Discovering a sense of purpose is often lauded as the key to leading a happy, fulfilled life, and fortunately, finding that key in 2025 might be easier than you thought. Personal achievements (big and small) and learning something new are two simple ways to derive greater fulfilment, meaning and intent from your life – both of which can be found by taking up a new hobby. And while you’re setting intentions for the year ahead, incorporating a hobby that gets you moving physically will help you tick off the mind, body and soul boxes of your resolutions list, too. Here, we’ve compiled our six favourite active hobbies (that don’t require joining the hordes of new recruits at the gym) to get you inspired for 2025. 

 

     1. Take a walk on easy street

With the popularity of different types of high-intensity exercise and VR-aided workouts becoming more mainstream, many have forgotten about the benefits of the humble walk. Not only is walking proven to be a highly effective, low-impact and low-intensity form of physical exercise, but it also dramatically improves your mental health, melting away stress and igniting creativity. We get it, though; pounding the pavement in your local neighbourhood can be a bit of a bore, so to level up this new hobby, create a hit list of walking and hiking tracks within your state or further abroad that you want to tackle over the year. You can even increase the difficulty as your fitness improves.  

 

Our top picks are: 

  • Part of the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape, Grampians National Park in Victoria is dotted with various durations and difficulties of world-famous hiking trails. 
  • The Heysen Trail in South Australia provides serious hikers with a 1,200km hiking trail that passes through diverse landscapes. 
  • Skirt wild coastal clifftops on the Waterfall Bay Trail in Tasmania, which takes you to a towering 200m waterfall on this 1-hour return journey. 

 

 

     2. Dust off your bike 

It’s time to dust off your helmet and trusty bicycle and hit the road! Similar to walking, cycling is an underrated form of low-impact exercise accessible to beginners and is also big on physical and mental health benefits. You don’t need the full-body Lycra to get started either; join a cycling club (there are over 450 of them across Australia), head out solo and explore your backyard, or set your sights on one of the many cycling events around the country. 

 

If you’re looking for some supreme solo ride locations, add these to your list:
 

  • Sydney Harbour Bridge for spectacular views on the kid-friendly dedicated bike path. 
  • Encounter Bikeway for an on-road shared trail that links the coastal locations of Victor Harbour and Goolwa just outside of Adelaide. 

 

     3. Pick up the pace with running 

Ahhh, the forsaken hobby, running. Run clubs have seen a huge surge in popularity lately – particularly across social media – bringing this classic hobby and calorie burner back into the mainstream. Running comes with purpose, achievement, and community in spades – particularly when all your hard work culminates in the challenge of completing a full, half, or a more manageable 5 or 10-km chunk of a marathon. While running isn’t for everyone (due to its high impact), if you’re fit and able, it’s a cost-effective and simple way to burn calories, boost your happy hormones and join a community of like-minded people.  

 

Find your stride at some of these iconic running spots:
 

  • The Iron Cove Bay Run in Sydney is a flat, safe and popular spot perfect for beginners. 
  • The Tan Track is a Melbourne favourite suitable for all abilities. 
  • Lake Monger in Perth is a scenic, easy, flat 3.5km loop perfect for beginners. 

 

   

     4. Get into the swing of golf 

While you might picture silver-haired retirees when you think of golf as a hobby, thanks to celebrity influence, social media, and an increase in golf simulators and driving ranges, all of a sudden, golf has become cool. In fact, golfers in the 18-34 age group are now the largest group of on-course players. It’s on the pricier side of things when it comes to hobbies; however, its health benefits – from cardiovascular, cognitive function, and muscle and bone strength – through to the social benefits of the sport make it worthy of your attention. 

 

Tee up some time at one of these top courses in Australia:
 

  • One of Australia’s oldest clubs, the iconic Royal Sydney Golf Club is perched by the Sydney Harbour and combines coastal and parkland scenery.
     
  • In Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Palmer Coolum Resort is a picturesque course with lush tropical landscapes and challenging terrains. 

 

     5. Dive into swimming and surfing 

Not all of us have access to beaches and year-round perfect climes, but that doesn’t mean these hobbies must be reserved strictly for summer. Head to a local (heated) indoor pool or get your surfing fix at one of Australia’s man-made surf lagoons. Both surfing and swimming are perfect all-body workouts that engage everything from your core to your cardiovascular system with minimal impact. While you might just feel like you’re gliding peacefully through the water, swimming for 1 hour is proven to burn 40% more calories than biking and 30% more calories than running. As for surfing, you’ll enjoy the added benefit of being part of a vibrant and far-reaching community at the many surf clubs at home and around the world. 

 

Looking for the coolest beaches to swim at?
 

  • On the edge of William Bay National Park in Western Australia, the Greens Pool is famous for its calm turquoise waters, pristine sand and huge boulders sheltering it from the Southern Ocean.
     
  • Shelly Beach in Sydney is a tucked-away secret gem in Manly. A mini tropical oasis, which is also great for snorkelling, scuba diving and, of course, swimming. It even has boutique eateries along the water. 
  • Apollo Bay, midway along Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road, is a picturesque spot for swimming, surfing, and kayaking. 

 

Ready to take on Australia’s best waves?
 

  • Beginners and pros alike can take on the man-made swell at Australia’s first inland surf park, Urbn Surf, in both Tullamarine, Melbourne, and Olympic Park. 
  • Snapper Rocks in Queensland is the home of many world championship surf events thanks to its natural beauty and consistent year-round swells. 
  • Located 45 minutes from Adelaide, you’ll find Fleurieu Peninsula – a not-so-secret gem with beaches suitable for surfers of all abilities. 

 

     6. Combine mindfulness and movement with yoga or Pilates

With yoga dating back thousands of years and Pilates introduced in the 1920s, both forms of movement have stood the test of time and remained relevant in the social media era. A big part of this is driven by our increased awareness of mental health and the benefits of practices like mindfulness, breathing and meditation – which yoga, in particular, features alongside the physical practices. Both yoga and Pilates are proven to improve balance, flexibility and overall strength and encourage you to tune into your breath, creating harmony of the mind and body. Whether you head to a local studio and embrace the community or dive into the many free channels and videos on YouTube, these are affordable, rewarding and accessible hobbies that you can do anywhere. 

 

 

Looking for a masterclass in yoga or Pilates? Try one of these locations:
 

  • Co-founded by Australian National treasure, the late Olivia Newton-John, Gaia Retreat and Spa in Byron Bay is an award-winning clean living facility encompassing wellness treatments alongside world-class yoga and Pilates. 
  • With one-on-one and group yoga sessions available, coupled with meditation and healing treatments, Samadhi in Daylesford, Victoria, promises a luxurious wellbeing escape.  
  • With over 50 studios across Australia and New Zealand and plenty of different class options, Strong Pilates is a great place to dip your toe in reformer Pilates  

Need more inspiration? Discover our must-try mindfulness and wellness retreats in Australia and New Zealand. 

 

If our favourites aren’t quite resonating with you, there are plenty more activities to explore across all states and territories; here are some hobby highlights: 

 

  • Rock climbing 

Head to the Grampians National Park in Victoria for internationally acclaimed routes for beginners and advanced climbers. 

 

  • Snorkelling or diving 

Underwater enthusiasts should head to Cairns – the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef for vibrant coral and abundant sea life. 

 

  • Horse riding 

Explore the rolling valleys, vineyards, bushland and charming countryside of the Hunter Valley on horseback.  

 

  • Windsurfing  

Hit the windsurfing capital of Australia, Geraldton, for consistent winds and turquoise waters. 

 

  • Fishing  

Reel in a big one in Darwin, the fishing enthusiast’s paradise. The Top End’s rivers, creeks, and estuaries provide prime spots for casting a line.  

 

  • Mountain Biking 

Seeking a world-class mountain biking destination? The Blue Derby Trails in Tasmania offer thrilling rides through lush forests for all levels. 

 

  • Kite Surfing  

Take flight in Brighton Beach, Adelaide, for the ultimate combo of strong sea breezes and shallow waters. This kitesurfer playground is perfect for experienced kite surfers.
 

Get active, have fun and find fulfilment with a new hobby
There are so many fun and engaging outdoor hobbies you can take up this year, all of which will challenge you, open you up to new experiences, and benefit your overall health and wellbeing. And best of all, a new hobby doesn’t need to come with a hefty price tag. 

 

Our First National Real Estate members are deeply connected to their communities. If your new hobby inspires a move closer to what you love, like surfing or golfing, speak to your local First National Real Estate team. They’ll help you find the perfect home to pursue your passions.