Enjoy a quintessential Dandenongs walk alongside creeks running through ferny gullies, through picturesque cool climate gardens, lunch at picnic grounds in a bush setting and take in the tall green forests along the way. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: A moderate 11km point-to-point walk with a few short steep sections. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: A bus journey from Upper Ferntree Gully takes us to Sassafras to commence our walk on the Sassafras Creek Track. We leave this track at the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens to wander around the ornamental lakes then on past the adjoining Burnham Beeches art deco mansion. Leaving the gardens we enter Sherbrooke Forest to follow bush tracks through to Sherbrooke Falls. A short distance further is O'Donohue Picnic Ground where there are picnic tables in a bush setting for our lunch break. After lunch we take a quiet local road and bush tracks through the forest to Grants Picnic Ground. Coles Ridge Track leads off from the picnic ground and takes us through to Belgrave. To conclude our walk we pass by the Puffing Billy station to reach the Metro station to take a train to commence the return journey. FURTHER INFORMATION: parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/alfred-nicholas-memorial-gardens---gardens-of-the-dandenongs MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Arrive in time to catch the 688 Croydon bus departing from Upper Ferntree Gully Railway Station at 10:27am. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 74 grid E6 | Google map goo.gl/maps/r3r6hjTUrG1VLpH38.  DISTANCE / TIME FROM GPO: The train journey between Flinders Street and Upper Ferntree Gully Stations takes one hour & twelve minutes. For driving directions, distance and time enter your starting location at goo.gl/maps/LRrGrWfuwcoHVccM8. TRANSPORT: Access to and from this walk is by public transport only. We will catch the 688 Croydon bus departing from Upper Ferntree Gully Railway Station at 10:27am. Ample parking is available in the station carpark. For public transport from the city, take the Lilydale train which departs Flinders Street Railway Station at 9:06am and change at Ringwood for the connecting Belgrave train. Meet and travel with the group in the front carriage if you wish. The bus journey from Upper Ferntree Gully to Sassafras takes sixteen minutes. For the return journey we will take a train from Belgrave Station for a short eight minute trip to arrive at or pass through Upper Ferntree Gully Railway Station before 4:00pm. Continuing the train journey back to the city takes a further hour. All travel from the city is within myki zones 1 & 2 (zone 2 only if starting and ending at Upper Ferntree Gully) 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 19th March unless shown on the website as "Sold Out". Members are encouraged to obtain their ticket by Thursday 19th March 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  

Sandstone gorges, swimming holes and the occasional spectacular view – with minimalist camping and clothing.  GRADE | TYPE: Saturday day walk is of hard grade, involving extensive wading through shallow water on a bed of slippery rocks, also occasional deep-water wading and some rock scrambling.  The Saturday day walk is along the bed of Stony Creek, heading west from near Little Paradise Falls. Although its return distance is only about 5 km, it requires you to have at least moderate fitness and physical agility, and to be prepared for accidental (because of slippery rocks underfoot) full immersion of body and day pack. You may therefore need to take waterproofing precautions for at least some of the contents of your day pack. The Sunday day walk will be easier, and probably will not require you to take waterproofing precautions. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This is a naturist event, consisting of two day walks and a Saturday-night camp, in the Alpine National Park, about 20 km south of Whitfield in north-east Victoria. The Saturday out-and-back day walk will be frequently a wade (and possibly an accidental swim) along a rocky river bed to a remote swimming hole for lunch, with a return distance of about 5 km. The Sunday day walk will be of an easier grade, aiming for a mid-afternoon finish. Overnight camping on Saturday night will involve a 100m walk-in. Because of this, and also because the nearby carpark accommodates a maximum of three cars, bringing only essential and compact camping equipment is a must.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 9am Saturday 21st March at the park next to Benalla Information Centre, 14 Mair St, Benalla. If you prefer to come up on the Friday evening, there is limited overnight accommodation available in Benalla.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X910 grid V1 | Google map goo.gl/maps/wuo6DAs7XchU64oh7.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO TO MEETING PLACE: 214 km, 2 hours 20 minutes via M31. TRANSPORT: Because the location’s carpark accommodates a maximum of three cars, carpooling – meaning at least four persons per vehicle – is a requirement of this trip. If you are driving from Melbourne with fewer than four persons on board, you will need either to pick up passengers (and their gear) in Benalla, or to leave your car there for the weekend (there is unrestricted weekend parking on one side of Mair St), and be transported, with your gear, in someone else’s car. APPAREL | FOOD | FOOTWEAR Saturday day walk list:  day pack, made of nylon or other non-absorbent material shoes, lightweight hiking boots or sandals (not thongs) with good grip on the sole. Waterproofness (or not) is unimportant – in any event, your shoes will be dripping wet by the end of the day. (A second pair of “dry” shoes – NOT carried in your day pack – will therefore be required for Saturday evening and also for the Sunday day walk). lunch, snacks and 2 litres of water  sunscreen, hat etc shorts, for carpark and environs gaiters, for protection against blackberries growing along the river’s banks drybags or waterproof containers for phones, etc, that you are taking on the walk towel (optional, must be dry-bagged) warm clothes (optional, must be dry-bagged) Saturday evening camp and Sunday day walk list:  tent, sleeping-bag, sleeping-mat etc. Because of limited cargo space in the three vehicles, your total luggage for the weekend should not exceed one large hiking pack (or equivalent), plus one day pack. picnic rug, for sitting on (bringing folding chairs is not recommended, unless they are super compact)  a second pair of sturdy shoes (that did NOT get wet on the Saturday day walk)    personal items, toiletries, toilet paper and trowel  head torch warm clothes for evening and overnight shorts, for carpark and environs (possibly including – but hopefully not –around our campsite also) Saturday night dinner (and camping stove and fuel, if you are not sharing someone else’s), plus water or other beverages cup, plate and cutlery Sunday breakfast (in day pack) lunch, snacks and 1.5 litres of water  (in day pack) sunscreen, hat etc BOOKING: By Tuesday 17th March. Click on Get Tickets to register. The event is limited to 11 participants.  The planned event/walk will be cancelled on the evening of Wednesday 18th March if:   (a) the likely fire danger will be too high, or (b) river levels will be too high (unlikely), or (c) the weather forecast for that weekend is for unseasonably cold weather. LEADER: Paul 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. Image: Russell W.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Cap off your long weekend at ChillOut Festival with this scenic walk in the goldfields/mineral springs region, or alternatively, do part or all of it as a day walk.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 5 or 9 km point-to-point walk or moderate 19 km circuit walk. This walk will be done in three stages and, by arrangement with the leader, you will be able to join or leave it at any of Lake Daylesford, Jubilee Lake or Sailors Falls. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This very scenic walk passes by lakes and a small waterfall, through many forests, some farmlands and goldfield remnants. Virtually all of the walk is on well formed, signed trails, though in places the surface is a little rough. There are some short climbs, steep at times, but for the most part the route is relatively flat. There are several creek crossings where you can normally step across, but if rain has fallen in the lead up to the walk, you could get wet feet. The walk consists of three separate components – it's your choice whether you do one, two or all three of them (though you should notify the leader if you don't expect to do all three stages so that appropriate transport can be organised): STAGE ONE: 5 km – Lake Daylesford to Jubilee Lake: after walking around the lake we follow a couple of short streets to join the Great Dividing Trail which takes us around Cornish Hill and along a former railroad track to the Jubilee Lake Holiday Park, where some of us will have camped for the ChillOut Festival Weekend Camping. We'll rest there for refreshments at the excellent cafe.  STAGE TWO: 5.2 km – Jubilee Lake to Sailors Falls: after refreshments at the Jubilee Lake Cafe, we'll head off through some heavily wooded areas. We'll be mostly heading due south, first along the Great Dividing Trail, then the Three Lost Children Trail. The end of the trail pops out directly opposite the Sailors Falls picnic area, a perfect lunch location, where you can taste some "lemonade like" natural spring water. Anybody who plans to only do the third stage of the walk could arrive early and do some of the walks to and around the falls, though we will visit the falls at the start of the third stage. STAGE THREE: 9 km – Sailors Falls to Daylesford: from the visitor shelter we'll take the steel stairs down to Sailors Falls. Afterwards, we'll follow the Wallaby Track and Goldfields Track back to Daylesford. On reaching the outskirts of Daylesford we'll divert along a narrow track to follow the pretty Wombat Creek, which eventually takes us back to Lake Daylesford via a couple of operational mineral springs. FURTHER INFORMATION: Bushwalking Victoria: Daylesford Forests, Lakes and Falls. This walk, along with the Nomads ChillOut Morning Community Bushwalk and the Nomads Mixed Naturist Bushwalk and optional swim on Saturday 7th March, forms part of the ChillOut Festival Camping Weekend, where you can camp at the Jubilee Lake Holiday Park and participate in some of the Nomads walks and ChillOut Festival activities. If you are not a Nomads member but plan to attend more than one Nomads ChillOut Weekend activity, we suggest you take out a 1 month temporary membership (cost $8) prior to booking any events, to avoid paying the visitor fees. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10am beside the Bookbarn Cafe at the Lake Daylesford car park, 2 Leggatt St, Daylesford. 11.30am approximately at the cafe of the Jubilee Lake Holiday Park. 1pm approximately at the visitor shelter of the Sailors Falls Mineral Springs, Ballan-Daylesford Rd, Sailors Falls. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X909 grid C9 | Google map - see MEETING TIME | LOCATION above.   DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: Via Western Fwy 118 km, 1 hour 25 minutes | via Calder Fwy 117 km, 1 hour 30 minutes. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water. You will be able to sample natural spring water in the second and third walk stages. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Depending on recent rainfall, you may get wet feet in some creek crossings. Some sections contain sharp rocks.  BOOKING: by Friday 6th 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, we suggest you take out a 1 month temporary membership (cost $8) prior to booking for the events you wish to attend, to avoid paying multiple visitor fees. Once you have taken out your membership, to confirm your bookings select Get Tickets on each event that you wish to attend.  LEADER: Robert H. and Alan D. | Email Alan or email Robert 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 clothes-free stroll in the forest followed by an optional swim, during the ChillOut Festival weekend at Daylesford. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy to medium, approximately 3.5 km circuit walk.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This event is for naturists. Enjoy a pleasant clothes-free stroll through the tall trees and along the picturesque creeks in the forest near Daylesford. A good chance for a chat, or just enjoy the pleasure of being in the forest, without clothes. The country is generally undulating, though there are a couple of short steep sections. The walk should finish by about 4:30pm. We can head then for our swimming place and can swim until about 5:30 to 6pm when some of us will need to return to Daylesford for the Saturday night activities. The swimming place is about 10 minutes drive from Daylesford. People can leave from the swimming place whenever they need to return to Daylesford. FURTHER INFORMATION: This walk, along with the Nomads Chillout Saturday Morning Community Bushwalk on Saturday 7th March and the Nomads Daylesford to Sailors Falls Circuit Walk on Monday 9th March, forms part of the ChillOut Festival Camping Weekend, where you can camp at the Jubilee Lake Holiday Park and participate in some of the ChillOut Festival activities. If you are not a Nomads member but plan to attend more than one Nomads ChillOut Weekend activity, we suggest you take out a 1 month temporary membership (cost $8) prior to booking any events, to avoid paying the visitor fees. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 2.15pm at Bolton's Takeaway, 31A East St, Daylesford. There is plenty of parking on the vacant grassy block on the SE corner of East St and Mink St. This shop is 1.2 km east of Vincent St (Daylesford's main street). If you would like a lift from Daylesford, send a message to 0417 311 710, or post a comment on Meetup and we will try to arrange a ride for you.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X909 grid C9 | Google map goo.gl/maps/ETcZnnjGD1R2.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 114 km | 1 hour 25 minutes. TRANSPORT: provide transport details here, if appropriate. COST: Free for Nomads members, $5 for non-members. However if you are a non-member and have paid your $10 for the Morning Chillout walk, you can come along for free. Click on Get Tickets to register to attend. FOOD: You may wish to bring about 600ml of water. However as the walk is relatively short you may just wish to have a drink before we depart, and have another when we return to the cars for a snack and a drink. Food is not required but you can take a snack if you like. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sunscreen, hat, dark glasses, repellent (maybe). Wear comfortable walking shoes/boots. Shorts etc. for the start and end of the walk. A small towel to dry off after the swim. BOOKING: Preferably by Friday 6th March. Click on Get Tickets to register. 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, we suggest you take out a 1 month temporary membership (cost $8) prior to booking for the events you wish to attend, to avoid paying multiple visitor fees. Once you have taken out your membership, to confirm your bookings select Get Tickets on each event that you wish to attend.  LEADER | BOOKING: Jason T. | 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  

Join The Nomads for a walk during the ChillOut Festival in the bush along the picturesque Sailors Creek with views to the mountains beyond. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, approximately 4 km, circuit walk.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The walk is approximately 4 km long and is done at a relaxed pace, though it does have a couple of short steep sections. We will stop for a break and refreshments in the forest. Bring water, hat, apply sunscreen, wear sensible shoes. A good chance to make new friends. FURTHER INFORMATION: This walk, along with the Nomads Mixed Naturist Bushwalk and optional Swim on Saturday 7th March and the Nomads Daylesford to Sailors Falls Circuit Walk on Monday 9th March, forms part of the ChillOut Festival Camping Weekend, where you can camp at the Jubilee Lake Holiday Park and participate in some of the ChillOut Festival activities.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:15am at Bryces Flat Picnic Area, 150 metres past 137 Bald Hill Rd, Hepburn, on the left hand side. It is 6 km and 10 minutes drive from the Daylesford Town Hall.  FOOD: Refreshments - drinks, fruit & snacks (included in the fee), will be provided at the halfway point. COST: $10 for visitors and $5 for Nomads Members. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. BOOKING: Preferably by Friday 6th 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, we suggest you take out a 1 month temporary membership (cost $8) prior to booking for the events you wish to attend, to avoid paying multiple visitor fees. Once you have taken out your membership, to confirm your bookings select Get Tickets on each event that you wish to attend.  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  

We’ll use the Jubilee Lake Holiday Park as our base once again for doing some walks in the Daylesford region whilst also participating in the ChillOut Festival. This park is a little out of the centre of Daylesford, but much less crowded than the caravan park beside the ChillOut Carnival site.  GRADE | TYPE: Easy, social. Associated with walks varying from easy to medium and social ChillOut Festival activities. 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 little out of the centre of Daylesford, but nicer and much less crowded than the caravan park beside the ChillOut Carnival site, thus making a great base for your ChillOut long weekend. Our campsites will be unpowered, but we can use any of the facilities in the park, including warm showers, fully equipped kitchens (with microwaves, fridges and stoves), BBQs, tables and chairs. Some activities to consider attending include: Saturday 10:15am: The Nomads ChillOut Community Saturday Morning Walk,including morning tea Saturday 2:30pm: The Nomads Mixed Naturist Bushwalk and optional Swim, including afternoon tea Saturday evening: the Nomads BBQ at the camp ground, or one of the many ChillOut events including the Bush Dance Sunday 10am: ChillOut Festival Pride Parade (free) Sunday 11am: ChillOut Festival Carnival (see prices below) Monday 10am: The Nomads Daylesford to Sailors Falls Circuit Walk. Please register for each activity that you wish to attend. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 1-10pm on Friday 6th March at the Jubilee Lake Holiday Park, Daylesford. 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. ACCOMMODATION: The Nomads “base camp” will be a cluster of four unpowered camp sites. Although each site can only officially have one car parked beside the tents, it can include a number of tents (and a number of people). If car parking beside the tents becomes overcrowded, additional cars can be parked in the car park near the office, which is fairly close by. We have booked and paid deposits for four sites with the understanding that we can make some adjustments to the booking a week prior to ChillOut, but it would be helpful if you could get a ticket ASAP if you are planning to attend. Because this is a high season weekend, we needed to book each site for a minimum of three nights.  COST: The Nomads have booked the sites - you don't need to book individually! The cost per person for camping will be $15 per person per night. The leader will collect each participant's accommodation contribution upon their arrival at the park. Carnival ticket prices: Pre-sales online (you need to book this yourself): $20.98 full, $5.65 conc & under 25s, Free for under 5s FOOD: there are BBQ facilities and a cafe at the holiday park. Alternatively, you can bring your own food for the weekend or dine in Daylesford. BOOKING: ASAP. 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, we suggest you take out a 1 month temporary membership (cost $8) prior to booking for the events you wish to attend, to avoid paying multiple visitor fees. Once you have taken out your membership, to confirm your bookings select Get Tickets on each event that you wish to attend.  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 in multicultural Footscray  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.  This month we’re venturing west again, to the popular Pride Of Our Footscray bar in Footscray. Transport and parking is excellent, and this pub has a novel approach to menus: they provide several menus from some local cafes. Order from the menu of your choice, and the food gets delivered to your table! MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm | Pride Of Our Footscray, Level 1, 86-88 Hopkins St, Footscray. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 42 grid D4 | Google map goo.gl/maps/SkcjkmHDQw2LNgRe7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Tram: #82 to stop 63 | Train: Werribee, Sunbury/Watergardens or Williamstown line to Footscray | Bus: 216, 219, 223, 402, 406. BOOKING: By Monday 2nd March. 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 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 day we can if desired head to a local hotel for a beer, cool drinks or coffee. The venue will be announced on the day. (Unfortunately we can't use the Bittern house for nude afternoon tea this year, as we were unable to find a date suitable for both the beach day and the Bittern house. We will try again next year.) MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am 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 10:45am. If you should miss us, or wish to come at a different time, walk to the side of the car park nearest the beach and go down the steep steps to the beach. At the bottom of the stairs turn left and walk for about 55 minutes and you should find our camp. TIDE FORECAST: High 5:37am - Low 11:36am - High 6:10pm. As the tide will be coming in in the afternoon, we should try to get off the beach by 4pm otherwise you will be jumping fallen trees in the water - all good fun, but you could get a bit splashed! In that case leave your clothes off until you get almost back to the steps. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 194 grid F11 | Google map goo.gl/maps/dSyFRvxTgnn.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 86 km, about 1 hour 20 minutes. COST: There is no charge for this special beach day. However, you should click Get Tickets to register.  FOOD and BEVERAGES: Carry lunch, water and any other food/drinks you may like for the beach day. APPAREL: Sunscreen, hat, sun glasses, footwear if the sand is hot. Shorts required to get from car park to the naturist beach. EQUIPMENT: Towel. A picnic blanket with plastic backing or a large plastic sheet is handy, because in some places the grass seeds stick tightly to your towel and are very hard to get out. You may wish to bring a sun shelter. The tea tree provides quite good, but not complete shade cover. Sporting equipment such as a frisbee, tennis ball, larger ball, small cricket bat etc. could be fun. BOOKING: By Thursday 27th February. Click on Get Tickets to book. LEADER | BOOKING: 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  

The walks and accomodation are now fully booked. If you wish to join the wait-list for this event please email Ian G. Waitlisted members will be considered in the date order they join the wait-list, in the event there are any cancellations.   SUMMARY Booking and full payment by Thursday 5th December is essential to participate in this popular February 2020 Nomads weekend of walking at 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 fifth year, and David R. will head up the walk leaders' team. Bookings are limited to 30, and last year it was over-subscribed; 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 28th February walk: Hard; approx 6-8 hrs; Saturday 29th February walk: Medium-Hard; approx 5-6 hrs; probable circuit walk. Booking includes the BBQ communal dinner at our accommodation. Sunday 1st March 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 previous years' successful model. 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 28th and Saturday 29th February 2020. 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 27th 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 28th February. Some people might want to stay at Restaway for Sunday evening or longer. Please contact the event Leader (below) for details. If fully booked, (as it has been for each year), we will be the only group staying at Restaway and 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. To join this weekend you need to book and pay by Thursday 5th December 2019; this enables the Nomads to secure the booking. We understand that commitment now for a February 2020 event does not suit some people - if you are one of these, we expect you will understand that when the Nomads uses commercial facilities we have to conform to usual business booking requirements of advanced booking and payment. 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 by 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 instructions: (a) Firstly, choose if you wish to arrive Friday 28th or Thursday 27th February 2020. (b) 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 'Single room' accommodation, which gives you a room for your use only. The Ticket includes the cost of accommodation, Saturday night's BBQ and participation in the walks. (c) 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 (d) 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. (d) 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. FURTHER INFORMATION: parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park and www.restawayholidayunits.com.au/. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Arrival time is from 3pm onwards on Friday 28th February at Restaway Holiday Units, 6852 Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah. For those taking the option of staying Thursday 27th February and joining the optional Friday walk, arrival time at Restaway is from 3pm onwards on Thursday 27th 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. Public transport possible, but Sunday options are limited. TRANSPORT: Car sharing preferred. 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 to contribute a salad 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 | BOOKING: Ian Gould. | by Thursday 5th December 2019. Email the Leader if you have any questions and advise on Shared acommodation. If you are a Visitor, contact the Leader as this event is not generally open to Visitors. Members can access leader contact details under Members->Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.

Enjoy a clothes-free walk through the forest, and swim in a picturesque river. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium 8 km circuit walk along 4WD tracks, animal pads beside the river and through the open forest. There are a couple of steep sections, but we will take our time.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This event is for naturists.  Enjoy the freedom of walking without clothes through the forest to reach the Moorabool River (East Branch) for a relaxed lunch and stroll along the picturesque riverside. Hopefully we'll find a large waterhole for a good swim and sunbake. Afternoon Tea/Drinks: After the walk we will return to Ballan where we can have cool drinks, a beer or coffee at the Commercial Hotel, 151 Inglis St, Ballan. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10am at Zest Cafe 1/130 inglis St Ballan,main street (changed from The Tin Plate Cafe, 1/132 Inglis St, Ballan which is closed on Sundays). This is opposite the little park with rotunda and toilet block. Suggested parking is in Fisken St near the little park. Coffee and eats are available at the cafe. Car convoy to the walk start (about 30 minutes) leaves at about 10:30am. Optus mobile coverage in Ballan can be poor. If necessary, try a text.  MAP REFERENCE: Meeting point map 911 grid D1 | Google map goo.gl/maps/uVohzYNi5yYBE5F8A. The walk start is located 21 km SW of Ballan in the Bungal State Forest.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 75 km. Approximately 1 hour 5 minutes. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: V/Line train leaves Southern Cross Railway Station at 8:16am and arrives in Ballan at 9:18am. The meeting place is 7 minutes walk from Ballan Railway Station. FOOD: Lunch, snacks, water/drinks to take on walk. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfy shoes/boots.  Sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses.  Small towel to dry off after swimming.  Maybe you could carry a fig leaf (or shorts), though it's very rare to see anyone else in this forest. COST: $7. Free for financial members of the Nomads Outdoors Group. BOOKING: By Thursday 13th February. Click on Get Tickets to book. LEADER | BOOKING: 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  

A scenic inner urban ride almost entirely on cycling paths starting from Federation Square. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium, 30 to 40 km point-to-point cycling, with public transport links.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This bike ride is part of Midsumma Festival - starting in the heart of Melbourne, we'll cycle beside rivers and creeks, through parkland and along a scenic rail trail for lunch at the Fairfield Park Boathouse. The route is almost entirely on cycling paths with no hills of note (except for a gradual climb, then steep descent down to the boathouse), but is graded as medium because it's about 26 km to lunch. There are many train exit options if needed. After lunch there are various cycling paths or train options for returning home. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10am at Beer Deluxe, Federation Square (meet in the Atrium Bar, diagonally across from the Ian Potter Gallery entrance). The best bike parking option is beside the river on Birrarung Marr (between Swanston St and the MCG, and between the Federation Square Car Park and the river). The ride will be starting from that bike park. The first image of the image carousel in the Nomads Scenic Urban Cycling event on the Midsumma website shows the bike park. To get from the bike parking to the cafe, walk away from the river up several flights of stairs (with the car park to your right) and through the door at the end. Continue into the Atrium - the Ian Potter Gallery will be immediately on your right and the cafe about 30 metres ahead on the left (don't go up the stairs on the left to the main Federation Square area).  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 1B grid Q10 | Google map goo.gl/maps/28MV8t4p6BwdTqhw5.  FOOD: Lunch will be purchased at the Fairfield Boathouse. Carry water and snacks if needed. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Bike, helmet and spare tube if possible. Dress according to the weather forecast. LEADER | BOOKING: Alan D. | by Thursday 6th February. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website. You can also book tickets via the Nomads Scenic Urban Cycling event on the Midsumma website (if available).   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Given the changing unpredicable Melbourne weather, we are choosing Saturday 8th Feb. The forecast is for a humid partly cloudy day, SW 15km/h breeze and a pleasant top of 28 degrees forecast. Enjoy a pleasant naturist beach day, with a leisurely lunch and swim. An optional late afternoon clifftop hike with spectacular views with dinner following is also being offered as part of this event. This is a repeat event with a different hiking track and an extra visit to another beach from the previous Jan 4th beach event. This day will also give those who could not make the previous event, a chance to come along, and to invite our returning friends for another pleasant beach day! GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, approximately 1.5 km walk from the car park to the lunch spot on the beach. There are quite a few steps from the road down to the beach, but you can always take your time. The afternoon/evening hike is graded as Medium (Iron Bark Forest is rather flat with a few uphill steps and tracks on a long gradual climb with a few steeper sections through the basin and along the cliffs). ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a pleasant clothes-free beach day, with a leisurely lunch and swim. Optional activities include body surfing in a moderate surf and a 1 km beach walk to the rocky headland towards Southside. As the tide will go out during the day, we could if you like walk around the headland for another kilometre to the very end of the naturist beach at Southside. The optional afternoon clifftop hike through the IronBark basin will take place after the official beach day finishes. If time permits and there is enough interest we will also visit the red ocre rocks at Black Rock beach about 2km away. This beach boasts amazing rich red and black rocks, with a secluded beach and plenty of photo opportunities to be had. This beach will require a 2km walk (easy to medium walk with some steps) along the surfcoast track to get to. The evening hike is proposed to run from about 4.30pm/5pm to about 7pm. At the conclusion of the walk, all participants are invited to an optional dinner (Approx. 8:30pm) at the local Chinese Restaurant in Torquay to end a most enjoyable day out. IronBark Basin Hike (Clothed): (3km return trip) - (This is a different route from the Hike on Jan 4th) A very pleasant hike through the Ironbark Basin, which is part of the massive Great Otway National Park.  A mostly sheltered forest trail with features of spectacular clifftop views of Addiscott Beach. At first the trail enters a Stringybark woodland, scattered with Ironbark trees and an understory of Wattle, Grass Trees and ground covers. The walk affords not only spectacular views of the coast, with opportunities for animal and birdwatching, with insights into the local indigenous culture explaining the use of bush food by the local Koori people. Bring your cameras! Day Runsheet: 10:30am - Start of beach day/swim at Point Addis 4:00pm/4:30pm Approx- Start of the IronBark Basin Hike (Optional) 6:30pm/7pm - Proposed drive and exploration of Black Rocks beach if there is sufficient interest.(Optional) 8pm/8:30pm -  Head to the local Chinese restaurant in Torquay or another venue of choice for Dinner. (Optional) 9:30pm Approx - Leave Torquay bound for Melbourne MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at Point Addis beach car park in Pt Addis Rd (this is on the right hand side of the road and is about 500 metres before the end of the road on the Pt Addis headland). There will be limited car pooling options for those who need transport. Reach out to the leader for further assistance. MAP REFERENCE: Melway key map 15 grid A21 | Google map goo.gl/maps/w3hMeN4CigLwvQiV6  COST: This event is free, however, you should still book via the Nomads website to attend - see below.  FOOD: Lunch, snacks and drinking water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sunscreen, hat, repellent, towel, footwear if sand is hot. Shorts required to get from the car park to the appropriate section of the beach. Beach umbrella or shade equipment could be useful. BOOKING: By Friday 7th February. Click on Get Tickets to book. LEADERS | BOOKING: Jason T  Email the leaders: Jason T 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. 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. Tuesday night is $12 Parma Night at the Arcadia Hotel - ten styles of parma to choose from, including vegetarian. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm | Arcadia Hotel, cnr Toorak and Punt Rd, South Yarra. PUBLIC TRANSPORT and PARKING: The Arcadia Hotel is right beside stop 125 on tram route 58 or the Toorak Rd stop of the 246 bus, and is a 10 minute walk from the South Yarra Station. Parking is available in Toorak Rd or many nearby side streets. LEADER | BOOKING: Garry O. | by Monday 3rd February. 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  

Gather your friends together and head along to Fitzroy St, St Kilda to march with The Nomads in the annual Midsumma Pride March. See Midsumma Pride March closer to the date for comprehensive details. GRADE | TYPE: Easy, social.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: The march begins at 11am, with assembly prior to that on the Ian Johnson Oval, cnr Lakeside Drive and Fitzroy St, St Kilda. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes, your Nomads t-shirt and anything to add some colour and interest - whistles, streamers, rainbow garlands etc. BOOKING: By Saturday 1st February. LEADER | BOOKING: 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 was originally scheduled to occur in 2019, but was re-scheduled to 1-2 February due to poor weather in November then a clash for HELIOS in January. Tickets purchased for November or January have been automatically transferred to February. If you're unable to attend in February, please contact the leaders for a refund. ______________________________________________ A very pleasant Medium Grade 10km (return) mixed naturist bushwalk in the Gembrook Forest 80 km east of Melbourne, followed by an optional evening, overnight and Sunday at the Helios Nudist Club nearby. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium 10km circuit walk mostly through the open forest and on wide 4WD tracks with some narrower tracks in the dense green scrub along the creeks. The 4WD tracks and shrub tracks contain a number of small grading hills and slopes. An optional more challenging return track is available for those who wish to be challenged and be rewarded with splendid views of the open valley, or you may choose an alternative easier return walking track to be decided during the walk - we have two leaders for the return walk.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Saturday between 10:15am and 10:45am at the Helios Nudist Club for morning tea and coffee. (Morning tea contributions welcome). The Helios Nudist club is close to Gembrook.  The exact address will be emailed to everyone who has booked by 9pm on Wednesday 29th January. If you have bought a ticket on the Nomads website there are no difficulties for us to email the address to you.  If you have only RSVP'd on Meetup, please make sure your "Meetup" settings allow you to receive messages from the Organisers or you won't get the address from us. At approximately 11am we will car pool and drive 3km on a good gravel road to the start of the walk. We expect to finish the walk between 4pm and 4:30pm. All walkers are invited back to Helios for clothes-free cool drinks, tea/coffee and nibbles after the walk. If you'd like to stay on after this and enjoy the facilities, dinner, overnight, breakfast and Sunday, please see the details below. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 310 grid G12 | Google map goo.gl/maps/MbtzhCrShmK1hvHS8.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 80 km. Allow 1 hour 20 minutes. TRANSPORT: There is no public transport to our meeting place at Helios. You may be able to organise a lift with a fellow hiker, or alternatively contact the Leader by Tuesday 28th January. They can possibly assist to arrange a lift for you. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This mixed event is for Naturists. Located a short distance east of Melbourne, the forest is in the Dandenong Ranges. Saturday Walk: We have located a number of remote tracks in this area where we can enjoy the tranquil forest and varied landscape in complete privacy. Lunch will be enjoyed beside the picturesque river with an optional medium/hard return mixed trek with splendid views of deep valleys and farm land. There is an easier return route if you're getting a bit tired - we have two leaders. During the walk you will experience the park’s varied landscape, from the Mountain Ash forest, open 4WD tracks, and a section of the walk where we will hike through some very lush and green areas, with many tree ferns. The area supports a rich flora and contain the rare plant Long Pink-bells, Tall Astelia and Brick makers Saw-sedge. The diversity of plant life attracts a range of wildlife including wombats, swamp wallabies, deer and echidnas. Birdlife includes lyrebirds, honeyeaters, parrots and kookaburras.  Saturday Evening & Overnight Camping Option: After afternoon tea, those staying overnight will need to put up their tents and can then enjoy the wonderful amenities of the Helios Nudist Club, which includes a spa, sauna, solar-heated pool, table tennis and tennis and a large grassed area for lawn and ball games. There is a large deck to relax on with views over the valley. Sunday Morning Short Naturist Walk: Meet at 10am for the short naturist walk. A leisurely easy-grade stroll of approximately 90 to 120 minutes around the camp site is scheduled for Sunday morning. This walk will highlight the many views of the rolling valleys that can be enjoyed around the camp site. Sunday Afternoon: Relax at Helios. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: For the Walk: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses. Wear comfortable walking shoes/boots. Insect propellant would be ideal to bring just in case! Some tracks may be muddy/soft if it has been raining. A pair of shorts or similar as there is one house at the start of the walk.  For the Overnight: 2 towels, one to dry yourself with and one to sit on. Easy to remove footwear. Maybe a robe for outdoors if it is a bit cool. FOOD: For the Walk: Carry lunch, snacks and plenty of water (1 to 2 litres) especially those wishing to take the optional harder return track. A 45-60 minute well deserved lunch will be enjoyed by the river located approximately half way through the walk. Saturday Dinner: We are planning to have a shared dinner at around 6:30pm. There is a large commercial kitchen at Helios and if you need to heat food you can give it to Yetti (female) and her helpers to heat up for you. (Unclothed people are not allowed in the kitchen.) Plates, cups and cutlery are all supplied, as well as hot water, tea, coffee and milk.  There is also an outdoor food preparation area on the edge of the deck. It consists of a BBQ, 4 burner stove and oven. Food and Drinks for dinner can be left in the many fridges & freezers available to residents.  Besides main course a few desserts to share could be nice too. Sunday Breakfast: We would like to have a cooked breakfast available at about 8.30am on Sunday morning, bacon, eggs etc. We will need five volunteers to help with breakfast. Please email Russell on leaderrussellw.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com if you can help. The cost for the cooked breakfast is $5 cash payable at the counter. Tea, coffee, toast and spreads will be supplied. COST Please click on GET TICKET then choose the type of ticket you require and pay (if necessary) to secure your booking. The number of overnight guests at Helios is limited to 50 attendees. If you have bought a ticket and then can't attend, please let us know in advance and we can arrange a refund for you. The costs are: Walk Only: $7 for visitors, free for Nomads financial members.  Walk + Saturday Evening & Overnight: $20 for visitors, $13 for Nomads financial members. This is for the use of Helios' facilities and overnight camping. LEADER | BOOKING: Russell W. and Jason T. | by Wednesday 29th January.  Email the leaders if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website. If you have any questions, or would like to contact a leader for help with transport, you can email the leaders through the Nomads website, or send an email to Jason T. on leaderjasont.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com or Russell W. on leaderrussellw.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS