Australia’s Signature Two‑Day Walking & Hiking Festival — Since 1992
Join Walking & Hiking Enthusiasts from Around the World
Take part in Australia’s signature two‑day walking festival — a unique blend of city walks, nature path hikes, and bush‑trail challenges designed to bring people together.
Challenge yourself with the NO RUNNING Mingle Marathon (42.2 km bush‑trail hike), back it up with the 24 km nature path hike, or choose from the 21 km trail hike, 12 km city walk, or 7 km AussiePeaceWalk.
Every route is a Mingle — a shared walking or hiking experience designed for conversation, connection, and cultural exchange.
What is a Mingle Walk?
A Mingle is our term for a walk or hike that blends personal challenge with social connection.
Whether you choose a gentle city walk or a demanding bush‑trail hike, every Mingle encourages you to chat, share stories, and build friendships along the way.
Mingles are the heart of the MarchMingle and AussiePeaceWalk experience.
Six Reasons to Take Part
1. A Walking & Hiking Challenge Worth Taking
Choose a walk or hike on Saturday or Sunday — or complete both days to earn the prestigious two‑day walker medal.
It’s great low‑impact exercise and a rewarding personal challenge.
2. Enjoy The Experience – It’s Not a Race
MarchMingle is a non‑competitive walking and hiking festival. Challenge yourself with longer hikes, test your limits, or simply enjoy a relaxed city walk. Stop for a coffee or take photos — just don’t let the tail walker pass you!
3. Connect with Others
Walk or hike alongside people from diverse backgrounds — local, interstate, and international.
Share stories, make new friends, and learn about different cultures as you move through Canberra’s landscapes.
4. A Global Event with International Flavour
Meet walkers and hikers from around the world. Discuss different countries, cultures, and traditions — and maybe even plan future international walking adventures.
5. Adventure, Fun, and Prizes
Enjoy the outdoors while participating in a fun, social atmosphere.
Registered walkers have the chance to win spot prizes throughout the weekend.
6. Experience Australia’s Bush Capital
Explore Canberra’s stunning scenery, iconic landmarks, and hidden bushland gems on foot. You’ll see parts of the city that tour buses and cars simply can’t reach.
A Mingle for Every Fitness Level
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a first‑time walker, there’s a Mingle for you:
Bush‑trail hikes (42.2 km, 21 km)
Nature path hike (24 km)
City walks (12 km, 7 km)
Lace up your shoes, bring your smile, and get ready to mingle, challenge yourself, and create lasting memories.
This heat map shows where participants came from to take part in the 2024 event.
Walk for a Worthy Cause
Make every step count by raising funds for your favourite charity.
A portion of your entry fee supports our charity partners, and you can also raise funds for a cause close to your heart.
Medals and Pins
Complete two Mingles totalling 24km or more to earn the Two-Day Finisher’s Medal (or a year‑bar for returning walkers).
Finish the Mingle Marathon to earn the exclusive marathon pin.
An Event for All Generations
MarchMingle welcomes walkers and hikers of all ages.
In 2024, our youngest participant was six and our eldest two‑day walker was 94.
Families, friends, and colleagues walk side‑by‑side, creating memories that last a lifetime.
Canberra; Australia’s Bush Capital
Surrounded by the Brindabella Ranges and rich in bushland reserves, Canberra offers unforgettable walking and hiking experiences just minutes from the city centre.
Cultivate Lifelong Friendships
Walkers and hikers from across Australia and around the globe come together to share stories, laughter, and meaningful conversations. Many leave with friendships that last for years.
A Walking Festival For All Fitness Levels
2026 Routes Shown Below
Frequently Asked Questions
Event Basics
Is MarchMingle a race?
No. MarchMingle is a non‑competitive walking and hiking festival.
We designed MarchMingle to encourage participation but still provide an individual challenge with the various distance options available.
Importantly, our public liability insurance is granted on the basis that this is a walking event only. Runners would invalidate our insurance.
Also, our checkpoint opening times are calculated on the basis of walking speeds, so if you run you will pass some some checkpoints before they are manned.
Can I run or racewalk?
No! Running is NOT permitted.
Some walkers are very quick, but you will be disqualified for running. Racewalking is permitted; however, the MarchMingle is not a timed event, and some hilly sections of trails are not suitable for racewalking.
Most participants enjoy the social aspects of the event. They take their time and enjoy the scenery and the company of the other participants.
If you are a racewalker or intend to push yourself for a PB, please let us know as some checkpoints may not be open before you reach them.
Do I need to train?
Yes, training is recommended for longer events.
Unless you are in the minority and have a good base fitness level, you will find the distances required for this event a challenge.
Even if you can complete the first day without a problem, heading off on a second consecutive day adds an extra degree of difficulty.
We suggest you consider our training programs for longer distances. Until you have tackled a long walk, you will not realise what other issues will arise – blisters are a good example!
Make sure you have broken in the shoes you plan to wear and have trained appropriately for the distance you aim to do.
What are the Dates in coming years?
For all the MarchMingle event dates as well as related Aussie Peace Walk see this page.
Routes, Distances & Technical Gear
Are the routes the same on both days?
No. There are no repeating circuits for the walks. All routes will be different each day.
The routes will cover a significant parts of Canberra, showcasing the beautiful Lake Burley Griffin and Parliamentary Triangle and many bush trails close to the city.
Canberra has a vast network of bush trails and multi-use paths (for pedestrians and cyclists), so walkers will seldom need to cross roads.
What if I enter a 2-walk combination but want to change distances on the day?
We recommend you challenge yourself, but be realistic.
If you are not accustomed to long hikes or walks, we recommend you start with one of the middle distances.
You can change your second walk distance on the day by notifying the administration volunteers at Event HQ before the event you entered is due to start. So, if you entered the MultiMingle (21k + 24k) but after the 21km on Saturday you think you can't complete the 24km on Sunday, you can change to the 12km or the 7km on Sunday.
If you enter the Mingle Marathon on Saturday but find it too challenging, you can pull out at the halfway point and still be credited with completing a 21km HalfMingle.
You will miss out on the marathon medal, but if you walk again on Sunday, you will still achieve the two-day walker medal.
What type of shoes should I wear?
The terrain ranges from concrete and asphalt paths to corrugated loose dirt and gravel trails. In most cases, cross-trainers or jogging shoes will be adequate.
Seasoned walkers may prefer trail shoes or hiking boots if participating in the 21, 24 or 42km trail routes.
Hiking poles may also be of help for some walkers.
Do I need camping gear if I enter the 2-day walk?
No. Each day the walk finishesat Event HQ. Once you finish walking for the day you return to your accommodation for the night.
Logistics, Parking & On-Day Survival
What time should I arrive?
We suggest arriving at least 30 minutes before your scheduled start time.
You will be checked in when you start. Your entry card must be carried and checked in at each marshalling point along the route.
A final scan at the finish will tell the management team that you have finished.
Is parking available?
There is pay parking within easy walking distance of Event HQ.
Further details on parking and transportation will be available closer to the event.
How long will the walk take each day?
This depends on the distance you walk and your natural walking speed.
Remembering that this is NOT a race. We encourage you to enjoy the experience, make new friends and enjoy the scenery.
The following times are provided as a general 'rule-of-thumb':
- 5km walkers usually take 1-2 hours
- 10km walkers usually take 2-3 hours
- 20km walkers usually take 4-5 hours
- Marathoners (42.2km) walkers usually take 5-8 hours
What should I carry for the walk?
Most people take a small day pack. We suggest you consider bringing: sunscreen, hat, water bottle (although drinks will be provided at checkpoints), sunglasses, camera, a small amount of money and any snacks you might require during the walk.
Some routes will pass shops and many Rotary Clubs manning checkpoints will offer optional fun activities for a small donation.
Some walkers on the longer routes may wish to pack a picnic lunch to eat on the way.
Are refreshments available?
Checkpoints will be at regular intervals and will be marked on your route maps—usually every 5km or so.
Water will be available at each checkpoint. Some checkpoints will have food options and some routes pass shops along the way.
Walkers should carry their preferred snacks. More details about foods en-route and at Event HQ will be posted closer to the event.
We recommend that walkers take their own water bottle on the walk, particularly if the weather is hot.
Accessibility & Pets
Wheelchairs and Strollers
Wheelchairs and strollers can be used on the Saturday 7km route but are impractical on other walks because the walks include some unsealed paths and bush tracks.
If you are planning to enter with a wheelchair, please contact us in advance to determine the suitability of the terrain.
Some walkers may choose to take young children in 'off-road style' strollers. These are permitted, however, may not be easy to push on some sections of walks.
Can I bring my dog?
No, unless it is a registered assistance dog.
Many of the routes, particularly the longer ones, will pass through reserve areas where dogs are not permitted. (Except assistance dogs.)
International Accreditation & Other Questions
Is the MarchMingle an accredited international walking event?
Yes! MarchMingle is fully accredited by both the IML Walking Association (International Marching League) and IVV Sports (Internationaler Volkssport Verband)
Official IML and IVV record desks will be stationary at Event HQ to issue stamps, passports, and stamps for IML and IVV logbooks.
Can I enter on the day of the event?
We encourage you to register online in advance if possible. This will enable us to better plan for the numbers of people in each event.
Yes, late entries can be made at Event HQ. However, the entry fees will be higher than if purchased online prior to the event.
Thanks To Our Key Event Partners
