An interesting ramble to explore little known paths along the Yarra River in Melbourne's inner east and north. This event is part of the 2025 Midsumma Festival. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Easy 7 km walk on sealed and packed-gravel paths (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). There are only minor undulations. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The environs along the inner east and north of the Yarra River have undergone multiple regenerations since European settlement. This one-way walk from Hawthorn to Abbotsford, on unsealed and sealed paths, demonstrates past and current associations with the River. Many public transport options are available to and from the walk. Registration is essential. BOOKING: By Saturday 25th January, or ASAP to ensure you don't miss out. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am in the car park of Hawthorn Station, Evansdale Rd, Hawthorn.  MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/nTpBdXKTwmWJjwh68.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Train: Lilydale, Belgrave or Alamein lines to Hawthorn Station Tram: #75 to Hawthorn Station or #48 to stop 23 (Burwood Road / Church Street) FOOD: BYO water bottle, snacks and lunch. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Wear a hat, sunscreen and closed footwear. LEADER: Garry O. | Email LeaderGarryO@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  

Enjoy a casual picnic on Sunday 26 January on the property of a Macclesfield member, which includes a swimming pool, expansive outdoor picnic area, historic features and some delightful walking trails. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Social - picnic with optional camp out overnight at "Blanchfields", a private home overlooking the Yarra Valley.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We are very privileged to be invited to a picnic in the private and beautiful gardens of the home of member Robert A. It is a rural property with a large garden of exotic trees and shrubs, grasslands and some bushlands overlooking the Yarra Valley. Robert has also invited guests to stay the night after the day of revelry if you wish. You are welcome to set up your tents or trailers in the gardens and leave the next day. In that case, Robert will direct you where you can set up camp. The event starts from midday onwards. There are a limited number of chairs and tables as well as a toilet and bathroom for use. Note – this is not a barbeque. Fires are not allowed in a high fire danger area. Enjoy the swimming pool and stay over in your tent or camper if you wish. There will be access to the oven/stove if anything needs cooking or heating up. Plus, the vegetable garden should be in full production if we need additional ingredients. Updates will follow closer to the date. There will be a short walk around the property later in the afternoon. BOOKING: by Thursday 23rd January. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: From midday onwards at the private home of member Robert A., located in Macclesfield (past Emerald). Address will be forwarded once you have booked a ticket. MAP REFERENCE: Google map goo.gl/maps/KBZiiJpW2uj. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 1 hour – about 60 km. TRANSPORT: No public transport. Travel by car and carpool with someone else if you can. Take the Monash or Eastlink Freeway and exit at Wellington Rd then continue to Macclesfield. The full address and travelling directions will be provided to you upon receipt of your RSVP. FOOD: Bring your own food and drink. For those staying the night, there will be shared drinks, nibbles and meal on the deck at sunset. Until we know how many will be taking part, let’s just call it a “potluck dinner”, any contributions gratefully received. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Bring your own hat, sunscreen and insect repellent. Dress according to the weather forecast. LEADER: Robert A. | Email LeaderRobertA@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  

Please note, This event is now booked out with 36 attendees. If you'd like to be placed on a Wait List please send an email to the Leader at LeaderRussellW@nomads.org.au  __________ This walk is for naturists. Enjoy a clothes free walk and swim in a scenic, remote location not too far from Melbourne. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: There are two options for this event (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System): Grade 3: Medium, approximately 9 km circuit walk which circumnavigates the reservoir. It is about 3 hours walking time. plus we have a 1 hour lunch and swim stop. The walking is on 4WD tracks, single lane walking trails and kangaroo pads. About 3 km is on kangaroo pads and the walking speed is quite slow. There are some moderate hills but they are not that long. Grade 2: Walk 3 km in to the lunch and swim spot. Spend a leisurely afternoon swimming and sunbaking beside the reservoir. Walk 3 km back to the start later in the day. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This event is for Naturists. A lovely remote spot, not far from Melbourne where we can shed our clothes and enjoy naturist walking and swimming. The reservoir is quite a large body of water and there is plenty of water there all year round. The reservoir is hidden in the forest and is most picturesque. BOOKING: Preferably by Wednesday 15th January. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Meet at 10:15am at the Toolern Vale General Store for coffee and check-in. The exact address is 1486 Diggers Rest-Coimadai Rd, Toolern Vale. (Note: You will need to type into your GPS at least "Toolern Vale General Store, Toolern Vale". Typing in just "Toolern Vale" can take you to an incorrect address 6kms away). There is a good car park opposite the General Store. We plan to drive to the start of the walk at about 10:45am. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 331 grid G5 | Melway Key Map 7 grid E3 | VicRoads Map 78 grid B3. | Google map goo.gl/maps/nZfzrbFUSJr. WALK LOCATION: Entry is via a private farm property north west of Toolern Vale, about 15 mins drive from the General Store. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 50 km, 45 minutes. Travel via the Calder or Western Highways. FOOD and BEVERAGES: Lunch, snacks, water/drink to take on the walk. APPAREL: Comfortable shoes/boots. Shorts or similar to wear at the start and finish of the walk, while on private property. Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses. Towel to dry off after swimming. If the day is a bit cool or you need protection from the sun, clothes can be worn to keep you comfortable. Lightweight sandals or thongs would make it easier to walk on the small round stones at the edge of the reservoir when you go in for a swim. AFTERNOON SNACKS AND DRINKS: After the walk we will return to the Toolern Vale General Store to collect the cars that we didn't take to the start of the walk. If desired, we can have a cool off drink or coffee there if the shop is still open. Or otherwise, after collecting the cars left at Toolern Vale, we could drive to Melton for a beer or coffee at Mac's Hotel, 322 to 332 High St, Melton (11 km and 10 minutes drive from Toolern Vale). Evening meals at Mac's Hotel are pretty good. Food service starts at 5.30pm if you would like to stay on. LEADER: Russell W. | Email LeaderRussellW@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  

Come and visit grasslands in Royal Park that were planted by the City of Melbourne in 2021 (between lockdowns)! GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Easy 9 km circuit walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: After viewing the grasslands, we will enjoy a picnic dinner (BYO food - NO BBQ) in the established native garden of Royal Park. After dinner, onwards through the University of Melbourne grounds in search of gelato in Lygon St! Returning on a slightly different route through the uni and Royal Park. Note: if the forecast for the day is 35c or above as at Monday 13 January, the event will be cancelled. BOOKING: By Sunday 12th January. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 5.30pm at Ross Straw Field car park, Oak St, Parkville. Free parking. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/jsgCtDeanoy3xnr59.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The walk is accessible by tram – take the #57 or #59 tram to the Boundary Road/Flemington Road stop, then walk ten minutes to Ross Straw Field carpark. FOOD: Carry dinner and a litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. LEADER: Darren M. | Email LeaderDarrenM@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  

A pleasant circuit walk from the Firth Park campground south east of Trentham through bushland along 4WD and walking tracks to Andersons Mill, the site of a former sawmill. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Moderate 8.7 km circuit walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System), mostly on the well-made Anderson Mill walking track and occasional gravel roads and paths, with some short climbs. Some parts of the track could be wet and boggy after rain, and some parts of the track are poorly marked. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Firth Park is located on the northern slopes of the Great Dividing Range in the Wombat State Forest, about 80 km north-west of Melbourne. At the meeting point there are toilet facilities. The campground is close to a number of sawmills established in the late 1800s, taking advantage of the eucalypt forest that surrounded the area. Today, visitors exploring the area are greeted by a lush forested area which attracts campers, picnickers, 4WD enthusiasts and horse riders.  Firth Park was first established by Joseph Firth who became the superintendent of the State Nursery at Macedon in 1881. In 1890, Firth obtained 100 hectares, cleared some land, dammed the creek and built a small house. Many exotic trees were planted by Firth which can still be seen around the site today. The area was later used as a source of gum leaves for a eucalyptus oil distillery run by Firth's sons. The weather for Sunday 12 January is currently forecast to be 17 to 27C with a shower or two (0-4mm). So assume some humidity. The walking tracks are mostly well made but take sensible shoes, light raincoat etc. Note that some roads are gravel and slightly corrugated - take them carefully. Either have lunch after the walk by the lake back at Firth Park, or head to the Pig and Whistle Hotel, a local watering hole in nearby East Trentham (one horse/pub town!) that caters for casual lunches and drinkies all Sunday afternoon. Large amount of space inside and in beer garden.  BOOKING: By Friday 10th January. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: Vic Gov: Explore Outdoors: exploreoutdoors.vic.gov.au/activities/camping/firth-park. Route Map: Google My Maps version of the walking route. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at the Firth Park Campground. This is accessed from Firth Road via the Firth Loop Track. It's also signed as the starting point for the Anderson Mill Walk. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/3Js9yg46RnY6fjvNA.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: Located 88 kilometres from Melbourne. Follow the Calder Highway to the township of Woodend. Along Woodend's main High Street, turn left on Forest St (C317, to Daylesford), head west. Pass straight through Tylden then turn left down James Lane,  just west of Tylden. Follow this sealed road, passing through Trentham East (only Pig and Whistle Hotel on corner), continue straight on James Lane but turn left at Oconnells Rd, which later veers right and becomes Firth Road. From Occonells Rd / Firth Road (~5 km), turn left at Firth Park Access Track (sign posted). Meet next to the lake and its car park/camping ground, that is on the one way loop road. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Trentham is generally cooler than Melbourne. LEADER: Robert H. | Email LeaderRobertH@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  

Our regular monthly social night - this month at Dr Morse, 274 Johnston St, Abbotsford.  GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Join us for our monthly social evening where members can enjoy a meal, talk about upcoming events, compare notes on past activities and float ideas on events they would like to see run. January is planning month, where we sketch out the program of events for the upcoming autumn 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. See the Dr Morse website for more details, including their $25 steak night & drink special on Tuesdays.  BOOKING: By Sunday 5th January. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm at Dr Morse, 274 Johnston St, Abbotsford. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/uCHP38jKSFEeiBNk7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Dr Morse is located on Johnston St, right beside the exit ramp from the Victoria Park station. Alternatively, there are many bus options to the Johnston St/Hoddle St intersection (e.g. #246 along Punt Rd, the #900-907 series or the #200-207 series). Use the PTV Journey Planner to plan your route. LEADER: Garry O. | Email LeaderGarryO@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  

Preparing the draft Autumn program of events - online via Zoom. GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The bulk of the planning for the upcoming Winter 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 6th January. 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@nomads.org.au 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

All welcome; enjoy a relaxed day out at the Somers naturist beach! GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Easy 7 km circuit walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). It is a pleasant 3.5 km walk along the beach from the car park in Somers towards Sandy Point to a good setup place in the sand dunes. The sand is fairly firm. Walking time is generally about 45 minutes to the setup place. Most of the beach walk can be done minus clothes once we get past the local dog walkers close to Somers. Of course it is another approximately 3.5 km back to the cars at the end of the day.   ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This event is for naturists. An easy day with no real time restraints to enjoy a pleasant relaxing beach day - walk, swim and sunbathing with other naturists, then, as and when people are ready... After the beach day we have been invited to men's-only drinks at a fellow naturist's residence in Bittern, 10 minutes drive away. If this for some reason cannot occur, there will later be an optional social for a bit of fellowship, post-beach drink, meal (or both) at the Westernport Hotel, 16 High Street, Hastings.  BOOKING: By Thursday 2nd January. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am in the car park at 121 Miramar Rd, Somers. Cafe: There is no cafe near the meeting place, sorry, you will need to bring your coffee with you. (You can get coffee in Bittern at Remuce Cafe or the Bittern Bakery and Cafe).  Departure: We plan to depart from the car park for the beach at about 10:45am. If you should miss us, or wish to come at a different time, walk to the side of the car park nearest the beach and go down the steep steps to the beach. At the bottom of the stairs (approx 110 of them) turn left and walk for about 45 minutes and you should find our camp. Food drop off in morning: if you would like to drop off food for afternoon drinks before you come to beach, you may drop off at the house between 9:45 and 10:15am. From house to beach is a 10min drive. Address of afternoon tea will be emailed to all of those who book for the event. It will also be given out on the day of the event.   TIDE FORECAST: Low 10:18am .97mt - High 5:30pm 2.5mt. The tide will be low when we leave from the car park for the beach and two hours before the high when we leave the beach to come back in the afternoon. This will be updated closer to the event if required. For those who haven't been to Somers, it can be quite difficult to climb over some of the fallen trees on the beach at high tide. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 194 grid F11 | Google map goo.gl/maps/6AUdGMw3E9BwtP38A.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 86 km, about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes depending on which route you take. FOOD and BEVERAGES for the BEACH DAY: Carry lunch, water and any other food/drinks you may like for the beach day. APPAREL: Sunscreen, hat, sun glasses, footwear if the sand is hot. Shorts required to get from car park to the naturist beach. EQUIPMENT: Towel. A picnic blanket with plastic backing or a large plastic sheet is handy, because in some places the grass seeds stick tightly to your towel and are very hard to get out. You may wish to bring a sun shelter. The tea tree provides quite good, but not complete, shade cover. Bring any sporting equipment such as a frisbee, tennis ball, larger ball, small cricket bat etc; this could be fun. LEADER: Peter H | Email LeaderPeterH@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  

** Nomads email addresses have changed to the format LeaderFredN@nomads.org.au, and may go into your Junk Folder as a result. See Some Recommendations about Nomads Emails to prevent that ** Enjoy a leisurely picnic and explore one of Inner Melbourne's little known treasures, Hedgeley Dene Park, located in the traditional country of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 1: Easy - picnic and short walk around the linear parkland (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Tucked in a sought-after residential area, Hedgeley Dene Park is an asset of the City of Stonnington. Hedgeley Dene Gardens were formed along an early watercourse that was once part of Hedgeley Dene Farm. In 1911, the (then) Malvern Council purchased 8.5 acres of the farmland, using it first as a quarry for sand and clay and then as a rubbish tip. The present gardens were developed from 1924 recreating the qualities of an informal, picturesque English garden or northern European landscape including a lake with bridges plus raised garden beds. NOTE: this is an uneven area plus has gravel based paths, thus "stilettos" or similar footwear are not suitable - LOL. The Park is dog friendly. BOOKING: By Tuesday 31st December. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: Stonnington - Hedgeley Dene Gardens and wikipedia.org/Hedgeley Dene Gardens MEETING TIME | LOCATION: From 12 Noon at the Hedgeley Dene Gardens, Tollington Ave, Malvern East. The gathering space is under the trees on the large lawn area in the northern sector between Glenbrook Avenue and Tollington Avenue.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 59 grid H11 | Google map maps.app.goo.gl/xvkAo6p1Qrm5hFr2A. DISTANCE | TIME FROM CBD: 12.5 km, 20 minutes via Monash Freeway (tolls involved) to Burke Road exit. Unresticted parking off Wattletree Road in Glenbrook and Tollington Avenues OR Kardella Street off Burke Road. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: TRAM: Catch a #5 tram that travels along Swanston St and St Kilda Rd onto Wattletree Rd. Exit the tram at the terminus at Burke Rd and continue along Wattletree Rd for 500 metres to Tollington Ave. TRAIN: To Darling Station (Glen Waverley line) then walk 1.3 km (18 minutes) to the gardens. FARES: Capped fares apply on public holidays if using Myki Money. Cost is $7.60 Full or $3.80 Concession/Seniors with effect from 1 January 2025. FOOD: Bring your picnic lunch, snacks and drinks. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. A picnic rug and/or folding chair is viewed as essential as the Park only has limited garden seats. LEADER: Garry Oliver. | Email LeaderGarryO@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  

Note - this trip will not proceed if the projected maximum temperature will be 32 degrees plus !!! Based on Gunaikurnai country, the railway from Moe to Yallourn was constructed in the 1950s to replace the original branch line, which joined the main line between Morwell and Moe. The new line saved the heavy coal trains from climbing the Haunted Hills. The line was closed in 1986 when briquette production was shifted to Morwell. Flora along the trail includes several species of wattle and eucalypt, such as blackwood, silver and black wattles, messmate and swamp gums. Low growing bluebells, various orchids and pea flowers, and Victoria's floral emblem, the common heath, can also be seen. Local birds include the superb blue wren, crimson rosella, welcome swallow, Australian magpie, grey shrike-thrush, kookaburra, sacred ibis and red wattle bird. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 3: Medium (due to distance) 17 km return walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System).  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The trail consists of fine gravel and passes through farmland and native heathland. There are also distant mountain views plus it passes close by both the Moe Botanic Garden (at the start) and Lake Narracan (mid point). The imposing Yallourn power station provides an industrial interest at the end of the trail.  On the day, the planned lunch spot is the Graeme Edwards Memorial Gardens, close to the power station. BOOKING: By Friday 27th December. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: Latrobe City - Walking Trails | Wiki Yallourn Railway Line  | V/line - Gippsland Timetable MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:50am at the Moe Railway Station.  MAP REFERENCE: Southern Cross Station - Melway map 1A grid A7 | Google map goo.gl/maps/s6DUsRG8CWz2K97eA  Moe Railway Station - Melway map X927 grid B2 | Google map goo.gl/C5jkY7DNY2CZrScm9 DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 131 km, approximately 1 hour 45 minutes via Monash/Princes M1 Freeways. Travelling by train it's a journey of 2 hours and 4 minutes. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The trip starts on the train departing Southern Cross Station at 08:54am arriving into Moe at 10:50am. Pick-ups can be made en route in the Metro area at Flinders Street, Richmond, Caulfield, Clayton and Dandenong.  The return trains depart from Moe at 4:45pm, 5:43pm and 6:43pm with the trip taking just under 2 hours. Day return weekend fares are capped at $7.20 (Full) and $3.60 (Concession & Seniors). FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and at least 2 litres of water. This post-Christmas walk allows you to use up left-overs from holiday feasting !!!  APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast.  LEADER: Garry Oliver | Email LeaderGarryO@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  

** Nomads email addresses have changed to the format LeaderFredN@nomads.org.au, and may go into your Junk Folder as a result. See Some Recommendations about Nomads Emails to prevent that ** Enjoy a “Round The Bay Lite” scenic tour from Geelong to Frankston, with an overnight stay in Ocean Grove. ** Limit of 10 riders ** GRADE | TYPE | LENGTH: Grade 4: Hard 129 km point-to-point cycling. Day 1: Grade 4 - Hard 51 km | Day 2: Ride or Rest day in Ocean Grove | Day 3: Grade 4 - Hard 78 km. The route has on-road sections as well as both sealed and unsealed cycling trails, and very limited early exit options. Graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System. The official Round The Bay ride of more than 210 km in a single day is totally off the Nomad’s grading scale! There are some sections on busy roads. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This is a three day cycling weekend with Fri/Sat overnight stay in a private house in Ocean Grove.  Friday: we'll travel via V/Line train to Lara, then cycle to Ocean Grove via Corio Bay and the Bellarine Rail Trail. Night in Ocean Grove house. Saturday: An optional ride, walk or rest day. Options are to walk along some of the rugged Bass Strait beaches, around Lake Connewarre, or a ride towards Torquay. Dependent on weather and inclination. Night in Ocean Grove house. Sunday: we'll cycle to Queenscliff to catch the ferry across to Sorrento. From there we'll cycle via the Bay Trail to Safety Beach after which we'll head inland. First through some quiet, scenic suburban streets, Bruce Rd and the Nepean Hwy to The Briars Community Forest. We'll cycle/walk through the wetlands then some quiet suburban streets to Old Moorooduc Rd, which takes us on a wide shoulder to the start of the Peninsula Link Trail. From there it's an excellent, wide path all the way to the Baxter Trail for the final 4 km descent to Frankston Station. Notes: You will need a sleeping bag (or similar), pillow slip and towel. There will be a car at Lara train station to deposit them in, and they will be transported to Ocean Grove for you. We will abort the Sorrento to Frankston ride on Sunday if any of the following occur: a threat of bad rain, a forecast for hot temperature, trains cancelled on the Frankston line, or the likelihood of a strong headwind. If that happens the options are 1) ride to Portarlington and catch the ferry to Southbank, or 2) cycle back to Geelong via another route, then catch a V/Line train back to Melbourne. BOOKING: By Monday 9th December or ASAP. To register, click on Get Tickets. Limit of 10 participants. If sold out, email LeaderRogerH@nomads.org.au to see if any other arrangements are possible. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.railtrails.org.au/trail?view=trail&id=139 MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Friday approximately 9am at Southern Cross Station to catch the train to Waurn Ponds (though we will get off at Lara Station). It is prudent to arrive early to ensure we get all our bikes on the train.  Final train times will be advised closer to the date depending on any late timetable changes. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 1E grid A9 | Google map goo.gl/maps/WUzR7kSmTVzW3yjx6.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: around 80 km to Lara Station, 54 minutes by train from Southern Cross Station. ACCOMMODATION: basic, but comfortable accommodation will be provided in a private house in Ocean Grove. Only 10 beds are available. We will buy in food to cook each night, or eat out.  Bring your own cereals for breakfast, and any special food for lunch. Staples will all be available in Ocean Grove.  Bring a sleeping bag and towel and pillow slip. COST: Ferry: $19 full fare or $17 concession. Bikes are carried at no additional charge. Lunches: can be made before we leave, or purchased individually en route each day. Accommodation & Meals: a small contribution is suggested to contribute to breakfast and accommodation expenses. At night we might go out for dinner, or buy ingredients for a BBQ at the Ocean Grove house. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Travel to and from this event is via public transport.  Fri 16 Dec: meet at Southern Cross Station about 9 am train to Geelong. Sun 18 Dec: trains depart Frankston every 10 minutes for Flinders Street. FOOD: Carry 2 litres of water. We will purchase lunch along the way, though there will be long stretches with no food options, so it would be advisable to bring some snacks. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: A hybrid bike is best due to the diversity in tracks. Quite a lot of the route will be on sealed trails or roads, but some of the tracks, including the sealed sections, can be quite rough. Bring clothing based on the weather forecast, but be prepared for changeable conditions.   You will need a sleeping bag (or similar), pillow slip and towel (drop off into car at Lara Station.  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 Image: railtrails.org.au

We have had to change the date of this walk from Sun 1st Dec to Sun 8th Dec, as the original date clashed with another major naturist event. Sorry about that. We are looking forward to enoying this event on the new date. Enjoy a clothes-free walk through a little known forest, south of Ballan. Cool your feet in the East Moorabool River or jump in for a skinny dip if you prefer. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 3: Medium 8 km circuit walk along 4WD tracks, animal pads beside the river and through the open forest (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). There are a couple of steepish sections, but we will take our time.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This event is for naturists. We will first meet in Ballan for a coffee, snacks and introductions. After this, the leader will give an outline of the day and we will then arrange car pooling for the 21 km (30 min) trip south of Ballan, to the start of the walk. Cars going into the forest should have average, or higher, ground clearance. Other cars can be left all day in Ballan until we return. Once in the forest we can discard our clothes, apply sunscreen and enjoy a leisurely walk through the open forest to reach the river. Once there we can have a relaxed lunch before exploring more of the river and waterholes before returning through the forest to the cars. We then plan to return to Ballan to the Commercial Hotel where we can relax and have cool drinks /coffee and chips. If you wish you can stay on and have dinner at the hotel. Afternoon Tea/Drinks: After the walk we will return to Ballan where we can have cool drinks, a beer or coffee at the Commercial Hotel, 151 Inglis St, Ballan. BOOKING: Preferably by Thursday 5th December. To book, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10am at the Park Rotunda, 131 Inglis St Ballan. (Inglis St is also known as Old Melbourne Rd). Suggested parking is in Fisken St on the side of the little park. Coffee and eats are available at cafes on the opposite side of the main street e.g. Zest Cafe. The car convoy to the walk start (about 21 km and 30 minutes) will leave at about 10:40am. Optus mobile coverage in Ballan can be poor. If necessary, try a text.  If you haven't got transport to the event you could send an email to Russell on LeaderRussellW@nomads.org.au who may be able to arrange a lift from Melbourne for you. Otherwise you can use public transport, see details below. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/Pkh9x3CEw6PFLAJf7   The walk start is located 21 km SW of Ballan in the Bungal State Forest. We plan to go into the forest along Little Forest Rd. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 75 km. Approximately 1 hour 5 minutes. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: V/Line train leaves Southern Cross Railway Station at 8:14am and arrives in Ballan at 9:16am. The meeting place is 7 minutes walk from Ballan Railway Station. You could alternatively catch the 9:14am train arriving in Ballan at 10:16am. But in this case you'd miss out on coffee and arrive just in time for the briefing scheduled for 10:25am. FOOD: Lunch, snacks, water/drinks to take on walk. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfy shoes/boots. Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses. Small towel to dry off after swimming. Maybe you could carry a fig leaf (or shorts) in your backpack, though it's very rare to see anyone else in this forest. COST: $5. Free for financial members of the Nomads Outdoors Group. LEADER: Russell W. | Email LeaderRussellW@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