Gathered in the shadow of the Great Wall of China, 40 hikers join hands to sing before stepping onto the crumbling centuries-old path.

You have to believe we are magic, nothin' can stand in our way - the lyric from Olivia Newton-John's 1980s hit Magic rings out as an unmistakable voice soars above the rest.

This is how the 59-year-old singer's Great Walk to Beijing began in Jinshanling last week. She was joined by fellow cancer survivors, athletes and celebrities for the arduous 228km trek, which is raising money for The Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre planned for Melbourne's Austin Hospital.

'It was such an emotional moment to finally get here and begin,' Olivia says as she rests after a four-hour, 11km climb through the Simatai hills, finishing with a nail-biting flying fox ride back down.

'Making it to the end without injury is certainly one of my goals. I knew the walk would be hard, steep and uneven, but it was exhilarating too. I was on my hands and knees for some of the toughest sections - it would have been easy to stop if we hadn't made a commitment.'

Olivia, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, has undertaken the walk of about one million steps despite regularly having to bathe her aching feet in ice. Pushing her through the pain is her wish to share her experience.

'I'm not walking as a celebrity, just as another woman who's beaten cancer,' she says. 'It's a thrill to connect with my fellow walkers - when I can breathe!'

Olivia's courage has inspired plenty of support. Diane Heavin, founder of Curves gym, has donated more than $1 million to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centre Appeal. She'll also read the names of 4000 relatives and friends of Curves gym members touched by cancer while walking with Olivia.

Another well-wisher is Rove McManus. Rove lost his wife Belinda Emmett, a friend of Olivia's, to cancer in 2006.

'He sent a beautiful message wishing us all luck on the walk,' Olivia says. 'It was very sweet because he said Belinda would be more than happy to be associated with the event, which is a thoughtful message for him to send.'

Walking with Olivia is her partner of 10 months, John Easterling. As owner of the Amazon Herb Company, he supports Amazon tribes by employing them to grow herbs and plants for its health supplements. He's passionate about saving the world's rainforests and helping the Amazon community preserve their land rights.

'He makes me so happy,' says Olivia, who's pleased to admit she's in love.

'He's a gorgeous, solid, giving person who I greatly respect for many reasons, one of them being that he's socially responsible.'
John, 55, also wears his heart on his sleeve. 'It's definitely love and it's the greatest thing,' he says. 'She always sees the rose in every thornbush. She's lively, intelligent, creative and has the best sense of humour. We have the best time together and my happiness is definitely connected to the person she is.'

Olivia and John have known each other for 16 years, linked by a dog for 13 of them. When Olivia's dog had puppies, John took one, and sending Christmas cards to each other's dogs has kept them in touch. But they felt a spark in June after John invited Olivia and other friends to the Amazon.

John says: 'On the second day in the Peru rainforest, a magical thing happened between us. It was striking then, and we've bonded for the 10 months since. She's an international superstar and I'm just a guy who's been hanging out in the jungle for 30 years - but it's magic.'

They're inseparable on the walk, wearing Amazon 'bonding' wristbands and smiling encouragement at each other. But Olivia's experience with cancer is also getting her through the long trek to Beijing.

'I don't often allow myself to go back to those days, but I do remember the fear and trepidation,' she says. 'And in many ways this walk is like a journey with cancer - you face your fears and keep moving.

You may not know what's ahead, but you take it one step at a time.'

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