Australians Get Moving

Australians are increasingly turning to simple, accessible ways to stay active, with Google Trends data showing growing interest in activities such as running, pickleball and saunas over the past five years.

Search interest for “running” has steadily increased, reaching its highest levels in 2026, while interest in “pickleball” and “sauna” has also grown.
The national trend is also being reflected in communities such as Birchip, where pickleball has become a popular way for residents of different ages to exercise and socialise.

Simone Christie, Manager of the Birchip Neighbourhood House, helped secure funding from the Department of Sport and Recreation to bring pickleball to the Birchip Public Hall.

She said the activity quickly became about more than exercise, giving residents an opportunity to get active while building social connections.

“Pickleball has been a great way to get people moving, but it’s also brought people together. It’s something people can come along to and meet others.”

The sport has attracted a broad range of ages, with Simone saying its accessibility was one of its biggest appeals.

“It’s quite gentle on the body, so it’s something that people of different ages and abilities can enjoy. You don’t have to be particularly sporty to give it a go.”

For Birchip residents, the activity has been particularly valuable during the colder months, when getting outside for exercise can be less appealing.

“During winter, it can be hard to find the motivation to get out and be active, so having something indoors where people can come along and have fun together has been really positive.”

Running is another activity attracting growing interest across Australia. Google Trends data shows searches for “running” have risen substantially over the past five years, coinciding with the growth of running groups and community fun runs around the country.

That interest is also being reflected locally, with the proposed Donald Fun Run committee recently receiving a grant to establish a fun run in Donald.

For some Australians, staying active also means looking beyond traditional forms of exercise. Search interest in “sauna” has also increased over the past five years, reflecting growing interest in wellness and recovery activities.

From picking up a paddle to joining a running group, Australians are finding different ways to incorporate exercise and social connection into their everyday lives.

For communities across regional Victoria, those activities are not only a way to keep fit but also an opportunity to bring people together.

This content is part of a paid partnership with Google to promote Google Trends.