Accomodation at Restaway is now fully booked - any cancellations will be offered to those who have registerd on the WAITING LIST, and will be offered by date / time order of registration. Booking and payment by Friday 17th December is essential to participate in this popular February 2022 Nomads weekend of walking on Mt Buffalo, socialising and exclusive-use accommodation in Porepunkah. Mt Buffalo National Park offers spectacular scenery, moderately challenging walks through varying terrain, and rich diversity of flora and fauna, as well as unique geological formations. This Nomads walking and social weekend in Victoria's North-East is now in its seventh year, and David R. will again head up the walk leaders' team. Bookings are limited and it always books out, so book early!   GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Each day we will drive from our group accommodation in Porepunkah to Mt Buffalo, enjoy the walk, and return in the late afternoon. (Optional) Friday 25th Feb walk: Hard; approx 6-8 hrs; Saturday 26th Feb walk: Medium-Hard; approx 5-6 hrs; probable circuit walk. Booking includes the communal BBQ dinner (you will be asked to bring something for dinner) at our accommodation. Sunday 27th Feb walk: Easy; approx 2 hrs; After departing Restaway, a circuit walk ending with lunch at Lake Catani and the opportunity for a swim. This enables a drive back to Melbourne after lunch on Sunday. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The weekend will follow the successful model of previous years and will be based on accommodation at Restaway Holiday Units in Porepunkah. Accomodation is in shared holiday units, with each unit having: two bedrooms (one with a queen bed, the other with 2 single beds), a living area, a bathroom and kitchenette).  Our booking is for the nights of Thursday 24th February (for those wishing to do the Friday walk), Friday 25th and Saturday 26th February. The maximum number of people for the walks is 30. Depending on room options selected, Restaway accommodates about 24 people, so there is only limited capacity for off-site campers who wish to walk. Those wanting the limited off-site camping places, before booking please email LeaderIanG.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com - as they are managed on a first-come basis. Only book an OFFSITE ACCOMMODATION ticket if advised by the leader to do so. For those arriving Thursday night and wishing to do the optional Friday walk, it will be a relatively hard walk, in an area to be decided depending on weather and park conditions. Alternativerly, you can have a restful day at Restaway or visit local wineries, brewery, or the Bright region. On Saturday there will be a one-day walk on Mt Buffalo and the communal BBQ dinner at Restaway on Saturday evening. On Sunday there will be a shorter half-day walk on Mt Buffalo, followed by a BYO picnic lunch at Lake Catani (there are no shops on Mt Buffalo, so bring lunch) with the opportunity for a swim (bring towel) before you leave. This schedule enables people to drive up after work on Friday and return Sunday afternoon or evening. Some people might want to stay at Restaway for Sunday evening or longer.  If you stay in your weekend room, the owners are giving you a "special rate of $137 per Unit" (i.e for two bedrooms, living area, bathroom and kitchenette) Please contact LeaderIanG.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com for details of how to book. We expect to book out all of Restaway again, so we will have exclusive use of the swimming pool, large garden and BBQ area.  It is a big, big task organising this weekend, so the roles are being split again this year. David is organising leadership of the walks, and Ian Gould is organising the accommodation and communal Saturday dinner. Bookings can only be made through the Nomads website; if you find it is fully booked, please take out a 'wait list' ticket and you will be contacted (in the order of ticketing) if a place becomes available.  To join this weekend you need to book and pay by Friday 17th December 2021 (if not booked out earlier) - enabling the Nomads to secure booking of all units. The Restaway owners have indicated that their cancellation policy is more flexible than normal, should you/we need to cancel due to COVID-19. Please note: (i) This is a popular event; in every previous year the event has been fully booked. (ii) A booking must include full payment for accommodation and be via our website. (iii) Maximum walking group size is 30, limited to ensure a quality environmental experience and individual and group safety. (iv) The event is based on accommodation at Restaway and walks on Mt Buffalo. Please contact LeaderIanG.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com to discuss staying elsewhere; only a small number can camp or stay off-site. This event is generally not open to Visitors. Please contact LeaderIanG.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com if you are a Visitor and would like to attend. BOOKING: By Friday 17th December if not sold out prior. To register, click on Get Tickets. Your payment will be fully refunded if it becomes necessary to cancel due to COVID-19. Firstly, decide if you will be arriving on the afternoon/evening of Thursday 24th or Friday 25th February 2022. Secondly, choose if you want 'Shared bedroom' accommodation, in which you will share the room with one other person (separate beds, or, share a queen bed with your partner or friend), OR, want a 'Single room' which gives you a room for your use only, usually a single bed. The Ticket includes the cost of accommodation, Saturday night's BBQ dinner (you will also be asked to contribute some food too) and participation in the walks. Buy the ticket you want, noting: if you and your partner / friend wish to share a booking, you will need to buy two 'Shared room' tickets (see below); Indicate if you prefer vegetarian or non-vegetarian food for the communal BBQ; and, if you are wanting to 'hitch a ride' with a Nomad for the drive up. If buying Shared accommodation and you wish to share with a particular person, it is necessary to email LeaderIanG.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com to advise him of the name of the person you will be sharing with, and preferred room sharing arrangements. i.e. (i) are you wanting to share a Queen bed with your partner or friend (who needs to buy a ticket too), OR (ii) have a preference to share a twin room with a particular person. If you buy Shared accommodation and do not send the Leader an email, he will allocate you with another person in a shared room. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 220224 Mt Buffalo Weekend Walking. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/mount-buffalo-national-park and www.restawayholidayunits.com.au. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Arrival time is from 3pm onwards on either Thursday 24th or Friday 25th February at Restaway Holiday Units, 6852 Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah.  Car pooling arrangements from Restaway to Mt Buffalo will be organised each day at the compulsory pre-walk briefings held at Restaway prior to leaving for each day's walk.  MAP REFERENCE: Meeting point at Restaway Holiday Units: Melway map X922 grid F9 | Google map www.google.com.au/maps/place/Porepunkah+VIC+3740.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 320 km, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes driving time, via Hume Hwy, Snow Road, Myrtleford to Porepunkah.  TRANSPORT: Car sharing is preferred - we'll try to avoid single-occupant car trips (COVID-19 guidelines permitting). There is a V/Line bus stop in Porepunkah, with connections to Wangaratta Station. FOOD: Bring your own breakfasts, lunches, drinks and snacks for all days. Bring you dinner for all evenings except Saturday, if you intend cooking at Restaway. During the walks carry your own lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water. Only very limited food was available in the nearby Porepunkah service station last year, so it is essential to bring all your food and drink needs with you. Dinner Thursday and Friday night: Bring your own dinner (BBQ available on-site; limited kitchen in each Unit) and eat in, or, eat out at the local hotel. If you wish to join a block booking for the Porepunkah Hotel please contact the leader. Saturday night: Booking and payment includes the famous Nomads communal BBQ dinner (including meat or vegetarian option, plus dessert) on Saturday night, but BYO drinks. The organiser will ask you for a contribution of a salad or pre-dinner nibbles to this dinner. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots, walking poles (if you wish), sun hat / wool beany and rain/wind proof jacket. While weather forecasts are useful, cold, windy and wet weather can occur in any season, so walkers must be prepared even in February. LEADER: Ian G. | Email LeaderIanG.thenomadsinc@mail.tidyhq.com if you have any questions or to advise on Shared accommodation preferences. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Get away from the heat with a scenic walk around Warburton in the Upper Yarra Valley. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Moderate approximately 12 km circuit walk. Most of the walk will be fairly flat but there will be some short climbs and descents, steep at times. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Warburton is a beautiful small town sitting beside the Yarra River and surrounded by forests. This walk, starting from central Warburton, will encompass sections of the O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail, the Yarra River Walk and an unofficial extension of the Warburton Rail Trail. From the meeting point, we'll cross the river then walk uphill, mostly on a gentle gradient to meet the O'Shannassy Aqueduct Trail. We'll follow that trail eastwards, surrounded by tall trees and ferns, with many spectacular vistas over the Yarra Valley. Afterwards, we head down to the river to walk back to the start point via an extension of the Warburton Rail Trail and the Yarra River Walk. Those who would like some refreshments afterwards can linger for a while at the Alpine Hotel prior to heading back home. BOOKING: By Friday 18th February. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 220220: Warburton Circuit Walk. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11:15am | At the bus stop in front of the Alpine Hotel, 3340 Warburton Hwy, Warburton. There is parking on site, but Warburton is very busy on the weekends, so allow plenty of time to find a parking spot. You can park along the Warburton Highway in front of the Alpine Hotel or on Station Rd (which is behind the Alpine Hotel), then walk over the Rail trail and down through the hotel grounds to the bus stop. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X912 grid S3 | VicRoads map 80 grid D7 | Google map g.page/Alpine-Hotel-Warburton?share.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: You can use public transport to get to and from this walk: Getting There: Catch the Lilydale train that departs Flinders Street Station at 9:06am (or Richmond at 9:19am), arriving in Lilydale at 10:15am. From there catch the 10:22am #683 Warburton bus, which should arrive at the Alpine Retreat (aka The Alpine) at 11:07am. Returning: #683 buses depart from Warburton for Lilydale Station at 3:39pm, 4:39pm, 5:23pm, 6:29pm... DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 73 km, approximately 1.5 hours to drive, 2.5 hours by public transport. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Sunscreen, hat and insect repellent are recommended. LEADER: Johnathon M. | Email LeaderJohnathonM.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. Image: Cycling along the O'Shannassey Aquaduct trail (courtesy of Warburton Holiday Park).   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Enjoy a relaxing summer's day exploring the Merri Creek/Yarra River including the mighty Dights Falls and Yarra Bend Park reserve on a fun and challenging hike! Situated within inner Melbourne's largest area of bushland, the area including Studley Park, provides the perfect setting for enjoying some of the Yarra's natural and cultural heritage. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium-Hard (with a few rough unformed tracks), some short steep hills and narrow rocky unsealed sections of track in some parts.  Other sections of track are sealed and well maintained. Some bushwalking experience is recommended. Length of approximately 10.5 km.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Explore the Merri Creek and Yarra River trails on a 10.5km walk through the natural bushlands of the area, grassy woodlands and open forest that provides significant habitat for the park's native wildlife including Rainbow Lorikeets, Cockatoos and the Eastern Pobblebonk frog. A short way downstream, the Merri Creek meets the mighty Yarra River which marks an important traditional gathering place for the Wurundjeri people.  Here we will spend time at Dights Falls which was originally a natural rock barrier in the Yarra River that was first converted into a weir in the 1840s. The purpose of the weir was to divert water to drive a flour mill on the northern bank of the river which we will get to explore. We will spend time exploring the park's bushland trails, take a walk across a 1930's suspension bridge and visit Melbourne's oldest public boathouse. We will enjoy an hour for lunch picnicking among the gum trees at Studley Park Reserve before exploring Dights Falls from the opposite bank of the Yarra.  The walk will conclude at Collingwood train station. The tracks are uneven in parts so good footwear is encouraged. BOOKING: By Friday 18th February. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: Yarra Bend Park (parks.vic.gov.au) NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 220219: Merri Creek/Yarra River & Dights Falls Hike. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:45am at Merri Train Station, Northcote (South Park Street Side) MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 193 grid H9 | Google map https://goo.gl/maps/jxg3p2WGL7ioMAss9 DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 6 km, approximately 15 minutes to drive, 20 minutes by public transport. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: This is a public transport friendly event. Take the Mernda train from Flinders St and alight at Merri Station. The walk will terminate at Collingwood train station (same line) where you can continue your journey home.  For those driving you may park your car at Merri or Collingwood and collect your car at the conclusion of the hike. FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and at least 1 litre of water. We will spend approximately an hour at the Studley Park Reserve. Food and drinks can be purchased at the Boathouse as well. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Hiking boots/shoes preferred.  There are quite a few rough sections of track with loose rocks and some short steep hills.  Sturdy foot attire is recommended.  Dress according to the weather forecast, bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses as the UV level will be quite high. BRING MYKI CARD: Bring a Myki Card even if travelling by car, as we will need to return to the starting point to collect your car, or if leaving the car at the end of the hike, you will need to take the train to the start of the walk. Don't forget to bring a face mask with you as this is a requirement for taking public transport. You may also make use of carpooling or the use of Uber if you are concerned with using the train to return to the starting point. LEADER: Jason T. | Email LeaderJasonT.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 relaxing cycle ride from Federation Square to Port Melbourne, then following Port Phillip Bay to Brighton Beach, and optionally on to Mordialloc. This event is part of Midsumma Festival. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 16 km, or Medium 35 km, point-to-point cycling with lunch at Brighton Beach Hotel.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Starting from Federation Square, we'll cycle along Southbank then the trail beside the 109 tram to Port Melbourne. From there we follow the Bay Trail via St Kilda and Elwood to Brighton, where we'll stop for lunch at the Brighton Beach Hotel, overlooking the beach. This is an easy 16 km ride entirely on cycle paths and quite flat. After lunch you can return via train from the Brighton Beach Station, or continue for a further 19 km at a slightly faster pace via the Bay Trail to Mordialloc. From Mordialloc Railway Station trains depart every 10 minutes to either Flinders Street or Frankston Stations.  Some leisure cycling experience is advisable. There's a cap on lunch numbers, so book early to ensure you don't miss out!  BOOKING: By Thursday 10th February. To register, click on Get Tickets in this listing or register via midsumma.org.au. Unsure if you've already booked via The Nomads? Click View my bookings. NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 220212: Midsumma Cycling by the Bay. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at the Birrarung Marr bike parking (Federation Square).  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X893 grid J10 or 1B grid Q12 | Google map goo.gl/maps/wQohZA3HZWN2GDPt5.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Any train to Flinders Street Station. FOOD: Lunch will be purchased at the Brighton Beach Hotel. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable cycling gear and dress according to the weather forecast. Bring swimwear if you might be tempted by a swim. 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  

Gather your friends together, and your Nomads polo shirt, and head along to Fitzroy St, St Kilda to march with The Nomads in the annual Midsumma Pride March. GRADE |  TYPE: Easy, social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Midsumma Pride March in 2022 will still have a few COVID-19 hoops to clamber through, but should be less restrictive than in 2021. It will be occurring as a physical march on 6 February, and the general public should be permitted to attend this time.  The best view of the parade is always from within it, so register via Get Tickets to join The Nomads in marching proudly down Fitzroy Street. See midsumma.org.au closer to the date for comprehensive details. BOOKING: By Friday 4th February. To register, click on Get Tickets. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: probably 9:30am - we will be notified of our assembly time closer to the event | Ian Johnson Oval, Fitzroy St, St Kilda. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 2P grid B3 | Google map goo.gl/maps/rNZFmL1Pz16aCqD18. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: 12 to stop 143 | tram 96 to stop 132 | any St Kilda Rd tram to stop 30 (these tram stops will be serviced even while the march is proceeding). 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. Image: Zack M.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

Our regular monthly social night - this month at the Arcadia Hotel, South Yarra.  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. The extensive Arcadia menu offers a range of pizzas and bar snacks, popular pub classics, healthy salads and weekly specials.  BOOKING: By Monday 31st January. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm at the Arcadia Hotel, 2 Toorak Rd, South Yarra. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 2L grid E5/F5. | Google map goo.gl/maps/kp7jhogCy5kXQLzeA. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Tram #58 to stop 125 (Punt Rd & Toorak Rd) Train: Sandringham, Frankston, Cranbourne or Pakenham line to South Yarra Station Bus: #246 (Elsternwick to Clifton Hill) along Punt Rd to Punt Rd & Toorak Rd 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  

Enjoy Melbourne's big 260 hectare backyard. This event is part of Midsumma Festival. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy 10 km point-to-point walk with public transport connections.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Join the experienced leaders of the Nomads Outdoors Group Inc to explore one of Melbourne's underrated gems - Yarra Bend Park, which hugs both sides of the Yarra River at the back door of central Melbourne. The park contains both natural bushland and a built environment. It has many historical connections to the development of Marvellous Melbourne in the late 1800s together with the early years of the 1900s. It also has many LGBTI connections. Never static, the park continues to evolve to better serve the city's citizens. The walk starts at 10:30am sharp at the historic entrance to Victoria Park, which has easy access to multiple public transport services (bus and train). The walk will be mostly on dirt paths, so closed footwear is essential. BYO water container plus snacks and lunch. The lunch break will be taken in Fairfield Park which has access to toilets and water. Expect the walk to conclude around 4pm at Kew Junction with access to tram and bus routes. Other exit points to public transport are available en route. BOOKING: By Thursday 27th January. To register, click on Get Tickets in this listing or register via midsumma.org.au. Unsure if you've already booked via The Nomads? Click View my bookings. NOMADS COVIDSAVE CHECKLIST: Checklist 220130: Nomads Midsumma Outdoors - Yarra Bend Explorer. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at Victoria Park, cnr Lulie & Turner Sts, Abbotsford.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 44 grid E4 | Google map goo.gl/maps/QtRzqaPfAkuD3nKYA.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Hurstbridge/Mernda line train to Collingwood. Bus 200, 207, 246, 302-305, 905-907 to Johnston & Hoddle Street area. FOOD: BYO snacks and Lunch plus at least a 1 Litre water container - there is limited access to food in Fairfield Park on weekends. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable closed-toe shoes and dress according to the weather forecast.  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  

This event will continue as scheduled. Check your email for further details of the event. Enjoy a pleasant naturist beach day, with a leisurely lunch and swim. An optional late afternoon clifftop hike with spectacular views followed by dinner is also being offered as part of this event.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, approximately 1.5 km walk from the car park to the lunch spot on the beach. There are quite a few steps from the road down to the beach, but you can always take your time. The afternoon/evening hike is graded as moderate (the Ironbark Basin Trail is rather flat with a few uphill steps and tracks on a long gradual climb with a few steeper sections through the basin and along the cliffs).  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Enjoy a pleasant clothes-free beach day, with a leisurely lunch and swim. Optional activities include body surfing in a moderate surf and a 1 km beach walk to the rocky headland towards Southside. As the tide will go out during the day, we could if you like walk around the headland for another kilometre to the very end of the naturist beach at Southside.  A beach game or two will also be played. The optional afternoon clifftop hike through the Ironbark Basin will take place after the official beach day finishes. If time permits and there is enough interest, we will also visit the red ochre rocks at Black Rock Beach, about 2 km away. This beach boasts amazing rich red and black rocks, with a secluded beach and plenty of photo opportunities to be had. This beach will require a 2 km walk (easy to medium walk with some steps) along the Surf Coast Track to get to it. The evening hike is proposed to run from about 4:30pm/5pm to about 7pm. At the conclusion of the walk, all participants are invited to an optional dinner (approx. 7:30pm) at the local Chinese restaurant in Torquay to end a most enjoyable day out. IronBark Basin Hike (Clothed): (3 km return trip): Moderate A very pleasant hike through the Ironbark Basin, which is part of the massive Great Otway National Park.  A mostly sheltered forest trail with features of spectacular clifftop views of Addiscott Beach. At first the trail enters a stringybark woodland, scattered with ironbark trees and an understory of wattle, grass trees and ground covers. The walk affords not only spectacular views of the coast, with opportunities for animal and birdwatching, but also insights into the local Indigenous culture explaining the use of bush food by the local Koori people. Bring your cameras! The Day's Runsheet: 10:30am - Start of beach day/swim at Point Addis 4:30pm - Start of the Ironbark Basin hike (optional) 7:00pm - Head to the local Chinese restaurant in Torquay or another venue of choice for dinner (optional) 9:30pm - Leave Torquay bound for Melbourne BOOKING: By Thursday 27th January. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 220129: Pt Addis Beach Day with hike and dinner. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at Point Addis Beach car park in Pt Addis Rd (this is on the right-hand side of the road and is about 500 metres before the end of the road on the Pt Addis headland).  If you arrive later, you can meet us on the beach. Instructions will be emailed prior to the event with the exact spot.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway key map 15 grid A21 | Google map goo.gl/maps/w3hMeN4CigLwvQiV6.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 107 km, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to drive via the M1 freeway. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Apollo Bay coach has a stop at Pt Addis Rd, but you would arrive late to the event. FOOD: Bring lunch, snacks and drinking water. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sunscreen, hat, repellent, beach towel, footwear if sand is hot. Shorts required to get from the car park to the appropriate section of the beach. Beach umbrella or shade equipment could be useful. Hand sanitiser and a face mask when a minimum of 1.5 meters cannot be achieved. LEADER: Jason T. | Email LeaderJasonT.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 casual picnic on 26 January on the property of a Macclesfield member, which includes a swimming pool, expansive outdoor picnic area, historic features and some delightful walking trails. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Social - picnic with optional camp out overnight at "Blanchfields", a private home overlooking the Yarra Valley.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION:  We are very privileged to be invited to a picnic in the private and beautiful gardens of the home of member Robert A. 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 guests to stay the night after the day of revelry if you wish. 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. There will be a short walk around the property later in the afternoon. BOOKING: by Sunday 23rd January. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 220126 BYO Picnic at Blanchfields on 26 Jan. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: From midday onwards at the private home of member Robert A. located in Macclesfield (past Emerald). Address will be forwarded once you have booked a ticket. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map X912 grid R4 | Google map goo.gl/maps/KBZiiJpW2uj. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 1 hour – about 60 km. TRANSPORT: No public transport. Travel by car and carpool with someone else if you can. Take the Monash or Eastlink Freeway and exit at Wellington Rd then continue to Macclesfield. The full address and travelling directions will be provided to you upon receipt of your RSVP. 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. LEADER: Robert A. | Email LeaderRobertA.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 the celebration of 100 Years of the famous Archibald Art Prize at the Geelong Art Gallery, the exclusive Victorian venue on this national tour. The exhibition presents a diverse selection of Archibald portraits from the last century—the triumphant and the thwarted—and honours the artists who have made the prize the most sought-after accolade in Australian art today. A stroll along Corio Bay will preceed a pub lunch and visiting the Exhibition.  Travel via public transport is possible. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Easy, approximately 8 km cumulative, point-to-point walks on flat paths.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The background to the creation of the Archie 100 exhibition was covered in the 3-part ABC TV series hosted by Rachel Griffiths titled Finding The Archibald. Curated by the staff from the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the exhibition uncovered many portraits not seen in public for many years - for example the portrait of Molly Meldrum. The plan is to take the 10:30am Geelong line train from Southern Cross Station to North Geelong (Myki Zone 3). Exiting the the train at 11:30am, will see the start of a 3.5 km walk along Victoria Street then Corio Bay to the lunch venue at the Phoenix Hotel in Moorabool Street Geelong.   BOOKING: Nomads Booking: By Thursday 13th January. To register, click on Get Tickets. Exhibition Booking: You need to purchase your individual entry ticket for the exhibition via the Geelong Gallery website. Prices are: ADULT @ $16 and CONCESSION @ $12. See details of discount code below depending on your mode of transport. PLEASE PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE 2pm session. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. NOMADS COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 220116: Archie 100 - Celebration of The Archies @ Geelong Art Gallery. FURTHER INFORMATION: www.geelonggallery.org.au/whats-on/exhibitions/archie-100  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:15am on the relevant platform at Southern Cross Station, Spencer Street Melbourne.  MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 1A grid A6 | Google map goo.gl/maps/8y6FpNrCqEmAEjv87  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 74 km, approximately 1 hour 3 minutes to drive, and 1 hour by train.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: By train: Travel with V/Line and save 20% on exhibition entry by using promotion code 'VLINE' when booking tickets at geelonggallery.org.au/archie100. Return trains from Geelong (Myki Zone 4) depart every 40 minutes on public holidays on a 16 / 56 / 36 cycle. Full Fare for Zone 3 on Myki money is $17.08 and concession is $8.54 (weekend daily cap) @ 2021 prices. By ferry: Port Phillip Ferries operates fast passenger ferry services from Docklands to Geelong daily. Geelong Gallery is a 15 minute walk through Central Geelong from Steampacket Pier. For fares and timetable information see portphillipferries.com.au then book your Port Phillip Ferries and Archie 100 package. FOOD: A Group booking has been made for a 12:30pm lunch at the Phoneix Hotel - see menu. Please advise the leader if you do not wish to participate in the lunch. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. 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. Image: Geelong Gallery: Vincent Namatjira, Studio Self-portrait, 2018   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

UPDATE 14/01/2022 FROM MICHAEL J WEATHER FORECAST for Saturday 15th March 2022, as issued by Bureau of Meterology, Melbourne Mornington Peninsula area Temperature range 16-25 degrees. Light shower or two. 0.6-3mm possible rain. Frankston Humid. Cloudy. High chance of light showers, most likely in the morning. The chance of a thunderstorm in the early morning. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then tending southwesterly in the early afternoon. *** The Sunnyside beach day on Saturday 15th January 2022 will definitely be going ahead. You may wish to bring a small beach shelter if you have one to provide some protection from wind. Please remember to bring some footwear as the 10min walk from the carpark to the beach would probably be uncomfortable with bare feet. I spent quite a while at Sunnyside Beach today, it was very nice. I will be arriving early on Saturday morning to claim a good sandy spot on the beach. Our spot will be marked with a blue and white cabana. The water today felt cool when first jumping in, but the number of people out swimming confirms that after the first cool shock, the water temberature is actually quite nice. Today, the water was nice and clear. Anyone late to arrive on Saturday, no matter, just follow the track on the Northern end of the main carpark and you will see us once you get to half way along the clothing optional beach, which is well signposted. It is impossible to get lost from the carpark, just stick to the path through the rocks near the water. UPDATE 13/01/2022 FROM MICHAEL J I have been advised that our restaurant booking has been cancelled by the restaurant due to a recent Covid outbreak affecting their business, there will not be an alternative restaurant booking. The weather forecast is for a few showers possible in the morning, a mild day with a light wind turning Southerly during the day. As per event description, the beach day is going ahead unless cancelled. Cancellation advice will be provided here, on the Nomads event listing, no later than 8pm on the Friday evening prior to the event. If no cancellation by 8pm, the beach day goes ahead. If showers are forecast, the day will go ahead. If heavier rain or low temperatures are forecast, we will cancel. There are quite a number who have booked for this event, and if possible, the day will go ahead.   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 sunbaking, 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. 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, 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. The leader will bring a beach shelter which can be used as a communal place to keep small items out of the direct heat of the sun, and as a focal point for our group once on the beach. We will gather towards the Northern end of the main carpark at the end of Sunnyside Road at 10.30am. 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. High tide at Sunnyside will be at 12.39pm while we are on the beach. 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, or alternatively may be changed to the following day. Any changes in event details due to adverse weather or other reason will be made to the Nomads event listing no later than 8pm on the evening prior to the event. If no changes to the event details by 8pm, the beach day will go ahead as planned and there is no need to check further. 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. OPTIONAL FOOD OR DRINKS AT RESTAURANT IN FRANKSTON (CANCELLED 13/01/2022): If you would like to extend the social atmosphere of the beach day a bit further, a group booking for 12 people has been made at a nice restaurant in Frankston commencing at 5pm. The Iron River Bar and Grill has been used by us in the past, and most people seem to enjoy their selection of food and drinks. The restaurant is approximately a 20min drive from the carpark at Sunnyside beach. Attendance is entirely optional, but due to the popularity of the venue, we would need to confirm numbers as early as possible on the day. If we require more seats reserved for us, a change of booking at the restaurant can be requested, but there are no guarantees, as they are often fully booked. If you think that you might like to come along for food or drinks after the beach day, please contact the leader via the link in this event information. No obligation, just helps with planning. BOOKING: By Wednesday 12th January. To register to attend, click on Get Tickets (no charge for this event). COVIDSAFE CHECKLIST: Checklist 220115: Beach Day at Sunnyside Beach. 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. 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 8:23am Frankston train to Frankston, arriving at 9:28am. The 785 bus departs from Bay D at Frankston Station at 9:40am. Get off at the George Vowell Institute Blind/Nepean Hwy, Mt Eliza at 9:55am. From there it is a 1.3 km walk to the Sunnyside Beach car park. Alternatively, contact the leader, who may be able to arrange car sharing for you. FOOD: Lunch, snacks, plenty of water/drinks as there are no local facilities immediately available. 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  

Our quarterly planning night, in conjunction with the regular monthly social night - this month at the Skinny Dog Hotel. GRADE: Social.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Do you want to see more of a particular activity, or do you have a particularly favourite area of Victoria you would like to share with others? Do you have an idea for something apart from the regular walks? Come along to the planning meeting, and then stay for our monthly social evening where members talk about upcoming events, share a meal and compare notes on past activities. All members are welcome – you don't have to volunteer for an activity. New members are especially invited to this meeting as an orientation to Nomads activities. Note: The bulk of the planning will have been done via Zoom the previous night. The resultant draft program will be presented on Tuesday, and attendees invited to fill any gaps in the draft program. BOOKING: By Monday 10th January. To register, click on Get Tickets. Unsure what you've booked for? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm at the Skinny Dog Hotel, 155 High St, Kew. MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 45 grid C6. Google map goo.gl/maps/bwK96JUAv5t. PUBLIC TRANSPORT and PARKING: The Skinny Dog is right outside stop 33 on tram routes 48 and 109. The terminus of tram route 16 (Cotham Rd and Glenferrie Rd) is a short walk away. Bus routes 200 and 207 from the City via Johnston St stop in Studley Park Rd at Kew Junction before turning left into Princess St. Ample FREE parking is available on-street and right behind the hotel (enter via Brougham St). 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