‘Step Into Nature’ a hack for better health

17 October 2024
A family of three walk up a hill with the ocean in the background.
Walking in nature can boost physical and mental health. Photo courtesy of CQUniversity - 10,000 Steps

By Mary Bolling

We all know getting active is good for us – but could Queenslanders step up the benefits by taking their walk in the wild?

A new Step Into Nature campaign is set to help councils and communities promote local hot spots for a nature-connected work out. 

CQU’s physical activity researchers Dr Stephanie Schoeppe, Mrs Anetta Van Itallie, and Professor Corneel Vandelanotte, have received Queensland Government (Department of Tourism and Sport) funding of $100,000 for the project, through the ActiveKIT Super Round.

The project is designed to encourage Queenslanders to increase their physical activity in nature, for better health and wellbeing. 

The innovative Step Into Nature campaign will be delivered through the 10,000 Steps program, enabling all Queenslanders to log steps while being physically active in their local natural environments. 

The funding will support researchers to develop new ‘heat mapping’ technology, to show which Queensland regions have the most 10,000 Steps members logging steps. 

Dr Stephanie Schoeppe is a Research Fellow with CQU’s Physical Activity Research Group - and is leading the project. 

She says the project hopes to shift Queenslanders’ habits towards more outdoor physical activity, for better physical and mental health through connection with nature. 

“Chronic health conditions such as obesity, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, COPD, asthma, anxiety and depression are highly prevalent among Queenslanders – but the benefits of spending time in nature for a positive mindset, stress relief and getting exercise, has been proven by research again and again,” she explained. 

“Particularly nature-based walking interventions have been shown to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.”

Research shows most Queensland adults and children don’t get enough exercise and spend little time in nature. 

“We know life is often busy, for individuals and their families, and burnout from juggling work, school and family commitments is common – but if we can challenge people to make time to ‘step into nature’, we know that can help cope with stress,” Dr Schoeppe said. 


A woman walks a dog along a path in a green outdoor environment.
Walking in nature can benefit pets as well as their humans. Photo courtesy of CQUniversity - 10,000 Steps

The project will consult with local councils and community groups to understand and share best destinations for nature-based physical activity, and researchers will assess Queenslanders’ participation in the Step Into Nature campaign, to ensure maximum impact and effect. 

“We’ll be supporting councils and community groups to encourage people to engage in physical activity in nature using local walking trails, outdoor sporting facilities and recreation attractions, and challenge the community to log steps,” Dr Schoeppe said. 

ActiveKIT (Knowledge | Innovation | Technology) is an Activate! Queensland 2019 – 2029 strategy initiative and aims to ‘shift the dial’ on investment to drive physical activity participation in Queensland.

It promotes better utilisation of knowledge, harnessing innovation and leveraging technology to enable more Queenslanders to be physically active more often, and to strengthen the capability of organisations to provide products and services that get Queenslanders moving.

Learn more at the 10,000 Steps website and register to participate for free!