two short sections complete. Cicada Track Walk (2.5km) roughly follows historic timber tramway routes and crosses a reconstructed trestle bridge and Kendall's Link Walk (1km) follows the Rubicon River to join two camping areas and contains a boardwalk section through tree ferns, are ready for exploring. The full 7km loop circuit is due to open in summer 2010.

Whipstick Creek Loop Walk, a 5km loop meandering through historic gold mining sites and open woodlands near Blackwood, is due to open in September 2010.

Koondrook Redgum Forest Walk a 13.2km loop at the north end of Gunbower Island near Cohuna, will include shorter walk options. Visitors will be able to learn about several indigenous heritage sites along the trail. Due to open in December 2010.

For more information go to DSE's walking trails page.

Healthy communities go for their lives in Gippsland

Communities in Gippsland are getting healthy and active through a range of activities using the new and/or upgraded cycling, walking and all abilities trails.

Some of the new facilities are:

Bruthen Easy Magic Loop An all abilities 600m loop in picturesque surroundings for visitors to enjoy a forest experience at Bruthen. The loop, suitable for prams and wheelchairs, links to longer trails in the vicinity.

Cann River to Noorinbee Multipurpose Trail A 5km multipurpose trail which meanders through the road reserve and nearby forest between Cann River and Noorinbee. This enables locals and visitors to walk and cycle safely between the townships. New interpretation signs along the trail describe some of the fascinating history of the area.

Goongerah Walking Path Originally designed to provide a safe walk to school for students, the 1.2km trail within the road reserve at Goongerah provides safe walking for all. The path features seats made by local community members and interpretation points illustrated by a local artist and Goongerah Primary School students.

Heyfield Wetlands Walk includes 2.5km of walking tracks, complete with fitness stations and a fishing platform at Heyfield around the beautiful wetlands. Easily accessed from the town, the tracks are suitable for prams and wheelchairs and feature interpretation points and sculptures by local artists.

Avon River Heritage Trail and all abilities loop Stratford The fully sealed trail starts at Apex Park and winds its way to a viewing platform overlooking the Avon River. Interpretation points tell stories about the local environment and history and there's plenty of seating to take in the scenery or rest. The entire 1.2km trail is wheelchair friendly.

Marlo foreshore walking tracks upgrade Six upgraded foreshore walking tracks at Marlo are ready for exploring. The addition of better grading, platforms, handrails and mesh provides more opportunity for locals and visitors to enjoy the trails. New seating on steeper sections provides rest stops and there's a new all abilities ramp for beach access.

Mallacoota Shady Gully Shared Pathway A 500m gentle grade trail in the Shady Gully Foreshore Reserve bush suitable for walkers and cyclists. There is an interpretive sign and seats and a table along the pathway.

Nowa Nowa Wetlands Walk An all abilities 430m trail which follows the shore of Lake Tyers and meanders through paperbark trees. The walk features an all abilities car park and bridge, interpretive sign, seats, table and end of walk turning circle.