Events

Please Note: This event will be rescheduled to Sunday 25th October if there is poor weather forecast for Saturday 24th October. This is a day event only. Please respect the wishes of the host that no provisions for overnight stay at the property will be made before or after the event. Enjoy a naturist day out, walking in the beautiful and spectacular country near Lancefield courtesy of one of our Nomads members who has a farm in the area. Meet at the farm for morning tea, coffee and refreshments before the hike. We are planning an optional BYO BBQ dinner for those wishing to extend their stay on the farm into the evening.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Moderate 6-8 km circuit walk in quite hilly open country (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). Walking is on 4WD tracks, animal pads and through grassy paddocks. Please ensure that you are fit enough to hike 6-8 km up and down hills, and over sometimes rocky and slippery terrain. Please contact one of the event leaders if you have any concerns. 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 carpool about 3 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 at the designated location 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 if the weather is cool 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: By Thursday 22nd October. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:45am at the farm, which is 14 km north of Lancefield. The exact address will be sent out on Friday 23rd October to all those who have registered by 11pm on Thursday 22nd October. Please do not arrive before 10:00am on the day, to give the host enough time to finish preparing for our arrival. MAP REFERENCE: Google maps goo.gl/maps/y5sn4nWk3PpjFjBVA (approx location).  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 60 km/h or less (between the farm and Lancefield and Kilmore-Lancefield Rd) and keep an eye out for wombats and kangaroos on the road when driving via that route. Please be alert to the possibility of wildlife on any of the country roads and drive accordingly. PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND REQUESTS FOR ASSISTANCE WITH TRANSPORT: Public transport will only get you to Lancefield, 14 km short of the farm so is not a practical option. Anyone without transport to or from the property can seek the limited assistance of LeaderMichaelJ@nomads.org.au to co-ordinate a pick-up using the following procedure: 1   The person seeking a lift needs to email LeaderMichaelJ@nomads.org.au requesting assistance with transport. 2   The email is to contain the full name, mobile phone number and pick up suburb requested. 3   A person requesting a lift must agree that their full name, mobile phone number and pick up suburb be provided to all people registered to attend the event. 4   LeaderMichaelJ@nomads.org.au will email all participants as at the time of the request and provide full name, mobile phone number and pick up suburb for the person requesting a lift. 5   It is up to those who receive the email to decide if they will be prepared to provide a lift and make their own arrangements directly with the person who seeks a lift as per the provided details. 6   If no one contacts the person seeking a lift, then unless they are able to make other arrangements, they will be unable to attend the event. 7   There will be no other coordination of lifts provided by the event leaders. Please understand that we are extremely busy arranging other events and with life in general.  8   Anyone who has purchased a ticket but is unable to attend due to not having transport will be entitled to a refund of ticket cost. 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. 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 yourself comfortable. Wear walking shoes or boots suitable for hiking on 4WD tracks, animal tracks and through the paddocks. As this is a naturist event, we ask that everyone brings a towel to sit when at the house. No bare bums on seats please. WEATHER REPORT: The nearest town to get an appropriate weather forecast is Pyalong, just north of the Great Dividing Range. LEADER: Jason T. and Michael J. | Email Jason on LeaderJasonT@nomads.org.au  or Michael on LeaderMichaelJ@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  

Do you enjoy cycling, and are you sometimes free on Wednesdays? You're welcome to join the Nomads Wednesday cyclists. ** See Archive - Wednesday Bike Rides for the upcoming Wednesday's cycling details (posted on the prior Monday night). ** GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Rides are of varying length and difficulty, mostly in metro Melbourne, but sometimes in Regional Victoria. The typical distance is between 30 and 50 km, though there are usually options to either extend or shorten the ride. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Time off on Wednesdays? Join a small group of Nomads and friends for a leisurely cycle on trails around metro Melbourne, and occasionally into Regional Victoria, usually on the third Wednesday of the month. Emphasis is on the social aspect, not on breaking world speed records! All rides are designed to either start in central Melbourne, or to start and finish close to train stations. The rides usually start at around 10:30am to avoid needing to travel with bikes on trains in peak hour. We often meet in, or near, a cafe so you can have a coffee prior to starting the ride if you wish. We generally have lunch in a cafe or pub along the way, though occasionally you will need to bring a picnic lunch if there are no suitable options available - in that case the ride description will clearly indicate the need to BYO lunch. The upcoming ride details are emailed to everybody on the Wednesday Cyclists Mailing List, usually on the prior Monday evening, by which time the weather forecast for Wednesday is fairly reliable. That way, a ride can be chosen to suit the forecast, for example to keep the wind behind us as much as possible, and to ensure there are bailout train station options if there’s a likelihood of rain. (Tip: the details are also added at the start of the Archive - Wednesday Bike Rides document).  If you have any additional enquiries or requests, email Chris Stewart on LeaderChrisS@nomads.org.au. If you're not sure whether your bike fitness level will match, contact Chris to plan your first foray. BOOKING: MAILING LIST: To join the mailing list so that you receive an email (usually on Monday evening) about the upcoming Wednesday ride, click on Get Tickets in this event. (Afterwards click the "+" to set the number of tickets to 1, click Checkout and follow the prompts to provide your contact details). You only need to do this once. If you decide in future that you don't wish to receive the weekly emails, just email LeaderChrisS@nomads.org.au to be taken off the mailing list. RIDING: When you plan to ride, please put your name in a free cell of the Wednesday Attendees spreadsheet on the day prior (be sure to click out of the cell afterwards, so that your name gets automatically saved). If a blank cell has a coloured box around it, somebody else is currently entering their name in that cell, so select the next cell instead. Your first name plus the first letter of your surname will suffice. If having difficulty, just reply to the email or email LeaderChrisS@nomads.org.au. COST: Free. Note that for most Nomads activities, visitors need to pay a small fee, but as an introductory offer that fee is waived for the monthly social nights and the regular Wednesday and Friday bike rides - a way for you to meet some club members and find out a little more about the club. After attending 5 or more rides, you will be asked to become a member though. FURTHER INFORMATION: Please see Cycling Tips for some things to consider prior to hopping on your bike. LEADER: Chris S. | Email LeaderChrisS@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 walk from Spotswood to Williamstown Beach via the Bay Trail West.  GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Moderate 12.2 km point to point walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System).  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We walk along Hall Street to the Westgate Bridge where we join the Stoney Creek Walk to the Yarra River which we then follow for 3 km to its mouth, and will be viewed from Greenwich Reserve. Continuing on, we arrive at Williamstown for our lunch stop. After lunch we go via Point Gellibrand to Williamstown Beach, with time for a swim and or refreshments. It is then a short walk to the station for our train home. BOOKING: By Friday 16th October. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: Transport Victoria |  Customs House Hotel MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am near Spotswood Station in Hall Street near Hudsons Rd (level crossing).  MAP REFERENCE: Google map goo.gl/jKGccXiRzNYEMGLD8. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 10.2 km, approximately 18 minutes by train from Flinders Street Station. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Catch the 10am Werribee train from Flinders Street to Spotswood, arriving 10:18am. Return train is from Williamstown Beach. Fares are at 1/2 price - myki money weekend daily cap is Full $4.00, Concession $2.00 & Seniors FREE. FOOD: If you would like something to eat or drink before the walk, plan to arrive 30 to 60 minutes earlier. There are several cafes along Hudsons Rd, Spotswood to choose from. Carry snacks and 1 to 2 litres of water. Lunch will be at the Customs House Hotel, Williamstown See Menu, including seniors menu or BYO for lunch in Commonwealth Reserve, opposite the hotel. Please select the "Pub Lunch" or "BYO lunch" option when Getting Ticket. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Bathers if warm enough for a dip at Williamstown Beach. LEADER: Paul K | Email LeaderPaulK@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  

AMENDED PUBLIC TRANSPORT  TRAVEL METHODS & TIMES The 2026 Archibald Exhibition is on display in Victoria from Saturday 5th September to Sunday 1st November.  The annual Archibald Prize is eagerly anticipated by artists and audiences alike. Judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW, the prize is awarded to the best portrait painting. Since 1921, it has highlighted figures from all walks of life, from famous faces to local heroes, reflecting back to us the stories of our times. This touring exhibition at SAM (only site in Victoria) is an opportunity to see the finalists in the Archibald Prize 2026. Travel by public transport is recommended as the event will include walks to/from Shepparton Station.  Time to enjoy a pub lunch then a walk to the Museum for a 2PM entry (last entry is at 3 PM). SAM traces its history back to 1936. The current purpose built complex, sitting opposite the man made Lake Victoria on the main north/south route in the city, was opened in 2021. SAM holds over 4,000 artworks, including one of the largest ceramic art collections in Australia. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 1 - Easy and Social, 4 km in total via multiple walks on sealed paths (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System).  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Departing the train at Shepparton Station, we will walk some 7 minutes or 500 metres to the GV Hotel for lunch. Following lunch there will be a 22 minutes or 1.5 kms walk to SAM. The final walk will be via a different route of 20 minutes or 1.4 kms to Shepparton Railway Station to catch the final train back to Melbourne at 5:03 PM (arriving at Southern Cross at 7:39 PM).  For 2026 there were 1,034 Archibald Prize entries from which 59 were selected for judgement and display. A total of 42 per cent of Archibald finalists were painted by first-time nominees. From the remainder, the S. H. Ervin Gallery at The Rocks in Sydney selected works for an alternative display called the Salon Des Refusés, which has existed since 1992.   Archibald Prize 2026 is a timed-ticket exhibition, with entry at sixty-minute intervals on the hour until the last entry at 3pm. Adult entry is $24 (+47 cent fee), while Concession is $19 (+44 cent fee) (Humanitix system).  The Nomads booking will be scheduled for 2pm. BOOKING: by Thursday 15th October or ASAP to ensure you don't miss out on getting tickets for the gallery!  Entry Tickets: Purchase your ticket for 2pm on Saturday 17 October via Humanitix Archibald Tickets Nomads: To register for the walk and lunch, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked with The Nomads? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: SAM Information Page | NSW Art Gallery - 2026 Archibald  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 9:10am at Southern Cross Underground Coach Terminal (for 09:21am departure). We will travel on the EXPRESS Bus(es) ONLY. Check monitors for the allocated Bus Bay. MAP REFERENCE: Southern Cross Station - Google map: maps.app.goo.gl/uoapb4qq1C4nSNYb6. DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: Shepparton 191 km, 2 hours 33 minutes by train or by car. TRANSPORT: UPDATE: Due to Metro Works - the train between Southern Cross and Seymour has been replaced by a Coach departing Southern Cross Coach Terminal at 9:21, running Express to Seymour. Change at Seymour to a train which still arrives Shepparton at 1209. Train: Southern Cross Railway Station, meet at the underground Bus Bays opposite Bourke Street in time to depart on the 9:21 AM express bus to Seymour with a transfer to the 11:02 train to Shepparton. Train Return: Return train leaves Shepparton at 5:03 PM for the trip back to Southern Cross. At Seymour transfer to the express bus that departs at 6:15 PM Car: via Hume Freeway (M31) onto the Goulburn Valley Highway (M39) to Shepparton. Park at or near station. Make way to main waiting area inside the Station. Meet train that arrives at 12:09 PM. FOOD: Pre gallery tour lunch (Seniors Meals available) at the GV Hotel Menu  223 High Street (corner of North Street).  Participants must register to join the group booking for this communal lunch. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Casual clothing, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, repellent and camera. COST: Shepparton Art Museum: Adult $24 | Concession $19 | Trains: Myki money, Mastercard or Visa - weekend caps apply at $4 full; concession at $2 and Seniors FREE. LEADER: Garry Oliver. | Email LeaderGarryO@nomads.org.au if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS

PLEASE NOTE: CHANGE OF DATE DUE TO POOR WEATHER Come along to share in a day of doof, dancing, lawn bowls and music at St Kilda Sports Club. GRADE: Social ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: A free event to enter into spring in Melbourne featuring drags, snags, DJs, dancing and lawn bowls.   BOOKING: By Saturday 10 October or just turn up on the day. To register with The Nomads, click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked with The Nomads? Click View my bookings. MORE INFORMATION: See Facebook Event. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: From 1pm at the venue on the day.  MAP REFERENCE: Google map - St Kilda Sports Club: maps.app.goo.gl/jzdaaQJLqUw3h8Jo7. PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Three primary tram routes run from the Melbourne CBD directly to St Kilda: Route 96 (the fastest light rail via Bourke St), Route 16 (down St Kilda Rd to Fitzroy St and Carlisle St), and Route 12 (via Collins St to St Kilda West and Fitzroy St). Also Any tram to St Kilda Junction will get you close; the 3, 5, 16, 64 or 67. FOOD: Food and drink availble for purchase or bring a picnic. NO BYO alcohol permitted. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable casual. Dress according to the weather forecast.  LEADER: | Email LeaderBryanS@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.   GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: 20+ different walks are available. The walks range from Grade 2: Easy 5 km to Grade 4: Hard 23 km. Some walks have canoe/boating possibilities also. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The FedWalks weekend happens in a different part of Victoria each year - this year it will be based in Portland to do sections of the Great South West Walk. Detailed maps and descriptions of all the walks on offer will be provided.  The Great South West Walk (GSWW) is a 250-kilometer, 12-to-15-day loop hiking trail beginning and ending in Portland, Victoria, offering a diverse, challenging journey through forests, along the Glenelg River, and across rugged coastlines. It's an epic showcase of the natural beauty of far west Victoria. Meander through tranquil forests of the Cobboboonee, enter the limestone gorge of the Glenelg River and the long, lonely coast of Discovery Bay. It winds through the diverse landscapes of Lower Glenelg National Park, Discovery Bay Coastal Park, Cobboboonee National Park and Cape Nelson State Park. Starting from the township of Portland in south west Victoria, the walk takes you on an unforgettable journey across rugged cliffs carved by the Southern Ocean, over remote beaches, past ancient, pristine lakes and through majestic, tall forest. Memorable features include the highest sea cliffs in Victoria, blowholes, Petrified Forest, and seal colony at Cape Bridgwater, historic Cape Nelson Lighthouse, Princess Margaret Rose Caves, Aboriginal heritage places and the beautiful seaside village of Nelson, where the Glenelg River meets the sea. Along the way you’ll discover a diverse variety of plants and wildlife such as koalas, kangaroos, Blue and Southern Right Whales, and a huge variety of native birds, including the Australasian Gannet. The walk is maintained through a partnership between volunteers from Friends of the Great South West Walk and Parks Victoria. Many thanks to those volunteers as well as to the volunteers taking on responsibility for organising this FedWalks program. The Nomads has booked the 4-bedroom Roantree House, 17 Julia Street, Portland for Friday and Saturday nights at a total cost of $721.56. The accommodation cost will be divided equitably depending on how many people are staying in the house.  BOOKING: By 31 August, or ASAP to ensure you don't miss out! This event is only open to members of clubs affiliated with Bushwalking Victoria. Visitors should get a 1-month Temporary Membership prior to booking their tickets. Nomads tickets are free to book - the leader will collect accommodation fees directly from the attendees. 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 to select the walks you wish to do on Saturday, and on Sunday and also select the Saturday Night Dinner option if you wish, then pay the FedWalks 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 FedWalks walks you wish to do, and pay per walk ASAP. A ticket with The Nomads is not sufficient to grant you access to the weekend! NOTE: If travelling by public transport, the bus leaves Portland at 3:32pm on Sunday. If you don't get back from your walk in time to catch that, you should be able to get a ride to Warrnambool to catch the 5:32pm train from there to Southern Cross. Unsure if you've already booked with The Nomads? Click View my bookings. FURTHER INFORMATION: FedWalks website: Detailed information is available on fedwalks.org.au. Overview Map (PDF): shows the location of each walk. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Meet the other Nomads at Roantree House, 17 Julia Street, Portland. Note that you will also need to register for the FedWalks program once you arrive in Portland - details will be provided here once they're available. MAP REFERENCE: Google map - Roantree House: maps.app.goo.gl/6nuvbTFmLAEudiXZA.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 350 to 400 km (depending on the route), allow 4 to 4.5 hours to drive from central Melbourne.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Public transport is highly recommended - Car pooling will be organised to get you to and from central Portland to the start of each FedWalks walk. Catch a V/lIne train to Warrnambool and a coach from there to Portland: OUTBOUND (Friday: Southern Cross to Portland) 7:26am Southern Cross - 10:49am Warrnambool | 10:59am Warrnambool - 12:31pm Portland 10:12am Southern Cross - 1:44pm Warrnambool 1:10pm Southern Cross - 4:35pm Warrnambool | 4:55pm Warrnambool - 6:32pm Portland 5:09pm Southern Cross - 8:35pm Warrnambool | 8:46pm Warrnambool - 10:11pm Portland 7:25pm Southern Cross - 10:37pm Warrnambool | 10:47pm Warrnambool - 12:12am Portland (Saturday morning arrival) RETURNING (Sunday: Portland to Southern Cross): the only feasible option is: 3:32pm Portland - 5:08pm Warrnambool | 5:27pm Warrnambool - 9:00pm Southern Cross COST: WALKS: The minimum cost is $25 per person per walk, payable to FedWalks, which includes participation in your selected Saturday and Sunday walk. ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation cost will be divided equitably depending on how many people are staying in the house, and the type of bedding you have. A private room will be costed as "2 bed spaces".  SATURDAY DINNER: The optional Saturday night FedWalks dinner and entertainment costS $50 (and is recommended).  ACCOMMODATION: The house has 4 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Three bedrooms have either a king or queen bed, and the fourth bedroom has two single beds. There's also a double sofa bed in living room 2 and an L-shaped lounge in living room 1. 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 (cost $50) when you book with FedWalks for the weekend. There are also supermarkets and lots of dining establishments in Portland. 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 Portland can be quite changeable, and is often very windy. LEADER: The walks will be organised by various 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