** 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 ** ConFest (Conference/Festival) is a gathering of people wishing to share talents, skills, ideas, concerns and philosophies in a caring fun loving and tolerant atmosphere. The presentation of workshops, demonstrations, entertainments and the maintenance of site facilities are all performed by volunteers, monetary payment is neither accepted nor made. The event works with the energy and participation of the people who attend. Everyone is encouraged to get involved and help out where possible. At ConFest, everybody shares the responsibility of making the event as fantastic as possible. More information please see: Confest - Australia's leading Alternative Lifestyle Festival ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The Nomads will be present at Confest and you are welcome to join us at Nudies or Rainbow villages. Email the event leader if you wish to learn more about attending the event as a first timer. There is plenty of information on the Confest website, including what to bring. The Nomads will run 1-2 clothing optional 2-3 hour easy walks during the event around the property. Meet Sat/Sun 10am at the information tent. The information boards for 'Nudies' will contain more information. Bring with you a hat, sunscreen, towel, sunglasses and comfortable walking shoes. Also advisable to bring 1L of drinking water on the walk. You are welcome to also come along and experience Confest with friends or even make new friends during your time at Confest. BOOKING: By Friday 1st November (Although entry to site is across the entire 4 days). To register: All ticket purchases are online via website: Confest - Tickets only. There are no ticket sales at the gate. Photo ID will be requested upon initial entry to ConFest. Please ensure your ticket name matches the name on your identity document. Please have this ready for presentation before you arrive at the scanning point. We will also need your vehicle registration for traffic direction to your booked section onsite. Standard Ticket (16 years of age and over) - $140 + 2 hours volunteer contribution Child Ticket (15 Years old and under) - $10 Vehicle Ticket (includes camper/Popup trailers, vans up to 1 ton, ("Examples Hiace/Sprinter"): Ticket  - $10 Motor Home & Caravan Ticket (includes Vehicle)  - $20 * There are no day or shorter term tickets FURTHER INFORMATION: Important Note: Vehicles Are Restricted From Moving Around The Grounds At Night due to safety reasons. Arriving during the the day allows for ease of setting up your campsite. Please arrive before 7pm otherwise you will be directed to a holding area overnight. You may be able to walk into the ConFest site at night. For more information, please visit the arriving at night page. For more Parking Info Please note that there are no permanent toilets or showers on site. There are outdoor public showers at the Arts village and portable toilets around site. It is a good idea to bring hand sanitiser with you! LOCATION: 7599 Pretty Pine Road, Moulamein NSW MAP REFERENCE: Google map Click here to view the ConFest location on Google Maps. GETTING THERE: From Melbourne - via Echuca and Deniliquin 385km Take the M31 from Melbourne (Hume Hwy) and take the exit B75 (Cobb Hwy) to Echuca.  Continue on the B75 to Deniliquin (these are the last shops before ConFest). From Deniliquin follow the B75 north of town and turn left at Pretty Pine towards Moulamein. The festival is around 70km along this road on the left hand side. From Melbourne - via Kerang and Moulamein 373km Take the M79 (Calder Fwy) from Melbourne and continue along the A79 past Bendigo.  Turn right into the C274 towards Serpentine and follow B260 towards Kerang.  From Kerang head to Barham along the C264 and from Barham take Moulamein Rd following signs to Moulamein.  In Moulamein follow signs to Deniliquin, festival site is short drive on the right. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Weekly bus From Swan Hill to Moulamein Wakool Shire office and Swan Hill Visitors Information Centre now have the following information: A bus departs from outside the Swan Hill Visitors Information Centre, in Campbell Street, directly across from the train station, for Moulamein, each Thursday only. Departing at 1.30pm it arrives at Moulamein at 2.30pm, passing by the ConFest site.  It is a private business service and as seating is limited, advance bookings are required. Phone Wayne or Andrea DAVIES on 0431 593 155 to make a reservation and for any further information on the bus service eg when does it depart Moulamein for Swan Hill? Carpooling and Transport Facebook Page Looking for a lift or have one to offer? Visit our carpooling and transport forum section to view and post regarding carpooling and transport to ConFest. You may just find that lift you're looking for or be able to help someone in need. ConFest Rideshare ConFest Transport & Rideshare FOOD: Food (Vegan only) and drinks can be purchased at the onsite Market but it is advisable to also bring your own food/drinks/alcohol/snacks to the event as you would for a 3-4 day camping trip. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. A pair of thongs and comfotable shoes during the event. Moulamein can be several degrees hotter than Melbourne during the day and cooler in the evenings. If camping in the forest, bring your usual camping equipment, sleeping bag and warm clothes in the evening. Try to pack light as you will need to walk approx. 1 km from the car park to the camping area. Trolleys are available onsite and there is also a bus to drop you off at certain stops. The Welcome crew can help direct you if using this service. LEADER: Jason T. | Email LeaderJasonT@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 ** Celebrate the start of Daylight Saving for 2024-2025 with a point-to-point coastal walk along a scenic section of Port Phillip Bay. You will see suburban streets, a picturesque track to beaches, rocky headlands, rugged cliffs, marshland boardwalk and a small bayside village. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate approximately 11 km, point-to-point walk, mostly on off-road paths, steep at times (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines).  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Starting from the car park at Bunnings Mornington, located on the corner of Nepean Highway and Bungower Road, the walk will cross the Highway to pick up Tallis Drive, passing the Mornington Golf Course to traverse Carrara Creek Lane that leads to the Bay. The walk along the Bay passes through/past Mills Beach, Mornington Pier, Schnapper Point, Fishermans Beach and Linley Point. Prior to reaching Mount Martha, the route heads inland to experience the different environments around the Balcombe Creek, Swamp and Estuary, mostly on the excellent boardwalk. The walk ends at the intersection of The Esplanade and Bay Road Mount Martha to catch Bus #781 back to Bunnings or Frankston Railway Station. There will be a stop for lunch at a suitable spot overlooking Port Phillip Bay.  BOOKING: By Thursday 24th October. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am in the car park at the Bunnings Mornington on the corner of Nepean Highway and Bungower Road, Mornington. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 104 Grid J11 | Google map: goo.gl/maps/DrJL9sPGZopUscBP6. DISTANCE | TIME FROM CITY: Via Monash Freeway 72 km, 1 hour 10 minutes | via Mornington Peninsula Freeway 67 km, 1 hour 33 minutes. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Event timings have been factored around use of public transport to/from the start/finish. Outbound: A Frankston bound train departs Flinders Street at 09:17am arriving at 10:24am. A #785 bus departs from Frankston Station at 10:40am arriving at Bunnings at 10:58am. If the train is late, a #788 bus departs at 10:49 arriving at 11:04am. Return: From Mount Martha, bus #781 departs on the hour from the Bay Road/The Esplanade stop at 16:05pm and 17:04pm. Cost: Myki Money fares for the day (both train and bus) are capped at $7.20 (full rate) or $3.60 (concession). Seniors enjoy free travel!!! FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water.  APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots and dress according to the weather forecast. Being early Spring season, layering is recommended as the weather can be variable.  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  

A circuit walk east of Melbourne, near Eltham. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 8 km circuit walk (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines).  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This walk will be a circuit walk through Candlebark Park, with a section following the Main Yarra Trail along the Yarra River, and detouring via Diamond Creek. It is mostly quite flat with sections of the track partially paved, compressed gravel, bitumen and a boardwalk. The track can get muddy after rain, so be sure to set out with good footwear if there's been recent rainfall.  BOOKING: By Friday 18th October. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am at Candlebark Park parking area, Templestowe. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Public transport is possible, but not very direct.  Routes #901 or #902, to Westerfolds Park/ Fitzsimons Lane, then a walk of 550m (contact the leader for details if required).  Alternatively, route #905 crosses Fitzsimons Lane a bit further away, but this route may be more convenient as the bus leaves from the city. MAP REFERENCE: Google map: goo.gl/B2DQbLaRmG7daoUK9. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water.  APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots and dress according to the weather forecast.   LEADER: Richard C. | Email LeaderRichardC.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  

Sorry, but this event has now totally sold out. The next event at this location is expected to be at the end of March, or begininng of April 2025. __________________________________________ This is a naturist weekend and bushwalk for men. The walk is of medium difficulty on a nearby farm on the top of the Great Dividing Range where we haven't walked before. The property has many rocky knolls with great views and some interesting creeks to explore. After the walk, if the day is hot we could go for a swim in the local waterhole, or if cold, we can soak in the hot spa or have a warm-up in front of the large open fire. In the evening we will be able to relax with a BBQ dinner, spa, massage, and socialising around the open fire. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium, approx 6 km naturist circuit walk (graded according to the Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines). There will be walking through grassy paddocks and along sheep on this private property. The hills are moderate and not that steep. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: SATURDAY WALK: This walk is for naturists. We will meet and unload the cars at the overnight farmhouse anytime between 10.15am and 10:40am. Hot drinks and nibbles will be available until 11.10am. We will then have a briefing for the day around 11.40am and do a short carpool to the start of the walk. Lunch will be eaten at a good spot along the way when we get hungry. After lunch we will continue on for a bit to get more views and then circle around to get back to the cars to return to the farmhouse. If the day is hot we can then go for a nude swim in the lovely Mollison Creek swimming hole, or if it is cool have a soak in the hot tub. There will be drinks and snacks available at the farmhouse after the walk. It is planned to start the BBQ around 6pm. OVERNIGHT: Optional evening BBQ, overnight, breakfast and lunch at the farmhouse. After the Saturday walk we have been invited back for further naturist socialising at the very comfortable farmhouse with its great open fire. There will also be a spa and massage tables to use. SLEEPING: For those staying overnight, there is floor space for 14 people in the house. There is carpeted floor space in the library, lounge room and dining room - please BYO sleeping bag, sleeping mat/lilo, pillow etc. There is a spare double air mattress, a single air mattress, one spare doona, some blankets, a few sleeping bags and a couple of spare foam sleeping mats at the property. Please email our host Colin, if you would like any of this equipment. If you wish, you can put up your tent on the back lawn. There is also room for campervans etc. BBQ: BYO meat and drinks. Basic salads and bread will be supplied. Dinner desserts or morning tea snacks would be appreciated. TOWELS: Please BYO towels, about 3 or 4 of them: 1. for sitting on | 2. for the massage table | 3. for your shower or spa | 4. after swimming. BREAKFAST: Breakfast is supplied, including eggs and bacon, cereal, toast and spreads, tea and coffee, and for Sunday lunch there are always plenty of leftovers from the night before. SUNDAY MORNING SHORT WALK: For those who would like a further walk, we will arrange a short walk either to the Gorge, along picturesque Mollison Creek or elsewhere in the area. Or if you'd prefer, you can relax at the farm on Sunday morning. This will be followed by lunch to eat up the spare food. BOOKING: By Wednesday 9th October. However please note that this event often books out, so it is advisable to book early to ensure a spot. We can provide refunds up to 4 days before the event if your plans change, and possibly even later if there are people on the waitlist. To register, click on Get Tickets. Choose the ticket that provides the options you wish to participate in. RSVP FOR OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION: If you wish to stay overnight, you will need to SEND AN EMAIL TO COLIN, our farmhouse host, on LeaderColinP.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com to book your accommodation. Please state what accommodation you would like - floor, tent or campervan. Please also include a contact phone number. Sleeping places in the house are limited to 14. The number of people staying overnight is limited to 22 so that we can all sit down to eat inside the house. There is no limit on tents and campervans. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. COST: There are two ticket types available for this event. Please choose the ticket that suits your wishes. 1. Walk & overnight with bbq, spa, massage, breakfast: Nomads members $30 | Non-members $35 2. Walk only: Nomads members $0 | Non-members $5 The cost of the overnight tickets covers the cost of a spa for all those staying overnight. For Day Walkers who would like to use the spa before they leave on the Saturday could you please pay $5 cash to Colin on the day. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Any time between 10.15am and 10.40am at the farmhouse 15 km north of Lancefield. The exact address will be sent by 10am on Thursday 10th October to those who have purchased a ticket. We plan to drive off from the farmhouse at about 11.20am. Tea, coffee and snacks will be provided at the farmhouse on Saturday morning. If you'd like egg and bacon sandwiches/rolls and a latte etc before you arrive at the farmhouse on Saturday morning, the best place to get these would be from a cafe in the towns of Romsey or Lancefield. Sandwiches for Saturday lunch are generally available from the Ampol Petrol Station Foodary in Romsey, 29-31 Main St Romsey. Sandwiches are also available at the Liberty Service Station in Lancefield, though the Romsey sandwiches are usually better. MAP REFERENCE: Google Map: goo.gl/maps/5tjy71DBz9waYR9a6. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 87 km and 1 hour 15 minutes from the GPO. The farm and the town of Lancefield are due north of Tullamarine Airport. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Public transport to the meeting place is not available. Please email the leader Russell who can generally arrange a lift for you. The email address to use is LeaderRussellW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com  FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and water for the Saturday naturist walk. BYO meat and drinks for the BBQ on Saturday evening. Sunday breakfast is supplied by our host. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses. Wear comfortable walking shoes/boots. A day backpack is useful for carrying your food and water. LEADERS: Russell W. and Colin P | Email LeaderRussellW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com or LeaderColinP.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  

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