Walks organised at the community or 'grass roots' level both in Australia and internationally have been organised as a means to highlight environmental and social issues to the wider community. This thesis focuses on a coastal walk from Melbourne to Sydney during November 1993 to March 1994 called CoastWalk which was organised as part of the Australian Conservation Foundation's 'Coasts in Crisis' campaign. The Walk aimed to highlight environmental management problems specific to the coastal zone at both local and national levels using mass media, information evenings and targeting groups within local communities. Using a case study approach to the methodology, combined with principles from both social (interpretive) and empirical methods, this study involved determining the impact of CoastWalk, i.e. whether it changed individuals at the levels of awareness, understanding or action. The scope of the study does not include a detailed analysis of the communities themselves, nor does it explore the psychological aspects of individual and social change. It was found that the mass media aspect of the CoastWalk campaign created a short term awareness of the need to have concern for coastal management issues in those who did not participate in the Walk. For those who did participate, the impact was deeper and profound, changing individuals understanding and actions towards coastal management and translating into other areas of their lives. The impact of the Walk on local community groups who supported the Walk was negligible and it was determined that CoastWalk did not meet their needs. Community involvement in environmental management or campaigning equates to long term ownership and responsibility being taken for those issues. However, neither community nor government intervention in environmental management alone can resolve these issues successfully. This thesis argues that a combined approach from both community and government organisations is required - but as exemplified by CoastWalk, the success of this approach requires equality in communication and co-operation. As other environmental awareness walks have occurred, it is evident that they are perceived as worthy events by the community, and that there is potential for them to occur again in the future. It is therefore essential for an evaluation to occur of the techniques used to achieve their environmental education aims. Thus, the learning from previous Walks can be built into future Walks enhancing their success.