CANBERRA.AUSTRALIA.MARCH 25-26
What to Expect
Walk for peace; dress up or carry a flag to identify the country you are representing. Be open to making new friends from all walks of life and all parts of the globe.
Event Packs
There is a lot of information here, but we encourage you to take the time to read this page. It will answer many questions you may have and help to make your Aussie Peace Walk more enjoyable, meaningful and satisfying.
As you share the experience of walking together over the weekend, we encourage you to take the time to reflect. Please start conversations with other walkers, get to know each other and be ready to share just a little of yourself.
Friday Pack Collection
Event packs will be available for collection between 12 noon and 6:30 pm on Friday 24 March 2023 at Albert Hall.
Lunch Orders
Volunteers from Canberra Zonta Club will take lunch orders on Friday for the weekend for all who wish to pre-purchase a lunch pack.
Check Your Registration Information
Please carefully check your Aussie Peace Walk registration to confirm the distances you are walking each day. Each distance has a different start time. Make a note of your start times for Saturday – and your start times for Sunday. Both these pages contain detailed information on the walks.
You must not start before the designated start time because the checkpoints are manned in time for each event and you may miss a checkpoint.
Changes may also be made on the day. You must also sign in at the check-in desk at the start before your event each day. If you don not complete a walk, please notify the administration team so they can sign off.
Most participants are walking on both days of the weekend. If you registered to walk just one day, it is not too late to walk both days and earn the Aussie Peace Walk Two-Day Walker Medal. Just pay the difference for the extra day when you check-in.
Also, if you feel you would like to change the distance you are walking, you can do so on the morning of the walk by notifying the volunteers at the check-in desk.
Food & Drinks on The Weekend
A coffee carravan will be located at Albert Hall for those who enjoy a warming cup in the morning.
The Canberra Zonta Club will operate a cafe with food, coffee and tea throughout the weekend.
Beer, Wine and Refreshments
There will be a small selection of beer, wine and refreshments available at Albert Hall and we invite you to hang around and socialise after your event.
Stay COVID Safe
Although there are not COVID restrictions, we ask everyone to be mindful of your own health and the health of others. Hand sanatiser will be readily available.
Inside Your Passport
You must carry your Event Passport each day you are walking. Volunteers will stamp your passport at each checkpoint on your route to provide proof that you completed the walks. This is essential for those claiming IML and IVV credits.
(Photo shown is the passport from the 2021 Aussie Peace Walk)
In Your Event Pack
Your event pack will contain your walking passport and lanyard. Inside are small maps of each walk.
If you registered before the online cut-off time, your passport will be personalised with your name and details on the cover. On the back cover will be your emergency contact’s number and any medical information you provided in case the medical support team need it.
Inside your passport, you will notice spaces for stamps. As you walk around the routes, your passport will be stamped at each checkpoint. You must collect the correct stamps for your route to qualify for the medal.
Personalised Passports
Enter before the standard registration cut-off date and your passport will be personalised.
We ask that you hand the lanyards back after you finish your last walk so they can be used again next year.
Please keep your passport as a souvenir of the event.
Route Maps
If you want more detail than is available in the small maps in your passport, we offer a few options:
Saturday and Sunday route maps are available on the website, together with GPX files for you to download onto your smartphone or GPS device if you wish (instructions are provided here).
Using the GPX files on your phone will enable you to use the GPS functionality of your phone to tell you exactly where you are on the route at all times.
Ring the Peace Bell
On Saturday morning, the first checkpoint will be at the Peace Bell.
The bell will be set up with the striker for participants ceremoniously ‘bong’. Say a few words of peace and have a professional photo taken as a momento.
The photographer will be waiting to take a photo for you. They will hand you a card with a QR code on it. When you scan the code with your phone, you’ll get your photo directly on your phone.
Remember, it isn’t a race. take the time to stop for a photo as a memento.
Parking
Free Parking is available nearby on Saturday and Sunday. Note: The parking within the grounds of the Albert Hall is reserved official vehicles only.
There is parking for hundreds of cars (blue marks on map) which should be ample. There is also parking along some streets on the weekend. There is also an underpass for pedestrians to go from the large carpark, under Commonwealth Avenue to Albert Hall.
Public Transport
The bus “Rapid Routes” (R4, R5 or R7) stop immediately in front of the Albert Hall (3 stops from the City and 3 stops from the Woden bus stations). For public transport, information visit Transport ACT.
Check-in, Walking and the Finish
All walks start and finish at Albert Hall (the Control Centre for the event).
COVID check-in is no longer required.
Check-In Before You Walk
Before you start walking your chosen distance, you must sign in so organisers know how many people are out on the walks at any time. You must also be signed back in when you finish. (We don’t want to lose anyone!)
This is a walking event with controlled start and finish time blocks. You are required to start within the designated starttime for your chosen distance.
The Start
All the start times are available on the website for Saturday walks and Sunday walks.
Every event has a start window of 10 minutes. This means that if you are running late, you can still start.
You cannot start outside the timeframe because checkpoints may not be manned. Also, at the end of the start window, a tail walker will follow the last person to leave in each walk. Their job is to ALWAYS be the last to finish.
The tail-walker wearing a fluro vest will follow the last walker in each event and collect route marking arrows. When the tail-walker passes each checkpoint, they will know to pack up the checkpoint.
There will also be guide walkers. People who know the route. They will be walking wearing fluro vests. If you ate in doubt as to the route, find and walk with one of the guide walkers.
DO NOT start after the tail-walker. DO NOT let the tail-walker pass you.
Late Entries
There will be late entries taken on the day in Albert Hall.
NOTE; if you want to do a late entry, please allow plenty of time before the commencement of the walk you wish to enter.
You can walk on the grass if you prefer
The routes on Saturday are almost all on paths. Comfortable running or walking shoes are recommended. Hard surfaces can be tiring on the legs, particularly for marathon walkers.
You may walk on the grass beside the path to make it easier on your feet and lower legs for the long distance walks.
Note that on Sunday, all walks go along sections of dirt trails and more sturdy shoes are suggested.
Beware of Cyclists
Canberra is an active city and there are likely to be cyclists or runners on the same paths used by walkers. Please keep an eye out for bikes. These are all shared paths and we don’t want any accidents.
Weather
The event will go ahead regardless of the weather. Fortunately, the weather is usually good for walking at this time of year, with cool starts each day.
Sun protection is advised regardless of the temperature when you start your walk.
Saturday Routes
The Saturday routes around Lake Burley Griffin are mostly on paved surfaces, with some grass and trail sections on the first half of the marathon route. Walkers may choose to walk on the grassy verge if they prefer.
REMEMBER: This is not a race! Walk at your own pace and rest when needed. Running is not permitted.
Please note there are no dogs allowed on significant portions of the routes on both Saturday and Sunday.
Sunday Routes
The Sunday routes can be challenging in places with some unpaved trail sections. Closed shoes are recommended for all walkers, and hiking poles will also be helpful if you usually use them. Water is available at each checkpoint, but we advise walkers to also carry water.
Remember, we will have tail-walkers removing the route signs and signalling when checkpoints can close. We do not recommend leaving the route because you may end up behind the sweep and get lost.
Please stay hydrated.
Even if it is not hot, walking long distances caused loss of moisture. (You don’t have to sweat to lose moisture, every time you breathe, you expel moisture. It is easy to dehydrate.)
We suggest you bring a water bottle and some snacks if you think you will feel hungry. Snacks are a good idea if you are on a long walk.
We will have water available at selected checkpoints but we won’t have disposable cups. Carrying a water bottle or drink is a necessity.
Medical Support
We have a medical team stationed around the event for the weekend. The emergency number and information is on the back of your passport.
For more information, read Medical Support.
We will provide water and fruit at various checkpoints around the routes. You will also find coffee shops and cafes on some routes. Remember, the Peace Walk isn’t a race. Enjoy the day and stop for a snack if you’d like. (These boys pictured above did just that in 2021).
Bring a Snack
No food is provided on the routes, however, there are a few cafe’s that you will pass on some of the routes.
21km East walkers will walk along Kingston Foreshore past a number of excellent cafes and coffee shops. Stopping for a snack or relaxing coffee is a nice experience.
21km West walkers should carry their own supplies.
At Albert Hall
Tea, coffee and sandwiches will be available at Albert Hall, provided by the Zonta Club on Saturday and Sunday.
Beer and wine will also be available, along with live entertainment.
A coffee cart will also be parked at the start and later in the day at Albert Hall.
Checklist of things to bring with you
✓ Event Passport in your lanyard
✓ Sunglasses
✓ Sunscreen
✓ Hat
✓ Water Bottle
✓ Snack (if required)
✓ Jacket and/or Raincoat (hopefully not required)
✓ Camera
✓ First Aid requirements to suit yourself (eg asthma medication)
✓ Money (for purchasing drinks, food, souvenirs, IML/IVV merchandise etc.)
✓ IVV passports (if applicable – bring each day)
✓ IML passport (if applicable – bring on Sunday – or hand in for checking on Friday or Saturday if claiming a special award)
Finishing, Medals and Awards
All walkers will probably be finished by 4 pm on both days.
At the end of your walk each day, you need to report to the Control Centre to have your name checked off and collect the relevant awards.
- All one-day walkers will get a certificate of participation.
- All finishers of the Saturday Marathon will be awarded a Commemorative Marathon pin on Saturday on completion of their marathon walk.
- All two-day walkers that did not do the event in 2022 will be awarded the Commemorative Two-Day Walker medal after the completion of their second walk on Sunday. Walkers who have a 2022 medal will receive the new 2023 bar when they complete both days in 2023.
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Closing Ceremony
We invite all walkers to stay for a small closing ceremony at Albert Hall after the walk on Sunday.
Special awards will be presented to some IML walkers and the grand team prize will also be announced.
What is The two-day challenge?
Everyone who completes the two-day challenge will get a special commemorative medal.
The 2021 Aussie Peace Walk was held in commoration of the 100 years of Rotary service in Australia and New Zealand.
A special medal was struck to commemorate the 1st Rotary Aussie Peace Walk on one side and the 30th Canberra Two-Day Walk on the other.
Each of the Sunday walks will pass this point.
Sunday walks include 7km, 12km and 24km.
You will walk past this point on Saturday in the 11km, 21km and 42km walks.
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