New loop invites Rochy to Walk This Way

By Emily Donohoe

May 5, 2025

Lily Windridge, 5, hopscotches her way down Campspe St, one of four activity points on the Walk This Way loop. Photos: Emily Donohoe. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Healthy Loddon Campaspe has launched its Walk This Way initiative in Rochester, encouraging locals to get their steps up and have fun while doing it.

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A community breakfast and walk was hosted on Sunday, May 4, catered by the Rochester Lions Club.

Rochester Lions had girl power behind the grill, with Belinda Cooper Green, Julianne Hand, Donna Campbell, Sam Scoble and Anne Chirnside.

The walking loop is a 1.6km route, marked by Walk This Way-branded stickers on the footpath.

Starting on the corner of Mackay St and Fraser St, it takes walkers towards the shire hall, down Gillies St, past the shops to Moore St, all the way down Moore St until Pascoe St, past St Joseph’s Primary School on Campaspe St, and down Fraser St back to Mackay St.

Walkers cross at Moore St. Photo by Emily Donohoe

Along the way, there are activity points, such as outside St Joseph’s and the future Rochester early learning centre site.

Activities include hopscotch, jumping games and balance challenges.

“Healthy Loddon Campaspe is delighted to see the Walk This Way project extended in to Rochester,” Healthy Loddon Campaspe co-ordinator Alicia O’Brien said.

“The creation of the mapped walking loop and fun footpath activities will encourage locals of all abilities and fitness levels to be more active, more often in the town.”

Lily, 5, and Letti Windridge, 3, hold their walking loop maps. Photo by Emily Donohoe

A map has been created marking the route, as well as points of interest along the way, with activity points, playgrounds, the skate park, library and Rochester Community House.

Similar walking loops are also in Echuca East, Kyabram and Echuca West, also part of the Walk This Way project.

Kate Lee and Fiona Colenso joined for the walk and breakfast. Photo by Emily Donohoe

The map is available at healthyloddoncampaspe.au/walk-way-rochester

“The Active Living Census told us that walking is the most popular way to be active in Campaspe Shire — and the Rochester community told us they wanted more opportunities to walk locally,” Ms O’Brien said.

“Walk This Way delivers on both, making it easier and more enjoyable to get active in our towns.”