Participation in the annual Federation Walks event is one of the benefits of our membership of Bushwalking Victoria. Bookings for the Federation Walks weekend based at Wilsons Promontory on 11-13 October are now open and will close on 31 August. It will be the 90th anniversary of Bushwalking Victoria, so expect some special celebrations.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: 20 different walks plus a boat trip are available. The walks range from Easy 3.2 km to Hard 25 km. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The FedWalks weekend happens in a different part of Victoria each year. A 90th Anniversary Souvenir Booklet will be available as well as detailed maps and descriptions of all the walks on offer - see Walks Program on the Fedwalks website for details. Some of the old favourites include: The Three Bays Walk (Squeaky Beach, Picnic Bay, Whiskey Bay), Oberon Bay, Little Oberon Bay, Mt Oberon, Mt Bishop, Lilly Pilly Gully, Tongue Point, Darby River and Verekers Outlook. Many of the tracks being used will be checked and cleared ahead of the weekend by the BWV Bush Track and Conservation group in liaison with Parks Victoria. Many thanks to the volunteers for taking on responsibility for organising this event. Bayside Bushwalking Club are the host club supported by the Melbourne Bushwalkers, the South Gippsland Walking and Adventure Club and the Gisborne Bushwalking Club. BOOKING: 31 August, or ASAP to ensure you don't miss out - some walks booked out on the morning the registrations opened on 3 June! This event is open to members of all clubs affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria. The steps for booking are: Check out the BWV Walks Program to decide which walk(s) you would like to do. Click the TryBooking link, select the walks you wish to do on Saturday, and on Sunday (or select the NO ACTIVITY option if you don't plan to walk on one of the days), select the accommodation you want (probably unpowered campsite) and Saturday Night Dinner option if you wish, and pay the Registration Fee. Select Get Tickets on this Nomads events listing, so we know who is attending, to help with coordination. Unsure if you've already booked with The Nomads? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: Detailed information is available on fedwalks.org.au. MEETING TIME | LOCATION:  Friday Registration (optional): 3pm-5:30pm Saturday - Registration from 6:45am Sunday - Registration from 7:30am MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/QEvFfArrHHWT6uPd6.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 225 km, allow at least 3 hours to drive from central Melbourne.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is no public transport available. When booking, please indicate if you need, or can offer, a ride. COST: The minimum cost is $55 per person, which includes participation in your selected Saturday and Sunday walk. Non-powered camping is available for $40 per person. For other accommodation options, see the COSTS tab of our FedWalks 2024 spreadsheet, or see the Accommodation tab or The Package tab on the FedWalks website. Saturday night dinner (paella, salad and Portuguese tart) costs $45. ACCOMMODATION: The Tidal River village has been booked for the weekend, and there will be a full range of accommodation options available (until they book out)! See the Accommodation tab or The Package tab on the FedWalks website for details. FOOD: BYO breakfasts. For your walks, you will generally need to carry lunch, snacks and drinking water. Afternoon tea will be provided at the end of each walk. You can book and pay for a Saturday evening meal ($45 for paella, salad and Portuguese tart) when you book for the weekend.  APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Be sure to bring plenty of warm, waterproof layers. The weather in The Prom can be more changeable than in Melbourne, hard as that may be to believe! LEADER: The walks will be organised by different leaders from the FedWalks team. For queries about participating in activities with other Nomads over the weekend, email Alan D. on LeaderAlanD.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website. HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Our regular monthly social night - this month at the Moreland Hotel in Brunswick. GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The Nomads hold a social night each month, where members and guests can enjoy a meal, talk about upcoming events, compare notes on past activities and float ideas on events they would like to see run. October is planning month, where we sketch out the program of events for the upcoming summer quarter. Most of the planning will have been done via a Zoom pre-planning meeting the previous night, but in this social evening we also welcome additional suggestions to fill any gaps. Do you want to see more of a particular activity, or do you have a particularly favourite area of Victoria you would like to share with others? Do you have an idea for a walk we haven't done before? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Everyone is welcome – you don't have to volunteer for an activity. New members are especially invited to any of the monthly Nomads social evenings. The Moreland Hotel has an extensive menu offering reasonably priced pub favourites including vegan options and a seniors menu.  BOOKING: By Monday 30th September. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure what you've booked for? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm at the Moreland Hotel, cnr Moreland Rd & Sydney Rd, Brunswick. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/dXMhUKUXHfyk9mMu6. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Tram #6 to stop 132 (Sydney Rd/Moreland Rd) Tram #19 to stop 28 (Moreland Rd/Sydney Rd) Train: Upfield line to Moreland Station LEADER: Garry O. | Email LeaderGarryO.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

Preparing the draft Summer program of events - online via Zoom. GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The bulk of the planning for the upcoming Summer program will be done in this pre-planning meeting via Zoom in readiness to present the draft program the next night at the Social Evening, where attendees will be invited to provide additional suggestions and help fill any gaps. BOOKING: By 5pm Monday 30th September. To register, click on Get Tickets. Alternatively, simply click on the Zoom link in the reminder email sent to members a few days prior to the event. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. DRAFT PROGRAM: Nomads Draft Program. You may add your suggestions to this online spreadsheet - be sure to click to some other cell once you've finished, so that your suggestion gets saved. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm online via Zoom. Those who registered will be sent the Zoom link by 6pm on Monday evening. LEADER: Alan D. | Email LeaderAlanD.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website. Photo by Bich Tran from Pexels.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS

An urban walk featuring some amazing houses in Monomeath and Victoria Avenues, before exploring Canterbury Gardens on our way to Beckett Park. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate 9 km walk mostly on paved footpaths, through parks and gardens including some hills (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines). ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The walk will commence upon arrival of the train from Flinders Street that is scheduled to reach East Camberwell at 9:53am. The route follows a creek valley into Balwyn and up to the Maranoa Botanic Gardens beside Beckett Park - our lunch stop. The tower will be open for views towards Doncaster. After taking time out for lunch, we continue along Yarrbat Ave to Mont Albert Park for views of Box Hill's new skyline in Whitehorse Rd. The walk will conclude in Hamilton St, Mont Albert where shops are open for afternoon drinks. Afterwards you can return home from the nearby Union Station. BOOKING: By Friday 27th September. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 9:55am at the northern exit of East Camberwell Station, on Sefton Place, Camberwell. The walk will commence upon arrival of the 9:53am train from Flinders Street. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/mD19DTs5LCXaexJBA.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Public Transport is recommended for this walk. Weekend Myki fares are capped at $7.20 full, $3.60 concession or free for Seniors. We will ride in the front carriage of the train. Outbound: The Belgrave line train that departs Flinders Street platform 2 at 9:26am arrives at East Camberwell at 9:53am. Return: Trains depart from the new Union Station every 10 minutes. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast.  LEADER: John T. | Email LeaderJohnT.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

Please Note:  The weather forecast for this Saturday 28th Sept is looking very good for a naturist hike. It's supposed to be warm and sunny with a maximum temperature of 21C, and a warm northerly breeze - about perfect for a naturist hike! As of Wed 25th Sept we have a good sized group of 21 people booked in. (This event has been shifted from 14th Sept to 28th Sept, because of the very cold weather forecast for the original date.)  ________________________________ A pleasant naturist walk to the top of a forest ridge, south east of Bendigo for great views to the south. Lunch at the top and hopefully some wildflowers to see along the way. Bendigo generally has more sunny weather than Melbourne and its Springtime happens earlier than the Spring in Melbourne. The easiest way to get to the Meeting Place is by V/line train. Then from the cafe we can arrange a lift for you to the start of the walk. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate 6.5 km circuit walk (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines). We have designed the walk to be not too long so that we will have time to enjoy the scenery and the wildflowers, and get our legs back in shape after the winter break. Nevertheless there is a pleasant climb to the top of the ridge. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We will first meet for a coffee and catch up at Garlands Cafe and Bakehouse at 124 High St, Kangaroo Flat. From there we will car pool or you can drive your own car approximately 8 km (10 mins) to the start of the walk on the edge of the forest. Clothes can be removed soon after the start of the walk as we are walking in a remote section of the forest. We will stop for a leisurely lunch on the top of the range. From here we continue for a bit further along the ridge-top and then circle back through the backcountry forest to the cars. We then plan to return to Kangaroo Flat to the Windermere Hotel bistro for cool drinks, coffee and snacks. If you wish, you can stay on for dinner which starts at 5.30pm. If you happen to be travelling by public transport, it is an 8 min (500m) walk to the Kangaroo Flat Railway Station. For details see the Public Transport section below. BOOKING: Preferably by Thursday 26th September. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am at Garlands Cafe and Bakehouse, 124 High St, Kangaroo Flat (a southern suburb of Bendigo). High St is also known as the Calder Highway and Midland Highway into Bendigo. There is good parking behind the Cafe in the Champions IGA carpark. You will need to enter via Station St and then Dunlop Ln. You can enter the Cafe via their back door in Dunlop Ln. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/7XfjmxQYDPb6XUHFA  AFTERNOON REFRESHMENTS LOCATION: Windermere Hotel bistro. The bistro is towards the rear of the hotel. The hotel is at 112 High St, Kangaroo Flat, 50 metres north of Garlands Cafe and Bakehouse. The best parking is again in the Champions IGA carpark in Dunlop Lane behind the hotel. You can enter the hotel from Dunlop Ln. The hotel serves meals in the bistro starting at 5.30pm. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 145 km, approximately 1 hour 40 minutes via Calder Fwy/M79. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: You can catch the V/line train leaving Southern Cross at 9.05am, arriving Kangaroo Flat railway station at 10.50am. This is a very pleasant, relaxing trip. From the station it is an 8 min, 500m walk to Garlands Cafe and Bakehouse, 124 High St. There are public toilets along the way in the Kangaroo Flat Native Botanic Gardens on the left hand side in Station St as you walk to the cafe. There are also toilets in the back of the cafe. For the return trip to Southern Cross there are regular V/line trains - leaving at 4:05pm, 4:29pm, 5:29pm, 6:32pm, 8:04pm and 9:43pm.  FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water (approx). You can buy sandwiches and rolls at the meeting place cafe if you need to. However it may be better to bring your lunch from home so that we don't overwhelm the cafe. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes, hat, sunscreen, dark glasses. Shorts will be needed for the start and end of the walk. You may need a light windproof jacket when we stop for lunch. However let's hope there is no wind! LEADER: Russell W. | If you have any questions email LeaderRussellW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com.  Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website. HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

A walk through beautiful old Melbourne suburbs, with a twist. Learn about some of this city’s more colourful past. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate 12 km point-to-point walk using footpaths (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines). ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This walk will follow the Melbourne locations in the double life of John Freeman, who was born Edward Oxford and who at the age of 18, attempted to assassinate a young 21 year-old Queen Victoria on 10th May 1840 as she rode out of Buckingham Palace with Prince Albert. Edward changed his name when he arrived in Melbourne in 1857 following 24 years in Bethlam Lunatic Asylum. He transformed his life and made a great contribution to colonial life in Melbourne. No-one ever knew of his double life background. The walk will commence at his residence in Albert Park, then proceed through South Melbourne and Docklands then on to St James Old Cathedral in West Melbourne, Melbourne's oldest church and a beautiful example of Georgian architecture. Edward/John became church warden there and ironically, the church holds a personal gift to the Colony of Victoria from Queen Victoria. We will lunch in the nearby Flagstaff Gardens then proceed through leafy Victorian Carlton to the Melbourne General Cemetery where Edward /John is buried.  The walk will include some background on Edward's early life, the assassination attempt and his subsequent trial for treason, the legal repercussions on the nature of policing throughout the then British Empire as a result of his actions that May day in 1840, and his transformed life during the decades of 19th century Marvellous Melbourne.  The walk will end in Carlton at the cemetery at approximately 4pm followed by an arvo tea in Lygon St, Carlton. Frequent trams run down nearby Swanston St back to the City. BOOKING: By Friday 20th September. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10am at Albert Park Station/Light Rail, stop 128, cnr Bridport and Ferrars St, South Melbourne. MAP REFERENCE: Google map goo.gl/maps/CQeY6CwxkRR2. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Tram 96 (East Brunswick to St Kilda via Bourke St) to stop 128. The #96 tram that departs from Southern Cross Station at 9:45am arrives at the Albert Park Light Rail Stop at 9:57am. FOOD: Pack food for lunch as we will have lunch in the Flagstaff Gardens. Food outlets are available en route. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable footwear suitable for walking mostly on sealed footpaths. LEADER: Don V. | Email LeaderDonV.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

Orienteering is a fun way to learn how to safely navigate through the forest with a map and compass. We will join in with a Victorian Orienteering Event on this occasion. Beginners are welcome, you will be given navigation instruction at the start of the course. We will travel in groups of three through the bush for safety and to help each other with the navigation. Maps and compasses are provided. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate 4 km circuit course which will take about 2 to 3 hours. Your speed will not be high while you are learning how to navigate, avoid obstacles and find the checkpoints. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We will join in with a Victorian orienteering event on this occasion. They provide wonderfully detailed waterproof maps and compasses to use on the event, though you could bring your own compass if you have one. We will join a course of approximately grade 4 (second easiest) while we learn how to accurately use our compass and map. To complete our course and find all the checkpoints will probably take between 2 and 3 hours. This means we will finish around 1pm. If the weather is good we could eat our lunch at the finish in the forest, or if the weather is not so good we could head off to a local cafe for lunch. After lunch you are free to return to Melbourne. However, as the course is on the outskirts of the historic town of Maldon, it would be nice to have a coffee and look around the historic town before returning to Melbourne. BOOKING: Please book by Thursday 19th September so that we can let the organisers know how many are coming. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: Information on Bush Orienteering can be found at https://www.vicorienteering.asn.au/go-orienteering/bush-orienteering/ Information for this particular orienteering event can be found at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/19715. This describes the course as 'Long'. We will not do all of the course on this occasion. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 9.45am at the start of the orienteering event at 95 Church St, Maldon. The exact location can be also be found on this link https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/19715. Click on the words "Driving directions from Google Maps" underneath the small map. MAP REFERENCE: Google map https://maps.app.goo.gl/kH5KvSh4pj24BcZS7 DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 141 km, approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. Travel on the Calder Fwy/M79 from Melbourne. Then turn off on to Fogartys Gap Rd at Ravenswood South, its the next exit past the Harcourt exit.  CAR POOLING FROM MELBOURNE: If you would like to car pool to the event, cars will be leaving the BP Truck Stop / Service Centre Outbound, 937 Calder Fwy, Calder park at 8.20am. This is 26 km and approx 30 minutes from the GPO. Google map https://maps.app.goo.gl/GaonwHsHWwjrphWY6  Cars can be left all day at the BP Service Centre. At the BP Service Centre you can buy sandwiches, coffee and drinks etc. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is no public transport to the start. If you don't have transport, email the leader Russell who will arrange a lift for you. The email address to use is LeaderRussellW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com   FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. You may  need some sunscreen and sunglasses as Spring will be well started by this time. COST: The normal fee to enter Orienteering events is $30 per person which provides you with your map, compass and electronic timing stick. However if we go in groups of 3, they may only charge $30 for the group, making it $10 each. (I will try and clarify this before the event.) There is no Nomads fee for this event for both Members and Non-members. LEADER: Russell W. | Email LeaderRussellW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com  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  

This event has been postponed for 2 weeks to Saturday 28th September because of the very cold weather forecast. (Please note that the new date of Sat 28th is also the AFL Grand Final day.) If you'd like to book in, go to the new event listing under Saturday 28th September. A pleasant naturist walk to the top of a forest ridge, south east of Bendigo for great views to the south. Lunch at the top and hopefully some wildflowers to see along the way. Bendigo generally has more sunny weather than Melbourne and its Springtime happens earlier than the Spring in Melbourne. The easiest way to get to the Meeting Place is by V/line train. Then from the cafe we can arrange a lift for you to the start of the walk. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate 6.5 km circuit walk (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines). We have designed the walk to be not too long so that we will have time to enjoy the scenery and the wildflowers, and get our legs back in shape after the winter break. Nevertheless there is a pleasant climb to the top of the ridge. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We will first meet for a coffee and catch up at Garlands Cafe and Bakehouse at 124 High St, Kangaroo Flat. From there we will car pool or you can drive your own car approximately 8 km (10 mins) to the start of the walk on the edge of the forest. Clothes can be removed soon after the start of the walk as we are walking in a remote section of the forest. We will stop for a leisurely lunch on the top of the range. From here we continue for a bit further along the ridge-top and then circle back through the backcountry forest to the cars. We then plan to return to Kangaroo Flat to the Windermere Hotel bistro for cool drinks, coffee and snacks. If you wish, you can stay on for dinner which starts at 5.30pm. If you happen to be travelling by public transport, it is an 8 min (500m) walk to the Kangaroo Flat Railway Station. For details see the Public Transport section below. BOOKING: Preferably by Thursday 12th September. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am at Garlands Cafe and Bakehouse, 124 High St, Kangaroo Flat (a southern suburb of Bendigo). High St is also known as the Calder Highway and Midland Highway into Bendigo. There is good parking behind the Cafe in the Champions IGA carpark. You will need to enter via Station St and then Dunlop Ln. You can enter the Cafe via their back door in Dunlop Ln. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/7XfjmxQYDPb6XUHFA  AFTERNOON REFRESHMENTS LOCATION: Windermere Hotel bistro. The bistro is towards the rear of the hotel. The hotel is at 112 High St, Kangaroo Flat, 50 metres north of Garlands Cafe and Bakehouse. The best parking is again in the Champions IGA carpark in Dunlop Lane behind the hotel. You can enter the hotel from Dunlop Ln. The hotel serves meals in the bistro starting at 5.30pm. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 145 km, approximately 1 hour 40 minutes via Calder Fwy/M79. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: You can catch the V/line train leaving Southern Cross at 9.05am, arriving Kangaroo Flat railway station at 10.50am. This is a very pleasant, relaxing trip. From the station it is an 8 min, 500m walk to Garlands Cafe and Bakehouse, 124 High St. There are public toilets along the way in the Kangaroo Flat Native Botanic Gardens on the left hand side in Station St as you walk to the cafe. There are also toilets in the back of the cafe. For the return trip to Southern Cross there are regular V/line trains - leaving at 4:05pm, 4:29pm, 5:29pm, 6:32pm, 8:04pm and 9:43pm.  FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water (approx). You can buy sandwiches and rolls at the meeting place cafe if you need to. However it may be better to bring your lunch from home so that we don't overwhelm the cafe. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes, hat, sunscreen, dark glasses. Shorts will be needed for the start and end of the walk. You may need a light windproof jacket when we stop for lunch. However let's hope there is no wind! LEADER: Russell W. | If you have any questions email LeaderRussellW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com.  Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website. HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Pub lunch and easy walk around Lilydale Lake. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Relaxing pub lunch and easy 5 km walk to and around Lilydale Lake (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines). ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: An easily accessible walk by either train or car. Once the train from Flinders Street arrives, we will walk to the historic Olinda Creek Hotel (1860) for a pub lunch in the Bistro.  After a relaxing lunch, we'll take an easy walk beside the Olinda Creek to Lilydale Lake along the Warburton to Carrum Trail. The lake walk includes historic sites relating to limestone mining in the Mitchell Family's 110 year old quarry.  A nearby shopping centre can provide a spot for afternoon drinks. BOOKING: By Friday 6th September for hotel catering requirements. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11:55am at Lilydale Railway Station. We'll assemble underneath the station, beside the northern end of the Maroondah Highway pedestrian crossing. The walk will begin once the train from the city arrives - scheduled for 11:50am. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/d5rHdiTWHwRWYMYj6.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Public transport is extremely convenient for this event. Weekend Myki fares are capped at $7.20 full, $3.60 concession or free for Seniors. We will ride in the front carriage of the train. Outbound: The Lilydale line train that departs from Flinders Street platform 2 at 10:42am arrives at Lilydale at 11:50am.  Return: Trains depart Lilydale towards Flinders Street every 20 minutes, at 2:19pm, 2:39pm, 2:59pm, 3:19pm, 3:39pm, 3:59pm etc. FOOD: Lunch will be ordered at the Olinda Creek Hotel - see menu. There is also a $16 Seniors option. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast.  LEADER: John T. | Email LeaderJohnT.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

Our regular monthly social night - this month at the Nixon Hotel, Docklands.  GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The Nomads hold a social night each month, where members and guests can enjoy a meal, talk about upcoming events, compare notes on past activities and float ideas on events they would like to see run. New members are especially invited to this, or any of the monthly Nomads social evenings. Tuesday night at the Nixon Hotel is Parma Night: $25 parma + pot. See the Nixon Hotel website for more details, including their menu.  BOOKING: By Monday 2nd September. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm on Tuesday 3rd September at the Nixon Hotel, 757 Bourke St, Docklands. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 2E grid H6 | Google map g.page/nixonhotel?share. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Nixon Hotel is very close to Southern Cross Station. Alternatively, catch tram 11 or 48 to stop D16 (Harbour Esplanade/Collins St) or catch tram 35, 70 or 75 to stop D3 (Harbour Esplanade/Bourke St). LEADER: Kevin K. | Email LeaderKevinK.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

Orienteering is a fun way to learn how to safely navigate through the forest with a map and compass. We will join in with a Victorian Orienteering Event on this occasion. Beginners are welcome, you will be given navigation instruction at the start of the course. We'll travel in groups of three through the bush for safety and to help each other with the navigation. Maps and compasses are provided. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate 4 km circuit course which will take about 2 to 3 hours (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines). Your speed will not be high while you are learning how to navigate, avoid obstacles and find the checkpoints. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We will join in with a Victorian Orienteering event on this occasion. They provide wonderfully detailed waterproof maps and compasses to use on the event, though you could bring your own compass if you have one. We will join a course of approximately grade 4 (second easiest) while we learn how to accurately use our compass and map. Completing our course and finding all the checkpoints will probably take between 2 and 3 hours. This means we will finish around 1pm. If the weather is good we could eat our lunch at the finish point in the forest, or if the weather is not so good we could head off to a local cafe for lunch, though the nearest cafe is probably about half an hour away. After lunch we had planned to return to Melbourne. However the course is not too far from Castlemaine and Chewton and you might like to do something else there before returning to Melbourne. BOOKING: Please book by Thursday 29th August so that we can let the organisers know how many are coming. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: Information on Bush Orienteering can be found at https://www.vicorienteering.asn.au/go-orienteering/bush-orienteering/. Information on this particular orienteering event can be found at https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21016. This describes the course as 'Long'. We will not do all of the course on this occasion. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 9.45am at the start of the orienteering event on Mt Alexander, Harcourt North. The exact location can be found on this link https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21016. Click on the words "Driving directions from Google Maps" underneath the small map. MAP REFERENCE: Google map goo.gl/maps/AcrfAxJF7GPZj8Pt6.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 123 km, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Travel on the Calder Fwy/M79 from Melbourne. Then turn off on to Harmony Way just past Elphinstone. The destination is on Joseph Young Drive. https://eventor.orienteering.asn.au/Events/Show/21016  CAR POOLING FROM MELBOURNE: If you would like to car pool to the event, cars will be leaving the BP Truck Stop/Service Centre Outbound, 937 Calder Fwy, Calder park at 8.30am. This is 26 km and approx 30 minutes from the GPO. Google map https://maps.app.goo.gl/GaonwHsHWwjrphWY6  Cars can be left all day at the BP Service Centre. At the BP Service Centre you can buy sandwiches, coffee and drinks etc. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is no public transport to the start. If you don't have transport, email the leader Russell who will arrange a lift for you. The email address to use is LeaderRussellW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com   FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. You may even need some sunscreen and sunglasses as it will be the start of Spring. COST: The normal fee to enter Orienteering events is $30 per person which provides you with your map, compass and electronic timing stick. However if we go in groups of 3, they may only charge $30 for the group, making it $10 each. (I will try and clarify this before the event.) There is no Nomads fee for this event for both Members and Non-members. LEADER: Russell W. | Email LeaderRussellW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com  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  

A full week of cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and/or snowboarding, staying in a cosy lodge at Falls Creek. Stay the full week, or part thereof. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Your choice (choose slopes and equipment to match your skills) – cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and/or snowboarding.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: A full week (or part thereof) ski trip to Falls Creek is planned for Sunday 25 to Sunday 31 August 2024. We will be staying at the cosy Cosela Alpine Lodge, which provides ski-in ski-out access from Wombats Ramble with no oversnow transport requirements. This will be a cross-country ski, downhill ski and/or snowboard week leaving Melbourne on Sunday and leaving Falls Creek the following Sunday. BOOKING: Please get a Nomads ticket ASAP to indicate your intention to attend. The leader will then contact you to confirm dates and times, and to organise payment. Accommodation will be booked once bed availability and size of the group is known. To register your interest, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.cosela.com.au/Winter/index.html. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Sunday afternoon, Cosela Alpine Lodge, Falls Creek.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway Map X922 grid H10 | Google map goo.gl/maps/V7fBUEiNBb62.  GETTING THERE: There are coach services from Melbourne, Mt Beauty and many other locations to Falls Creek. There are long-term parking facilities in Mt Beauty if you don’t wish to take your car up the mountain. If driving, take the Hume Freeway (M31) to Wangaratta then the Great Alpine Road (B500), turning off to Mt Beauty. On arrival at Falls Creek you should request to unload your luggage at the steps beyond the CFA station, which is lit at night. As you are staying at Cosela, you don't need oversnow transport. After unloading, you will return to the attendant to be directed to a parking place. Cosela Lodge can then be reached by travelling up the steps and across Snowgum Lane (see map at www.cosela.com.au/Winter/Map.html). DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 391 km, 4.5 hours. FOOD: It's advisable to bring food for the period of your stay; group catering arrangements will be organised after registration. Breakfast cereal, milk, bread, jam, condiments, tea and coffee are provided by the lodge. There’s a local food store for last minute supplies and oversights. COSTS: You can come for the full period or part thereof: ACCOMMODATION MON-THU: The accommodation cost is $120 per Nomads member per night. ACCOMMODATION FRI-SAT: $270 for Friday plus Saturday night (i.e. $135 per night, but payment is required for both nights if either is required). BOOKING FEE: There is also a $3.50 service booking fee. BUS - MOUNT BEAUTY TO FALLS CREEK: The bus fee is $88 Mount Beauty to Falls Creek return if you decide to park in Mt Beauty. FALLS CREEK PARKING: The parking fee at Falls Creek is $448 for the 7 nights (plus you will need to carry snow chains). NON MEMBERS: Not a Nomads member? Purchase a temporary one-month membership before getting your tickets (cost $8). APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Bring sheets and pillowcases, towel, washer and toiletries, plus ski gear to suit all possible conditions (or hire it in Mt Beauty or Falls Creek). Don’t forget warm, comfortable clothing for after-ski activities. If driving you will be required to carry chains (these can be hired in Mt Beauty), and you should ensure your radiator has antifreeze. LEADER: Les B. | Email LeaderLesB.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

Enjoy a pleasant winter's walk on the Geelong foreshore, travelling there and back via public transport: a V/Line train to the North Geelong Station, returning to Docklands by ferry (or optionally by train).  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 7 km point-to-point walk, optionally extended to a moderate 13 km walk via an additional 6 km circuit walk along the foreshore to Eastern Park (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines).  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We'll catch a V/Line train to Geelong's North Geelong Station, from where we'll walk to the interesting Federal Mills complex for a quick visit. Afterwards, a short stroll will take us to the foreshore, which we'll follow all the way round to Cunningham Pier and the picturesque Geelong waterfront. Lunch can be taken in this vicinity, either in one of the cafes facing the foreshore, or you can BYO lunch for a picnic in the park. Suggested lunch options are The Geelong Boathouse (for fish and chips) or Hecho en Mexico. There is limited indoor seating at The Geelong Boathouse, so if it's raining, Hecho en Mexico would be best.  After lunch you'll have the option to stroll with us along the waterfront around to Eastern Beach, and back via parklands and Malop St, or alternatively to check out the nearby Geelong CBD on your own - there is an excellent Art Gallery located on Johnstone Park and the National Wool Museum is quite close to Cunningham Pier. To return to Melbourne, we'll catch the 4pm Port Phillip Ferries service to Docklands via Portarlington. If you prefer though, you can catch a V/Line train from the nearby Geelong Station, which will effectively be cost-free since weekend train travel is capped at $7.20 per day (or $3.60 for Seniors/Concessions).  BOOKING: By Friday 23rd August. To register with The Nomads, click on Get Tickets. To book your ferry ticket, go to Port Phillip Ferries (this can be done on the day from your phone). Bookings can't be made for the V/Line trains, but you'll need a Myki card. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: See V/Line Trains for timetables. Docklands-Geelong-Portarlington ferry service: Port Phillip Ferries.  For our approximate route, see the North Geelong - Federal Mills - Eastern Beach - Port Phillip Ferries Google map. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:50am at the North Geelong Station, 109 Victoria St, North Geelong.  ** Note: this is a change from the formerly advertised starting point of North Shore Station ** If travelling by train from Southern Cross, you should get to Southern Cross Station by around 9:35am, ready to board the Waurn Ponds service that departs at 9:50am. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/o4VS9PPy3MBH8KAq8.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 67 km, 59 minutes by train (or approximately 1 hour to drive, but public transport is recommended).  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Outbound: Board the front carriage of the Waurn Ponds (Geelong) service that departs from Southern Cross Station at 9:50am, and should arrive at the North Geelong Station at 10:49am. Return: We'll need to get to the Port Phillip Ferries terminal by 3:45pm, to board the ferry that departs from Geelong at 4pm.  Return via V/Line: Trains bound for Southern Cross depart from Geelong Station at 3:32pm, 4:12pm, 4:52pm, 5:32pm, etc. COST: TRAIN: Train, tram and bus travel is capped at $7.20 per day (or $3.60 for Seniors/Concessions) for travel anywhere in Victoria. FERRY: The Geelong-Docklands service costs $26.50 one-way (or $24.50 for Seniors/Concessions) on weekends. NOTE: You can leave purchasing your ferry ticket until close to the time of travel - there will be ample space on board. FOOD: Carry snacks if you wish and some drinking water. Bring your lunch if you plan to have a picnic, or there are many options along the Geelong foreshore to purchase lunch. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast.  LEADER: Alan D. | Email LeaderAlanD.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

A gem of a short coastal winter ramble, taking in some lovely vistas of Port Phillip Bay, Frankston, and Kananook Creek bushlands following beachside boardwalks and riverside trails to Seaford, with a post luncheon option of continuing on to Carrum. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 8 km walk (Seaford), Moderate 15 km if continuing to Carrum. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Commencing the walk from Oliver's Hill after a train journey to Frankston and bus up to Oliver's Hill Lookout, we will make our way down to Frankston beachside boardwalks before getting on to the picturesqe Kananook Creek trail, arriving at Seaford in time for optional lunch/refreshments at the Spanish Bar.  At this point, participants have the option of pulling out to go homeward via the nearby Seaford Station, or time permitting and depending how people are feeling, we can continue on to Carrum, adding another couple of hours to the walk.  BOOKING: By Friday 16th August. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11:15am at the Grange Rd / Nepean Hwy bus stop (near the Oliver's Hill lookout), Frankston. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/Na1PSzP94BEqNLYH7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: From the Bay C bus stop outside Frankston Station, we'll take the #781 Dromana bus at 11:09am to Grange Rd/Nepean Hwy (we'll ask the driver to drop us off at the 1st stop past the Oliver's Hill lookout).  GETTING TO FRANKSTON BY TRAIN: Suggested train: Frankston line train departing Flinders Street at 9:17am, arriving at Frankston at 10:24am. That allows 40 minutes for a leisurely coffee and walk to the bus stop Alternative train: Frankston line train departing Flinders Street at 9:37am, arriving at Frankston at 10:44am, which may allow time for a quick take-away coffee, or NOT recommended train: Frankston line train departing Flinders Street at 9:57am, arriving at Frankston at 11:04am, and run to the Bay C bus stop. If this train is late, you'll miss the bus! FOOD: Carry some snacks and a litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. The Bay can be a  few degrees cooler than Melbourne in the wind. LEADER: Michael Cowan | Email LeaderMichaelC.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

After driving along the Geelong Road just looking at the You Yangs, why not go on a walk there to be rewarded by the splendid views? GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium, 12.5 km circuit walk, climbing up and down 400M (this is optional and you don't need to go all the way to the top). It is on formed tracks, and undulates, but there is no sustained climbing. There are options to shorten the walk if required. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This walk includes climbing 450 steps to the top of Flinders Peak at 350M, the highest point of the You Yangs. It traverses a number of varying trails including West Walk, Northern Range Walk, Branding Yard Trail, Saddleback Track and East Track. There are rewarding views over Port Phillip Bay and the CBD on clear days. There are no facilities during the walk, and we will have a picnic lunch along the way. BOOKING: By Friday 9th August. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at the Turntable Car Park, Little River.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X911 grid F5 | Google map goo.gl/maps/cMZRVzpzn5bcCwbg6.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 60 km, approximately 1 hour to drive. Travel via the Geelong Road (M1, Princes Fwy) and take the Little River exit. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is no public transport to the You Yangs, but if you would like to be collected from Werribee Station, contact leaderRogerH.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com. FOOD: Bring lunch, and also at least 1 litre of water. There are no shops on the way. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Light, comfortable walking footwear and dress according to the weather forecast. It can be quite cold and windy. LEADER: Roger H. | Email LeaderRogerH.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website. Image: Only 1 In Village.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS