Explore memorials to love, gay and straight, in the Boroondara General Cemetery then traverse a series of connected parklands, finishing at Alphington Railway Station. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Easy 7 km point-to-point walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System).  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This point-to-point walk starts with a tour of the historic garden style cemetery where we will inspect memorials to love. The cemetery is noted for its outstanding collection of memorials. Departing the cemetery, the walk will continue through a series of connected parklands to our destination of Alphington Railway Station. The parklands include Victoria Park, Hyde Park, Willsmere-Chandler Park, Kew Billabong, then past golf courses as we cross the Yarra River and enter Napier Waller Reserve followed by Sparks Reserve and finally into Darebin Parklands. We’ll have lunch overlooking the banks of the Yarra River. Travel via public transport is recommended. Land for the historic 13 hectare Boroondara Cemetery was set aside in 1855 with the first burial taking place in March 1859. The cemetery is laid out in the Victorian garden style with burials allocated by the then practice of religious denomination.  BOOKING: By Thursday 7th August. To register, click on Get Tickets.  Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.kewcemetery.com.au MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at the entrance to Boroondara Cemetery.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 45 grid E5 | Google maps goo.gl/maps/vTifVjAfmaFGoBFb7.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 8 km, approximately 20 minutes to drive, 30 minutes by public transport. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Tram #48 - North Balwyn to stop #36 - Parkhill Road. Alternatives are Trams #16 and #109 to the corner of Cotham and Glenferrie Roads then walk along Mary Street (550 metres - 7 minutes).  FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water, refills plus access to toilets available along the route. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. LEADER: Garry Oliver. | Email LeaderGarryO@nomads.org.au 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 Spotswood Hotel.  GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Join us for our monthly social evening where members can enjoy a meal, talk about upcoming events, compare notes on past activities and float ideas on events they would like to see run. 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 a walk we haven't done before? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Everyone is welcome – new members are especially invited to any of the monthly Nomads social evenings. Tuesday night is Burger Night at Spotswood Hotel: free drink + fish/chicken/beef/vegan burger for $25. See menu. BOOKING: By Sunday 3rd August. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm at Spotswood Hotel, 62 Hudsons Rd, Spotswood. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/AZLHg5XEob5ApP3x7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catch a Werribee or Williamstown line train to Spotswood Station. LEADER: Garry O. | Email LeaderGarryO@nomads.org.au 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  

CANCELLED. Buses replace trrains on the Werribee line.  It appears you'd have to take the Geelong train to Tarneit, and transfer to a bus.  This means that instead of a 50 minute train trip, it'd almost double A circuit walk in the west of Melbourne, from Werribee Station. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Easy 7 km circuit walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System).  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This easy and pleasant walk loops around the Werribee River. It is an easy, paved path with hardly any elevation, and it's a beautiful track, considering it passes through suburbia. Generally considered an easy route, it is a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.  There are three spots where you can cross the river by jumping across big rocks, perfect for exploring. You can continue north and south on this track for a longer route. BOOKING: By Friday 25th July. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am at southern side of Werribee Station. This is on Station Place at the top of the ramp. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Take a Werribee train from Flinders Station at 9:47am, or 10:07 absolute latest. Go to first carriage. MAP REFERENCE: Google map: maps.app.goo.gl/Khz7KwjjYoFkVZYZ8 FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water.  As it's a short walk, we will have a late lunch or afternoon tea in Werribee after walk. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots and dress according to the weather forecast.   LEADER: Richard C. | Email LeaderRichardC@nomads.org.au if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

** This event has sold out. **  We've booked out Cinema 1 of the Henkel Street Cinema in Brunswick, so you can optionally have a quick pub meal nearby, then watch the movie Pride (2014) surrounded by your Nomads friends.  GRADE: Social. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: You can either join us at 6pm at the Hotel Railway Brunswick, 291-293 Albert St for a pub meal, or come directly to the Henkel Street Cinema, 10/102 Henkel St, Brunswick at 7pm in readiness for the screening to start at 7:15pm.  Wednesday is parma night at the pub - chicken or eggplant parma with fries and slaw for $20 - or you can order from their pub menu.  For the cinema, you can pre-order food and drinks online, order at the bar upon arrival at the cinema, or order via a QR code near your (comfortable) seat. Available options include cinema snacks (popcorn, choc tops and sweets), vegetarian pizza, arancini balls, beer, wine, cider and soft drinks. Pride is a movie based on a true story that depicts a group of lesbian and gay activists who raised money to help families affected by the British miners' strike in 1984, at the outset of what would become the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners campaign. The activists decide to ignore the Union and go direct to the miners. Almost by accident, a minibus-load of gays find themselves in the Welsh village of Onllwyn in the Dulais valley, and through their sincere fundraising and Jonathan's nifty disco moves, persuade most of the community that they are on the same side.  BOOKING: By Tuesday 15th July or ASAP to ensure you don't miss out (only 22 seats available). To register click on Get Tickets and indicate whether you're planning to attend the pub or just the cinema. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Either: 6pm at the Hotel Railway Brunswick, 291-293 Albert St, Brunswick to dine with us prior to the film, or 7pm at the Henkel Street Cinema, 10/102 Henkel St, Brunswick Both venues are located close to the Brunswick train station. MAP REFERENCE: Hotel Railway Brunswick Google map: maps.app.goo.gl/epMzaYCY38dx7XcM7.  Henkel Street Cinema Google map: maps.app.goo.gl/uVUXzSXGLBT8ReE49. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Train: Upfield line to Brunswick Tram: 19 to stop 22 (Albert St/Sydney Rd) FOOD: Dinner can be purchased at the Hotel Railway Brunswick | Snacks and drinks can be purchased at the Henkel Street Cinema. LEADER: Colin C. | Email LeaderColinC@nomads.org.au 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 very pleasant and relatively short circuit ramble from Federation Square up the Yarra River, with picnic lunch at Como Park or cafe lunch at Kanteen Cafe before a leisurely walk back to the CBD for an optional social drink.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Moderate 10.9 km circuit walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System) on flat well formed shared cycleway/footpaths. If opting for a picnic lunch at Como Park, use of the pedestrian crossing is strongly recommended to cross busy Alexandra Ave from the Kanteen Cafe to Como Park. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Meeting below Federation Square/Birrarung Marr (beside the path that runs from Swanston Street towards the MCG), a very pleasant and relatively short ramble from Federation Square up the Yarra River, taking in the sights, smells, wild-life and river activities, upstream as far as the MacRobertson Bridge, before crossing to walk city-bound on the opposite bank, stopping for an optional cafe lunch at Kanteen Cafe (see map) or a picnic lunch at Como Park on the opposite side of Alexandra Ave, before walking back to the CBD for an optional well earned post-walk drink opposite Flinders Street Station.   BOOKING: By Friday 11th July. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am at Federation Square/Birrarung Marr beside the bike parking hoops on the path that runs from Swanston St towards the MCG. This is the intermediate level, below the main Federation Square and above the river level. There are toilets nearby. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/7K8VwsWEGaCHTcVB7.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Use of trains/trams to Flinders Street Station is recommended. The meeting point is a couple of hundred metres from Flinders Street Station.  FOOD: Carry snacks and a litre of water. You can bring a picnic lunch or purchase lunch from the Kanteen Cafe.  APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. LEADER: MichaelC. | Email LeaderMichaelC@nomads.org.au 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 stroll through the Sherbrooke Forest, always a magical experience, even if it's raining! GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 3: Moderate 9.5 km circuit walk, mostly on forest dirt tracks, including some steep climbs (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). Be sure to wear boots or heavy walking shoes as the tracks can be muddy and slippery.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: A round trip making use of public transport, meeting at Belgrave Metro railway station and walking through Sherbrooke Forest. Our route will probably take in the Sherbrooke Falls, George Tindale Memorial Gardens, Coles Ridge Track and Grants Picnic Ground. We'll probably have a picnic lunch in the grounds of the George Tindale Memorial Gardens. There will be time available for drinks after the walk. Trains depart from Belgrave, bound for Flinders Street, every twenty minutes.  BOOKING: By Friday 4th July. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am at the Belgrave Metro Railway Station (not the Puffing Billy Station).  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 75 grid F10 | Google map goo.gl/maps/yGEKdTXm1bUCJww76 | Approximate route map: Sherbrooke Forest Circuit via George Tindale Gardens. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catch the Belgrave line train that departs Flinders St platform 2 at 09:26am, arriving at Belgrave at 10:52am. For the return trip, trains depart from Belgrave every 20 minutes (e.g. at 2:02pm, 2:22pm, 2:42pm, 3:02pm etc). FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. It will be cooler, and potentially wetter, in the Dandenongs than in central Melbourne. LEADER: Alan D. | Email LeaderAlanD@nomads.org.au 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 General Assembly, South Wharf.  GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Join us for our monthly social evening where members can enjoy a meal, talk about upcoming events, compare notes on past activities and float ideas on events they would like to see run. 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 a walk we haven't done before? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Everyone is welcome – new members are especially invited to any of the monthly Nomads social evenings. See The General Assembly website for more details, including their menu.  BOOKING: By Monday 30th June. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm at The General Assembly, 29 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/Mu61ZPNZ4Pijbaiz5. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The General Assembly is a 14 minute walk from Southern Cross Station (or 19 minutes from Flinders Street Station). Alternatively, take tram 12, 96 or 109 to stop 124A (Casino/MCEC/Clarendon St). LEADER: Richard C. | Email LeaderRichardC@nomads.org.au 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  

Preparing the draft Spring program of events - online via Zoom. GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The bulk of the planning for the upcoming Spring program will be done in this pre-planning meeting via Zoom in readiness to present the draft program the next night at the Social Evening, where attendees will be invited to provide additional suggestions and help fill any gaps. BOOKING: By 5pm Monday 30th June. To register, click on Get Tickets. Alternatively, simply click on the Zoom link in the reminder email sent to members a few days prior to the event. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. DRAFT PROGRAM: Nomads Draft Program. You may add your suggestions to this online spreadsheet - be sure to click to some other cell once you've finished, so that your suggestion gets saved. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm online via Zoom. Those who registered will be sent the Zoom link by 6pm on Monday evening. LEADER: Alan D. | Email LeaderAlanD@nomads.org.au if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website. Photo by Bich Tran from Pexels.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS

Join fellow Nomad dark beer lovers to taste from a selection of 30+ dark brew offerings from 15 different breweries.  GRADE | TYPE: Social, with a short walk in Ballarat. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Obsidian Dark Beer Festival celebrates the rich tapestry of dark beer styles, weaving together the warmth of community, the depth of flavour, and the spirit of discovery. They aspire to create an unforgettable experience in the heart of Ballarat, where enthusiasts and novices alike come together to explore the dark side of craft brewing. Born out of the depths of a brisk Ballarat winter, Obsidian serves as a gathering place for both established and emerging breweries. Your $90 ticket gives you a memento glass, entertainment and unlimited beer tastings. There are also $40 Offsider tickets available, which give you a memento glass and entertainment, but no beer tastings. (You can purchase spirits, cocktails and food offerings though). BOOKING: Nomads: ASAP. Please get a (free) ticket via Get Tickets so we know who is attending, and can organise the group. Unsure if you've already booked with The Nomads? Click View my bookings. Obsidian: Please book your ticket ASAP via the Hullabaloo Events website for the 11am to 3pm session.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: From Melbourne: 9am at Southern Cross Station to catch the 9:15am service to Ballarat, arriving at 10:41am, or anywhere en route. In Ballarat: 10:55am at Ballarat Mining Exchange. 6 Lydiard St North, Ballarat Central. MAP REFERENCE: Ballarat Mining Exchange - Google map: maps.app.goo.gl/FPRqZd1HpnvT4dL96 (350 metres from the station). DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 125 km, approximately 1 hour 40 minutes by car, but travel by V/Line train is recommended (1 hour 30 minutes). PUBLIC TRANSPORT: If travelling from Melbourne, catch the Wendouree V/Line service departing from Southern Cross at 9:15am, arriving in Ballarat at 10:41am. For the return journey, we plan to catch the service departing Ballarat at 3:24pm, arriving at Southern Cross at 4:52pm. COST:  Obsidian Dark Beer Fest: 2nd Release tix: $90 plus $3.25 bf | Offsider Ticket (no beer tasting): $40 + $1.87 bf. Public Transport: Ballarat is in the Myki fare zone. Weekend fares to anywhere in Victoria are capped at $7.60 full | $3.80 concession. FOOD: Lunch can be purchased at the Ballarat Mining Exchange. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking shoes and dress according to the weather forecast.  LEADER: Stephan C. | Email LeaderStephanC@nomads.org.au 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 Nomads annual Winter Solstice Dinner, returning to The Grandview Hotel, Fairfield. GRADE: Social ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This year we are returning to the historic Grandview Hotel in Fairfield. We have our own function room where tables and chairs will be set up for us. It will be an order and pay on the night situation, rather than a set menu. Check out the Grandview Hotel menu for an idea of what's likely to be available, though there will probably be some changes to the menu, so you should check back closer to the date. Drinks of course are also available - see the menu.   BOOKING: By Thursday 19th June. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Arrival around 6.30pm at The Grandview Hotel, 429 Heidelberg Rd, Fairfield, with the aim to begin dining at around 7.00pm. The hotel is located on the northern corner of Heidelberg Rd and Station St. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/2YqWWwdr2y9WDGdXA PUBLIC TRANSPORT: TRAIN: The Hurstbridge line train that departs from Flinders Street at 5:59pm, or Parliament at 6:08pm, arrives at Fairfield at 6:25pm. From there it's a 10 minute walk (570 metres) south down Station St to Heidelberg Rd and The Grandview Hotel. BUS: 250 (Queen St, CBD to La Trobe University) or 251 (Queen St, CBD to Northland SC) to Victoria Rd & Westgarth St LEADER: Greg W. | Email LeaderGregW@nomads.org.au if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.    

A gem of a short coastal winter ramble, taking in some lovely vistas of Port Phillip Bay, Frankston, and Kananook Creek bushlands following beachside boardwalks and riverside trails to Seaford, with a post luncheon option of continuing on to Carrum. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Easy 8 km walk (Seaford), Grade 3: Moderate 15 km if continuing to Carrum (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Commencing the walk from Oliver's Hill after a train journey to Frankston and bus up to Oliver's Hill Lookout, we will make our way down to Frankston beachside boardwalks before getting on to the picturesque Kananook Creek Trail, arriving at Seaford in time for optional lunch/refreshments at the Spanish Bar.  At this point, participants have the option of pulling out to go homeward via the nearby Seaford Station, or time permitting and depending how people are feeling, we can continue on to Carrum, adding another couple of hours to the walk.  BOOKING: By Friday 20th June. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11:15am at the Grange Rd / Nepean Hwy bus stop (near the Oliver's Hill lookout), Frankston. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/Na1PSzP94BEqNLYH7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: From the Bay C bus stop outside Frankston Station, we'll take the #781 Dromana bus at 11:09am to Grange Rd/Nepean Hwy (we'll ask the driver to drop us off at the 1st stop past the Oliver's Hill lookout).  GETTING TO FRANKSTON BY TRAIN: Suggested train: Frankston line train departing Flinders Street at 9:17am, arriving at Frankston at 10:24am. That allows 40 minutes for a leisurely coffee and walk to the bus stop Alternative train: Frankston line train departing Flinders Street at 9:37am, arriving at Frankston at 10:44am, which may allow time for a quick take-away coffee, or NOT recommended train: Frankston line train departing Flinders Street at 9:57am, arriving at Frankston at 11:04am, and run to the Bay C bus stop. If this train is late, you'll miss the bus! FOOD: Carry some snacks and a litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. The Bay can be a  few degrees cooler than Melbourne in the wind. LEADER: Michael Cowan | Email LeaderMichaelC@nomads.org.au 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  

Something a little different, combining a late afternoon walk, early supper, and Rainbow Band concert at the nearby Victorian Pride Centre. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 1: Easy 7.5 km circuit walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System) on flat and well-sealed walkways.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Taking the 2.57pm Sandringham train from Flinders St (usually platform 13) we meet up in front of Elsternwick Station, departing at 3.30pm for a pleasant leisurely walk through well-sealed residential parkland tracks, following the Elster Creek to St Kilda foreshore, and on to early dinner at Topolino's before attending the optional Rainbow Band concert at the almost adjacent Victorian Pride Centre with the opportunity to dance the night away. BOOKING: WALK: By Friday 13th June. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. CONCERT: Tickets for the Rainbow Band concert are $30 full, $25 concession. Book online via TryBooking. Get your tickets ASAP to ensure you don't miss out.  FURTHER INFORMATION: I will book a table/tables at Topolinos nearer the time when I get a feel of numbers attending this event.  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 3:15pm for 3:30 departure from front of Elsternwick Station.  MAP REFERENCE: Google maps maps.app.goo.gl/HQMys3vbMkP7YFbf7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Take the 2:57pm Sandringham train from Flinders St (usually platform 13) we meet up in front of Elsternwick Station for 3:30pm walk. Plus the Route #67 tram (Carnegis) passes Elsternwick Station. There are plenty of tram and light rail homeward options at end of the evening. FOOD: Carry a few snacks and water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking footwear and dressing to both the weather forecast and mindful of postwalk venues.  LEADER: Michael C. | Email LeaderMichaelC@nomads.org.au 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