Blackburn Lake Sanctuary, Blackburn Creeklands and Gardiners Creek Trail provide an urban bushland and waterway setting for this casual Sunday stroll. Limit of 12 participants. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: An easy 12 km point-to-point walk with public transport links. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Our walk commences at Blackburn Railway Station with a short stroll through Morton Park to reach Blackburn Lake Sanctuary. We will wander around the lake along the bush tracks through the natural bushland of the reserve. Below the lake we will make our way through Furness Park, Kalang Park and Blacks Walk which are collectively known as Blackburn Creeklands. After walking through the creeklands we continue on to the Gardiners Creek Trail which we will follow through to Holmesglen. Our journey includes many points of interest along the way as we pass through parts of The City of Whitehorse Artists’ Trail, Whitehorse Heritage Trail, Deakin University Burwood Campus and Local History Park before reaching the end of the walk at Holmesglen. Trains depart Holmesglen Railway Station every 20 minutes for the 26 minute journey back to the city. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: In the front carriage of the Lilydale train departing Flinders Street Railway Station at 9:46am or meet the group en route by arrangement with the event leader. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 43 grid H9 | Google map goo.gl/maps/NMdRVJfVevp. DISTANCE / TIME FROM GPO: The walk commences at Blackburn Railway Station which is 18 km from the city and takes 41 minutes by train. Our return journey takes 26 minutes from Holmesglen Railway Station which is 15 km from the city. TRANSPORT: Access to and from this walk is by public transport only. We will travel to Blackburn Railway Station in the front carriage of the Lilydale train departing Flinders Street Railway Station at 9:46am or you may choose to meet the group en route by arrangement with the event leader. For the return journey trains depart Holmesglen Railway Station every 20 minutes. All travel is within myki zones 1 & 2 with weekend daily caps of $6.50 full fare, $3.25 concession and free for seniors. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and water for your needs throughout the day. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Wear comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress to meet the forecast weather conditions. BOOKING: This event is limited to a maximum of 12 participants. Obtaining a ticket from The Nomads website is essential. Visitor tickets are available up to Thursday 11th June unless shown on the website as "Sold Out". Members are encouraged to obtain their ticket by Thursday 11th June however member free tickets will remain available after this date unless shown on the website as "Sold Out" or "Sale Ended". Please confirm that you have obtained a ticket by visiting thenomadsinc.tidyhq.com/member/events or by checking your "Order confirmation" email. LEADER: Peter Tocknell - 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 is a spectacular trail skirting rugged coastline by the waters of Bass Strait. It was originally scheduled for 29 March, but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Limit of 20 participants. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium 13 km circuit walk.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We follow the Main Creek Trail from the car park to Bushrangers Bay. The eucalypt forest gives way to shady thickets of coastal banksia and then to an isolated sandy beach at Bushrangers Bay. From there we follow the trail to Cape Schanck. We’ll have lunch near the 1850s Lighthouse. After lunch, we return the same way and then hopefully, time permitting, can have take away coffee and cake from the Flinders Bakehouse. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.bushwalkingblog.com.au/cape-schanck-to-main-creek-return-mornington-peninsula-national-park-victoria-2/ MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am at the start of the Bushrangers Bay Walk and Cape Schanck Walk. When coming from Cape Schanck, this is in the car park on the right (not the first car park on the left) on Boneo Rd (C777: the Rosebud Flinders Rd) in the Mornington Peninsula National Park.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 259 grid K8 | UBD map 513 grid A7 | Google map goo.gl/maps/R48zXxjF9Ty.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 109 km from Melbourne, allow 1.5 hours. FOOD: Bring your own lunch and at least 1 litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sturdy walking footwear, dress for the weather forecast and bring a raincoat just in case! BOOKING: By Thursday 4th June. Click on Get Tickets to register.  LEADER: Cahal F. | 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 event won't be able to proceed at the Duke of Wellington, due to the COVID-19 lockdown, so we will have a Zoom catch up instead. Register via GET TICKETS and we will email you the Zoom link on the day, to enable you to attend online. 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.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 8pm | online via Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed on Tuesday to those who registered via Get Tickets. BOOKING: By Monday 1st June. Click on Get Tickets to book. 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  

Enjoy a pleasant Sunday walk in the scenic environs of Mount Evelyn and Silvan Reservoir. Limit of 10 participants. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: A moderate 11 km point-to-point walk with a few short steep sections. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Our walk commences on Tramway Track in Mount Evelyn which connects to Olinda Creek Track and Pipeline Track to provide a route through to Silvan Reservoir. While there is little evidence of its past uses, the route has served several purposes. Originally a tramway used for the collection of firewood to fuel lime kilns ran along the route. During the construction of the Silvan Reservoir an overhead cableway used the same corridor as it ran from the station at Mount Evelyn to the dam wall to convey building materials. Tracks along the route now provide service access to the pipeline which replaced the Mount Evelyn Aqueduct. For our purpose it provides a very pleasant walking track through a break in the eucalypt forest. Having made our way through to Silvan Reservoir Park we'll find a picnic table and enjoy our lunch break in the pleasant surrounds of the park. After lunch we'll stroll to the top of the dam wall for a view across the reservoir before leaving the park. We'll then follow bush tracks and cross over Olinda Creek to reach the last remaining section of the defunct Mount Evelyn Aqueduct. We'll follow the aqueduct track for around 2 km before meeting Monbulk Road which marks the end of our day's walk. Our return journey commences with a bus journey through to Lilydale to catch a train back to Ringwood or through to the city. FURTHER INFORMATION: melbournewater.com.au/community-and-education/about-our-water/water-storage-reservoirs/silvan | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Evelyn_Aqueduct MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Arrive in time to catch the 679 Chirnside Park Shopping Centre bus departing from bus bay 10, Ringwood Railway Station at 11:01am. MAP REFERENCE: Ringwood Railway Station: Melway map 49 grid G8 | Google map goo.gl/maps/Qw3wpoNCzmG2. DISTANCE, TIME & DIRECTIONS: The train journey from Flinders Street to Ringwood is 52 minutes. For driving directions, distance and time enter your starting location at goo.gl/maps/Tr1jma2akkz3yYq17. TRANSPORT: Access to and from this walk is by public transport only. We will catch the 679 Chirnside Park Shopping Centre bus departing from bus bay 10, Ringwood Railway Station at 11:01am. Ample parking is available in the station car park. For public transport from the city, take the Lilydale train which departs Flinders Street Railway Station at 9:46am. Meet and travel with the group in the front carriage if you wish. The bus journey from Ringwood to Inverness Road Mount Evelyn takes 30 minutes. For the return journey we will take a bus from Mount Evelyn to Lilydale then a train to arrive at or pass through Ringwood Railway Station before 5:00pm. Continuing the train journey back to the city takes a further 42 minutes. All travel from the city is within myki zones 1 & 2 (zone 2 only if starting and ending at Ringwood) with weekend daily caps of $6.50 full fare, $3.25 concession and free for seniors. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and water for your needs throughout the day. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Wear comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress to meet the forecast weather conditions. BOOKING: This event is limited to a maximum of 10 participants. Clicking on Get Tickets here to obtain a ticket is essential. Visitor tickets are available up to Thursday 28th May unless shown on the website as "Sold Out". Members are encouraged to obtain their ticket by Thursday 28th May, however free member tickets will remain available after this date unless shown on the website as "Sold Out" or "Sale Ended". Please confirm that you have obtained a ticket by visiting thenomadsinc.tidyhq.com/member/events or by checking your "Order confirmation" email. LEADER: Peter Tocknell | 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 was originally scheduled for 10 May, but wasn't able to proceed at that time due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Gather some skills to help you remain safe, and enjoy being in the bush together, plus a small stroll with friends in beautiful Alpine Ash forest. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy to medium, 6-8 km, circuit walk with some short climbs. Limit of 10 participants. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: An interesting and fun day of instruction guided by Roger H., to allow members to be safe, feel confident and explore independently in the bush. They will act in conjunction with experienced members who may be on the trip, who will share their knowledge and insight. The emphasis will be very much on practical exercises rather than theory - in short, work for the legs as well as the brain. We aim to make this a pleasant social event out in some beautiful bushland near Melbourne. More information will be provided closer to the date. All members are encouraged to attend, particularly those interested in exploring tracks and trails in National Parks and Forest Reserves. Afternoon tea will be provided afterwards - but please BYO mug. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at Donnellys Weir picnic ground.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 270 grid G5 | Google map goo.gl/maps/onmkgrQPpjw.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 65 km. Allow 1 hour and 10 minutes to drive. TRANSPORT: Turn right at Donnellys Weir Road (off St Leonards Rd), then turn left after about 700m. There is a shallow ford through Donnellys Creek on the way. Public Transport not available. We will maximise carpooling. FOOD: Carry lunch and water. Afternoon tea will be provided near the cars, but please BYO mug. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sturdy walking boots as we will be leaving defined tracks. Warm and/or waterproof clothes as dictated by the weather forecast. Hat, sunscreen, as usual. EQUIPMENT: Bring your compass and GPS if you have one. 1:30,000 and 1:25,000 topographic maps are now available online at services.land.vic.gov.au/maps/imf/search/Topo30Front.jsp. However, the maps we will use on the day will be provided. BOOKING: By Thursday 21st May. Click on Get Tickets to secure your place. LEADER: Roger H. | 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 been postponed to a date (yet to be set - in June/July) in consideration of train disruptions on the Hurstbridge line on the day of the event and uncertainty in the lead-up to the event as to any easing of restrictions under directions issued by the Chief Health Officer under the State of Emergency declared in Victoria to manage coronavirus (COVID-19).  See our Socialising Online page for ways to stay healthy. Enjoy a day's walk along river and creek trails and through open parklands and reserves. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: A moderate 14 km point-to-point walk with public transport links. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This walk follows trails along Diamond Creek, Yarra River and Ruffey Creek between Eltham and Doncaster. The walk's moderate rating is due to the distance, the walking is an easy grade throughout. The first trail we utilise is the Diamond Creek Trail which we meet near to Eltham Station. Passing by The Diamond Valley Railway, we cross through parkland to Skills Lookout on the Yarra River and then on to meet the Main Yarra Trail. We'll follow the river through to Westerfolds Park where we'll find a picnic table for our lunch break. After lunch we'll cross the park to meet the Main Yarra Trail again then on to Ruffey Creek Trail which runs through to Ruffey Lake Park. To finish the day's walk we cut through Schramms Reserve to the bus stop at Manningham Civic Centre on Doncaster Road. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: In the front carriage of the Hurstbridge train departing Flinders Street Railway Station at 10:18am or meet the group en route by arrangement with the event leader. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 43 grid H9 | Google map goo.gl/maps/NMdRVJfVevp. DISTANCE / TIME FROM GPO: The walk commences at Eltham Railway Station which is 27km and 57 minutes by train from the city. The return bus journey takes 33 minutes from Manningham Civic Centre, Doncaster Road. TRANSPORT: Access to and from this walk is by public transport only. We will travel to Eltham Railway Station in the front carriage of the Hurstbridge train departing Flinders Street Railway Station at 10:18am. For the return journey buses depart from Manningham Civic Centre, Doncaster Road every 20 minutes. All travel is within myki zones 1 & 2 with weekend daily caps of $6.50 full fare, $3.25 concession and free for seniors. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and water for your needs throughout the day. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Wear comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress to meet the forecast weather conditions. LEADER: Peter Tocknell - Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members->Leader Contacts when logged in to the website. BOOKING: This event is limited to a maximum of 12 participants. Obtaining a ticket from The Nomads website is essential. Visitor tickets are available up to Thursday 14th May unless shown on the website as "Sold Out". Members are encouraged to obtain their ticket by Thursday 14th May however member free tickets will remain available after this date unless shown on the website as "Sold Out" or "Sale Ended". Please confirm that you have obtained a ticket by visiting thenomadsinc.tidyhq.com/member/events or by checking your "Order confirmation" email. HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

The Nomads AGM will proceed on 5 May as originally notified. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, it will be held as an online Zoom meeting and will start at 8pm rather than 7pm. The Information Pack was distributed to members on 24 April and included full instructions on how to join using the Zoom software. Our Annual General Meeting, in conjunction with the regular monthly social night. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Join us for the AGM - this year held online. BYO drinks! MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 8pm online via the Zoom application. Those who Get Tickets will be emailed the link to join the Zoom meeting. BOOKING: By Monday 4th May. To book, click on Get Tickets. If you are unable to attend online, you may nominate another member as a proxy to vote on your behalf at the AGM, as outlined in the email sent on 17th March and in the AGM Information Pack distributed on 24th April. If nominating a proxy, you should NOT Get a Ticket. 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.

This event has been cancelled in accordance with directions issued by the Chief Health Officer under the State of Emergency declared in Victoria to manage coronavirus (COVID-19). See our Socialising Online page for ways to stay healthy. Steep bush tracks, spectacular views, eucalypt forest and ferny gullies feature in this scenic walk from the peak of Mount Dandenong through Kalorama and on to Mount Evelyn. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: A medium 10km point-to-point walk with several very steep downhill sections on bush tracks. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This walk involves a steep descent from SkyHigh, Mount Dandenong through Kalorama and on to Mount Evelyn Aqueduct. The need for participants to negotiate several very steep downhill sections of bush tracks gives the walk its medium grading. To commence the walk we arrive by bus at SkyHigh, Mount Dandenong, where we'll take some time to enjoy the impressive views of the city, suburbs and countryside below before heading off down the mountainside. The first section of steep track takes us through to Kalorama with spectacular views over Kalorama Park, Silvan Reservoir, forests and farmland. We'll pass through Kalorama Park before stopping for lunch at picnic tables within the Kalorama Memorial Reserve. Heading back into the bush, more steep tracks take us through eucalypt forest and past mountain bike tracks including the aptly named "Temple of Zoom". We cross Olinda Creek to go on to finish the day's walk with a gentle meander alongside the last remaining section of the defunct Mount Evelyn Aqueduct. Our return journey commences with a bus journey through to Lilydale to catch a train back to Croydon or through to the city. FURTHER INFORMATION: skyhighmtdandenong.com.au | visitdandenongranges.com.au/kalorama | en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Evelyn_Aqueduct MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Arrive in time to catch the Upper Ferntree Gully 688 bus departing from bus bay 6, Croydon Railway Station at 10:22am. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 50 grid J3 | Google map goo.gl/maps/TrwvMHY8JeXLK8W68. DISTANCE, TIME & DIRECTIONS: The train journey between Flinders Street and Croydon Stations takes one hour. For driving directions, distance & time enter your starting location at goo.gl/maps/XQvXiPFPBbbYpGfd7. TRANSPORT: Access to and from this walk is by public transport only. We will catch the 688 Upper Ferntree Gully bus departing from Croydon Railway Station (bus bay 6) at 10:22am. Ample parking is available in the station car park. For public transport from the city, take the Lilydale train which departs Flinders Street Railway Station at 9:06am. Meet and travel with the group in the front carriage if you wish. The bus journey from Croydon to SkyHigh takes 30 minutes. For the return journey we will take a bus from Mount Evelyn to Lilydale then a train to arrive at or pass through Croydon Railway Station before 4:00pm. Continuing the train journey back to the city takes a further 50 minutes. All travel from the city is within myki zones 1 & 2 (zone 2 only if starting and ending at Croydon) with weekend daily caps of $6.50 full fare, $3.25 concession and free for seniors. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and water for your needs throughout the day. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Wear comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress to meet the forecast weather conditions for Mount Dandenong. BOOKING: This event is limited to a maximum of 12 participants. Obtaining a ticket from The Nomads website is essential. Visitor tickets are available up to Thursday 30th April unless shown on the website as "Sold Out". Members are encouraged to obtain their ticket by Thursday 30th April however member free tickets will remain available after this date unless shown on the website as "Sold Out" or "Sale Ended". Please confirm that you have obtained a ticket by visiting thenomadsinc.tidyhq.com/member/events or by checking your "Order confirmation" email. LEADER: Peter Tocknell | 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 been cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus. Read this ABC News article in which University of Sydney modelling demonstrates very clearly why staying at home at present can improve our outcome dramatically. Yes, we need to exercise, but for the next few weeks, the message could now not be clearer: STAY AT HOME! See our Socialising Online page for ways to stay healthy. Walk along green reserves in Thomastown and explore the original German colonial village of Westgarthtown that includes the Ziebell Farmhouse, its colonial gardens, Lutheran cemetery and bluestone chapel, where the earliest German settlers established dairy farms. Walk where John Batman met with the local leaders of the Wurundjeri Indigenous people and made a contentious treaty with them in 1835. Reflect on the impressive contribution of these settlers to the formation of Victoria's wealth and diversity, achieved however by the dispossession of the Indigenous first peoples' lands and hunting fields.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, approximately 7 km, circuit walk.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: From Thomastown station, we will walk down Main Street, then turn into Edgars Reserve that follows the Edgars Creek and has been re-planted extensively with native vegetation. Within Edgars Reserve, historians believe John Batman "negotiated" a treaty with the Wurundjeri people. We will walk up a pathway to the simple bluestone Lutheran chapel - the oldest operating Lutheran church building in Australia, dedicated in 1856. From the chapel, we'll cross the paddock to the original Ziebell Farmhouse. Ziebell's Farmhouse is open to the public, built between 1851 and 1856 with 61cm walls and is a typical German farmhouse design. Entry fee is $3 per person. It is surrounded by the original, shady colonial garden that features still healthy 140 year old roses. We’ll have lunch in these gardens, then walk to the oldest Lutheran cemetery in Australia nearby, then onto a heritage walk to see the other German farmhouses that constituted the original village. We'll skirt a sports reserve and return to Edgars Reserve for our return to Thomastown station. We can have an afternoon tea either at a covered outdoor cafe on the heritage walk or back at a reasonable kiosk with seating at Thomastown station. We will catch the 3:35pm train to Flinders St.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10am at Flinders St Station for the 10:08am Mernda train. We'll travel in the front carriage. Gathering time outside Thomastown station 10:50am.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 8 grid H5 | Google map goo.gl/maps/NnReL3xVAk84psyH9.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 16 km, approximately 40 minutes by train. TRANSPORT: By train as described above or car parking available at Thomastown station. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. BOOKING: By Thursday 23rd April | Click on Get Tickets to register. 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  

This walk will be re-scheduled in Spring when we hope the virus crisis has abated.  See our Socialising Online page for ways to stay healthy. 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. The walk is after Easter, and not in school holidays, so we will have the place to ourselves. Autumn is the best time at Wilsons Prom with warm sea temperatures and calm weather.  If the weather forecast is very wet 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 16th and Friday 17th (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 18th: 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 19th: 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. 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: 10:15am at Telegraph Saddle car park on Saturday 18th April, 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 5th April (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. BOOKING: ASAP or by Sunday 5th April if places remain. Click Get Tickets to reserve your place. LEADER | BOOKING: Roger H. | by Sunday 5th April. 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 500 cards game online with other Nomads members from the comfort of your own living room.  GRADE: Easy, so long as you don't fall asleep. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: In these changing times we can still get together online to play cards together - thanks to the online application Trickster Cards, we plan to have a cards night. The game is 500 according to the standard Australian rules defined by: Rules of 500 in Trickster. If you are familiar with the game, the online version is intuitive and easy to play. Please select Get Tickets in the normal way for this event. Then we will place you into a game with 4 people, and email you instructions prior to the game on Tuesday with your invitation to the game. Please provide some indication of your experience of the game (beginner, average or expert) so we can match up players. If at any time one of the players has had enough, you can exit the game and the program will provide a robot player to fill in. There is a text facility to communicate between players during the game. The amount of table talk is up to you. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm in your living room.  FOOD: Get a cup of your favorite beverage, and a snack before the game. BOOKING: By midday on Tuesday 14th April. Click on Get Tickets to register. There is a limit of 16 players. LEADER: Roger H. | 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 been cancelled due to the COVID-19 virus. Read this ABC News article in which University of Sydney modelling demonstrates very clearly why staying at home at present can improve our outcome dramatically. Yes, we need to exercise, but for the next few weeks, the message could now not be clearer: Stay at home! See our Socialising Online page for ways to stay healthy.   A scenic ride following the Diamond Creek, then the Yarra, from Eltham to Fairfield. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Relatively easy, 24 km point-to-point cycling with public transport links. This ride is best suited to hybrid or mountain bikes, as some sections of the route are unsealed. The route is relatively flat - as it follows waterways it tends to be slightly downhill, but there are some short uphill sections. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Starting at Eltham Station, we’ll cycle a short distance along the Diamond Creek Trail then take a detour for a coffee at the Teapot Cafe, 1 Panther Pl, Eltham. Afterwards, we’ll continue along the Diamond Creek Trail to the junction with the Yarra River, then follow the Main Yarra Trail all the way to Fairfield for lunch, which will probably be at the Fairfield Park Boathouse. After lunch there are many cycling options for you to cycle home if you wish, otherwise there are train stations nearby such as Fairfield or Clifton Hill. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:35am at the Eltham Railway Station.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 21 grid J5 | Google map goo.gl/maps/r9FxToxpWs4t3sv1A.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 27 km | 57 minutes by train. TRANSPORT: The Hurstbridge line train that departs from Flinders Street platform 1 at 9:38am, or West Richmond at 9:51am, arrives in Eltham at 10:35am. FOOD: lunch will be purchased in Fairfield. Bring 1 litre of drinking water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Bring your bike plus helmet, and dress according to the weather forecast. A spare tube is recommended, as tyre sizes vary considerably. BOOKING: By Wednesday 8th April. Click on Get Tickets to register. 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  

The Winter Planning and Social night will be taking place, but because all pubs are now closed, we will use the online Zoom facility to "meet" online. Bring along your dinner, and a beverage of choice, and join your Nomads friends online. Our quarterly planning night, in conjunction with the regular monthly social night. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION:  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 activities we can undertake while "locked down"? Come along to the planning meeting, and then stay for our monthly social evening where members talk about upcoming events, share a meal and compare notes on past activities. All members are welcome – you don't have to volunteer for an activity. New members are especially invited to this meeting as an orientation to Nomads activities.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm | click on https://us04web.zoom.us/j/558088970 to join. Either sign in to Zoom or provide an alias. If asked, choose the Online Video and Computer Audio options. Check out our Zoom Tips page for some background to using Zoom. Just in case you're asked for it (unlikely), the Meeting ID is: 558 088 970. BOOKING: not required, since we don't need to book the venue. Just click on https://us04web.zoom.us/j/558088970 after 7pm on Tuesday 7 April to attend. 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. See our Socialising Online page for some suggestions on ways to stay healthy during COVID-19.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

** This event has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in line with the Victorian Government's order to shut down all non-essential services and in particular for Melbournians to not travel unnecessarily to regional areas. The most reliable source of information about COVID-19 in this rapidly changing scenario is DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services).  See our Socialising Online page for ways to stay healthy. This is a spectacular trail skirting rugged coastline by the waters of Bass Strait. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium 13 km circuit walk.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We follow the Main Creek Trail from the car park to Bushrangers Bay. The eucalypt forest gives way to shady thickets of coastal banksia and then to an isolated sandy beach at Bushrangers Bay. From there we follow the trail to Cape Schanck. We’ll have lunch near the 1850s Lighthouse. After lunch, we return the same way and then hopefully, time permitting, have coffee and cake at Flinders Bakehouse. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.bushwalkingblog.com.au/cape-schanck-to-main-creek-return-mornington-peninsula-national-park-victoria-2/ MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am at the start of the Bushrangers Bay Walk and Cape Schanck Walk. When coming from Cape Schanck, this is in the car park on the right (not the first car park on the left) on Boneo Rd (C777: the Rosebud Flinders Rd) in the Mornington Peninsula National Park.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 259 grid K8 | UBD map 513 grid A7 | Google map goo.gl/maps/R48zXxjF9Ty.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 109 km from Melbourne, allow 1.5 hours. FOOD: Bring your own lunch and at least 1 litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sturdy walking footwear, dress for the weather forecast and bring a raincoat just in case! BOOKING: By Thursday 26th March. Click on Get Tickets to register. LEADER: Cahal F. | 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 been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in line with the Victorian Government's order to shut down all non-essential services and in particular for Melbournians to not travel unnecessarily to regional areas. The most reliable source of information about COVID-19 in this rapidly changing scenario is DHHS (Department of Health and Human Services).  _________________ Enjoy a naturist weekend in the country. It starts with Saturday lunch followed by a nude walk, swim or relax depending on the weather. Evening BBQ and then a socialise around the open fire before sleeping overnight. Sunday: cooked breakfast, relax or walk around the farm, then optional nude social afternoon at the Chewton Shed. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy to medium depending on the activity you choose. Climbing the rocky outcrops on a neighbouring farm for good views requires reasonable fitness.   ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: SATURDAY Arrive: at the farm between 11:30am and 12 noon. Lunch: BYO lunch. If it is hot, bring a picnic type lunch. If it is cold you could buy a pie or sausage roll in Lancefield, or bring something from home. As well soup will be provided. Afternoon Walk: probably about 2 to 3 hours. We could go to some new rocky outcrops on another neighbouring farm. These are quite impressive outcrops and give wonderful views of the surrounding countryside with its huge spherical granite boulders. If we're hot after our walk we could go for a swim in a large new waterhole not far from the farm house where the water is well over your head. Also there is a nice sandy beach to sunbake on together with easy entry to the water. If the weather is not amenable to a naturist walk and swim, we will do a partially clothed walk, or a car tour with short walks. Bring suitable clothes and a light weight rain jacket or umbrella if you think this may be necessary. Afternoon tea. Bring something to share. Evening BBQ: BYO meat and drinks. Salads supplied. Sleeping: see below for sleeping options in the house. There are places for tents and camper vans if you would prefer. SUNDAY Breakfast: cooked breakfast Walk: an easy walk along the creek near the house or elsewhere, or just relax at the house. Lunch: left overs from Saturday or if the forecast is for a cool day, a casserole will be organised. Leave the farm by 1pm to go to the Chewton Shed event. SUNDAY Chewton Shed Nude Social Afternoon: Chewton 2 to 6pm Afternoon Tea: bring something to share for afternoon tea. Fresh fruit (not cut up), sandwiches, soft drink are always popular. Cost: $10 cash on the day for facilities, spa, small heated pool, massage workshop, jigsaws. Info: for more details and to see who is going, go to www.meetup.com/Melbourne-COSMEX-Clothing-Optional-Swim-Massage-Exchange/events/268622916. SUNDAY / MONDAY AFTER CHEWTON Anyone who would like to come back to the farm is most welcome to stay there for Sunday night.   MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Arrive between 11.30am and 12 noon at the sheep farm 12 km north of Lancefield. The exact address will be emailed on Thursday 26th March to all those who have booked and paid. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 909 grid J8 | Google map goo.gl/maps/hrXrYy1gczTxAPHV9. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 87 km, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to drive.   COST: COST FOR THE FARM EVENT: For non-Nomads members: $10. Click on Get Tickets to book your place and pay. For Nomads financial members: $5 for the farm host. Click on Get Tickets to book your place. You can either select a free farm event ticket and pay $5 cash to the farm host on the day, or purchase a $5 members ticket (the proceeds will then be transferred to the farm host). COST FOR THE CHEWTON SHED:  $10 cash on the day (sorry no cards). This covers the cost for facilities, spa, small heated pool, massage workshop, jigsaws.   ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS: 2 bedrooms (made up beds): sleeps 4 Library room (carpeted floor): sleeps 3 Lounge rooms: sleeps 8 Total in the house: 15 persons There are places for tents and camper vans if you would prefer. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR | SLEEPING: Comfortable walking boots/shoes, sunscreen, hat, dark glasses. Bring other clothes according to the weather forecast. OTHER THINGS TO BRING: Saturday lunch items. Evening BBQ meat and drinks. Contributions for the afternoon teas (not too much, we don't eat a lot at these times).  SLEEPING: bring appropriate sleeping gear depending on where you are sleeping.   BOOKING: FOR THE FARM EVENT: By Wednesday 25th March. Click on Get Tickets to register. FOR THE FARM ACCOMMODATION: Send an email to our farm host at Accommodation Bookings to book your accommodation. Numbers are limited to 15 so that we can all fit around two large dining tables and also all sleep in the house if desired.  LEADER: Russell W. | Email Leader Russell 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