Students from St Josephs's and Nyngan Public joined others around Australia to take part in the National Walk Safely to School Day on May 17.

The annual event raises awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular walking (especially to and from school) can provide for the long term well-being of our children.

Apart from the physical benefits, regular walking also has a favourable impact on their cognitive and academic performance.

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The day also encouraged primary school aged children to build walking into their daily routine, by walking to and from school, not just on May 17, but every day.

Pedestrian Council of Australia chairman Harold Scruby said children required at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

"We should encourage them to include walking at the beginning, during and end of each day - if you can't walk all the way, use public transport and get off a few stops earlier and walk the rest of the way to school," he said.

He said it also promotes the important road safety message that until children are 10, they must always hold the hand of an adult when crossing the road.