There are 2 voyages. First one 19-22 May. Second one 24-28th May. You could join either, or do both. Join the tall ship "South Passage", Queensland's sail training ship, for a sailing adventure along the Queensland coast.  Everyone sleeps in a communal cabin, and there are shared toilet facilities, which is a small discomfort to pay for the experience of sailing in the same manner that Captain Cook did. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: A basic level of fitness and dexterity is required to move around the ship while it is moving. You need a spirit of adventure, and embrace working as a team to assist sailing the ship. However, no prior sailing experience is required - you will be trained on the job. At times you might have to be awake at night for up to 2 hours to assist in running the ship. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The ship is named South Passage. She is built on the same lines as a New York Pilot Schooner, and has a total length of 30 metres.  These are both general public voyages so we share the ship with other voyage crew. Roger is one of the watchleaders so you would be in his watch. The destinations depend upon the weather and circumstances, but each day there is the opportunity to step onto an island and explore. Or go swimming or snorkelling. Highlights might include: Rosslyn Bay to Mackay: 1st night Pearl Bay, then Middle Percy Is., then maybe Scawfell or Keswick for the last night before Mackay. Mackay to Townsville, a musician to serenade us at a BBQ on shore at Cape Upstart. We will have a couple of island stops in the Whitsundays: day 1: Mackay to St Thomas or Shaw Is. Day 2 to Whitsunday or Hook Is.. Day 3 to Gloucester Passage. Day 4 to Cape Upstart. Day 5 Townsville. The emphasis is on having a good time and getting a range of experiences – not just hard-core sailing. You will never be bored!  Voyage duration, dates and costs are contained on the flyers. This cost does not include transport to/from the embarkation/disembarkation ports, but includes everything once you are on board including all on-board meals. You need to arrive the day before as we usually have an onshore dinner (not included) the night before departure. South Passage does not have any powered winches, so we rely on your manpower to sweat the lines and do all tasks required to run the ship, in the same manner as the ancient mariners.  Of note, South Passage is a dry ship, and there's no smoking on board. Roger's experience is that you will not miss this since there are so many activities to challenge your senses and keep you occupied. A great chance for a detox.  BOOKING: Bookings are on a first in first served basis. Book and Pay direct to Southpassage through the booking application. Follow these links to the booking form and use the QR code: Rosslyn Bay (near Rockhampton) to Mackay. 19-22 May.  Link to Info |  Booking Link Mackay to Townsville. 24-28th May.  Link to info sheet |  Booking Link Please also click Get Ticket on this page so Roger knows you are planning to attend.  Also contact Roger on Email LeaderRogerH@nomads.org.au since it is such short notice. However you must also make a reservation (Booking) and pay a deposit direct to Southpassage (QR code on the links above).  FURTHER INFORMATION: southpassage.org.au, the official South Passage website. There are other voyages offered that you can book on, however Roger is only sailing on the two above. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: This depends on which voyage you select. Refer to Southpassage information, or contact LeaderRogerH@nomads.org.au for exact details. You have to arrive the day before the voyage departs. We have a welcome dinner (around 5pm) the night before to get to know our fellow sailors. The voyage departs promptly the next morning (boats don't wait!!). All sailors need to be on board by 10pm the night before. Dont book flights back to Melbourne before about 8pm on the day of disembarkation as there might be delays. And also to allow time to get to the airport. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: A long way!! Best to fly to/from Queensland. This cost is not included in the voyage cost above. Also, do consider how long it takes to transfer from airport to the port. Roger can advise on the best way to get to the embarkation port. FOOD: All meals are provided on board (but not the welcome dinner the night before departure). All dietary preferences are catered for. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: It is generally balmy. However, if we get some rain it can be cool. A packing list will be provided. LEADER: Roger H. | Email LeaderRogerH@nomads.org.au if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Do you enjoy cycling, and are you sometimes free on Wednesdays? You're welcome to join the Nomads Wednesday cyclists. ** See Archive - Wednesday Bike Rides for the upcoming Wednesday's cycling details (posted on the prior Monday night). ** GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Rides are of varying length and difficulty, mostly in metro Melbourne, but sometimes in Regional Victoria. The typical distance is between 30 and 50 km, though there are usually options to either extend or shorten the ride. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Time off on Wednesdays? Join a small group of Nomads and friends for a leisurely cycle on trails around metro Melbourne, and occasionally into Regional Victoria, usually on the third Wednesday of the month. Emphasis is on the social aspect, not on breaking world speed records! All rides are designed to either start in central Melbourne, or to start and finish close to train stations. The rides usually start at around 10:30am to avoid needing to travel with bikes on trains in peak hour. We often meet in, or near, a cafe so you can have a coffee prior to starting the ride if you wish. We generally have lunch in a cafe or pub along the way, though occasionally you will need to bring a picnic lunch if there are no suitable options available - in that case the ride description will clearly indicate the need to BYO lunch. The upcoming ride details are emailed to everybody on the Wednesday Cyclists Mailing List, usually on the prior Monday evening, by which time the weather forecast for Wednesday is fairly reliable. That way, a ride can be chosen to suit the forecast, for example to keep the wind behind us as much as possible, and to ensure there are bailout train station options if there’s a likelihood of rain. (Tip: the details are also added at the start of the Archive - Wednesday Bike Rides document).  If you have any additional enquiries or requests, email Chris Stewart on LeaderChrisS@nomads.org.au. If you're not sure whether your bike fitness level will match, contact Chris to plan your first foray. BOOKING: MAILING LIST: To join the mailing list so that you receive an email (usually on Monday evening) about the upcoming Wednesday ride, click on Get Tickets in this event. (Afterwards click the "+" to set the number of tickets to 1, click Checkout and follow the prompts to provide your contact details). You only need to do this once. If you decide in future that you don't wish to receive the weekly emails, just email LeaderChrisS@nomads.org.au to be taken off the mailing list. RIDING: When you plan to ride, please put your name in a free cell of the Wednesday Attendees spreadsheet on the day prior (be sure to click out of the cell afterwards, so that your name gets automatically saved). If a blank cell has a coloured box around it, somebody else is currently entering their name in that cell, so select the next cell instead. Your first name plus the first letter of your surname will suffice. If having difficulty, just reply to the email or email LeaderChrisS@nomads.org.au. COST: Free. Note that for most Nomads activities, visitors need to pay a small fee, but as an introductory offer that fee is waived for the monthly social nights and the regular Wednesday and Friday bike rides - a way for you to meet some club members and find out a little more about the club. After attending 5 or more rides, you will be asked to become a member though. FURTHER INFORMATION: Please see Cycling Tips for some things to consider prior to hopping on your bike. LEADER: Chris S. | Email LeaderChrisS@nomads.org.au if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website. HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Check out this interesting route that leads you out to the site of the Sunbury Rock Festival of the 1970s. ** BEWARE: There will be bus replacements on the Sunbury line this weekend. Note the slightly later starting time of 10:45am ** GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 3: Moderate 12.7 km out-and-back walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). There is a creek crossing early on that would be difficult after heavy rain. The path is overgrown / non-existent in places, and there is the risk of snakes in warmer months. Take care to not fall into rabbit burrows or washout holes (at times quite large). The uneven terrain makes the walk feel a lot more than 12.7 km! ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This pleasant walk starts at Stratford Close, Sunbury and follows Harpers Creek and Jacksons Creek. The walking track doesn't get much use and is not visible in some sections. The scenery is quite varied, with a combination of grasslands, riverside sections and some climbs up to the plateau, which provides some spectacular, expansive views. Lunch will probably be taken at the Billy Thorpe Memorial near the end of the trail. BOOKING: By Friday 22nd May. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: AllTrails.com: Jacksons Creek Explorer. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:45am where the cycling/pedestrian path meets Stratford Close (near the intersection of Nottinghill Rise and Stratford Cl/The Strand).  MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/BHYUR3xbMRMXXRRSA.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 45 km, approximately 1 hour to drive or 1 hour 20 mins by public transport from Town Hall Station. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: NOTE: There will be bus replacements on the Sunbury line - replacement buses will run between North Melbourne Station and Sunbury Station. GETTING TO THE WALK: You should aim to arrive at the bus replacement stop outside North Melbourne Station by 9am at the latest to travel to Sunbury. From Sunbury, you will need to catch the #488 Jacksons Hill bus that departs at 10:31am from Sunbury Station (probably from Bay B) to Whitechapel Way/Nottinghill Rise (one stop prior to the Jacksons Hill Terminus/The Strand, where it arrives at 10:43am).  AFTER THE WALK: #488 buses to Sunbury Station depart at regular intervals from the nearby Jacksons Hill Terminus/The Strand (e.g. departures at: 3:28pm, 4:08pm, 4:48pm). Trains normally depart regularly from Sunbury Station (at least one every 20 minutes). FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Be prepared for a creek crossing (you may need to remove shoes and socks) and walking on non-formed tracks. LEADER: Alan D. | Email LeaderAlanD[at]nomads.org.au if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS