CANCELLED due to COVID infection: Camping, Walks and Pride Picnic in Castlemaine

Have a relaxing camping weekend just outside Castlemaine, enjoy an easy walk in the Muckleford Forest on Saturday morning, join the Castlemaine Pride Picnic for the afternoon, and a longer walk in the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park on Sunday morning. This is also an opportunity to meet members of Castlemaine’s gay men’s social group ‘The Alluvians’.  

GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE:

• Friday evening: Social - welcome BYO BBQ.
• Saturday Morning: Easy walking, approximately 5-6 km circuit walk on flat tracks.
• Saturday Afternoon: Social – join the fun at the Castlemaine Pride Picnic in the Botanic Gardens, including the Castlemaine Pride Choir, dog show and other entertainment.
• Sunday: Medium walking - approximately 8-10 km circuit walk on paths that are at times rocky and steep (with an easier option available upon request). 

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This event is being run in collaboration with Castlemaine Pride 2022 and ‘The Alluvians’, Castlemaine’s gay men’s social and walking group.

Activities are based about 7 km from town in the grounds of Nomads members' home, so there are limits on camping and BBQ numbers. You may book via Nomads to (i) camp on-site, join the walks, picnic and BBQs, or (ii) arrange your own accommodation off-site (motel, friends, caravan park etc) and join the walks, picnic and BBQs.

The property has livestock in adjoining paddocks and roaming kangaroos at night but has no dog proof fencing. Therefore, guests are unable to bring dogs unless they have prior agreement of the Leader (any dog will need to be on a leash 100% time). 

The planned weekend’s activities below are a guide, and may be varied to suit prevailing weather, pandemic or other situations:

• FRIDAY EVENING: Welcome Pool Party and outside ‘cater-yourself’ BBQ dinner, from 6pm. BYO food, utensils, glass/mug, drink, chair and suitable outdoors clothing. 
• SATURDAY MORNING: Departing about 9am, there is a short drive to the start of a 5-6 km circuit walk, which will likely be through the historic Muckleford Forest to the Red, White and Blue mine; starting and finishing at Muckleford Old School Road junction (See Forest Fire Management Victoria notes). The walk is on graded roads or paths. Members of the Alluvians are invited. After the walk we will return to our accommodation.
• SATURDAY AFTERNOON: Departing at noon, we will drive to the Castlemaine Botanic Gardens (about 10 minutes) to join in the fun and entertainment at the Castlemaine Pride Picnic – bring your picnic lunch, drinks (alcohol permitted), chairs and rug and enjoy the entertainment and stalls; there may be a food / coffee stall. Within a short stroll from the Picnic is the Castlemaine Mill – the former carpet mill is now a busy antique, arts and food precinct (Viennese Coffee House, Shedshaker Brewery, chocolatier, Sprout Bakery, cheesery etc) which people may wish to visit.
• SATURDAY EVENING: Saturday Pool Party and outside BBQ from 6pm, catered by Nomads and hosts, with assistance requested from Nomads members. BYO: Drink, cutlery, plate, glass/mug. Members of The Alluvians are also invited.
• SUNDAY:  Departing about 9am, there is a 10-15 min drive to the Garfield Waterwheel, where we leave our cars and walk through parts of the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park towards the Welsh Village, then gain more height to emerge from the bush at the Expedition Pass Reservoir.  We return downhill on the easy Forest Creek track, calling in at the Monster Meeting Place, site of a pre-Eureka Stockade rally against gold license fees, and back to the cars at the Garfield Waterwheel. The Alluvians are also invited to join this walk. The walk is graded Medium, 8-10 km circuit walk on paths that are at times rocky, possibly slippery and steep. Those wanting an easier walk can meet at Expedition Pass Reservoir to participate in the second part of the walk, via the Monster Meeting Place to Garfield Wheel and a car shuffle back to Expedition Pass Reservoir.

Alternative Activities:

Those not wishing to do the Sunday walk, or wishing to stay extra days, may explore Castlemaine, where options include: 

• Return steam train Castlemaine to Maldon (departs 11.30am on Wednesdays and Sundays, with two hours in Maldon for lunch and look around, returning 3.30pm). 
• Castlemaine Art Museum opens 12 noon to 4pm Thursday to Sunday.
• Buda house and gardens.
• Castlemaine Farmers Market. 
• Castlemaine’s main shopping streets including bookshops, cinema etc.
• Castlemaine’s renowned hot-rod and motoring businesses and museums.
• There is an opportunity for early morning birdwatching along an ephemeral creek with views across a neighbour’s dam which is being developed as a bird sanctuary.
• The Castlemaine Golf Course is close by.

BOOKING: By Sunday 24th April. Be quick as numbers are limited. This event is only available to Nomads or Alluvians members. Nomads members should register in the usual way by clicking on Get Tickets. Alluvians members are being independently invited to attend some activities, and they should register as they normally do by emailing the leader.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS: In addition to Government requirements our hosts are concerned about their and their guest’s health and wellbeing.

• Only those who are double vaccinated and can show this by phone App or paper document may attend their property.
• All activities at the property will be outside, not in the house.
• NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 220429: Camping, Walks and Pride Picnic in Castlemaine.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

• Walking Tracks: mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Walks_tracks_and_trails
• What's On: mountalexander.vic.gov.au/Whats_on
• Weather: Average daily temperatures in late April range from 6-18 deg C; you should consult the BOM Castlemaine Detailed Weather Forecast (not Melbourne) a day or two before the event and wear weather-appropriate clothing and footwear for camping and walking.

MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 

• Arrival: preferably from 4pm-6pm Friday 29th April; if arriving later please email LeaderIanG.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com by 28th April with details of your tent / campervan etc space requirements and estimated time of arrival, so a site can be reserved for you. If you get delayed along the way or need further directions, please phone the leader on 0414 654 872.
• Address: The address will be supplied during the week before the event, and after booking and payment is confirmed.  

MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 193 grid H9 | Google map: goo.gl/maps/sdYnHCVEz2HzpVyS7.

DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 130 km, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to drive to Castlemaine via the Calder Highway, exiting at the marked B180 turnoff to Castlemaine. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is a regular ~ hourly train service from Southern Cross Station to Castlemaine (the Bendigo line) that takes about 1.5 hours. Please advise the leader if you wish to be collected from the Castlemaine station; he can suggest a local taxi service, or may be able to collect you. 

FOOD: Bring breakfasts, lunch and BBQ dinners (see below for details). During the walks we suggest you carry snacks and at least 1 litre of water. 

• You need to provide your own food for: breakfast Saturday and Sunday; picnic lunch Saturday and Sunday; and your food for a BBQ on Friday night.
• A BBQ dinner on Saturday night will be prepared by the Nomads and our hosts, and you may be asked to assist in preparation (cost included in bookng fee). 
• Bring your cutlery, plates and drinking mug/glass etc. (If you are staying offsite, this is required for the BBQ).
• Please indicate when booking if you wish to eat meat or vegetarian for Saturday nights BBQ meal.
• A ‘Camp kitchen’ will be set up in the new shed (if completed) or else the carport, with a BBQ, drinking water, electric urn / kettle, kitchen bowl for washing, a food preparation table and possibly a microwave oven and fridge. 

CAMPING ACCOMMODATION: Bring your tent, swag, campervan, camper trailer, slide-on or caravan; esky or self-powered fridge; and outdoor weather-suitable clothing. Bring an outdoor chair too. Campsites are within about 100m of the house, cottage and shed; if weather is wet or cold, there is (if completed) a large 10m x 12m shed to shelter in or sleep in if wet. Alternatively, book your own accommodation off-site.

• Due to limits on the property’s ‘Biolytics’ wastewater system, two ‘Port-A-Loos’ will be provided (cost included in booking fee).  There is one shared shower in the cottage and limited water, so patience, short showers, your own towel and coordination will be needed.
• There is an under-cover solar-heated swimming pool, so bring togs and a towel.
• Fire restrictions are likely to still be in force, so we cannot have fires or gas stoves in the open; if this changes we will advise you.

APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes, jacket, hat, and dress according to the Castlemaine (not Melbourne) weather forecast.  

LEADER: Ian G. | Email LeaderIanG.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com or phone 0414 654 872 if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.

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