An all-female hiking group has exploded in popularity in north Queensland as more women embrace the outdoors for their wellbeing. The group promotes friendship and fulfilment away from the pub.
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00:00These women are finding their feet in nature.
00:07They're members of an all-female hiking group and their numbers are growing.
00:12We do go hiking but at the end of the day it's more about female friendship, female connection and female empowerment.
00:1723-year-old Danika Wingarden founded the group last year.
00:21So just look out for each other.
00:23Sick of pubs and clubs being the main place for regional women to socialise.
00:29I saw a drastic improvement in my mental health and how I was feeling and my motivation
00:33and I thought if it's going to do that for me it's going to do that for other girls as well.
00:3790 women showed up to a recent hike, aged from their teens to their 60s.
00:43I've always wanted to go hiking and I haven't really had girlfriends that want to go
00:48so this was a perfect opportunity for me to make friends and do the things I love.
00:52Being outside in nature as well is like the perfect relaxation for us.
00:57Some have never hiked before.
01:00I felt much safer because there was people around and heaps of girls so I knew I would be alright.
01:07Hiking and bushwalking boomed during the pandemic and the sports popularity is enduring.
01:13Two million Australian women laced up their hiking shoes last year
01:18and Sports Commission data shows young people are leading the charge.
01:22Being able to share that kind of love of nature and adventure and womanhood all together
01:27that's what makes it so so special.
01:29Finding friendship and fulfilment in the fresh air.