Join The Nomads for a walk in the bush during the ChillOut Festival along picturesque Sailors Creek and onto the hilltop ridges at the back of Hepburn. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Choice of two circuit walks. Easy 4 km walk or Medium to Hard 5.5 km walk with some challenging off-track hills to climb and descend. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The easy walk will be done at a relaxed pace, though it does have a couple of hills to ascend. The harder walk requires a reasonable level of fitness. It will move at a faster pace and has some challenging hills to climb and descend. You may be able to reach Breakneck Gorge. Both walks will stop for a 20 minute break in the forest. A good chance to make new friends. Bring face mask, hand sanitiser, water, hat, apply sunscreen and wear closed shoes, not sandals. BOOKING: Preferably by Friday 5th March. Click on Get Tickets to book. The ChillOut weekend consists of a number of Nomads events. If you are not a Nomads member but plan to attend more than one Nomads ChillOut Weekend activity, to avoid paying multiple visitor fees we suggest you take out a Temporary 1 month Membership (cost $8) prior to booking. Once you have taken out your membership, select Get Tickets on each event that you wish to attend.  COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: SubmissionReceipt-COVIDSafePublicEventRegistration-ChillOut Sat Morning Walk-3955.pdf. FURTHER INFORMATION: This walk (on Saturday morning), along with the Nomads Mixed Naturist Bushwalk and optional Swim (on Saturday afternoon) 6th March, and the Bushwalking around Hepburn Springs on Monday 8th March, forms part of the Labour Day Long Weekend – ChillOut Camping, where you can camp at the Jubilee Lake Holiday Park and participate in some of the ChillOut Festival activities as well as Nomads walks.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:15am at the Blowhole Car Park at the end of Blowhole Rd, Hepburn. It is 6.5 km and 12 minutes drive from the Daylesford Town Hall. Both walks will start and finish at this point. COST: $10 for visitors and free for Nomads Members. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable closed shoes/walking boots, hat, dark glasses, apply sunscreen before the walk. Dress according to the weather forecast. Bring drinking water and snacks for the morning tea rest stop. Don't forget a face mask and hand sanitiser. LEADER: Russell W. | Email the Leader 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 is booked out for SATURDAY evening. If you only wish to camp on Friday or Sunday, please email LeaderAlanD.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com ** We’ll use the Jubilee Lake Holiday Park as our base for a relaxed weekend doing some walks in the Daylesford region whilst also participating in ChillOut Festival.   GRADE: Social - this is a base camp for participating in events during the ChillOut Festival. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION:  There are many events you can attend as part of ChillOut Festival, which is regional Australia’s largest LGBTQI festival, and the Nomads have also organised a number of walks to coincide with it. The Jubilee Lake Holiday Park is a great base for your ChillOut long weekend. This park is a little out of the centre of Daylesford, but much nicer and less crowded than the caravan park beside the ChillOut Carnival site. Some activities to consider attending include: Saturday 10:15am: The Nomads ChillOut Community Saturday Morning Walk Saturday 2:30pm: The Nomads Mixed Naturist Bushwalk and Swim Saturday evening: BYO BBQ at the Jubilee Lake Park, and/or many events around town Sunday: the ChillOut Festival Pride Parade will be a virtual event this year, and the Carnival won't proceed. Instead, we'll head to the Picnic Day and Dog Show at the Hepburn Pavilion (held between 11am and 4pm). We'll probably organise a group booking in a pub or cafe for dinner on Sunday night. Monday 10:30am: The Nomads Bushwalking around Hepburn Springs. The free shuttle bus will NOT be operating this year. Daylesford has quite a good taxi service (03 5348 1111) but no Ubers. BOOKING: by Tuesday 2nd March or ASAP. Click on Get Tickets to register for the camping - you will be asked to nominate the nights on which you wish to camp. Do not book your accommodation directly with the holiday park! You need to register separately for any events (see above) you wish to attend.  Note for non-members: the ChillOut weekend consists of a number of events. If you take out a 1 month temporary membership (cost $8) prior to booking any events, you don't need to pay the $5 visitor fee for each individual event. Once you have taken out your membership, select Get Tickets within each event you wish to attend then choose the member ticket option.  NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 210305 Labour Day Long Weekend – ChillOut Camping. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 6-10pm on Friday 5th March at the Jubilee Lake Holiday Park, Daylesford (or as arranged with the leader). The leader will provide additional details after you register. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X909 grid C9 | Google map goo.gl/maps/cXKMzKvqni22. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: Via Western Fwy 118 km, 1 hour 30 minutes | via Calder Fwy 117 km, 1 hour 35 minutes. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is a V/Line service from Melbourne to Daylesford. If necessary, contact the leader to see if we can collect you from the bus stop (outside the CFA Station). ACCOMMODATION: The Nomads “base camp” will be a cluster of four unpowered camp sites. The sites are reasonably large and can each accommodate up to six people (in multiple tents or small camping vehicles) per site. Cars can generally be parked on or beside the sites, with additional parking available in the car park near reception.  COST: The Nomads have booked the sites - you don't need to book individually! The cost is $15 per person per night.  FOOD: there are BBQ facilities and a cafe at the holiday park. Alternatively, you can bring your own food for the weekend and/or dine in Daylesford. APPAREL & EQUIPMENT: You will need to BYO tent and bedding unless you're able to share somebody else's. A chair and table are handy, but not essential. Don't forget a face mask(s) and hand sanitiser. LEADER: Alan D. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members->Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Our regular monthly social night - this month at the Arcadia Hotel in South Yarra.  (Note: we had originally planned to go to Pride Of Our Footscray for the 2 March Social Night, but will instead go there now on Tuesday 1 June). 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. The Arcadia Hotel, on the corner of Punt and Toorak Roads, South Yarra has an extensive and varied menu available. BOOKING: By Monday 1st March. Click on Get Tickets to book. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm in the rooftop bar of the Arcadia Hotel, 2 Toorak Rd, South Yarra. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 2L grid E5 | Google map goo.gl/maps/aViUvQCpEc5NW1jj7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Tram: #58 to stop 125 (right in front) | Train: Frankston, Cranbourne, Packenham or Sandringham line to South Yarra. LEADER: Garry O. | Email the Leader 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 is now fully booked **. We will maintain a wait-list for those wanting to join the weekend, in the event of cancellations or other changes. Offers will be made in date-order of wait-list requests. Please email the leader if you wish to join the wait-list, specifying if you will join on Thursday 18th Feb or Friday 19th Feb; number of people; and include your email and mobile phone number.  Booking and full payment by Thursday 3rd December is essential to participate in this popular February 2021 Nomads weekend of walking on Mt Buffalo, socialising and exclusive-use accommodation in Porepunkah. Mt Buffalo National Park offers spectacular scenery, moderately challenging walks through varying terrain, and rich diversity of flora and fauna, as well as unique geological formations. This popular Nomads weekend in Victoria's North-East is now in its sixth year, and David R. will head up the walk leaders' team. Bookings are limited to 30, and it always sells out; bookings are managed on a first in - first served basis! GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Each day we will drive from our group accommodation in Porepunkah to Mt Buffalo, enjoy the walk, and return in the late afternoon. (Optional) Friday 19th February walk: Hard; approx 6-8 hrs; Saturday 20th February walk: Medium-Hard; approx 5-6 hrs; probable circuit walk. Booking includes the BBQ communal dinner (you will be asked to bring something for dinner) at our accommodation. Sunday 21st February walk: Easy; approx 2 hrs; After departing Restaway, a circuit walk ending with lunch at Lake Catani and opportunity for a swim. This enables a drive back to Melbourne after lunch on Sunday. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The weekend will follow the successful model used in previous years. The walking and social weekend is based on accommodation at Restaway Holiday Units in Porepunkah (we will make a pre-paid block booking for Nomads exclusive use) for the nights of Friday 18th and Saturday 19th February 2021 (individuals may choose to extend their booking). The maximum number of people for the walks is 30; depending on room options selected, Restaway accommodates about 24 people, so there is only limited capacity for off-site campers. (Those wanting the limited camping off-site places, please email the Leader on the link below - managed on a first-come basis.) There will be a one-day walk on Mt Buffalo on the Saturday, the communal BBQ on Saturday evening, and a shorter half-day walk on Mt Buffalo on the Sunday. Following Sunday's walk we will have a picnic lunch at Lake Catani, with the opportunity for a swim (bring towel) before you leave. This schedule enables people to drive up after work on Friday and return Sunday afternoon or evening. In addition, for those who wish to arrive a day earlier, on Thursday 18th February, the Nomads will book your accomodation for Thursday night at Restaway too, and there will be a one-day walk (rated hard) on Friday 19th February. Some people might want to stay at Restaway for Sunday evening or longer.  If you stay in your weekend room, the owners are giving us a "special rate of $121 per Unit". Please contact the event Leader (below) for details of how to book. We expect to book out all of Restaway again, so we will have exclusive use of the swimming pool, large garden and BBQ area. Each holiday unit has a small kitchen, living room, bathroom and 2 bedrooms - one bedroom has a queen bed, the other has 2 single beds (some have bunks, but to keep walk numbers at a manageable level of 30, the top bunk will generally not be used). It is a big big task organising this weekend, so the roles are being split again this year. David is organising leadership of the walks, and Ian Gould is organising the accommodation and communal Saturday dinner. Bookings can only be made through the Nomads website; if you find it is fully booked and you wish to be put on a 'wait list' in the event of a cancellation, please contact the Leader.  To join this weekend you need to book and pay by Thursday 3rd December 2020; this enables the Nomads to secure the booking. The Restaway owners have indicated that their cancellation policy is more flexible than normal, should you/we need to cancel due to COVID-19. Please note: (i) This is a popular event; in previous years the event has been fully booked. (ii) A booking must include full payment for accommodation and be via our website. (iii) Maximum walking group size is 30, limited to ensure a quality environmental experience and individual and group safety. (iv) The event is based on accommodation at Restaway and walks on Mt Buffalo. Please contact the Leader (email below) if you wish to register or discuss staying elsewhere; only a small number can camp or stay off-site. This event is generally not open to Visitors. Please contact the Leader (below) if you are a Visitor and would like to attend. BOOKING: By Thursday 3rd December if not sold out prior. To register, click on Get Tickets. Your payment will be fully refunded if it becomes necessary to cancel due to COVID-19. Firstly, choose if you wish to arrive Friday 19th or Thursday 18th February 2021. Secondly choose if you want 'Shared room' accommodation, in which you will share the room with one other person (separate beds, or share a queen bed with your partner), OR, want a 'Single occupancy room' which gives you a room for your use only. The Ticket includes the cost of accommodation, Saturday night's BBQ (you will also be asked to contribute some food too) and participation in the walks. Buy the Ticket you want, noting: if you and your partner wish to share a booking, you will need to buy two 'Shared room' tickets (see below); please indicate if you prefer vegetarian or non-vegetarian communal BBQ; and, if you are wanting to 'hitch a ride' with a Nomad for the drive up. If buying Shared accommodation and you wish to share with a particular person, it is necessary to email the Leader using the link below to advise him of the name of the person you will be sharing with, and preferred room sharing arrangements. i.e. (i) are you wanting to share a Queen bed with your partner (who needs to buy a Ticket too), OR (ii) have a preference to share a twin room with a particular person. If you buy Shared accommodation and do not send the Leader an email, he will allocate you with another person in a shared room. NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 210218 Mt Buffalo Weekend Walking. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park and www.restawayholidayunits.com.au. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Arrival time is from 3pm onwards on Friday 19th February at Restaway Holiday Units, 6852 Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah. For those taking the option of staying Thursday 18th February and joining the optional Friday walk, arrival time at Restaway is from 3pm onwards on Thursday 18th February. Car pooling arrangements to Mt Buffalo will be organised and pre-walk briefings held at Restaway prior to leaving for each day's walk.  MAP REFERENCE: Meeting point at Restaway Holiday Units: Melway map X922 grid F9 | Google map www.google.com.au/maps/place/Porepunkah+VIC+3740.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 320km, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes driving time, via Hume Hwy, Snow Road, Myrtleford to Porepunkah.  TRANSPORT: Car sharing is preferred - we'll try to avoid single-occupant car trips (COVID-19 guidelines permitting). There is a V/Line bus stop in Porepunkah, with connections to Wangaratta Station. FOOD: For all days bring your own breakfasts, lunches, drinks and snacks. During the walks carry your own lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water. Only very limited food was available in the nearby Porepunkah service station last year, so it is essential to bring all your food and drink needs with you. Friday night (and optional Thursday): Bring your own dinner (BBQ available on-site; limited kitchen in each Unit) or, eat out at the local hotel. Saturday night: Booking and payment includes the famous Nomads communal BBQ dinner (including meat or vegetarian option, plus dessert) on Saturday night, but BYO drinks. The organiser will ask you for a contribution to this dinner. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots, walking poles (if needed), sun hat / wool beany and rain/wind proof jacket. While weather forecasts are useful, cold, windy and wet weather can occur in any season, so walkers must be prepared even in February. LEADER: Ian G. | Email the Leader if you have any questions or to advise on Shared acommodation preferences. 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 IS UNABLE TO BE HELD DUE TO THE 5-DAY STAGE 4 LOCKDOWN ** Have a relaxing Sunday walk through the iconic gardens that border the southern edge of the Melbourne Central Business District (CBD) and relax with a BYO picnic lunch on one of the many lawn areas that are dotted throughout the Royal Botanical Gardens. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, approximately 5 km of walking to/from and within multiple gardens.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Meeting in the booking hall at the main entrance to Flinders Street Station, the event will head south along St Kilda Road passing through two major Gardens: Queen Victoria Gardens and Kings Domain. Stops will be made to learn about multiple installations in these Gardens; including MP Pavillon, The Pathfinder Sculpture, The Water Nymph, the Floral Clock and the Covid-19 retrofitted Myer Music Bowl. Time will then be spent exploring the Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden and the Fern Gully Health and Wellbeing Garden before entering the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) via the Lych Gate. Must sees in the RBG are (1) Guilfoyles Volcano and the newly created Sensory Garden. The latter is best "felt" by walking through it in bare feet !!.  Depending on crowds and the weather, a spot will be selected for lunch and as a base for exploring the gardens. BOOKING: By Thursday 11th February. To register, click on Get Tickets. NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 210214 Valentine's Gardens Walk and Picnic FURTHER INFORMATION: https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/visit-melbourne https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/queen-victoria-gardens https://whatson.melbourne.vic.gov.au/things-to-do/kings-domain. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at the Booking Hall between the Clocks and the myki entrance gates off the Flinders Street entrance to Flinders Street Station.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 1B grid N10 | Google map https://goo.gl/maps/B4c19Q8yRQjAA3KF7 DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 0 km. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Multiple train, tram and bus routes either arrive at or within a short walk of Flinders Street Station. Cost is free for those with a myki Pass and Seniors. myki Money daily weekend fares are capped at $6.50 full fare and $3.25 for concession holders. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. LEADER: Garry Oliver | Email the Leader 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  

CURRENTLY FULLY BOOKED  This event is currently fully booked with 35 participants and we have now started a Waitlist. If you would like to be added to the waitlist please send an email to the leader, Russell. ___________________________________________ Enjoy a relaxing social weekend in Central Victoria on a private farm where you can leave your worries and clothes behind. Opportunities for wine-tasting on the property and optional short naturist walks in the country nearby. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy. Bush camping along a shady tree-lined creek with swimming in a large dam. Optional short, easy to medium naturist walks nearby. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This event is for naturists. Enjoy a relaxing weekend camped beside a creek lined with large shady gum trees. You can cool off in the very large dam which is up to 4m deep. However it is shallow at the edges for easy access. Bring your floaties or lilos for relaxing in the water. Join in a 2 hour class in Master Wine-Making and tasting, given by our host Andrew, and receive 1 or 2 bottles of red (included in the entry cost). The property is actually a vineyard with wine making facilities. It is not open to the public. For the more energetic we can do a not too long naturist walk around the back of Mt Piper or a scenic walk looking into the valleys from Mt Disappointment. Happy Hour is very popular. It generally starts in the late afternoon about 5pm to 6pm. Bring some nibbles for the table, your drinks and join the merry group. Campfire: If it is safe to do so, we hope to have a campfire for us to sit around and swap all our exciting stories. BOOKING: By Tuesday 9th February. To register, click on Get Tickets. NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 210212 Men's Camping Event - Kilmore. COST: $25 for Visitors, $20 for Nomads members. Your entry fee includes 1 or 2 bottles of red from the winery. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: The property will be open to campers from 9am on Friday 12th February until 11am on Monday 15th February. The property is about 9 km from Kilmore. The exact address wil be emailed around Tuesday 9th February to all those who have booked. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X910 grid L8. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 80 km, approximately 1 hour to drive. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is no public transport to the property. The nearest town is Kilmore, 9 km away. We can try to help you get a lift with another camper. ACCOMMODATION: Your accommodation is up to you, a tent, mobile home, campervan or caravan. There is a good gravel track from the front gate to the campsite. You will need to be self sufficient to camp on a grassed area under or near shady trees by the creek which will probably be dry by February. You can camp next to, or near your car if you wish. Bring you own camping gear, tent, mattress, bedding, camp chairs and tables. Sun and Rain Shelter: We have one medium sized communal tent which accommodates about 10 people. However some more shade / shelter would be useful. If you can bring a tarp or beach umbrella, or other shelter that would be great. Power: There is no power at the campsite. If you need to charge your phone you could do it from your car battery or from a powerpoint in the winery shed, though this is 400m away at the top of the hill. Cooking: We have one large BBQ available. Or you may prefer to bring your own portable stove and saucepans etc. Food and Utensils: Please bring your own food, drinks, crockery, cutlery and plastic wash up dish. Don't forget some nibbles for Happy Hour. Water: We would suggest you bring plenty of water from home for drinking, cooking and washing. However if you run out there is plenty of tank water up at the winery shed, but this is 400m from the campsite. We will endeavour to provide some jerry cans of water at the campsite. You can also use water out of the dam for washing yourselves, it is quite uncontaminated. Refrigeration: People with camper vans etc. will probably have their own refrigeration. A portable fridge for campers would be a good idea. If you have no cooling facilities we will provide 3 large plastic portable ice boxes containing ice, which will be available to store meat, butter/margarine and some drinks. There is a fridge up at the winery, but it is not very big and is 400m from the camp. Washing Yourself: Please bring a wash basin/tub. The dam water will clean you, but please keep soap out of the dam water. Toilets: There will be a couple of designated areas where you can use the shovel, or your trowel to dig a hole with a view. There are also a couple of lightweight outdoor chairs with the seat cut out if you'd prefer.  Other Items to Bring:  Sunscreen, repellent, hat, dark glasses, towel, toiletries. Footwear - thongs, sandals around the campsite should be OK, but you will need comfortable closed shoes/boots if you wish to go on a naturist walk at Mt Piper or Mt Disapointment. Clothes in case it gets cool at night, umbrella, water-proofs just in case. Torch or headlamp. Floaties or lilos for relaxing in the dam. Mobile reception: is available all over the farm for Telstra users. For those with other providers, reception may not be so good. LEADER: Russell W. | Email the Leader 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 BOOKED OUT ** Walk the iconic Prom southern circuit around Sealers Cove, Refuge Cove, and Waterloo Bay with an overnight camping. This is for beginners, and experienced walkers alike. Please register interest ASAP to avoid missing out  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Hard. The track is well formed, but we are walking 17.5 km each day with a pack on our backs, which makes it hard. For healthy people this is not a problem. We will be walking slowly. Numbers are limited to 8.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This very scenic walk passes through rainforest and along beaches, with great views from peaks. The track is not difficult, and many people will have walked the section to Sealers Cove. The camp site is beautiful and there are basic drop toilets. This walk is aimed at beginners. You do not need any special equipment as the leader has plenty to share. A detailed equipment list will be provided for people who have not done overnight walking before. Autumn is the best time at Wilsons Prom with warm sea temperatures and calm weather.  If the weather forecast is very hot we will cancel the trip. The emphasis is on having a great experience, and learning to love overnight hiking.  The trip has the following stages: Thursday 11th and Friday 12th (optional): Stay in a house at Yanakie close to the park entrance. Alternatively, you can drive down Friday night, or drive direct to the start of the walk on Saturday morning. Saturday 13th: Telegraph Saddle to Refuge Cove via Sealers Cove: A 17.5 km walk along formed track (estimated 5 hours). We will aim to start at Telegraph saddle at 9:30am. If you are driving from central Melbourne on the Saturday morning you will have to leave at 6:30am.   Sunday 14th: Refuge Cove back to Telegraph Saddle via Waterloo Bay: 17.5 km along formed tracks (estimated 7 hours). Then we will drive directly back to Melbourne. BOOKING: ASAP or by Sunday 31st January if places remain. To reserve your place, click Get Tickets. NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 210211 Wilsons Prom Backpacking FURTHER INFORMATION: Park Notes: parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/wilsons-promontory-national-park/where-to-stay/southern-overnight-hikes. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 09:30am at Telegraph Saddle car park on Saturday 13th February, or earlier if you wish, as outlined in the Activity Description above.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X928/628 grid C10 | VicRoads map 103 grid D7 | Google map goo.gl/maps/deXQjAAHQ9w. Detailed directions will be provided after the RSVP date.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: Approximately 225 km. Allow 3 hours drive to the start of the walk from central Melbourne. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Not available. We will maximise car-pooling. COST: $7 pp to camp one night in the park. We will make a group booking 10 days before the walk. No need to pay until 2nd Feb (but Get Ticket here ASAP to ensure you don't miss out on this unique opportunity). FOOD: A list of suitable bushwalking food will be provided. We will prepare a communal meal on Saturday night for simplicity. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Light comfortable walking footwear. An equipment list will be provided. Don’t worry if you don’t have specialist gear like stove, tent, pack, sleeping mat etc. We have loan-you gear, and since we are only going in good weather we don’t need to pack for snow storms. LEADER | BOOKING: Roger H. | by Sunday 31st January Email the Leader 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  

Take in the relatively unknown Frankston Nature Reserve, Sweetwater Creek board walks and the bayside foreshore in this circuit starting and finishing at Frankston Station.    GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy to moderate 10.5 km circuit walk.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: From Frankston Station we catch the 11.09 am 782 bus to the Culcairn Drive stop in South Frankston, then walk some 500 metres to the entrance of the  Frankston Nature Reserve and follow walking tracks around and within this reserve, which used to be a Melbourne Water reserve. After exploring these tracks, we will lunch at, and be able to enjoy the scenic view of the actual Frankston Reservoir. After lunch, we will traverse through some very relaxed and bushy suburban streets in South Frankston to connect with the Sweetwater Creek walking track, much of which is a board walk, which will take us down to the Frankston beach. We will have the choice of walking back to the station via a board walk or along the foreshore itself. Some members may wish to enjoy a summer swim! BUSES from Frankston to MORDIALLOC WILL LEAVE FRANKSTON STATION APPROX EVERY 10 MINUTES to Mordialloc THEN TRAINS TO the City so people can choose to stay longer at the beach and make their own way back to the station. Otherwise we will arrive back at the station around 3.45 pm and have a tea/coffee at a cafe near the station.  BOOKING: By Thursday 4th February. To register, click on Get Tickets. COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 210207 Frankston Nature Walk. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Because of track work changes-detailed below- sometime from 10.35am to 10.45am outside the exit barriers of the Frankston Station YOUNG ST FRANKSTON MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 100A grid E7 | Google map goo.gl/maps/xuC8B8tEWMFxeS8S8.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 45 km, 50 minutes to drive via Nepean Hwy PUBLIC TRANSPORT: PLEASE NOTE THAT BECAUSE OF TRACK WORK ON THE FRANKSTON LINE 7TH FEBRUARY, THE DEPARTURE TIME FOR THE TRAIN FROM FLINDERS STREET HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 9.17AM THE TRAIN WILL BE LISTED AS A MORDIALLOC TRAIN.  We will travel in the first carriage. The Frankston line train will go as far as MORDIALLOC THEN WE WILL BE SWITCHED TO A LIMITED EXPRESS BUS TO CARRUM THEN STOP AT THE THREE REMAINING STATIONS TO AND INCLUDING FRANKSTON. WE WILL ARRIVE  AT FRANKSTON STATION APPROXIMATELY 10.42am--dependant on road traffic conditions and any unanticipated bus delays  We may have time for a morning tea /coffee before our 11.09 bus. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a minimum of one litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Consider wearing long pants rather than shorts given we will be traversing bushy, sometimes narrow walking tracks that may be crossed by snakes.  TOILETS----PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO TOILETS AFTER FRANKSTON STATION UNTIL WE ARRIVE AT OLIVERS HILL BEACH ( approx 4 HOURS LATER) LEADER: Don V. | Email the Leader 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 relaxed day out at the Somers naturist beach. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 7 km circuit walk. 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 55 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 3.5 km back to the cars at the end of the day.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This event is for naturists. Enjoy a pleasant relaxing beach day - walk, swim and sunbake with other fellow naturists. After the beach we have been invited to a men's naturist afternoon tea at a fellow nudist's residence in Bittern, 10 minutes drive away. Afternoon tea, drinks and snacks will probably start around 5pm. (Apologies, the afternoon tea is a men's only gathering). BOOKING: By Wednesday 3rd February. To register, click on Get Tickets. NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 210206 Beach Day at Somers  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10.45am in the car park at 121 Miramar Rd, Somers. 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).  We plan to depart from the car park for the beach at about 11.00am. 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 turn left and walk for about 55 minutes and you should find our camp. Food Drop off in the Morning: If you'd like to drop off food before you come to the beach, you may drop it at the house in Bittern between 10am and 10.30am. The house is 1 hour 20 minutes, and 82 km from Melbourne - a long way! Make sure you plan your time. From the house to the meeting place it is a 10 minute drive. Address of the Afternoon Tea House: This will be emailed to all those who have booked by 10pm on Wednesday 3rd February. It will also be given out on the beach day. TIDE FORECAST: High 7:13am - Low 1:19pm - High 8:18pm. The tides are very much in our favour on this day. The tide will be half way out when we leave from the carpark for the beach and it will still be well out when we leave the beach to come back in the afternoon. (For those who haven't been to Somers, it is quite difficult to climb over the fallen trees on the beach at high tide.) MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 194 grid F11 | Google map goo.gl/maps/dSyFRvxTgnn.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 86 km, about 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 30 mins depending on which route you take. COST: There is no charge for this special beach day. However, you should click Get Tickets to register.  FOOD and BEVERAGES for the BEACH DAY : Carry lunch, water and any other food/drinks you may like for the beach day. FOOD and DRINKS for the AFTERNOON TEA: Please bring some food to share for afternoon tea at the Bittern residence after the beach day. Tea and coffee will be provided. Bring cold drinks if you would prefer those. 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. Sporting equipment such as a frisbee, tennis ball, larger ball, small cricket bat etc. could be fun. LEADER: Peter H. | Email the Leader if you have any questions.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Our regular monthly social night - this month at the Palace Hotel in Camberwell. 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. The menu is reasonably priced, with a Seniors Menu for those who qualify. BOOKING: By Monday 1st February. To register, click on Get Tickets. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm | Palace Hotel, 893 Burke Rd, Camberwell. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 45 grid J11 | Google map goo.gl/maps/85UV6q3hQyLZAKBs7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Lilydale, Belgrave or Alamein Line to Camberwell, tram 72 to stop 64 (or tram 70 or 75 to stop 40 + 10 minute walk). LEADER: GarryO. | Email the Leader 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 leisurely day at the beach with a Port Phillip Bay vista in the distance.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, social day with short walks along the beach.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a leisurely day sunbaking, walking, swimming and socialising with other Nomads on the beach. Sunnyside is the only officially designated clothing optional beach on Port Phillip Bay, and the closest legal naturist beach to Melbourne. Sunnyside Beach (North) is a very popular beach with naturists from all over Melbourne and beyond, for very good reasons. It is a safe beach, easy to get to, and offers good swimming and general beach fun. There are a number of rocky areas and reefs close to shore which may also provide snorkelling opportunities if you wish. Most of the beach is sandy with scattered small rocks. This is a family friendly beach, so behaviour needs to be appropriate at all times. The naturist beach is a very popular location on any sunny day, and the car parking spaces closest to the beach fill up quickly. Arrive early if you would like the best chance of a close park. There are additional all-day parking spaces along the side of Sunnyside Road, but ensure that you read the parking signs carefully as parking inspectors have been known to work over the weekends. We strongly suggest not leaving valuables visible in your car, which of course is good practice everywhere. And, as is common sense, do not leave anything unattended on the beach. In the main beach carpark are several modern individual toilets, but once we move to the clothing optional beach, there are no facilities at all. You need to be self-sufficient and bring your own food and drink, esky, sun shelter or wind protection if desired, sunscreen, sunnies and hat. Clothing must be worn between the carpark and the beach. Also, we recommend suitable footwear to protect your feet from the sometimes sharp rocks along the short walking track to the beach. The leader will bring a beach shelter which can be used as a communal place to keep small items out of the direct heat of the sun, and as a focal point for our group once on the beach. We will gather towards the northern end of the main carpark at the end of Sunnyside Road at 10.30am. If you arrive late, no problem, just follow the rocky track north until the next sandy beach, you will have no problem locating and joining our group. You are free to do as much or as little as you want on the beach, it is your day, so make the most of it. There is no planned finishing time, you are free to spend as much or as little time as you wish on the beach. If the weather forecast for the day is determined as unsuitable by the leader, this beach day may be cancelled, or alternatively may be changed to the following day. Any changes in event details due to adverse weather or other reason will be made to the Nomads event listing no later than 8pm on the evening prior to the event. If no changes to the event details by 8pm, the beach day will go ahead as planned and there is no need to check further. This is a free event, but to assist with planning, it is requested that you register your attendance. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on this naturist beach day. BOOKING: By Wednesday 27th January. To register to attend, click on Get Tickets (no charge for this event). COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 210130 Beach Day at Sunnyside Beach. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/sunnyside-beach-mount-eliza#.XVd7kOgzZPY. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10.30am at the Northern end of the main beach carpark at the end of Sunnyside Rd, Mt Eliza. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 104 grid K5 | Google map goo.gl/maps/ggsox7nN4KDiCa5z9.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 66 km, 1 hour 10 minutes via M1 and M3 | 79 km, 1 hour 20 minutes via M3. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: From Flinders Street Station, catch the 8:23am Frankston train to Frankston, arriving at 9:28am. The 785 bus departs from Bay D at Frankston Station at 9:40am. Get off at the George Vowell Institute Blind/Nepean Hwy, Mt Eliza at 9:55am. From there it is a 1.3 km walk to the Sunnyside Beach car park. Alternatively, contact the leader, who may be able to arrange car sharing for you. FOOD: Lunch, snacks, plenty of water/drinks as there are no local facilities immediately available. LEADER: Michael J. | Email the Leader 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 IS FULLY BOOKED **  Enjoy a “Round The Bay Lite” scenic tour from South Geelong to Frankston, with an overnight stay in Ocean Grove. Optional Friday ride with additional overnight. GRADE | TYPE | LENGTH: Hard, point-to-point cycling, 98 km (Day 1: Medium 35 km or Hard 64 km | Day 2: Hard 78 km). The route has many on-road sections as well as both sealed and unsealed cycling trails. (The official Round The Bay ride of more than 210 km in a single day is totally off the Nomad’s grading scale)! ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This is a two or three day cycling weekend. You're invited to join the Friday Cycling Group for a ride to Bells Beach and Torquay on Friday. Some of the Friday riders will return to South Geelong Station, but those who are participating in the weekend will cycle to Ocean Grove for an overnight stay there. On Saturday, those who are only participating in the weekend rides will travel via V/Line to South Geelong. The "Friday Nighters" will cycle from Ocean Grove via Barwon Heads Rd to meet the others at South Geelong Station, then everybody will cycle the Bellarine Rail Trail together to Ocean Grove. On 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 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. BOOKING: By Wednesday 27th January or ASAP. To register, click on Get Tickets. Limit of 10 participants. If sold out, contact the leader to see if any other arrangements are possible. COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 210129 Cycling Round the Bay Lite  FURTHER INFORMATION: www.railtrails.org.au/trail?view=trail&id=139 MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Friday: 8:40am at Southern Cross Station to catch the 9:10am train to Waurn Ponds. Saturday: 9:20am at Southern Cross Station to catch the 9:50am train to South Geelong. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 1E grid A9 | Google map goo.gl/maps/WUzR7kSmTVzW3yjx6.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: around 90 km to South Geelong Station, 1 hour 4 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.  COST: Ferry: $13 full fare or $11 concession. Bikes are carried at no additional charge. Lunches: will be purchased individually en route each day. Accommodation & Meals: a small contribution is suggested to contribute to breakfast and accommodation expenses. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Travel to and from this event is via public transport.  Fri 29 Jan (3-day participants): meet at Southern Cross Station at 8:40am to catch the 9:10am train to Waurn Ponds. Sat 30 Jan (2-day participants): meet at Southern Cross Station at 9:20am to catch the 9:50am train to South Geelong. Sun 31 Jan: 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.   LEADER: Alan D. | Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website. Image: railtrails.org.au   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Join your Nomads friends for a relaxing Australia Day picnic and some exploratory walks round the park and gardens. Travel via public transport is possible. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, social event with self guided walks around the gardens and associated Beckett Park.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Maranoa Gardens is considered to be one of the most thoroughly curated public dedications to Australian native flora in Victoria. Started by John Watson, who in 1901 purchased 1.42 hectares to plant Australian and  New Zealand native trees and shrubs. Watson's Maranoa Gardens differed from other 20th century garden designs which were instead modelled after European trends. In 1922 the gardens were obtained by the former City of Camberwell and by 1926, Maranoa Gardens opened to the public. By 1962, Maranoa Gardens had doubled in size when it was twinned with the adjacent Beckett Park; the latter being an important revegetation site for indigenous species where visitors can walk through patches of grassy woodlands similar to those that existed more than 100 years ago. Maranoa Gardens is divided into various zones which take into consideration soil type, irrigation, geology and climate preferences. The seven zones include the cottage garden, rainforest, arid zone, arboretum and the Indigenous display. BOOKING: By Sunday 24th January. To register, click on Get Tickets. COVIDSafe Checklist: Checklist 210126 Picnic and Walk: Maranoa Gardens  FURTHER INFORMATION:  boroondara.vic.gov.au/recreation-arts/parks-and-gardens/beckett-park  boroondara.vic.gov.au/recreation-arts/parks-and-gardens/maranoa-botanic-gardens  boroondara.vic.gov.au/about-council/news-and-media/boroondara-news/maranoa-botanic-gardens-florilegium-now-available MEETING TIME | LOCATION: From 12 noon in the main lawn area within Maranoa Gardens. Enter via Parring Road (main entrance) or directly into Maranoa section off Kireep Rd, Balwyn. NOTE: Maranoa Gardens close at 5 pm and Beckett Park at sunset.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 46 grid F7 | Google map goo.gl/maps/1pESMtyY8VmfzFCK8  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 17 km, approximately 30 minutes to drive, 50 minutes by public transport. Parking is available inside the combined parks via Parring Rd plus on-street parking in either Parring or Kireep Roads. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Tram 109 (Collins Street) to stop #50 (Wharton Street).  FOOD: BYO picnic supplies and beverages. Recommend you bring either a rug or chair to sit on. Water and toilets are in situ. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking shoes and dress according to the weather forecast PLUS sunscreen. LEADER: Garry Oliver. | Email the Leader 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 IS NOW ABLE TO TAKE A FEW MORE GUESTS  , PLEASE BOOK IN ASAP .   Enjoy a casual picnic on 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 Saturday 23rd January. To register, click on Get Tickets. COVIDSafe Checklist: Checklist 210126 BYO Picnic at Blanchfields on 26 Jan  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: Melway map X912 grid R4 | 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 the Leader 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 relaxing walk around the inner east portions of the Yarra River and surrounding environs. The opportunity will be taken to socialise with lunch (safely) in the nearby Burnley Gardens. Saturday has been selected given the forecast 38 degrees on Sunday 24th January GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, approximately 7 km, circuit walk.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The meeting point is outside the Tramway Museum next to Leonda Receptions on Wallen Road, Hawthorn. From there we will traverse the not well known eastern side of the Yarra River through Fairview Park around to Scotch College. Traversing the boundary of Scotch College, we will explore the extensive parklands and velodrome opposite Kooyong Tennis Centre. Picking up the Gardiner's Creek Trail we will head west and observe Scotch College (nothern side), Kooyong Tennis Complex and St Kevin's College (southern side). Arriving at Yarra Boulevard, the walk will then proceed north into the Burnley Gardens. After lunch, people can enjoy a self-guided tour of the gardens - one of Melbourne's many secret treasures. BOOKING: By Friday 22nd January. To register, click on Get Tickets. COVIDSafe Checklist: Checklist 210123 Inner East Yarra Explorer  FURTHER INFORMATION: ecosystemforest.unimelb.edu.au/engage/visiting-burnley-gardens MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am outside the Tram Museum, Wallen Road, Hawthorn (Swan Street extension) next to Leonda Reception Centre.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 45 grid B12 | Google map: g.page/trammuseum?share   DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 6 km, approximately 15 minutes to drive, 35 minutes by public transport. TRANSPORT: Trams #70 and #75 from Flinders Street to Stop 29, Riversdale Junction. If travelling by car, it's recommended you park in Yarra Boulevard between Swan-Wallen Bridge over the Yarra and Boulevard Drive and walk the short distance to the meeting point. Thus you can leave lunch in the car and collect if upon arrival at Burnley Gardens.   FOOD: Carry snacks and at least 1 litre of water. Refilling water available along the route and in Burnley Gardens. Two toilets are accessible along the walk. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. LEADER: Garry O. | Email the Leader 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