Perth woman Jane Paterson decided to walk across the Nullarbor to try to change people's attitudes about Aboriginal people. She said the attitude of the nation was guided by Mr Howard.
They are in Canberra to present Mr Howard with a petition. When asked by reporters from the Parliamentary press gallery if Mr Howard was racist, she said: "Yes ... very racist."
Mrs Paterson was joined on her walk by Pam Morris, another Perth septuagenarian.
Mr Howard and Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough have both refused to meet the pair.
But Nationals senator Barnaby Joyce has met the women, along with Opposition indigenous affairs spokesman Chris Evans.
Liberal member for the outback South Australian seat of Grey, Barry Wakelin, will also meet the women.
Mrs Paterson and Mrs Morris are still hopeful of presenting a petition declaring the existence of "widespread racism in present day Australian culture" to Mr Howard and Mr Brough later in the week.