Our regular monthly social night - this month at the Victoria Hotel.  NOTE: This was originally scheduled for 4th July, but was moved to 1st August due to transport difficulties in the Footscray region in July due to the school holidays "Big Build Blitz". PLEASE take a few moments to book a FREE ticket to (1) ensure there are adequate seats available and (2) you can be included in confirmation emails (that sometimes include important updates). 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. Everyone is welcome to these monthly Nomads social evenings. Check out the Victoria Hotel Menu - Tuesday nights are parma nights. BOOKING: By Monday 31st July. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure whether you've booked already? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm on Tuesday 1st August at the Victoria Hotel, 43 Victoria St, Footscray. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 2S grid C9. Google map goo.gl/maps/MCvdPVENFaUDWKEv7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Victoria Hotel is close to Middle Footscray Station on the Watergardens/Sunbury line. 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  

Play a game or two of 500 cards online via the Trickster Cards website, with fellow Nomads 500 card players.  TYPE: Social ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Enjoy playing a social game of 500 cards, in groups of four, from anywhere in Australia or even overseas, from the comfort of your own home, while enjoying your favorite beverage or nibbles. You will be able to see and hear the other players and enjoy the banter of your fellow Nomads members.  BOOKING: By Sunday 30th July. To register click on Get Tickets. You will be e-mailed the link to play the game prior to 7pm on Monsday 31st July.  Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: At 7pm click on the link that will be e-mailed to you on Wednesday prior to the game.  LEADER: Stephan C. | Email LeaderStephanC.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 circuit walk in the North East of Melbourne, near Watsonia. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 8 km circuit walk. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The Gresswell Nature Conservation Reserves, made up of Gresswell Forest, Gresswell Hill and Gresswell Habitat Link, protect 70 hectares of important flora and fauna habitat. Experience the area's diverse vegetation and abundant wildlife on the reserves' many walking trails, and explore this precious pocket of wilderness in Melbourne's north-east. Opened by Latrobe University, the Gresswell Forest Wildlife (or Nature) Reserve has been opened to the public as a walking track, a historical site, and a sanctuary for fauna and flora. It aims to restore and preserve the land in a state as much as possible like that known to Aboriginals who lived in the area 200 years ago.   BOOKING: By Friday 28th July. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am at the Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary Indigenous Nursery carpark in Bundoora. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Tram 86 or 250 bus to La Trobe University, with an 6-700m walk. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 19 grid G5 | Google map: goo.gl/maps/DPkLQ6VB1pUdxKGm8. 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  

A very pleasant, and satisfying day's walk in mixed bush and wetlands with views over the Plenty River and its gorge and hills beyond, providing indication of what much of Victoria must have looked like before arrival of the Europeans. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: A medium 17 km walk, with a few steep inclines to negociate at times as per Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: A short walk from Hawkstowe Station, we enter the Plenty Gorge Park with stunning bush, wetland vistas and views of the hills and mountains to the NE. There it is likely we'll see a variety of bird and wildlife associated with this sort of habitat. After our al-fresco lunch, and circuit of wetlands, we'll make our way across open country northwards with further views of the Plenty River and its gorge, coming out near Mernda Station.    Handy post event refreshment options will be looked into (if any) before homeward bound train journey back into the city, for those interested. BOOKING: By Friday 28th July. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/plenty-gorge-parklands. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10.15am in front of Hawkstowe Station (Mernda Line). MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 183 grid H4 | Google map goo.gl/maps/q1LeoQZfirRHcEn29. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 50 km, approximately 1 hour train journey from GPO & Flinders Street Station to Hawkstowe on the Mernda line. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catching the 9.09am Mernda train (front carriage) from platform 1 at Flinders Street Station, will bring you into Hawkstowe for 10.07am and meet-up point. Homeward trains from Mernda run every 20 minutes from 3.44pm.  Please check for nuisence lines works with bus replacements closer to the date. FOOD: Carry own alfresco lunch (hot soup to be recommended for a winter walk), snacks and water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Owing to possible wet and muddy conditions, comfortable and good walking boots recommended, dressing according to the weather forecast. Light/removable wet weather gear and optional walking stick also to be recommended; it could be cold.  LEADER: Michael C. | 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  

This walk follows Taylors Creek and the Maribyrnong River with a combination of parkland, natural landscapes, aircraft spotting and two impressive man-made structures to enjoy along the way. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: A moderate 14 km point-to-point walk, mostly flat with two short steep sections. The walk is designed to be accessed by public transport. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Our walk commences at Watergardens Railway Station, heading first through the adjacent shopping centre which straddles Taylors Creek. The walk along Taylors Creek passes through both natural and manmade habitats. The creek and surrounding wetlands are home to a variety of species of water birds. The creek gully deepens along the way and there is a short steep section where we need to come out of the gully to cross Green Gully Road. A little further along, the creek runs into the Maribyrnong River near Brimbank Park. Picnic tables shortly before or within the park will provide an ideal place for our lunch break. We will follow the Maribyrnong River for the remainder of the walk alongside many large river red gums. The river gully is quite deep in this area and our walk takes us to the base of the second and third highest bridges in Victoria. The EJ Whitten Bridge is part of the Western Ring Road and stands 54 metres above the river level. The Maribyrnong River Viaduct, also known as the Quarter Mile Bridge or Albion Viaduct, is a trestle railway bridge completed in 1929 and is 55 metres high. This section of the walk also features a good dose of aircraft spotting, being directly under a flight path for Tullamarine Airport. Shortly after passing under the bridges we will make our way out of the river valley with a short steep walk up to the street. A short walk along the street will take us to the bus stop for the bus to Footscray Railway Station where we will take the train back to the city. BOOKING: By Friday 21st July. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 9:30am at Flinders Street Station to catch the Sunbury line train that departs from Flinders Street Station platform 4 at 9:43am. We'll travel in the front carriage of the train - you can meet the group at any station en route.  MAP REFERENCE: Flinders Street Station: Melway map 43 grid J9 | Google map goo.gl/maps/np21GtDguLL2. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Outbound: We will travel to Watergardens Railway Station in the front carriage of the Sunbury / Watergardens train departing Flinders Street Station at 9:43am, which should arrive at Watergardens at 10:17am. Return: For the return journey we will catch a bus from Military Road, Avondale Heights which will take us through to Footscray Station for a train to the city. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Wear a hat and clothing to meet the forecast weather conditions, and footwear suitable for walking along concrete, asphalt and unsealed footpaths. 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: Peter T. July 2018   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

A very pleasant, and satisfying day's walk in mixed bush and wetlands with views over the Plenty River and its gorge and hills beyond, providing indication of what much of Victoria must have looked like before arrival of the Europeans. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: A medium 17 km walk, with a few steep inclines to negociate at times as per Leaders Guide - Appendix A: Activity Grading Guidelines. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: A short walk from Hawkstowe Station, we enter the Plenty Gorge Park with stunning bush, wetland vistas and views of the hills and mountains to the NE. There it is likely we'll see a variety of bird and wildlife associated with this sort of habitat. After our al-fresco lunch, and circuit of wetlands, we'll make our way across open country northwards with further views of the Plenty River and its gorge, coming out near Mernda Station.    Handy post event refreshment options will be looked into (if any) before homeward bound train journey back into the city, for those interested. BOOKING: By Friday 14th July. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/plenty-gorge-parklands. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10.15am in front of Hawkstowe Station (Mernda Line). MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 183 grid H4 | Google map goo.gl/maps/q1LeoQZfirRHcEn29. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 50 km, approximately 1 hour train journey from GPO & Flinders Street Station to Hawkstowe on the Mernda line. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catching the 9.09am Mernda train (front carriage) from platform 1 at Flinders Street Station, will bring you into Hawkstowe for 10.07am and meet-up point. Homeward trains from Mernda run every 20 minutes from 3.44pm. FOOD: Carry own alfresco lunch (hot soup to be recommended for a winter walk), snacks and water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Owing to possible wet and muddy conditions, comfortable and good walking boots recommended, dressing according to the weather forecast. Light/removable wet weather gear and optional walking stick also to be recommended; it could be cold.  LEADER: Michael C. | 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  

Enjoy a stroll through the eastern Sherbrooke Forest, always a magical experience, even if it's raining! GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate 8 km point to point walk, mostly on forest dirt tracks, including two steep climbs. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: A round trip making use of public transport, meeting at Belgrave Metro railway station and walking to Sherbrooke Forest following the Coles Ridge Track to Grants Picnic Ground for lunch. After lunch we'll take the Newmann, Paddy and Welch Tracks back to Belgrave, where we'll probably arrive a little after 2pm. There will be time available for drinks after the walk. BOOKING: By Friday 7th July. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am at the Belgrave Metro Railway Station (not the Puffing Billy Station).  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 75 grid F10 | Google map goo.gl/maps/yGEKdTXm1bUCJww76.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catch the Belgrave line train that departs Flinders St platform 2 at 09:26am, arriving at Belgrave at 10:52am. For the return trip, trains depart from Belgrave every 20 minutes (e.g. at 2:02pm, 2:22pm, 2:42pm, 3:02pm etc). FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. It will be cooler, and potentially wetter, in the Dandenongs than in central Melbourne. 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 quarterly planning night, in conjunction with the regular monthly social night - this month at the Nixon Hotel, Docklands.  NOTE: This event has been moved from the Victoria Hotel, Footscray due to transport difficulties in the Footscray region due to the school holidays "Big Build Blitz". 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. At the quarterly planning meetings, in addition to the monthly social activities the draft program, which will have been prepared via a Zoom pre-planning meeting the previous night, is presented so attendees can make suggestions or fill in 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 something apart from the regular walks? 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 this, or any of the monthly Nomads social evenings. Tuesday night is Parma Night: $25 parma + pot. See the Nixon Hotel website for more details, including their menu.  BOOKING: By Monday 3rd July. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm on Tuesday 4th July 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: 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 Spring program of events - online via Zoom. GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The bulk of the planning for the upcoming Spring 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 3rd July. 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: 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. Photo by Bich Tran from Pexels.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS

A scenic urban walk through the Darebin Parklands and along the Anniversary Trail, incorporating the superb new river crossing linking the Darebin Parklands to the Main Yarra Trail. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium 12 km point-to-point walk (the medium rating is due to the distance plus one embankment ascent/descent). ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Departing from Alphington Station, the walk transverses Darebin Parklands through to Sparks Reserve then into Napier Waller Reserve.  At this point we will ascend an embankment to undertake an external inspection of the home and studio of the late Napier Waller.  The house features as a silent star of a recent TV series. Advisory: a hiking pole would be useful in particular for the ascent plus the descent. Returning to the reserve, we take the path and bridge across the Yarra River into Kew.  Proceeding through parkland we connect up to the Anniversary Trail, which started life as the Outer Circle Railway.  The walk continues along this paved trail through East Kew, Balwyn, Deepdene, Canterbury and East Camberwell to terminate at Hartwell. Lunch will be taken in one of the many parks that are integrated into the Trail.  Toilets and water bubblers are accessible in the later parts of the Trail.  At the conclusion of the walk, there is a choice of public transport to return home: Tram #75 on Toorak Road or Hartwell Station on the Alamein Line with a change at Camberwell - a  20 minute service frequency. FURTHER INFORMATION: For trail notes, go to Outer Circle Rail Trail. BOOKING: By Friday 30th June. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10am at Alphington Railway Station outside Platform 1.  The Hurstbridge line train departs Flinders Street via the City Loop at 9:19am arriving at Alphington at 9.47am. MAP REFERENCE:  Google map goo.gl/maps/Dgu9aaLhM9Q2.  COST: Myki money – full fare capped at $6.70; concession fare capped at $3.35; Seniors free. FOOD: Carry at least 1 litre of water, snacks, plus food for lunch. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Layered clothing to match the weather forecast for a winter’s day. Comfortable, stout walking boots/shoes, suitable for walking on formed bush tracks and walking tracks. LEADER: Don Vogt | Email  LeaderDonV.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com  if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Play a game or two of 500 cards online via the Trickster Cards website, with fellow Nomads 500 card players.  TYPE: Social ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Enjoy playing a social game of 500 cards, in groups of four, from anywhere in Australia or even overseas, from the comfort of your own home, while enjoying your favorite beverage or nibbles. You will be able to see and hear the other players and enjoy the banter of your fellow Nomads members.  BOOKING: By Tuesday 27th June. To register click on Get Tickets. You will be e-mailed the link to play the game prior to 7pm on Wednesday 28th June.  Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: At 7pm click on the link that will be e-mailed to you on Wednesday prior to the game.  LEADER: Stephan C. | Email LeaderStephanC.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 circuit walk of Riddells Creek, including Conglomerate Gully. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 5 km walk. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Conglomerate Gully is a few km out of town, so I would like to share cars to get to the start of that walk, and then do a stroll around the village of Riddells Creek afterwards. Conglomerate Gully is a prominent nature reserve where the Western Grassland Plains meet the hills of the Macedon Ranges. It has conglomerate rock formations and a small seasonal waterfall. The walk boasts native fauna and flora, including six species of wattle. This 3 km walk can be completed in an hour and takes you through healthy dry forest and grassy dry forest vegetation types. Wildlife abounds and the parklands are home to kangaroos, echidnas and currawongs. It is a bit rocky underfoot, so it is advisable to wear a good pair of hiking shoes. Conglomerate Gully is a hidden gem waiting to be explored! Evidence of a bygone era can be found at the Walter J Smith Reserve on the Main Road. Here you’ll find a heritage-listed rail bridge spanning Riddells Creek. Constructed in 1859, it’s a fine example of 19th century bridge design and is one of the earliest bridges of its type constructed in Victoria. The reserve is home to ducks, geese and shady trees. BOOKING: By Friday 23rd June. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11:15am at Riddells Creek Station. This is the official starting point. From here we'll load some cars to get everyone to Conglomerate Gully. Please let me know if you're bringing a car. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Buses will be replacing trains on the Bendigo Line.  The timetable ATM is for bus to leave Southern Cross Station at 10:06am, arriving 11:08.  See https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/assets/Uploads/NSB-disruptions/2023/June/300-304-Bendigo-Echuca-temp-timetable-web-24-250623-v1.pdf Thus I'm delaying the start till 11:15am-ish.  I shall forward timetable to those who book for the day. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X909 H10 | Google map: goo.gl/maps/czjmdJR9DGSz78gF9. 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