What is the Big Walk?

The Big Walk is a virtual walk that unites people in local communities all around Australia in one action to show solidarity with refugees and people seeking asylum.

The steps you take locally power us on our virtual path of solidarity.

In 2024, 700 people came together to walk a whopping 74000 kms of solidarity, powered by local steps in local communities - the equivalent of four laps of Australia!

Where did the Big Walk start?

In 2023, refugees and asylum seekers walked and cycled thousands of kilometres to Sydney and Canberra to share their experiences with Australians.

They battled rain, cold and heat, with blisters on top of blisters. They dealt with being apart from their families, injuries, and snakes.

These men and women were walking on behalf of more than 10,000 others who, like themselves, have been living in Australia and are part of our community.

But they remained in limbo because they do not have permanent visas. This means they have been unable to rebuild their lives, to ensure a future for their children and to reunite with family overseas.

The Big Walk 4 Refugees sprang up in in 2024 to show active support for these children, women and men to be able to call Australia home.

What about 2025?

Yes, we are walking again, still calling for kindness and fairness for refugees!

This year our virtual route connects Australia, Indonesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea and Christmas Island. We are walking for:

• Thousands of people in our communities still waiting for permanent visas after 13 years

• 14,000 people stranded in Indonesia, still waiting for resettlement after 12 years

• 100 + people on Nauru without certainty for their future since October 2023

• 40 men and their families abandoned in Papua New Guinea since 2013

Join the Big Walk and make your steps count! Whether you walk to the shops, go for a morning run, take your dog for a walk, or jump into a group event - every kilometre makes a difference.

Register now and add your steps to our journey around Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Christmas Island as we continue to call for kindness and a fair go for refugees.