A circuit walk in the west of Melbourne, from Werribee Station.  This is a replacement of the walk cancelled in July 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 17th October. 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  

PLEASE NOTE: 1. This event is now fully booked for the Day Walk and the BBQ evening. There are Waitlist Tickets available (free). If you get one of the early ones you have a good chance of getting in. 2. The Overnight is also fully booked. If you would still like a spot, email Colin on LeaderColinP@nomads.org.au and ask to be placed on the Waitlist. _______________ Enjoy a naturist day out, walking in the beautiful and spectacular country near Lancefield courtesy of one of our members who has a farm in the area. Meet at the farm for tea, coffee and refreshments before you walk off for the day. Note that this is a day event only, though we are planning an optional BYO BBQ dinner for those wishing to extend their stay on the farm into the evening. For people planning to attend the Men's Massage Swap at Castlemaine the following day, Sun 12th Oct, we are offering a place to stay overnight with light breakfast. There is a maximum of 8 places for people who would like to stay overnight. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Moderate 6 km circuit walk in quite hilly open country. Walking is on 4WD tracks, animal pads and through grassy paddocks (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We will meet at the farm property. Tea, coffee and refreshments will be available when you arrive. After introductions and the briefing for the day, the group will car pool about 2 km on good gravel and bitumen roads to the start of the walk on a neighbouring farm property.  Clothes can be shed once we park the cars amongst the trees on the neighbouring farm. We will walk for a while to build our appetites and then stop for lunch at a good spot with a view. After lunch, we continue our exploration of the picturesque farm and the spectacular rock boulder formations before returning to our cars to drive back to the farmhouse. There you can have tea, coffee, nibbles and a drink while enjoying the lovely open fire before departing for home or staying on for the optional dinner. For those wishing to stay on, the optional BBQ dinner has been planned around 6pm. BYO meat and drinks and anything else you wish to contribute. Salads, bread, sauce, tea, coffee etc will be provided. The BBQ dinner is planned to wind up around 10.30pm. BOOKING: Walk and optional BBQ: By Thursday 9th October. To register click on Get Tickets. Overnight Stay: For people wishing to attend the Men's Massage Swap in Castlemaine on the following day, Sunday 12th Oct, Colin has offered to provide places to stay overnight on Saturday with a light breakfast on the Sunday. To be eligible for accommodation you will need to have a paid ticket for the Men's Massage Swap, (details for how to book for this event are at the end of this paragraph.) To request accommodation at the farm, email Colin on LeaderColinP@nomads.org.au to see if he can provide a place for you. There are a maximum of 8 places. Please pay a cash payment of $5 direct to Colin on the day, to cover the cost of breakfast and a light snack for Sunday lunch. Those going to the Sunday Massage are planning to leave the farm at 12.30pm on the Sunday to drive to the event near Castlemaine. They should arrive at 1.30pm in good time for the massage start at 2pm. (NOTE: To book for the Men's Massage Swap go to the CosieVic website at https://cosievic.org.au/ then click on the Calendar tab. Then go the 12th October event to find the details of how to book.) Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11:00am at the farm which is 14 km north of Lancefield. The exact address will be sent out on Thursday 9th October to all those who have registered by midnight Wednesday 8th October. MAP REFERENCE: Google map goo.gl/maps/y5sn4nWk3PpjFjBVA.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 82 km, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to drive. If you are returning home at dusk it is safer to drive at 80 km/h or less and keep an eye out for wombats and kangaroos on the road when driving from the farm to Lancefield, and from the farm to Kilmore. After Lancefield and Kilmore on the way to Melbourne, you are on main country bitumen roads and kangaroos are quite rare. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Public transport will only get you to Lancefield, 14 km short of the farm. It would be better to see if the Leader can assist you in finding car transport from your suburb. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and water for your day out in the country. If after the walk you'd like cheese, biscuits, nibbles and a drink other than tea or coffee, could you please bring a contribution. For those staying overnight our host Colin will provide Sunday breakfast (cereals, toast, spreads, tea & coffee. Light snacks will be provided for Sunday lunch. Note: there is always a good afternoon spread provided at the Men's Massage Swap. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sunhat and sunscreen. Sunglasses could be useful. A warm top and beanie if there is a fresh breeze. If the day should unfortunately be a bit cool, feel free to put on clothes to keep youself comfortable. The nearest town to get an appropriate weather forecast is Pyalong, just north of the Great Dividing Range. Wear comfortable walking shoes for walking on 4WD tracks, animal tracks and through the paddocks. LEADER: Jason T. | Email Jason at LeaderJasonT@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  

Participation in the annual Federation Walks event is one of the benefits of our membership of Bushwalking Victoria. Bookings for the Federation Walks weekend based in The Grampians on 10-12 October are now open and are likely to close in late August.   GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: 23 different walks are available. The walks range from Easy 2 km to Hard 18 km (with significant climbing). ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The FedWalks weekend happens in a different part of Victoria each year - this year it will be in The Grampians. Detailed maps and descriptions of all the walks on offer are available - see Walks Program on the Fedwalks website for details.  The Grampians are a series of five spectacular sandstone ridges running north to south with steep and craggy slopes on the eastern side and gentler slopes to the west. They are the result of earth movements lifting and tilting the hard sandstones to create an impressive landscape of peaks and valleys. There are lookouts with stunning panoramic views as well as a number of impressive waterfalls. Many thanks to the volunteers for taking on responsibility for organising this FedWalks program: Grampians Bushwalking Club and the Boroondara Bushwalkers Club. BOOKING: 31 August, or ASAP to ensure you don't miss out! This event is open to members of all clubs affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria. The steps for booking are: Check out the BWV Walks Program to decide which walk(s) you would like to do. Click the TryBooking link, select the walks you wish to do on Saturday, and on Sunday, select the Saturday Night Dinner option if you wish, and pay the Registration Fee. Select Get Tickets on this Nomads events listing, so we know who is attending, to help with coordination. IMPORTANT: You must book, select the walks you wish to do, and pay $20 per walk ASAP. A ticket with The Nomads is not sufficient to grant you access to the weekend! Unsure if you've already booked with The Nomads? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: Summary of Walks: See Summary of 2025 Grampians FedWalks. FedWalks website: Detailed information is available on fedwalks.org.au. Overview Map: See FedWalks 2025 Overview Map (PDF, 13.5 MB). MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Register at the Event Hub (Centenary Hall, 115 Grampians Rd) to receive your information pack, and to check for any late changes to the walks program or start times. Friday Registration (optional): 3pm-6pm Saturday - Registration from 7:45am Sunday - Registration from 8am MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/t5vBUMcd72Qf63gB7.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 253 km, allow 3 to 4 hours to drive from central Melbourne.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is no public transport available. When booking, please indicate if you need, or can offer, a ride. COST: WALKS: The minimum cost is $20 per person per walk, payable to FedWalks, which includes participation in your selected Saturday and Sunday walk. ACCOMMODATION: Up to 6 camping spots are available for a charge of $20 per night at a Nomads member's property in Halls Gap, close to the FedWalks hub. There is also a single king-size bed ensuite available at the Nomads member's property at $60 per night. SATURDAY DINNER: The optional Saturday night FedWalks dinner costs $45, but that has now sold out. The Nomads will organise a group booking at a venue in Halls Gap for dinner on Saturday night. ACCOMMODATION: There is space for up to 6 people to camp at a Nomads member's property in Halls Gap (a few minutes walk from the Centenary Hall hub). Alternatively, you can arrange your own accommodation in the area.  FOOD: BYO breakfasts. For your walks, you will generally need to carry lunch, snacks and drinking water. Afternoon tea will be provided at the end of each walk. You can book and pay for a Saturday evening meal ($45) when you book with FedWalks for the weekend. The Nomads will organise a group booking for Saturday dinner in Halls Gap. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Be sure to bring plenty of warm, waterproof layers. The weather in The Grampians can be quite changeable, though is generally warmer and drier than in Melbourne. LEADER: The walks will be organised by different leaders from the FedWalks team. For queries about participating in activities with other Nomads over the weekend, email Alan D. on LeaderAlanD@nomads.org.au. 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 Junction Club in Moonee Ponds.  GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The Nomads hold a social night each month, where members and guests can enjoy a meal, talk about upcoming events, compare notes on past activities and float ideas on events they would like to see run. Everyone is welcome to these monthly Nomads social evenings. Tuesday night is curry night - a delicious curry for $20, or see the Junction Club Menu (scroll down) for other options.  BOOKING: By Sunday 5th October. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure whether you've booked already? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm at the Junction Club, 740 Mount Alexander Rd, Moonee Ponds. MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/VmZhjqUhFnbjMKWQ9. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Take tram #59 (Flinders Street Station to Airport West) to stop 32. Alternatively, the Junction Club is a 640m walk from Moonee Ponds Station, on the Craigieburn line. 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  

Preparing the draft Summer program of events - online via Zoom. GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The bulk of the planning for the upcoming Summer 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 5th October. 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

NOTE -  RACV Members save 15% off festival passes with the code RACV2025 Pound the streets in the historic inner precinct of Ballarat, visiting the multiple locations hosting exhibitions for the 2025 Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFO). Travel via public transport is possible. First action will be to collect FREE maps of the displays (indoor and outdoor) at the Biennale Office on Lydiard Street (just up the street from the Station); which is also a venue for some of the smaller exhibitors.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 1: Easy 7 km circuit walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System) on flat and well-sealed walkways.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Ballarat is home to the National Centre for Photography (NCFP) housed in the old Union Bank building on Lydiard Street North. It's the base for the team behind BIFO. The Ballarat International Foto Biennale was founded in 2005 and attracts significant international and Australian photographers as one of Australia's pre-eminent photographic festivals. The multiple exhibitions, both free and ticketed, are housed in various historic buildings, laneways and cafes. Full details of the program are available online at ballaratfoto.org. Most exhibitions are open daily from 10am to 5pm.  The featured ticketed events this year include two exhibitions by internationally based artists that may be of interest to NOMADS Members: ENNINFUL x MAPPLETHORPE an exclusive event to BIFO. This selection of Robert Mapplethorpe’s work is curated by Edward Enninful OBE, Ghanaian-born British editor and stylist who was Editor in Chief of British Vogue and European editorial director for Conde Nast magazines, and Campbell Addy’s major solo exhibition, an Australian exclusive by the British-Ghanaian fashion photographer featuring a newly conceived set of photographs, original paintings and a short film shot on location in Ghana. BOOKING: Ballarat Foto Biennale: Book for Sunday 5 October. Check ballaratfoto.org for details of purchasing 1-day passes to visit the multiple ticketed events. Nomads: Book by Friday 3rd October. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked with The Nomads? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:45am at the Ballarat Railway Station, Lydiard Street North. Travel options are (1) by train (see details below) or (2) driving and parking on the fringes of the Ballarat CBD, as on-street parking in the CBD is time limited and fees may be payable. MAP REFERENCES: Southern Cross Station - Melway map 1A grid A7 | Google map goo.gl/maps/s6DUsRG8CWz2K97eA  Ballarat Station - Melway map 611 grid A12 | Google map goo.gl/maps/KjS3JEEYfng9UvaE7. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 114 km, approximately 1 hour 25 minutes to drive, 1 hour 29 minutes by public transport. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The trip is on the train departing Southern Cross Station at 9:15am arriving at 10:41am. It's suggested that we gather in the first carriage (North Melbourne end). Return trains depart Ballarat every 40-minutes, for example: 3:24pm, 4:04pm, 4:44pm, 5:24pm and 6:04pm. FOOD: A booking will be made for a 12:30pm lunch at Aunty Jacks Brew Pub, 315-317 Mair Street, Ballarat (opposite the Ballarat Civic Centre) for those interested. Otherwise do your own thing in between visiting exhibition sites. COST: Trains: Weekend fares for Myki money are capped at $7.60 (Full) and $3.80 (Concession & Seniors) per day. Ballarat Foto Biennale: Full day pass $42 | Concession day pass $36 APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking 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. Image: Garry Oliver     HOME | BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS | MEMBERSHIPS  

WE ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED.  No more tickets are available. Join us for a fun evening of nude 10 pin bowling at a location in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. We have hired the entire venue. The event is open to Nomads members and visitors. Ticket holders will receive address details of the venue by Wednesday 1st October 2025. Location given is approximate. We are only able to share the venue details, including the suburb, with confirmed ticket holders. Participants are not permitted to share the venue name or location with anyone. Please leave that to the organisers. SUPPER AT BOWLING VENUE: We are planning a bring-and-share supper in the room next to the bowling alley. This has been popular during previous similar events.  FOOD: Everyone is requested to bring a plate of food to share for supper. If you bring food that needs to be heated, please be aware that we only have access to a pie warmer. Please do not bring food on non-reusable plastic plates as these are not allowed at this type of event. It would be appreciated if everyone could bring your own cold drinks. Free tea and coffee will be provided. You may bring your own non-alcoholic drinks to the venue to sip on between bowls in the carpeted area behind the bowling lanes. Alcoholic drinks for personal consumption are only permitted in the large supper room adjoining the bowling area. No drinks of any type are to be taken into the bowling lane area. Also, for safety, no glass is permitted in the area of the venue where we are bowling. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We will meet out the front of the venue at 7.30pm if the weather is fine, or inside the foyer if it is raining. Please do not block the entrance, as other patrons may be leaving the building. We would ask that everyone is respectful of the venue staff, who are assisting us to make this event happen. Facemasks are not required to be worn but you are free to wear mask if you would prefer or need to. Hand sanitiser will be provided. Once introductions are completed, we will proceed to the bowling area. When advised by the Leader, everyone may then undress. All clothes can be left at the rear of the bowling alley. You may wish to bring a small bag for your clothes. There should be no problem with security, but we recommend that you do not bring valuables into the venue, as we are unable to take responsibility for any losses. The time allocated for bowling, presentation of prizes and supper is 8pm until 10pm. Bowling shoes will be provided for all. You will each be able to select a suitable bowling ball to use during the evening, and then can join in with others at any one of the lanes. Do not worry if you are on your own, we will ensure that everyone finds a friendly group to bowl with. You do not need to be experienced in 10 pin bowling. This is all about having fun with like minded people. Depending on the number of bowlers at each lane, you can typically expect to complete up to two games. There will be a small competition with prizes which will be awarded based on the individual scores of the first game. Once everyone has finished the first game, we will stop for presentation of prizes, and to share supper together. ACTIVITIES AFTER THE PRESENTATIONS: Once presentations have been made, you are free to continue with supper and talking to people, you may return to bowling, or for a fee of $8.50 payable at the front desk, you can have a swim in one of the indoor heated swimming pools on site. It would be appreciated if everyone could promptly depart the venue at 10pm. We would welcome the assistance of a few people to help the organisers with packing up after the night. PHOTOGRAPHY: In order to maintain everyone's privacy, please note that no photographs will be permitted except as advised by the Leader on the night. Phones are not to be used during the evening, and we thank you for assisting us with this. Please see the Leader, Michael, if you have any concerns. BOOKING: By midnight on Friday 3rd October 2025. To register, click on Get Tickets. Discounted early bird tickets were available to those who booked prior to 25th July 2025. This period has concluded. ALL REMAINING TICKETS WILL COST $40 per person. We have reached the minimum number of tickets sold for this event to go ahead. NO REFUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR TICKETS PURCHASED as per the advice listed with the ticket conditions. The only exception will be if the event is cancelled by the Event Leader.  Tickets may sell out for this event, so book early. The last time that we ran this event, it was a sell out. Tickets will be allocated on a "first come, first served" basis. No tickets will be available for purchase at the venue. Ticket prices for this event are the same for Nomads members and visitors to cover the cost of hire of the venue. Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7.30pm at the entrance to the venue, ticket holders will receive address details by Wednesday 1st October 2025. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 20-25 km, approximately 30 minutes to drive, or 1 hour 20 minutes by public transport and walking. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The venue is accessible by public transport. Approx 50min train journey from Flinders Street railway station, followed by a 30min walk. More precise public transport details will be provided to ticket holders by Wednesday 1st October 2025. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: This is a naturist event, not clothing optional, so everyone is asked to be naked while bowling. The only exception is for women during their periods, who may wear a bikini bottom or similar. Bowling shoes will be provided and must be worn. Please bring your own towel to sit on for hygiene reasons. No bare bums on any seats out of respect for the venue. LEADER: Michael J. | 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 fantastic circuit gives you different perspectives of Donnellys Weir, the Maroondah Reservoir and Watts River. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 3: Medium (hilly terrain) 14 km circuit walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). Undulating with one short medium-sized hill. Walking on formed tracks and footpaths. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: A circuit walk through Healesville township to Donnelly Weir, returning via Henderson Hill and Maroondah Reservoir. This is a very popular area for bird watching, hiking and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit at any time. BOOKING: By Friday 26th September. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 9.30am at the Healesville Cemetery Car Park, Mt Riddell Road, Healesville (not to be confused with the Sanctuary!!) MAP REFERENCE: Google map: maps.app.goo.gl/o8zmUbCeDWCpNiDu6  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 65 km, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes via various metropolitan roads to connect up to the Maroondah Highway at Lilydale. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catch the Lilydale line train scheduled to depart from Flinders Street at 6:43am (or Richmond at 6:46am, Camberwell at 6:58am), arriving in Lilydale at 7:41am. Grab a coffee in Lilydale, then change to the #685 bus that departs from Lilydale Station (Bay E, William St West) at 8:34am, which should arrive at Mt Riddell Rd/Don Rd at 9:09am. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and 2 litres of water, optional coffee thermos. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Healesville is usually cooler than Melbourne. LEADER: Darren McClelland | Email LeaderDarrenM@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 bike ride beginning at a cafe close to Altona Station, following the Bay via Williamstown to Footscray, then linking to the Capital City Trail to get to lunch at the Great Northern Hotel in Carlton North.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: A "gentle medium" grade ride of around 29 km to lunch. There are many train station bailout options if needed. Most surfaces will be sealed and there are no real hills. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We'll depart from The Forestta, 60 Pier Street, Altona at 10:25am. From the cafe we'll ride along the coastal trail to Williamstown and on via Newport to Footscray Road. We'll ride along Footscray Rd, admiring the overhead Veloway (not yet open, unfortunately) to the Capital City Trail, and follow that past the zoo for lunch at the Great Northern Hotel, 644 Rathdowne St, Carlton North. After lunch, there are many options to either catch a train or to cycle home. BOOKING: By 5pm Thursday 25th September. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:25am at The Forestta, 60 Pier Street, Altona. Pier Street is a pedestrian mall outside this cafe, and there will be ample tables either on the street or inside the cafe. MAP REFERENCE: Starting Point: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/bhHu5m486JRzq2169.  Cycling Route: Altona to Fitzroy North via Williamstown. PUBLIC TRANSPORT:  If you'd like a pre-ride coffee: Catch the Werribee line train that departs from Flinders Street (usually platform 9 or 10) at 9:27am, arriving at Altona at 9:56am. If you don't want a coffee: Catch the Werribee line train that departs from Flinders Street (usually platform 9 or 10) at 9:47am, arriving at Altona Station at 10:16am. Getting to the cafe: Exit the station via the ramp, then turn left. After a few metres, turn right into Pier Street. The cafe is on the lefthand (CBD) side of the pedestrian mall section of Pier St.  Note: For cycling events, we usually travel in the rear of the rear carriage.  FOOD: Lunch will be purchased at a pub. You should carry some water, plus snacks if you think you might need those. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable attire for the weather forecast, in addition to your bike and helmet. A spare bike tube is advisable as is a waterproof layer if any chance of rain is forecast. 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  

Enjoy a pleasant outing in a little-known botanic park on the outskirts of Melbourne - one of Melbourne's hidden treasures! This event is designed to be easily accessible by Metro train. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Easy approximately 9 km, circuit walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System), mostly on off-road paths, but with a number of ascents and descents.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The Wilson Botanic Park is a total gem in the historic town of Berwick, a town that has now been engulfed by metropolitan Melbourne. Not only is the park incredibly photogenic, including views over Melbourne, it is also of significance for its geology and important fossil discoveries. The area has an interesting geological history starting with ancient sedimentary layers from when the area was covered by the ocean, followed by periods of volcanic activity, with the most recent, and violent, eruption being some 22 million years ago, resulting in large deposits of basalt (bluestone). Fossils discovered here tell us that the region has had both tropical and temperate forests in bygone eras. The fossil discoveries at the park are significant because flowering and coniferous plants, tropical and temperate species, and micro and macro specimens have all been found. It's the only known fossil site that contains specimens of both Nothofagus and Eucalyptus and is of significant geoheritage importance because it is where the oldest usable Eucalypt fossils have been found in Australia, which has been important for our understanding of the evolution of the modern Australian flora. In 1859 William Wilson began quarrying bluestone from the site, since it had the highest quality basalt in the vicinity of Melbourne. The quarry operated almost continually up to 1976. In 1973, the Wilsons donated 17 hectares to the City of Casey, and in 1985 the council purchased a further 13.34 hectares, then in 1992 the 39 hectare Wilson Botanic Park was opened.  The City of Casey has sensitively and intelligently developed the park with many points of interest for humans, birds and the local fauna. Our circuit will begin and end at the Berwick Railway Station. We'll initially walk along leafy Gloucester Avenue to the main street of Berwick, then take a tree-lined path to Wilson Botanic Park. There we'll initially make a circuit of the two lakes, with optional stops for coffee and toilets. Afterwards we'll climb to the rim of the park for great views over surrounding suburbs. (Note: the park looks a little like a conventional volcano, but the "crater" was formed more by quarrying than from volcanic activity). Upon completing our rim circuit, we'll return to the town via Kramer St and the Pioneers Park. A warming beverage can be had in High Street prior to our return to the train station.  BOOKING: By Friday 12th September. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: casey.vic.gov.au/facilities-hire/wilson-botanic-park-berwick. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am at Berwick Railway Station, Reserve St, Berwick. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Pakenham line train that departs from Flinders Street platform 6 at 10:02am arrives in Berwick at 10:58am. We'll travel in the front carriage of the train. For our return, trains depart from Berwick Station every 20 minutes. MAP REFERENCE: Google map: goo.gl/maps/HUpJqUaY5xi5pL7M8 FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water.  APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots and dress according to the weather forecast.   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. Video courtesy of https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/facilities-hire/wilson-botanic-park-berwick   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

** This event has sold out. Please get a Waitlist ticket if you would like to attend, and we'll contact you if a place becomes available. ** We'll have exclusive use of Cinema 1 of the Henkel Street Cinema in Brunswick, so you can optionally have a quick pub meal nearby, then watch the movie God's Own Country (2017) 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 at the cinema include cinema snacks (popcorn, choc tops and sweets), vegetarian pizza, arancini balls, beer, wine, cider and soft drinks. God's Own Country (UK, 2017): A young farmer numbs his frustrations with drinking and casual sex until a Romanian migrant worker sets him on a new path. Starring Josh O'Connor, Alec Secareanu, and Gemma Jones. BOOKING: By Tuesday 9th September 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  

WAITLIST ONLY - Cycle through the countryside of SE Asia in the company of other Nomads: Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. There are options to shorten the experience from 6 weeks (to just 17 days or just 25 days). GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: 2,100 km on a variety of roads and tracks. We will avoid major roads, and always have a backup vehicle in case you get tired. Average distance each day will be ~65 km with plenty of rests. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This event is an organised tour by a local SE Asian company that we have used before, VietnamAdventureCycling, that specialises in SE Asian cycle touring. We have booked out the whole event so have a level of control over the itinerary and pace. Follow this link for the route we are taking. And here for the itinerary. There are options to either do the first 17 days, the last 25 days, or the lot. We are currently booked out, but will likely have opportunities for waitlisting as circumstances change. The cost is ~USD$7000 for the 6 weeks which includes accommodation (based on twin share), bike, all transport, entry to attractions, nearly all meals (not on free days), and a team Jersey. Plane travel to the start and return from Hanoi is not included, but the internal flight in Laos is included. Click on "Get Tickets" to submit an expression of interest. Contact the leader if you need more information to help make up your mind. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: The 6 week itinerary starts on the 3rd September 2025 in Bangkok. The shorter itinerary starts on 20th September in Phnom Penh.  FOOD: Refer to the itinerary to see which meals are included. LEADER: Roger H. | Email LeaderRogerH@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