Home style lunch at "Hock the Ruby" in Tallarook is what we are doing, as well as a circuit walk of approximately 10km along part of the Great Victorian Rail Trail and some afternoon tea. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 10km circuit walk.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at Southern Cross Coach Terminal, at boarding gate of 10:52am Seymour service. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 98km, 1 hour 9 minutes by coach. FOOD: All available at Southern Cross or Tallarook, please carry at least 1 litre of water especially on the walk. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Dress appropriately for forecast weather conditions and wear comfortable footwear for walking. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION:  Our day will commence at Melbourne Southern Cross Coach Terminal from where we shall journey to Tallarook, just a stone’s throw from a cute, country, cottage cafe named "Hock the Ruby" where we'll enjoy a real home style lunch in olde worlde surrounds.  After lunch we will walk the short distance to the start of Victoria's longest rail trail, the Great Victorian Rail Trail, which follows the route of the former Tallarook-Mansfield-Alexandra railway, closed in 1978, which in its heyday enjoyed a regular passenger railmotor service on the Mansfield section. Our exact return walking distance along the Rail Trail is yet to be determined, but it is envisaged that it could be approximately 10km.  Once we have completed the outwards part of our walk we can enjoy some BYO afternoon tea, hopefully on some sort of seating with shade, before returning to Tallarook to join our return V/Line coach service to Melbourne. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au. LEADER | BOOKING: Peter N-G | by Thursday 18th October. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members->Leader Contacts  when logged in to the website.

IMPORTANT: Car Pooling required for this event so please let leader know if willing to drive & take passengers or if needing a ride so transport for all can be arranged.   Enjoy an afternoon in the picturesque town of Mansfield at the foothills of the Victorian Alps, including lunch and an easy walk around town. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, Social. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 12 noon outside Mansfield Visitor Information Centre, 173 High St, near Ultimo St corner. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X922 grid B11; Google map goo.gl/maps/VUbZUvGRVY52. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO:  180 km, approx 2.5 hours by car. FOOD: All available in Mansfield or BYO. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Dress appropriately for the forecast weather conditions with comfortable footwear for walking around town. TRANSPORT: As the V/Line coach service in the off snow season only allows us a very short amount of time in town, private vehicle pooling will be required, so please let the leader know if you are willing to drive and take passengers, or if you need a ride. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Enjoy an afternoon in the picturesque town of Mansfield in the foothills of the Victorian Alps where we will first partake of luncheon at a local eatery, then explore the town and surrounds on foot including the former railway station where the local historical society is now located with the snowy playground of Mt Buller in the distance. We might even spot a little bit of that white stuff on the very top. LEADER | BOOKING: Peter N-G. | by Thursday 11th October. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website.

A very scenic ride from the mountains to the sea, taking in Lysterfield Park and Lake.  Scenery varies from alpine forest to grasslands, woodlands, urban sections and at the finish follows the Patterson River to the Bay at Carrum. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy to moderate 24km or 38km cycling from Belgrave to either Dandenong or Carrum.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:32am at Belgrave Railway Station.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Belgrave train departing from Flinders Street platform 3 at 9:06am should arrive in Belgrave at 10:32am (with a two minute platform change in Ringwood).  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 75 grid F10 | Google map goo.gl/maps/MXxWKVu4eiN2. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 48km, 56 minutes by train.  Driving is not recommended as it will be time consuming to return to collect your car at the end. FOOD: Carry 1 litre of water and snacks if you want them.  No need to carry lunch - we’ll dine in a restaurant. APPAREL | EQUIPMENT: Bring your helmet, a spare tube, and dress for the weather forecast.  Road bikes are not suitable for this ride as the track is quite rough in places - mountain bikes or solid hybrids are best.  Don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses.  Bring bathers and towel if you think you might like a swim at either Lysterfield Lake or Carrum Beach. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: After a coffee at Bensons Cafe in Belgrave (cnr Burwood Hwy & Bayview Rd) we'll head south, following Station St, Grey St and McNicoll Rd to Birdsland Reserve, which we'll ride through to pick up Dargon Track then Logan Park Track through Lysterfield Park, passing around Lysterfield Lake. After exiting Lysterfield Park, we'll follow Reservoir Rd and Jacques Rd then Glenwood Rd and Heathdale Rd to the Monash Freeway Trail. At that point we'll turn right to follow the Eumemmering Creek Path to Dandenong for lunch at the Payal Indian Restaurant, at 83b Foster St.  After lunch we'll ride on to Carrum Beach, by which time a dip in the Bay could be welcome if temperatures are above average. The distance to Dandenong is 24km, and to Carrum a further 14km.  There's only one significant uphill section, on Dargon Track, but for the most part the trail is either downhill or flat.  The trail surface is quite rough in places though.  You could return home via the Bay Trail if you wished to extend the ride, but most will return via a Frankston line train. FURTHER INFORMATION: parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/lysterfield-park. LEADER | BOOKING: Alan D. | by Friday 12th October. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website.

A hard naturist walk in the Clonbinane and Wandong region with some rewarding vistas of Strath Creek Falls, Diggers Gully Falls and the forest. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Hard 10km naturist circuit walk.  There are a couple of short steep ascents and descents as well as a long descent and a long ascent.  You need to be reasonably fit for hill walking.  About one third of the walk is pleasant easy walking on gently undulating fire trails. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10.15am at Kemp's Bakery Cafe, Shop 4, 3272 Epping Kilmore Road, Wandong.  When using your GPS make sure you enter the town of Wandong as there is a chain of Kemp's Bakeries in this region and you could easily end up in the wrong town.  (The bakery is in the group of shops near the IGA supermarket).  After about half an hour for coffee and briefing, we will carpool to the start of the walk which is 25km and 30 minutes drive from Wandong, which is partly on gravel roads. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X910/610 grid L9 | Google map goo.gl/maps/y2vfizFgws72. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 71km and 1 hour from the GPO.  Travel via the Hume Freeway and take the Wandong Kilmore exit C729. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catch the V/Line train from Southern Cross Station at 9:12am arriving at Wandong Station at 10:04am.  After getting off the train go to the main road on the same side of the station from which you got off, and walk back towards Melbourne for 450m, 6 minutes until you reach the shops. Return V/line services in the afternoon are scheduled to depart Wandong station at 5.42 pm and 6.39 pm.  The return journey to Southern Cross station takes approximately 50 minutes.  While waiting for the train you can have a drink or snack in the Magpie and Stump Hotel across the road from the railway station. COST: $7, free for Nomads financial members. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses.  Wear comfortable walking shoes/boots.  Shorts etc. for the start and end of the walk.  A small towel to dry off after our splash in the rock pools at the top of the falls. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: SATURDAY WALK: this walk is for naturists.  After parking the cars we descend 144 stairs to a couple of lookouts for excellent views of the 50m falls, now known as Strath Creek Falls, and previously as Murchison Falls.  After taking in the great views we venture beyond the lookouts to the head of the falls where we cross on the rocks before climbing a rather steep, but not too long spur.  At the top of the spur the forest is now regrowing spectacularly after the February 2009 fires, which totally devastated this area.  After a jaunt along one of the many fire tracks we venture down into a back gully to see if we can find Diggers Gully Falls before proceeding to the sheltered valley below.  We then return on a different route back to the head of Strath Creek Falls.  We will probably be feeling quite hot by this stage and be glad of a cool off dip in the rock pools.  It's then up the 144 stairs and back to the cars in the car park. AFTERNOON TEA: By the time we get back to the cars you will probably be feeling like a cool drink, cup of tea or coffee and snack before we drive the 30 minutes back to Wandong to pick up the cars left there earlier in the day.  So bring your supplies for a 30 minute refreshment break before we drive off - cool drinks and/or hot water for tea/coffee and a snack to share.  We will then drive back to Wandong to collect the other cars that we had left there in the morning. OVERNIGHT: Optional evening BBQ, Overnight, Breakfast and Lunch at the Nulla Vale Sheep Farm: After the walk we have kindly been invited back for further nude socialising at the very comfortable Nulla Vale house with open fire.  This is 50km and 55 minutes drive from Wandong via Kilmore and Lancefield.  The address of the property will be sent to all those who have RSVP'd by midnight on Wednesday 10th October.  It will also be given out at the walk on the Saturday. BBQ: BYO meat and drinks.  Basic salads and bread will be supplied. TOWELS: please BYO towels for sitting on the furniture and for a shower. OVERNIGHT: for those staying overnight, there are two made-up queen size beds.  These need to be booked by emailing Russell, the walk leader.  Other people can sleep on the carpeted floor in the spare bedroom or the lounge room - please BYO sleeping bag, sleeping mat/lilo, pillow etc.  There are a couple of spare doonas and a couple of spare foam sleeping mats at the property.  Or if you like, you can put up your tent on the back lawn. BREAKFAST: is supplied, and for Sunday lunch there are always plenty of leftovers from the night before. Food for the BBQ can be dropped off at the Wandong meeting place in the morning.  Our host will be there to take it back to his place for the BBQ that evening.  For those who would like to have a look around the very picturesque scenery of the farm on the Sunday morning, we may be able to do a short walk of about 1 to 2 hours along Mollison Creek or to the Gorge. If you are unable to come on the Saturday walk you may still like to come to Nulla Vale for the BBQ, overnight stay and Sunday activities.  You may arrive at Nulla Vale any time after 2pm on the Saturday. LEADER | BOOKING: Russell W. | preferably by Wednesday 10th October at www.thenomadsinc.com.au.  One ticket covers all activities you wish to participate in - walk, BBQ and/or overnight.  Members can access leaders details under Members Area→ Leader Contacts when logged into the website. LEADER | BOOKING: Russell W. | preferably by Wednesday 10th October. One ticket covers all activities you wish to participate in - walk, BBQ and/or overnight.  Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website. RSVP FOR OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATION: If you wish to stay overnight, please also email the Leader (Russell W.) stating what accommodation you would like - bed, floor or tent.

This will be a short walk in the Anakie Gorge (Brisbane Ranges National Park) west of Little River / Werribee. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy/Medium 6-7km circuit walk, but with a steep drop of about 150m into and out of the gorge.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am. The walk begins at Nelson Track, about 1km down Switch Rd (dirt) from the junction of the Geelong-Ballan Rd (C141).  If you start going steeply downhill, you’ve gone too far *** Note: this is the first day of daylight savings. If you arrive at noon, thinking it’s 11am, you will miss the walk! MAP REFERENCE: Melway Page (not Map) 11 grid A9/A10 | Google map goo.gl/maps/KH4rZhFVtiu. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 85km, 1 hour 30 minutes.  There is no viable public transport.  Driving towards Ballan, look for Clarkes Rd on left.  Switch Rd is a bit past this on the right. Btw, the best route from Melbourne is probably via the Western Highway, not Werribee. FOOD: Pack food for lunch and snacks.  At least 1 litre of water should be carried. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Wear a hat, clothing to meet the forecast weather conditions and footwear suitable for walking mostly along rough-ish tracks.  Dress for the weather forecast.  Higher sections of the walk may be cold and windy. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Anakie Gorge features an exceptionally wide variety of plants, along with the remains of gold mining and early water-supply projects for Geelong.  Instead of the usual starting point of the Anakie Gorge Picnic Area, we will be starting at the top of the gorge, and descending down to the river, and then returning back to the start.  Part of the walk will be the Ted Errey Nature Circuit.  We climb to three lookouts with views of Melbourne, Anakie Gorge and the distant Bellarine Peninsula. FURTHER INFORMATION: parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/313593/Brisbane-Ranges-National-Park-Visitor-Guide.pdf LEADER | BOOKING: Richard C. | by Thursday 4th October. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website.

Our quarterly planning night, in conjunction with the regular monthly social night. A Free event, visitors welcome. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm at the Skinny Dog Hotel, 155 High St, Kew for planning followed at around 7:30pm by the monthly social event. DISTANCE / TIME FROM GPO: 6km and 20 minutes by tram from Collins St. PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND PARKING: The Skinny Dog is right outside stop 33 on tram routes 48 and 109.  The terminus of tram route 16 (Cotham Rd and Glenferrie Rd) is a short walk away.  Bus routes 200 and 207 from the City via Johnston St stop in Studley Park Rd at Kew Junction before turning left into Princess St.  Ample FREE parking is available on-street and right behind the hotel (enter via Brougham St). FOOD: Information about the Skinny Dog can be found at www.skinnydoghotel.com.au.  Click on “Sports and Entertainment” for details of the Tuesday night steak specials or “Food and Drink” for other options. 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 something apart from the regular walks?  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. LEADER | BOOKING: Richard C. | by Monday 1st October. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website.

A walk in the scenic Wombat State Forest that also observes traces of the intensive gold mining in the region dating back to the gold rush era. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, approximately 10km circuit walk with a couple of short steep hills.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at the Blackwood Hotel, 22 Martin St, Blackwood.  Travel west up the Western Highway, take the C318 exit toward Greendale/Blackwood, turn right onto Greendale Trentham Forest Rd, C318.  Turn right onto Martin St and the pub will be on your right.  Please park cars away from the main shops and pub, as we will be parked there all day.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X909/609 grid E11 | VicRoads map 59 grid F9 or map 585 grid S2 | or Google map goo.gl/maps/YwBHyZYbhx92. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: Approximately 95km, 80 to 90 minutes drive. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water.  We will stop at St Erth Café in Jack Cann Reserve where coffee, tea and quality snacks may be purchased. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable supporting walking boots/shoes.  Choose clothing according to the weather forecast noting that it can be a few degrees cooler than Melbourne. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This walk is situated in the Wombat State Forest and traverses part of the Great Dividing Trail.  It loops down around Whipstick Creek through some beautiful open eucalypt forest, and mining water races to bring you back to the starting point at the Blackwood Hotel.  Along the walk there is historical evidence of various types of mining with both vertical and horizontal shafts.  All of the mining in the area was conducted by hand in very difficult conditions.   After the walk we can have afternoon tea at the local general store.   FURTHER INFORMATION: www.ffm.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/21476/FS0112_-_Whipstick_Loop_Walk.pdf. LEADER | BOOKING: Darren W. | by Thursday 27th September. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website.

This walk is a repeat of the Sat 22 Sept walk and will be held on Fri 28 Sept, the AFL Grand Final Public Holiday.   The Weather for Friday! Not quite as warm as today (Thurs) unfortunately, but it should be OK, especially in the morning. There should be sun & clouds. Maybe a little cooler in the afternoon. Bring your see-through poncho to keep the wind out (or a light weight windproof jacket). An Extra Invitation Nude/Clothing Optional BBQ. One of our kind friends thought that we might like to get warmed up after our walk. So he has invited us for a nude BBQ at his nice warm, farm house with open fire in Nulla Vale. This is 68kms and 55 mins north from the Gladstone Park hotel where we will be gathering after the walk for a coffee, tea, cool drink, snacks. BYO meat and a drink. A good place to get supplies is the Romsey IGA on the way. Salads, bread, tea coffee is supplied. Don't drink too much, you will have to drive home afterwards - can't stay overnight on this occasion. You can do that on Nov 13 after our next walk. Exact address will be given out at the walk tomorrow.                ______________________ We will visit the old Greenvale TB asylum site, ruins of a grand old house and see many friendly kangaroos and wallabies as well as having great views of Melbourne airport. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 7km bushwalk on gently undulating grassy hills.  This will give us plenty of time to stop and enjoy the interesting features of this historic park.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:15am Meet in the Food Court in front of the Jolly Miller Cafe, Shop 7-9, Greenvale Shopping Centre, 1 Greenvale Drive, Greenvale.  After about half an hour for coffee, snacks and briefing, we will take all cars in convoy to the start of the walk 2km away.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 178 grid J8 | Google map goo.gl/maps/o1bZt2PNXYp. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 26km and 30 minutes from the GPO.  TRANSPORT:  Car: travel via the Tullamarine Fwy and take the Mickleham Rd exit. Public Transport: catch the 9:09am Craigieburn train from Flinders Street to Roxburgh Park Station.  From there catch the 543 bus towards Greenvale Gardens, arriving at Greenvale Shopping Centre at 10:11am. COST: $7, free for Nomads financial members. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses.  Wear comfortable walking shoes/boots.  Shorts etc. for the start and end of the walk.  A small towel to dry off in case you feel like a dip in the large dam in the back paddock. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This walk is for naturists.  Stroll through the gently undulating open forest of this historic park just north of Melbourne which is virtually unused.  It has a large population of kangaroos and wallabies who do a wonderful job to manicure the grass.  We will visit the site of Melbourne's old North West Hospital where there was once a five storey hospital to house the patients with TB (tuberculosis), a fatal infectious disease of the lungs which was more commonly known as Consumption.  Kangaroos now happily graze the extensive lawns.  We then move on to to see the beautifully graffitied water towers and may climb into the shorter one, sing a song and check out the wonderful reverberations of your voice.  From there it's an easy stroll down the hill with great views of the planes lined up at Melbourne airport to reach the Back Paddock where they are trying to preserve a population of the threatened Eastern Barred Bandicoot.  Time for a dip in the large dam if hot, and then on to visit the ruins of a grand old two storey house.  As we head homewards look out for the “black wallabies” before we walk through a thick forest of tall spindly eucalypts to eventually escape from the large wired enclosure of the Back Paddock.  Then if desired we can take a short side trip to the top of Gellibrand Hill with 360 degree views including the Melbourne skyline and the airport runways.  As we return towards the cars we traverse through a most interesting aboriginal cemetery amongst the rocks and trees. AFTERNOON TEA: After the walk, if you'd like a cool drink, a coffee or a snack, we can go to a nearby hotel - Gladstone Park Hotel at 196 Mickleham Rd, Gladstone Park.  It is 6km and 7 minutes from the end of the walk and is on your way back to the Tullamarine Fwy. FURTHER INFORMATION: parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/woodlands-historic-park. LEADER | BOOKING: Russell W. | preferably by Wednesday 26th September. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website. Tickets dated 15th Sept will be OK. If problems bring cash to the event.

A three day cycling circuit of part of the Great Victorian Rail Trail, incorporating the Cheviot Tunnel and lunch in Alexandra, with both nights spent in the picturesque town of Yea. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium grade 154km cycling with public transport access.  Friday and Sunday will be quite easy days.  Saturday will be more difficult, due to both the distance (74km) and some hills, though the hills are relatively small, you’ll only be carrying what’s needed during the day and the whole day will be available for the cycling.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Before 8am for an 8:25am departure from Southern Cross Station.  The Seymour train that departs Southern Cross at 8:25am arrives in Tallarook at 9:51am.  MAP REFERENCE: Southern Cross Station: Melway map 2E grid K6, or Google map goo.gl/maps/ekQKfLrhCcy. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 1 hour 24 minute train journey from Southern Cross Station. FOOD: Bring snacks if required and a water bottle - there are some water refill points along the way.  We will be utilising modest eating cafes, bakeries or pubs for meals when and where possible.  You will need money for this. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Bring suitable bike attire to match the weather forecast, and to cater for all possible contingencies.  Be sure to bring at least one spare tube and ensure your bike is in good working order.  Bring something suitable to wear in the evenings, and perhaps for the return train trip (for the wellbeing of your fellow travellers)!  Bring minimal personal effects for the trip as you will have to carry everything with you on your bike. ACCOMMODATION: A well appointed 2-bedroom villa at Yea Riverside Caravan Park at 1 Court St, Yea, has been reserved by Kevin K.  This can accommodate six persons with one room having four bunk beds and the other room with one queen bed.  Check it out at yeariverside.com.au/accommodation/2-bedroom-villas.  Cost is only $38 per night per person or $76 per person for the 2 nights with 6 persons (2 persons in queen bed - whoever).  First in first served - contact Kevin K. asap to secure.  Additional accommodation could be arranged by you directly contacting Yea Riverside Caravan Park Ph 5797 2972 - they have queen bed studio suites at $125 per night or close by at Tartan Motel Ph 5797 2202 for a one or two bedroom at $120 per night or at Yea Motel Ph 5797 2660 for a one or two bed room at $140 per night.  These places are not far from Yea Riverside Caravan Park.  There are other places too, and most also offer “family rooms”, but it would be wise to book asap. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This is a three day cycling circuit of part of the Great Victorian Rail Trail, with both nights spent in the picturesque town of Yea. It will not be a race or a test of endurance. We will look after each other and stick together.  Saturday’s ride is particularly picturesque, with lunch in the beautiful town of Alexandra. Friday: 40km: train to Tallarook departing 8:25am + cycle Tallarook to Yea (Friday night in Yea) Saturday: 74km: cycle from Yea to Alexandra via Cathkin, and back to Yea (Saturday night in Yea) Sunday: 40km: cycle from Yea to Tallarook + 4:15pm depart by train back to Melbourne arriving 5:27pm.   FURTHER INFORMATION: Great Victorian Rail Trail: www.greatvictorianrailtrail.com.au. LEADER | BOOKING: Kevin K. | by Friday 7th September. 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 walk has now been rescheduled for Sat 22nd Sept. Max temp 20 to 21C with a late shower. Chances are we'll be finished before the shower. Will have to be sunny in the morning to get to 21C. This walk will be repeated on Fri 28 Sept (Grand Final Holiday) if you can't make Sat 22 Sept. Temp 19C and partly sunny is forecast.                ______________________ We will visit the old Greenvale TB asylum site, ruins of a grand old house and see many friendly kangaroos and wallabies as well as having great views of Melbourne airport. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 7km bushwalk on gently undulating grassy hills.  This will give us plenty of time to stop and enjoy the interesting features of this historic park.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:15am at the Jolly Miller Cafe, Shop 7-9, Greenvale Shopping Centre, 1 Greenvale Drive, Greenvale.  After about half an hour for coffee, snacks and briefing, we will take all cars in convoy to the start of the walk 2km away.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 178 grid J8 | Google map goo.gl/maps/o1bZt2PNXYp. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 26km and 30 minutes from the GPO.  TRANSPORT:  Car: travel via the Tullamarine Fwy and take the Mickleham Rd exit. Public Transport: catch the 9:09am Craigieburn train from Flinders Street to Roxburgh Park Station.  From there catch the 543 bus towards Greenvale Gardens, arriving at Greenvale Shopping Centre at 10:11am. COST: $7, free for Nomads financial members. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses.  Wear comfortable walking shoes/boots.  Shorts etc. for the start and end of the walk.  A small towel to dry off in case you feel like a dip in the large dam in the back paddock. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This walk is for naturists.  Stroll through the gently undulating open forest of this historic park just north of Melbourne which is virtually unused.  It has a large population of kangaroos and wallabies who do a wonderful job to manicure the grass.  We will visit the site of Melbourne's old North West Hospital where there was once a five storey hospital to house the patients with TB (tuberculosis), a fatal infectious disease of the lungs which was more commonly known as Consumption.  Kangaroos now happily graze the extensive lawns.  We then move on to to see the beautifully graffitied water towers and may climb into the shorter one, sing a song and check out the wonderful reverberations of your voice.  From there it's an easy stroll down the hill with great views of the planes lined up at Melbourne airport to reach the Back Paddock where they are trying to preserve a population of the threatened Eastern Barred Bandicoot.  Time for a dip in the large dam if hot, and then on to visit the ruins of a grand old two storey house.  As we head homewards look out for the “black wallabies” before we walk through a thick forest of tall spindly eucalypts to eventually escape from the large wired enclosure of the Back Paddock.  Then if desired we can take a short side trip to the top of Gellibrand Hill with 360 degree views including the Melbourne skyline and the airport runways.  As we return towards the cars we traverse through a most interesting aboriginal cemetery amongst the rocks and trees. AFTERNOON TEA: After the walk, if you'd like a cool drink, a coffee or a snack, we can go to a nearby hotel - Gladstone Park Hotel at 196 Mickleham Rd, Gladstone Park.  It is 6km and 7 minutes from the end of the walk and is on your way back to the Tullamarine Fwy. FURTHER INFORMATION: parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/woodlands-historic-park. LEADER | BOOKING: Russell W. | preferably by Friday 21st September. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website. Tickets dated 15th Sept will be OK. If problems bring cash to the event.

A pleasant day out to Lara by train to visit a scenic linear trail with significant indigenous vegetation, lush groundcovers, flowering native shrubs and trees plus a wildlife sanctuary set in open grassy woodlands and wetlands. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: An easy 9 to 12km walk. The 9km option is available by opting out of two walks within Serendip Sanctuary. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: In the front carriage of the Waurn Ponds V/Line train departing Southern Cross Railway Station at 10:30am or meet the group en route by arrangement with the event leader. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 43 grid E9; Google map https://goo.gl/maps/bCGTVY7pXX72. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: The walk commences and concludes at Lara Railway Station which is 58 km from the city and takes 45 minutes by train. FOOD: Pack food for lunch and snacks. At least 1 litre of water should be carried. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Wear a hat and clothing to meet the forecast weather conditions and footwear suitable for walking along concrete, asphalt and unsealed paths. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Our day commences with a pleasant journey by V/Line train, quickly leaving the city behind and passing through the open spaces of the western plains before arriving at Lara Railway Station. Two key features of this walk are Lara’s Kevin Hoffman Walk and Serendip Sanctuary. Kevin Hoffman Walk is a passive, scenic linear trail with significant indigenous vegetation, lush ground covers, flowering native shrubs and trees set along the eastern bank of the tranquil Hovells Creek. Serendip Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary set in the open grassy woodlands and wetlands that are typical of Victoria’s volcanic western plains. The park offers an ideal setting to view some of our more special native animals. The sanctuary has an extensive breeding program which provides an opportunity to view rare and threatened species such as brolgas, Australian bustards and magpie geese. Over 150 species of birdlife common to the western plains of Victoria live in or visit the parklands. Birds can be seen within metres of the viewing areas preening, feeding, incubating eggs and rearing young. The picnic area at Serendip Sanctuary will provide an ideal setting to enjoy our lunch break. Two walks within Serendip Sanctuary may be opted out of by arrangement with the group leader on the day for anyone who would prefer to complete a shorter 9km walk for the day. To complete our walk we will take a more direct route back to Lara Railway Station through quiet residential streets and sporting grounds. Trains depart Lara Railway Station every 40 minutes for the 45 minute journey back to the city. FURTHER INFORMATION:  http://www.friendsofkevinhoffmanwalk.com.au/   http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/serendip-wetlands-education-facility LEADER | BOOKING: Peter Tocknell. | by Thursday 13th September. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website.

This is a spectacular trail skirting rugged coastline by the waters of Bass Strait.   (Note: this event had originally been scheduled for Sunday 23 September). GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium 13km circuit walk.  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: 109km 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! 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: bushwalkingblog.com.au.  LEADER | BOOKING: Cahal F. | by Thursday 6th September. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website.

Our regular monthly social night - at Loi Loi Restaurant in Victoria St, Richmond. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7:30pm at Loi Loi Restaurant, 364 Victoria St, North Richmond. See Google map goo.gl/maps/dz57CP2C1o12. 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. LEADER | BOOKING: Don V. | by Monday 3rd September.Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website.

Please be aware that the start date has changed to Monday 3rd September. This is due to the Broken Heel Festival starting on the Friday, and plans to visit Lake Mungo en route.  The first weekend (Friday to Sunday) coincides with the Broken Heel Festival in Broken Hill.  Those that don’t want to attend that could join the following Monday 10th September in Broken Hill. This event is being held in conjunction with Motafrenz. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy – car based camping in the National Parks and station camps along the Darling River, and possibly into Southern Queensland.  In July we will get in contact and finalise the proposed itinerary taking into account what the participants want to do. DISTANCE: It takes a long day to drive to Broken Hill (850km) from Melbourne, from where we would drop the pace.  This is one long day. MAP REFERENCE: Google map goo.gl/maps/bJEe4MyMuEN2. TRANSPORT: We will share vehicles to minimise costs and make the sometimes long drives more interesting.  4WD is not essential, but a vehicle with reasonable clearance is prudent since we will drive on some rough roads.  You do not need your own suitable vehicle.  Once we know who is interested, we can decide which vehicles to take. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: There are many picturesque and tranquil camping places, outback stations that open for travellers and stunning National Parks.  The trip would include attending the Broken Heel Festival (LGBTI) in Broken Hill.  This is a peculiar and most unlikely event not to be missed. Highlights would be camping in remote places, experiencing the tranquillity and beauty of the Great Australian Outback, sunsets, sitting around the campfire, birdwatching, strolls, stargazing, visiting historic towns and more.  We would not have a rigid program, but would take advantage of nice places we find, and move at the pace that suits us.  Two weeks is a minimum to slow down to the pace of the Outback.  However you are free to join and leave the group when you wish. Here are some links to some of the national parks to inspire you.  Have a surf on the web to see what there is to do:  www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/mutawintji-national-park www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/kinchega-national-park www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/willandra-national-park www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/paroodarling-national-park    LEADER | BOOKING: Roger H. | ASAP but by 1st August at the latest.

This walk provides grand views over Bass Strait, with its rugged ocean cliffs and beaches. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 8km point-to-point walk, along the beach, then up over the headland, on tracks all the way. MEETING POINT | TIME: Carpark at the Woolamai Beach Surf Life Saving Club at 10.30am. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 732 grid H10 and map 734 grid D12; Google map goo.gl/maps/Xzacwnzzb9x. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO:  132km, allow 2 hours. FOOD: Take lunch since there are no shops on the way, and sufficient water for the duration. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable footwear and warm waterproof clothing - dress for the weather forecast. It can be cold if the wind is strong. And bring the swimming togs for the brave. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This delightful coastal walk will take us along a surf beach and then up over Cape Woolamai with its rugged and spectacular scenery. It then descends on the sheltered side of the Cape.  We will walk along Safety Beach, then cross back over the narrow isthmus to the ocean side and the cars. There are plenty of cafes in San Remo for afternoon tea afterwards. LEADER | BOOKING: Roger H. | by Thursday 30th August. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website.