Preparing the draft Autumn program of events - online via Zoom. GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The bulk of the planning for the upcoming Autumn 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 8th January. 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 - see tab Autumn 2024 Draft Program. You can 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: Garry O. | Email LeaderGarryO.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO SAT 20TH JAN, BECAUSE OF HEAVY RAIN FORECAST FOR SUN 7TH JAN. The event on Sun 7th Jan was fully booked. However there are now vacancies for the new date on Sat 20th Jan. _______________________________ A medium grade naturist walk through a remote and spectacular gorge north of Melbourne following along the banks of a significant creek. We will stop for a relaxed lunch and swimming breaks at some pleasant waterholes. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: A medium grade walk including a couple of moderate climbs and four creek crossings on large river stones. It is approximately 6 km in length. For quite a bit of the walk there is a small track through the gorge. At other times we are stepping across bluestone river rocks. The walk to the top of the valley is a rarely used 4WD track and along the top of the escarpment is quite a nice kangaroo pad. Approximately 3 hours walking time plus 1.25 hrs lunch and swim stops.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This walk is for naturists. Stroll down to the valley of Deep Creek and view the spectacular rock walls along the side of this valley. It is in an unexpectedly remote area of the countryside and appears not to have been visited by anyone for a very long time. The waterholes are wonderful, deep with crystal clear water and they appear to last well until the end of summer! Deep Creek is one of the main tributaries to the Maribyrnong River. Along the river course are beautifully large and shady river red gums. Enjoy the atmosphere in this relatively unknown ravine. A good chance you'll see a kangaroo or two as well. Back at the cars by 4pm approx. This spot is 20 minutes (18 km) from Wallan. BOOKING: Preferably by Wednesday 17th January. However these events are often booked out a week in advance. So if you'd like to come along, book early. It's much easier to cancel if you can't come, than be waiting on a Waitlist. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:15am for a morning coffee and catch up at Open House Cafe, Shop 4/51 High St, Wallan. Hopefully there is enough parking in front of the shop. If not you can park across the road in the carpark for the reserve. The cafe is quite large and offers a good breakfast menu. Arrive early if you'd like some, so that you have time to enjoy it.  10.45am. The day's briefing and car pooling arrangements outside the shop. From the cafe to the start of the walk is 18km which will take 20 mins to drive. The exact location in Chintin will be emailed to attendees 2 days before the event. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 646 grid A10 | VicRoads map 60 grid H8 and map 638 grid D8 | Google map: maps.app.goo.gl/F1H8ss7jrN4vGD4n9 DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 60 km, 1 hour. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is no suitable public transport to our meeting place on Sunday mornings. Please contact the leader Russell at least 3 days before the event so that we can arrange a lift from Melbourne for you. You can email Russell on LeaderRussellW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com Transport back to Melbourne should be no problem as many cars are coming back at various times. AFTER-WALK REFRESHMENTS: For those who would like some cool drinks, coffee or snacks after the walk we will be returning to a Wallan cafe, Vento Cafe Bar & Restaurant. It's in the Shopping Centre at 81 - 89 High St Wallan. It's on the southern end (Melbourne end) of the shopping Centre, and on your right hand side as you enter the main doors of the Shopping Centre. If you're in the mood you can stay on for dinner. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sunscreen, hat, dark glasses, comfortable walking boots/shoes, towel to dry off after swimming/paddling. Shorts or similar could be required when we walk from the cars 1/2 km to the gorge. FOOD: Carry lunch and snacks. Most people take at least 600ml to 1 litre of water, though some people need more, especially if the weather is hot. COST: Nomads financial members free, non-financial members $5. LEADER: Russell W. | Email LeaderRussellW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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 leisurely picnic and explore one of Inner Melbourne's hidden treasures - Wattle Park; located in the traditional country of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung People. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Picnic and short walk around the multi purpose Wattle Park. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The part heritage-listed Wattle Park is managed by Parks Victoria. The park is a great place for a picnic, a leisurely walk or just to relax in a tranquil bushland setting. The (then) Hawthorn Tramway Trust purchased 56 hectares from Mrs Eliza Welch (of Ball & Welch fame) on the condition by the seller it be used as public space. The Trust saw it as a way to increase tram patronage. The park has been the venue for monthly recitals by the Melbourne Tramways Band. The Park is in the later stages of major upgrade works to refresh the spaces and activities that can be undertaken. The gathering space is north-east of the Lone Pine Loop Car Park at the end of Monsborough Drive. There are BBQs. Access to the shelters is on a 1st-come basis. NOTE: this is not a grassed or paved area, thus "stilettos" or similar footwear are not suitable - LOL. BOOKING: By Saturday 31st December. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/wattle-park   wikipedia.org/wiki/Wattle_Park,_Melbourne MEETING TIME | LOCATION: From 12 Noon.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 60 grid J2 | Google map goo.gl/yUGVKzBjaHf4dr5o9.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 14 km, 40 minutes via Camberwell Junction and 350 metres from the intersection with Warrigal Road. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catch a #70 Tram that travels along Swan Street Richmond and Riversdale Road Hawthorn and Camberwell. Exit the tram at stop #58 opposite the Monsborough Drive entrance to the park. Capped fares apply on public holidays if using myki money (currently $7:20 Full or $3.60 Concession/Seniors BUT could increase on 1 January 2024). FOOD: Bring your picnic lunch, snacks and drinks. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. A picnic rug and/or folding chair could be very useful as the Park only has "backless" seats. LEADER: Garry Oliver. | Email LeaderGarryO.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.     HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Join the Nomads Friday cycling group for their last ride of 2023. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate cycling tour of approximately 20 km, with the wind mostly behind us! There will be options to shorten the ride (by exiting at a train station), or lengthening it if you wish. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The group rides every Friday, but on this occasion the route has been specially designed to accommodate people who don't cycle regularly. You will still need to be a competent cyclist though, and able to ride at least 20 km at a gentle pace. The route will pass a number of train stations, so that in the unlikely event you're finding the going a bit tough, you'll be able to exit the ride a little early.  From Fed Square we'll cycle to the MCG then head northwards via on-road cycling paths to get to the Merri Creek Trail, which we'll follow to the Coburg Lakes. From there it's a short on-road hop to our lunch spot, The Boot Factory, 1/19 Pentridge Boulevard, within the former Pentridge Prison complex. After lunch you can exit the ride from the nearby Coburg Station, or ride with the group back towards the CBD via the Upfield Trail, which runs beside the Upfield railway line.   BOOKING: By Thursday 28th December. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10.30am at the bike hoops on Birrarung Marr, beside Federation Square. (The photo is taken at the meeting point). The bike hoops are located on Birrarung Marr, between Swanston Street and the MCG and between the river and the Federation Square Car Park. This is on the intermediate level - not the path right beside the river, and not the level of the main part of Federation Square. If you'd like a coffee, please get one (e.g. from Flinders Street Station) on your way to the meeting point.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 1B grid Q12 | Google map maps.app.goo.gl/TjoPrdVDsuSDGjzV6.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Take any line to Flinders Street Station. FOOD: Carry snacks if you wish and a litre of water. Lunch will be purchased at The Boot Factory in Coburg. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable attire for the weather forecast, in addition to your bike and helmet. A spare bike tube is advisable. LEADER: Alan D. | Email LeaderAlanD.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

An easy walk in the Fishermans Bend area of Melbourne. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 7 km point to point walk. The track is flat - just what you need at Christmas. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Westgate Park is a green oasis located under the Westgate Bridge in the heart of industrial Melbourne, part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape in the traditional Country of the Bunurong People. The lake in the centre of the park turns a vibrant pink when conditions are right. Roughly once a year, when there is a long enough dry spell, the water from the lake evaporates enough to change from really salty to really, really, really salty, and the algae puts on its pink sunglasses to survive the extreme conditions. Hopefully we'll time it right. As soon as the rain comes and dilutes the water, or the weather gets cold and overcast, the pink colour disappears as the algae stops producing the pink carotenoids. See parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/westgate-park. We'll take the unsealed trails in Westgate Park around the lakes and wetlands to see the park’s plants and animals, as well as the Earth Series Sculptures. These artworks by Lyn Moore are made from natural materials and add to the unique landscape and character of Westgate Park.  After Westgate Park, we'll do a short detour to see the Yarra River/Spotswood Punt, then wend down to the beach in Beacon Cove, finishing at Port Melbourne to take the #109 tram home. BOOKING: By Friday 15th December. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11:00am at the Fishermens Bend/Wharf Road bus stop. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Bus #235, from Southern Cross Station (Collins St) 10:40am, arriving at Fishermans Bend (end of the line) at 10:57am.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 42 grid E12  | Google map goo.gl/DYt32YW1U1qqenEFA. FOOD: As this is a short walk, we'll not have lunch en-route, but at the end at Port Melbourne Beach.  Bring your own, or buy locally.  APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots and dress according to the weather forecast.  Maybe bring your swimming gear too.  LEADER: Richard C. | Email LeaderRichardC.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

An urban country walk in and near Bendigo.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate 14.5 km point to point walk on some flat bitumen and concrete paths in Bendigo but gravel on the O'Keefe Rail Trail.   ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: After meeting at Peppercorn Park, which is the former Longlea Railway Station site, we will car pool the 20 minute drive into Bendigo to Lake Weeroona where we will commence walking the long way around the lake. Joining the Bendigo Creek Trail for a short distance, we turn off onto the O'Keefe Rail Trail and pass the North Bendigo Railway Workshops site and stop for lunch at the Strathfieldsaye Railway Station site. After lunch, we walk the last 7 km to Longlea, crossing the 60 metre long Axe Creek Bridge just before we arrive. There are a couple of options for an after-walk drink. BOOKING: By Friday 8th December. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/About/Document-Library/okeefe-rail-trail-map-pdf MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 1030am at Peppercorn Park, the former Longlea Railway Station site. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X909 grid F3 | Google map goo.gl/maps/GtX54s4NWPnX5pGN7 DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 151 km, approximately 1 hour 57 minutes via Calder Fwy/M79, take the Elphinstone exit and travel via Sutton Grange to Longlea. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Possible, but not recommended. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and 2 litres of water. Extra water if hot. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast.  LEADER: Paul K. | Email LeaderPaulK.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Join us for the popular annual Christmas BBQ beside the Yarra River in a tranquil, little-known park in Hawthorn.  GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Join your friends on the banks of the Yarra River at Hawthorn for a pre-Christmas BBQ in lieu of our monthly indoors social evening. The venue is a secluded spot that is protected from wind and extreme sun. The reserve has four tables with bench seats and two BBQs. Water is on tap and a public toilet is located on Creswick St. BOOKING: By Sunday 3rd December. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: From 6:30pm at Yarra Bank Reserve, on the Hawthorn side of the Yarra River (“under” the Bridge Rd bridge).  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 2H grid H6 | Google map goo.gl/maps/mjZWxZRLASy.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 5 km by car – enter the reserve via the corner of Creswick and Denham Streets, Hawthorn or else park in Creswick St. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Trams are best, to tram stop 23 (Burwood Road / Church Street junction) via either route 48 (from Collins St) or route 75 (from Flinders St). Alternatively, it's a 15 minute walk from Hawthorn Station, on the Lilydale, Belgrave and Alamein lines. FOOD: The Nomads will supply pre-meal nibbles plus bread and salads to accompany the main meal. You need to BYO your preferred main meal item for the BBQ. All beverages are BYO. A limited supply of disposable plates, cups and cutlery will be available. You are recommended to bring your preferred utensils. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Daylight saving will be active. Bring insect repellent plus a lightweight and waterproof jacket if showers are forecast. It is likely to turn cool once the sun sets. LEADER: Garry O. | Email LeaderGarryO.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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 Forecast for this Saturday is again not looking good at all and will be posponed to the New Year when the weather is more settled.  Sorry for any disappointment.  I am sure you will understand.  Hope you can join me at Sunnyside soon - MC All welcome, a leisurely day at the beach with a Port Phillip Bay vista in the distance.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, social day with short walks along the beach. Some rocks to walk over to get from the carpark to the naturist beach.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a leisurely day sunbathing, walking, swimming and socialising with other Nomads on the beach. Sunnyside is the only officially designated clothing optional beach on Port Phillip Bay, and the closest legal naturist beach to Melbourne. Sunnyside Beach (North) is a very popular beach with naturists from all over Melbourne and beyond, for very good reasons. It is a safe beach, easy to get to, and offers good swimming and general beach fun. There are a number of rocky areas and reefs close to shore which may also provide snorkelling opportunities if you wish. Most of the beach is sandy with scattered small rocks. This is a family friendly beach, so behaviour needs to be appropriate at all times. The naturist beach is a very popular location on any sunny day, and the car parking spaces closest to the beach fill up quickly. Arrive early if you would like the best chance of a close park. There are additional all-day parking spaces along the side of Sunnyside Road, but ensure that you read the parking signs carefully as parking inspectors have been known to work over the weekends. Be aware also, that parking in the car-park could be an metered  expense if it has been installed/implemented by the council.  We strongly suggest not leaving valuables visible in your car, which of course is good practice everywhere. And, as is common sense, do not leave anything unattended on the beach. High tide will be at 7.40am and Low tide will be at 1.30pm on 2 December. You are free to do as much or as little as you want on the beach, it is your day, so make the most of it. For the more active, bring any sports equipment, petanque/bucci etc.  There is no planned finishing time, you are free to spend as much or as little time as you wish on the beach.  If the weather forecast for the day is determined as unsuitable by the leader, this beach day may be cancelled by 8pm on the evening prior to the event, or alternatively may be changed. This is a free event, but to assist with planning, it is requested that you register your attendance. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on this naturist beach day. BOOKING: By Thursday 30th November. To register to attend, click on Get Tickets (no charge for this event). Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/sunnyside-beach-mount-eliza#.XVd7kOgzZPY. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10.30am at the Northern end of the main beach carpark at the end of Sunnyside Rd, Mt Eliza. If you arrive late, no problem, just follow the rocky track north until the next sandy beach, you will have no problem locating and joining our group. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 104 grid K5 | Google map goo.gl/maps/ggsox7nN4KDiCa5z9.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 66 km, 1 hour 10 minutes via M1 and M3 | 79 km, 1 hour 20 minutes via M3. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: From Flinders Street Station, catch the 8:57am Frankston line train to Frankston, arriving at 10:04am. The #781 Dromana bus departs from Bay C at Frankston Station at 9:09am. Get off at the George Vowell Institute Blind/Nepean Hwy, Mt Eliza at 10:24am. From there it is a 22 minute (1.3 km) walk to the Sunnyside Beach car park. Please check public transportation first, as there is a lot of rail ungrading work with bus replacement at this time of year - don't want you to be disappointed. FOOD | APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: In the main beach carpark are several modern individual toilets, but once we move to the clothing optional beach, there are no facilities at all. You need to be self-sufficient and bring your own food and drink (including ample water), esky, sun shelter or wind protection if desired, sunscreen, sunnies and hat. Clothing must be worn between the carpark and the beach. Also, we recommend suitable footwear to protect your feet from the sometimes sharp rocks along the short walking track to the beach. LEADER: Michael C. | Email LeaderMichaelC.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

Play a game or two of 500 cards online via the Trickster Cards website, with fellow Nomads 500 card players.  TYPE: Social ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Enjoy playing a social game of 500 cards, in groups of four, from anywhere in Australia or even overseas, from the comfort of your own home, while enjoying your favorite beverage or nibbles. You will be able to see and hear the other players and enjoy the banter of your fellow Nomads members.  BOOKING: By Monday 27th November. To register click on Get Tickets. You will be e-mailed the link to play the game prior to 7pm on Tuesday 28th November.  Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: At 7pm click on the link that will be e-mailed to you on Tuesday prior to the game.  LEADER: Stephan C. | Email LeaderStephanC.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

Because of heavy rain forecast, it has been decided to postpone this walk. LEADER: Richard C. | Email LeaderRichardC.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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  

Owing to changing weather forecast and likelyhood of attrocious conditions, this event had been moved to the following Saturday.  I hope that all those who have signed up, will be able to attend revised date.  Sorry for any disapointment caused - mc.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, social day with short walks along the beach. Some rocks to walk over to get from the carpark to the naturist beach. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a leisurely day sunbathing, walking, swimming and socialising with other Nomads on the beach. Sunnyside is the only officially designated clothing optional beach on Port Phillip Bay, and the closest legal naturist beach to Melbourne. Sunnyside Beach (North) is a very popular beach with naturists from all over Melbourne and beyond, for very good reasons. It is a safe beach, easy to get to, and offers good swimming and general beach fun. There are a number of rocky areas and reefs close to shore which may also provide snorkelling opportunities if you wish. Most of the beach is sandy with scattered small rocks. This is a family friendly beach, so behaviour needs to be appropriate at all times. The naturist beach is a very popular location on any sunny day, and the car parking spaces closest to the beach fill up quickly. Arrive early if you would like the best chance of a close park. There are additional all-day parking spaces along the side of Sunnyside Road, but ensure that you read the parking signs carefully as parking inspectors have been known to work over the weekends. We strongly suggest not leaving valuables visible in your car, which of course is good practice everywhere. And, as is common sense, do not leave anything unattended on the beach. High tide will be at 9:54am and Low tide will be at 3:45pm on 25 November. You are free to do as much or as little as you want on the beach, it is your day, so make the most of it. There is no planned finishing time, you are free to spend as much or as little time as you wish on the beach. If the weather forecast for the day is determined as unsuitable by the leader, this beach day may be cancelled by 8pm on the evening prior to the event, or alternatively may be changed to the following day. This is a free event, but to assist with planning, it is requested that you register your attendance. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on this naturist beach day. BOOKING: By Thursday 23rd November. To register to attend, click on Get Tickets (no charge for this event). Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/sunnyside-beach-mount-eliza#.XVd7kOgzZPY. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10.30am at the Northern end of the main beach carpark at the end of Sunnyside Rd, Mt Eliza. If you arrive late, no problem, just follow the rocky track north until the next sandy beach, you will have no problem locating and joining our group. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 104 grid K5 | Google map goo.gl/maps/ggsox7nN4KDiCa5z9.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 66 km, 1 hour 10 minutes via M1 and M3 | 79 km, 1 hour 20 minutes via M3. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: From Flinders Street Station, catch the 8:57am Frankston line train to Frankston, arriving at 10:04am. The #781 Dromana bus departs from Bay C at Frankston Station at 9:09am. Get off at the George Vowell Institute Blind/Nepean Hwy, Mt Eliza at 10:24am. From there it is a 22 minute (1.3 km) walk to the Sunnyside Beach car park. FOOD | APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: In the main beach carpark are several modern individual toilets, but once we move to the clothing optional beach, there are no facilities at all. You need to be self-sufficient and bring your own food and drink (including ample water), esky, sun shelter or wind protection if desired, sunscreen, sunnies and hat. Clothing must be worn between the carpark and the beach. Also, we recommend suitable footwear to protect your feet from the sometimes sharp rocks along the short walking track to the beach. LEADER: Michael C. | Email LeaderMichaelC.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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: This event is now fully booked with 33 registered (Tuesday 14th Nov). Also there are 5 people on the Waiting List which means there is little chance of anyone else being able to come on this event, sorry. If vacancies DO become available we will reopen the tickets. This event is for naturists. Come and climb up the large "white elephants" to reach the top of the White Elephant Range for great views into the valleys north and south. The "elephants" won't move, they are very large white clay cliffs which were mined in the 1950s and 1960s. Visit a small museum hidden in the forest where you can see photos of the early days in this area (no clothes needed). Please Note: Running naturist walks in Spring is quite risky weatherwise. Should Sunday 19th November be totally unsuitable weather, our backup date is Sunday 3rd December. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate 6 to 7 km circuit walk. Comfortable footwear is recommended as the track varies from smooth white clay to small rocks, to 4WD tracks and kangaroo pads. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We are meeting at the BP Service Station at 65 Grant St, Maddingly, a suburb on the south side of Bacchus Marsh for a coffee and short catch up before we go on the walk. (This is very close to the Bacchus Marsh Railway Station). The BP Service Station has very good rolls and sandwiches. The coffee is from a push button machine, but is quite good. If you want barista coffee you could get it in Bacchus Marsh before arriving at the meeting place. From the BP Service Station we will car pool 18 km (18 minutes) to the start of the walk. The reserve is surrounded by private land, which we have permission to drive through to get to the front gate. Once there we can get suitably unattired for a comfortable naturist walk. We can first check out the large white elephants before doing a gentle climb to the top of the range for views and lunch. Following lunch we plan to visit a small museum with photos from the early days in the area. The museum is reserved for us so we can do a naked tour. We will then make our way back to the cars before returning to the BP petrol station to collect cars which had been left there in the morning, and then go to Flanagans Border Inn Hotel in Bacchus Marsh for cool drinks, coffee, snacks and dinner if you wish to stay on. BOOKING: Preferably by Thursday 16th November. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10.30am in the car park on the service road outside the BP Petrol Station at 65 Grant St, Maddingly (a southern suburb of Bacchus Marsh). MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X911 grid F2 | Google map goo.gl/maps/hU4LTE1V9aeejdnG9.  ADDRESS FOR AFTER-WALK REFRESHMENTS: Flanagans Border Inn, 139 Main St, Bacchus Marsh. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 61 km, approximately 55 minutes. Various routes are possible but probably using the Western Fwy is the easiest. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Take the 9:14am train towards Ballarat from Southern Cross. Alight at Bacchus Marsh Railway Station at 9.58am. From there it is a 550m (7 min) walk to the meeting place. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks, water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses. Comfortable walking boots / shoes, which have a good sole with grip and padding.  We are hoping for a warm and sunny day so that you will need very little clothing. While walking we will probably be warm enough, however if there is a breeze at lunchtime you may need something to keep you warm. LEADER: Russell W. | Email LeaderRussellW.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com 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