After walking over 400km from Port Augusta, dozens of Peace Walkers arrived in Port Adelaide on September 20, joining nationally coordinated actions opposing AUKUS, the Force Posture Agreement and Australia’s increasing enmeshment with the US Department of War.

The Peace Walkers culminated our month-long walk at a community event organised by local group Port Adelaide Community Opposing AUKUS (PACOA) - one of dozens of actions happening across the continent in the lead up to International Day of Peace.

PACOA’s Anti-AUKUS Day of Action was a vibrant event, with the Peace Walkers arriving to live music, street theatre, face-painting, choirs, kayaks and public speakers, including Karina Lester of the AUKUS Public Inquiry. 

First Nations communities have long opposed the lands being used for nuclear waste dumps and uranium mining, and the 2026 Peace Walk was continuation of resistance to uranium mining and nuclear waste dumping in SA.

No plan or location for AUKUS nuclear waste management has been released by the Australian government. The submarines would produce weapons-grade nuclear waste; this type of waste is unprecedented in Australia. “Barngarla people and a lot of Aboriginal nations have been fighting against the dumping of nuclear waste on our Country,” says Jonas Dare, Barngarla woman and Peace Walker. “The AUKUS deal allows nuclear waste to be dumped somewhere in Australia. We all need to start working together and fighting together to stop that nuclear waste.”

Here's what some of the Peace Walkers had to say about their experience:

“Along the way we’ve been sharing our knowledge and informing people of what AUKUS actually means to Australia. It's been good to get out there and actually have one-on-one conversations with people about this, and hear their views as well.” 
- Jonas Dare, Bangarla woman and Peace Walker

“Its been a really fun experience because I’ve met really cool people who are really interesting and very inspiring. And the walk has been really good because it's obviously for a really good cause, to stop AUKUS.” 
- Sonia, Peace Walker Against AUKUS, 17 years old

“I joined the walk for 4 days around Crystal Brook, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience, organised by a great group of young people from all over the place. I feel very strongly against the whole AUKUS alliance. I live around Port Adelaide, where the submarines are planned to be built, so it's something that me and my community here feel strongly about.”
- Sue, Peace Walker, Nurse and Community Radio Volunteer

Thanks to everyone for your support along the way. There were so many people involved in the entire journey, from all the planning in the lead up, to all the daily practicalities and all the literal steps we took collectively to get from Barngarla Country in Port Augusta to Kaurna Country in Port Adelaide. Thanks for sharing, donating, dreaming and joining us in whatever ways you did along the journey.

The Peace Walkers acknowledge each of the Elders and mob who joined or supported us, who have paved the way for fighting colonial powers like AUKUS for hundreds of years and continue to staunchly fight and lead the resistance.