Sydney Woman Completes Epic 63km Perth Walk on Good Friday in 17-Hour Marathon
In an extraordinary display of endurance, 27-year-old Sydney woman Alice Smith marked Good Friday with a monumental 17-hour walk from the Perth CBD to Fremantle and back, covering an impressive 63 kilometers simply because she "felt like walking." Smith shared a Strava recording of her Perth adventure on Reddit, where it quickly amassed over 1,200 upvotes and more than 250 comments, capturing widespread attention and admiration.
Online Reaction and the Simple Motivation Behind the Trek
Amid a flood of Forrest Gump memes and praise for her physical feat, many Reddit users expressed bafflement at why anyone would choose to walk for such an extended period. Comments ranged from humorous quips about unemployment to jokes about high petrol prices. When directly asked by a commenter about her motivation, Smith offered a straightforward explanation: "I just felt like walking (also flying over to the other side of the country to do it)."
Speaking exclusively to PerthNow, Smith revealed that her journey to Western Australia was driven by an addiction to the euphoric after-effects of exploring Australian cities on foot. "Walking is just a part of my lifestyle. I have always been a big walker, but one day I just felt like walking and walked to the Sydney CBD from my house, which took the whole day. I felt the biggest euphoria when I finished, and from then on, I got addicted," she explained.
Details of the Good Friday Walk and Scenic Highlights
This Perth walk marked Smith's first recorded trek outside of Sydney and her inaugural visit to the city. She began her journey just after 5am on Good Friday, setting off from the starting point and heading south. It took approximately nine hours to reach Fremantle, where she met her boyfriend, explored a local arts festival, and stopped for lunch. The return leg consumed an additional seven to eight hours, with Smith originally planning to traverse Kings Park but detouring through Subiaco due to early darkness.
Reflecting on the experience, Smith described Perth as a "very nice and relaxing city," noting that the walk reminded her of previous treks on the Central Coast, with parts of the Swan River evoking memories of Brisbane Waters near Gosford. "My favourite part definitely had to be Fremantle itself and the approach up to it, seeing views of Dalkeith and Mosman Park. I also really liked the stretch from Freo to Peppermint Grove," she shared.
A Growing Passion for Long-Distance Walking
Smith's passion for walking began two years ago and has since taken her across Sydney and Melbourne, culminating in an arduous 86km journey from the base of the Blue Mountains to Bondi Beach. Despite her impressive tally of east coast walks, she ranks the Perth trek among her favourites. "Overall, I really enjoyed my short trip in Perth, and this is easily one of the best walks I have ever done. When I can get around to doing a longer trip, I definitely want to do Joondalup to Fremantle via Scarborough Beach," she added, hinting at future adventures.
This story highlights not only a remarkable physical achievement but also a unique lifestyle choice that blends fitness, exploration, and personal fulfillment, resonating with online communities and inspiring curiosity about the limits of human endurance.
