Enjoy a long weekend of activities in Echuca/Moama over the King's Birthday holiday weekend, from Saturday 6th to Monday 8th June. Echuca and Moama are effectively the same town, within easy walking distance of each other. Echuca is on the Victorian side of the Murray River and Moama is on the NSW side. ** The accommodation for this event is fully booked. If you find your own accommodation, please get a DAYTIME ACTIVITIES ONLY ticket to join the group. ** GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Various, depending on the activities undertaken - a range of activities will be on offer. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We have booked some accommodation in Echuca as outlined below. There are lots of interesting walk options as well as other activities such as a Murray River Boat Cruise - see Nomads Echuca 2026 Itinerary. The activities planned are: Sat 6 Jun 11am-11:50am: Meet up upon arrival at the Pastoral Hotel (directly opposite Echuca Station). Sat 6 Jun noon: Lunch at the Pastoral Hotel. Afterwards we'll stretch our legs with a short walk through part of the Banyula State Forest then check in to accommodation. Sat 6 Jun 6pm: BBQ at Annesley House, 71 Annesley St, Echuca. Sun 7 Jun 10am: Assemble at Port of Echuca ready to board the PS Canberra for a Murray River cruise departing at 10:15am. Sun 7 Jun 11:30am: Walk along the Scenic Drive Circuit then beside the Campaspe River, with a picnic lunch along the way (see route map). Sun 7 Jun 6:30pm: Dinner at the Caledonian Hotel, 110 Hare St, Echuca. Mon 8 Jun 10:15am: Having checked out of the accommodation, meet at the Nirebo Motel, 251 Hare Street, Echuca to walk to Moama, including a circuit to Moama Beach, ending at the Moama Bowling Club.   Mon 8 Jun 12:30pm: Lunch at the Moama Bowling Club, 6 Shaw St, Moama. Mon 8 Jun 1:30pm: Walk a circuit around Horseshoe Lagoon then walk back to Echuca via the Banyula State Forest.  Mon 8 Jun 3:50pm: Assemble at Echuca Station to catch the 4:07pm service back to Melbourne. BOOKING: By Friday 22 May, or ASAP to ensure you don't miss out. Payment will be requested by 22 May, after which refunds can only be provided if somebody is able to take your place. To register click on Get Tickets. VISITORS should purchase a 1-month Temporary Membership (cost $8) prior to booking for this weekend. WAITING LIST: Accommodation is limited, but a Waiting List will be available. If needed, we'll endeavour to book additional accommodation, but it will probably be more expensive. You can also organise your own accommodation and join the group for each day's activities (in which case you should purchase a DAYTIME ACTIVITIES ONLY ticket). BED PARTNERS: A second person can occupy a queen bed at no additional charge. If wanting to share a queen bed with your partner, please specify their first and last name in the PARTNER NAME field, but do NOT purchase a separate ticket for your partner. PAYMENT: No payment is required at the time of booking, but payment will be requested subsequently (you'll be able to use PayID to the leader's phone number, or you can bring cash if you prefer). The prices quoted for each ticket are the expected prices assuming all beds are filled. If some beds are unoccupied, the prices may be slightly higher. CRUISE (optional): Our itinerary will allow you to (optionally) take a 1-hour cruise on a 1923 wood-fired paddle steamer (highly recommended if you haven't done this previously; cost $35 full or $32 concession). If you wish to do that, you should book your own ticket for the Sunday 7 June 10:15am PS Canberra Cruise. We suggest you book the cruise by around 24 May if planning to do it. TRAIN: Book your (extremely inexpensive) train travel on the vline.com.au website (depart Southern Cross at 7:30am on Sat 6 June, depart Echuca at 4:07pm on Monday 8 June). Unsure if you've already booked with The Nomads? Click View my bookings. POTENTIAL ACTIVITIES: Our activities are now mostly planned - see above - but you will have some free time to check out some of the following options: Port of Echuca Discovery Centre (admission free) | Echuca Distillery (Gin, Vodka, Agave & Whisky Crafted in Echuca Moama), 555 High St, Echuca | The Echuca Farmer's Markets on Saturday 6th June 8:30am to 1pm in Heygarth St | The Moama Market on Sunday 7th June 8am to 1pm at Kerrabee Soundshell, Moama. See Echuca Day Walks for more information about potential itineraries. COSTS: ACCOMMODATION: There will be accommodation costs as specified on the ticketing option that you select (unless you're arranging your own accommodation). MEALS: Many group meals will be organised at venues around Echuca, but you will also be able to dine at your accommodation whenever you prefer (for example, most people will probably have breakfast at their accommodation).  TOURS: The optional river cruise costs $35 full or $32 concession - you need to book your own ticket (for the cruise at 10:15am on Sunday 7 June).  TRANSPORT: Daily fares will be capped at $4 full or $2 concession to anywhere in Victoria (a Myki card will be required).  MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7:15am at Southern Cross Station on Saturday to catch the 7:30am Regional Train to Swan Hill, changing at Bendigo for a Regional Train to Echuca. ** Note that some people will be catching alternative services ** MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/E1mPtPFjAH7j6hLY8.  DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 225 km, approximately 3 hours 20 minutes by public transport. PUBLIC TRANSPORT:  OUTBOUND: We will take the Regional Train to Swan Hill departing from Southern Cross at 7:30am, then change in Bendigo for the Regional Train to Echuca, which arrives at 11:18am. Other options include the Regional Train to Shepparton departing from Southern Cross at 9:16am and changing at Murchison East for a coach to Echuca, arriving at 12:46pm, or the Regional Train to Echuca departing from Southern Cross at 12:02pm, arriving in Echuca at 3:15pm. RETURN: We will take the Regional Train departing from Echuca at 4:07pm on Monday, arriving at Southern Cross at 7:29pm Other options include a Regional Train departing from Echuca at 12:07pm, arriving at Southern Cross at 3:29pm or a Regional Coach for Murchison East departing from Echuca at 3:07pm, then changing to a Regional Train for Southern Cross that arrives at 6:37pm. ABOUT THE ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS: We were unable to secure enough accommodation at a single venue, so bookings have been made at the venues listed below (and shown on this Nomads King's Birthday Locations in Echuca map). Note that queen beds/private rooms can be shared between two people for no additional cost. Check-in for all venues is after 2pm, and check-out is by 10am or 11am. Annesley House AirBnB: A 4 bedroom house at 71 Annesley St, Echuca (700m from Echuca Station). Three rooms have a queen bed; the fourth room has two single beds. Total Cost Estimate (2 nights): Private room $206 | Single Bed $100. Echuca Motel: Apartment at 268 Ogilvie Ave, Echuca (2 km from Echuca Station): Two rooms each with a queen bed plus a single bed. Total Cost Estimate (2 nights): $125 per bed. Nirebo Motel: Family room at 542 High St, Echuca (1.3 km from Echuca Station): Room has a double bed plus two single beds. Total Cost Estimate (2 nights): $125 per bed. FOOD: Food will generally be purchased in Echuca, either dining at local venues, or purchased from local supermarkets to dine at our accommodation. One communal BBQ will be organised at the Annesley House accommodation. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Echuca is generally drier than Melbourne, and tends to be cooler at night but warmer during the day. Travel as lightly as possible - bedding and towels are supplied. Just bring changes of clothing for the three days, including contingencies for cold or wet weather. LEADER: Alan D. | Email LeaderAlanD@nomads.org.au if you have any questions.  Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS  

  Sunday morning fitness ride from Fed Square to Hampton/Black Rock and return. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Approx 29 km one way and various distances on the return. Mainly flat. The route includes city paths, bike trails and some road riding. Riders returning to Flinders Street will ride approximately 50+ kilometers, depending on their route back to the city. ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This is a Sunday morning ride from the city to Hampton or Black Rock return. The ride will focus on steady riding to improve fitness. It will include one coffee stop on the return section and will aim to be fully concluded by late morning. The ride will include bicycle paths and some roads. In sections, riders will have the choice to ride on the road or on designated bicycle paths (Port Melbourne - Black Rock). We will take the path beside the Yarra River to Docklands, link to Lorimer Street then proceed through Westgate Park to Port Melbourne. We will take bike paths along the Port Melbourne foreshore to Beaconsfield Pde. At this point riders can choose to follow the Bay Trail or road-ride to Black Rock. At Black Rock Clock Tower, after a short 5-10 min drink break we will begin our return journey, stopping for coffee somewhere along the way - choices include Hampton, Brighton, St Kilda, or Albert Park. From the coffee stop, riders will choose the most convenient route home via the city, southern suburbs, west, east or north.  Note: If the trip to the Clock Tower is too lengthy we could turn around at Hampton. We will see how long the ride takes to complete.  If the weather forecast is very poor, such as heavy rain or wind gusts, a cancellation email will be sent on Saturday evening by 6:30 pm or Sunday morning by 6:30 am.  BOOKING: By Friday 5 June. To register click on Get Tickets. Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Ride will depart at 8:00am sharp and will not wait for latecomers. Meet at the junction of Swanston St and Birrarung Marr Walk (opposite Flinders Street Station) between 7:50am and 8:00am.  MAP REFERENCES: Meeting Point - Google map: Birarung Marr Walk Ride Route - Google PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Take a train or ride to the start point. Ride or take public transport home from the CBD. Riders needing to opt out on the return could access stations along the Sandringham line.  APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Riding attire and wet weather gear. Carry water, money, phone, puncture kit, rain jacket. LEADER: Bryan S | 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  

Have lunch at Grazeland ("A playground for foodies") then optionally join us for a short circuit walk, ending back near the starting point at 2:45pm ready for the Pride Month Stargayzing Show at ScienceWorks Museum. GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 1: easy walk of up to 5 km (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System) plus social events.  ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We'll meet at Grazeland, 20 Booker St, Spotswood, where according to the Grazeland website you can "tantalise and excite your senses in a unique outdoor dining experience to discover the best of Melbourne's food scene". At Grazeland, you can enjoy some of our city’s best food and also get to enjoy live entertainment! For local headline acts head to The Arch Stage (located next to the Meadow bar), or kick back with the resident DJs at the Metro Stage (next to the metro bar). Grazeland is open from midday to 10pm on Saturdays (as well as 5-10pm on Fridays and midday-9pm on Sundays). Those who would like to go on a short walk passing under the Westgate Bridge and incorporating the mangroves at the nearby Stony Creek Reserve should meet near the information booth at 1:15pm. If you prefer to hang about in Grazeland, soaking up the vibe and enjoying the performances on the two stages, that's absolutely fine. Everybody will meet up again at 2:45pm, at the Planetarium of the Scienceworks Museum this time, to attend the Pride Month Stargayzing Show, and learn about some of the queer stories from space in a special presenter-led Planetarium show. The Scienceworks Museum is located at 2 Booker St, Spotswood (just along the road from Grazeland) and the Planetarium entrance is on the corner of Booker St and Craig St.  BOOKING: For the Nomads: Click on Get Tickets to let us know you're coming along. For the Pride Month Stargayzing Show: Book ASAP via the Science Works Museum: Pride Month Stargayzing Show, and select the 3pm session on Saturday 13 June. Book your Stargayzing tix ASAP to ensure you don't miss out! Unsure if you've already booked with The Nomads? Click View my bookings. MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 12:15pm beside the information booth at Grazeland, 20 Booker St, Spotswood. The information booth is quite close to the main entrance, and is marked "i" on the Grazeland map.  MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/sWNZch8RpcahtYki8.  PUBLIC TRANSPORT: It is easy to get to Grazeland (and Scienceworks Museum) by public transport: Train: It's located just a 10 minute walk from the Spotswood Station, on the Werribee and Williamstown lines. From Flinders Street Station, catch the 11:40am Werribee line service that arrives at Spotswood at 11:58am. To get to Booker St from Spotswood Station, walk along Hudsons Rd to the end (then turn left for Grazeland or turn right for Scienceworks). Ferry: Scienceworks is located directly opposite the jetty of the Westgate Punt.  FOOD: There's an enticing selection of food options from all around the world available at Grazeland. COST:  Grazeland: $4 payable at the entrance, plus whatever food you purchase. Pride Month Stargayzing Show: $25 Full, $22 Seniors, $10 Concession. Your ticket gives you entry to Scienceworks Museum for the date of your ticket. Scienceworks is open from 10am to 4:30pm on Saturdays. APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Solid shoes/boots are required for the walk as parts of the path are rocky, and other parts may be muddy and slippery. LEADER: Alan D. | Email LeaderAlanD@nomads.org.au if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.   HOME   BACK TO LIST OF EVENTS   MEMBERSHIPS