Grade | Length | Type: Easy 16 or 35km point-to-point cycling with public transport connections. Meeting Point | Time: Meet beside the Visitor Centre at Federation Square for a 10:30am departure. Map Reference: Melway map 1B grid N10. Distance | Time from GPO: 900 metres, 5 minutes. Food: Lunch will be at Milanos Tavern in Brighton - bookings essential.  Apparel | Footwear: Wear suitable cycling attire to match the weather forecast.  Bring at least 1 litre of water, and snacks if required.  Don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and helmet of course. Activity Description: Starting from Federation Square, we’ll ride to Port Melbourne for a coffee near Station Pier.  From there we follow the Bay all the way to Milanos Tavern, overlooking Brighton Beach, for lunch - total distance 16km.  After lunch, return by train from Brighton Beach Station or cycle a further 19km to Mordialloc Station.  Limit of 20 riders.  RSVP: by Thursday 1st February online, on meetup.com/Nomads-Outdoors-Group or by email to drummond.alan@gmail.com or phone 0415 771 220.

Grade | Length | Type: Easy, 12km point-to-point walk with public transport.  There are many moderate inclines and several short steep climbs. Meeting Point | Time: Hawthorn Railway Station, outside platform 1 (city bound side) at 10:30am. Public Transport Options: Tram route #75 to stop 26 (12 minute service in either direction on Saturdays). Any train on the Belgrave or Lilydale lines that arrives by 10:30am.  Use PTV Journey Planner to plan your journey. Map Reference: Melway map 45 grid A10. Distance | Time from GPO: 9km, 20 minutes by train.  Allow 25 minutes by car. Food: Bring lunch and 1 litre of water. There are no shops en route but there will be opportunities for coffee along the way. Apparel | Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes suitable for hard pavement.  Dress to suit a summer period weather forecast.  Something dry to sit on may be appropriate. Activity Description: This urban walk is an opportunity to appreciate both houses and gardens from an era referred to as “Marvellous Melbourne”.  The walk starts at the area of the former Palmer Estate and tracks around Yarra St, Isabella, Shakespeare and Coppin Groves to reach the Yarra at Bridge Rd.  Following the Boulevard around to Swan St, the next attraction is the seldom visited gardens of the Melbourne School of Land and Environment, Burnley Campus.  Next, the route is across the Yarra River to Heyington and Toorak, where contemporary wealth is displayed in the houses of Lansell Rd and St Georges Rd.  Alexandra Ave offers some glimpses of classic houses, but it will be a relief to escape from the traffic into the Botanic Gardens and through the Domain to Princes Bridge. Further Information: “120 Walks in Victoria” by Tyrone Thomas (Seventh edition, 2006).

Grade | Length | Type: Social - Australia Day picnic with optional camp out overnight @ "Blanchfields", a private home overlooking the Yarra Valley. Meeting Point | Time: From midday onwards at the private home of member Robert A. located in Macclesfield (past Emerald). Map Reference: Melway X912 grid R4. Distance | Time from GPO: 1 hour – about 60km taking the Monash or Eastlink Freeway and exiting at Wellington Rd then continuing to Macclesfield.  The full address and travelling directions will be provided to you upon receipt of your RSVP. Public Transport: Not available.  Travel by car and carpool with someone else if you can. Food: Bring your own food and drink.  For those staying the night, there will be shared drinks, nibbles and meal on the deck at sunset.  Until we know how many will be taking part, let’s just call it a “potluck dinner”, any contributions gratefully received. Apparel | Footwear: Bring your own hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.  Dress according to the weather forecast. Activity Description: We are very privileged to be invited to an Australia Day picnic in the private and beautiful gardens of the home of member Robert A.  You will remember Blanchfields if you enjoyed the Australia Day Picnic in 2017.  It is a rural property with a large garden of exotic trees and shrubs, grasslands and some bushlands overlooking the Yarra Valley.  Robert has also invited those who wish, to stay the night after the day of revelry.  You are welcome to set up your tents or trailers in the gardens and leave the next day.  In that case, Robert will direct you where you can set up camp. The event starts from midday onwards.  There are a limited number of chairs and tables as well as a toilet and bathroom for use.  Note – this is not a barbeque.  Fires are not allowed in a high fire danger area.  Enjoy the swimming pool and stay over in your tent or camper if you wish.  There will be access to the oven/stove if anything needs cooking or heating up.  Plus, the vegetable garden should be in full production if we need additional ingredients. Updates will follow closer to the date. RSVP: by Tuesday 23rd January on www.thenomadsinc.org.au.