Mt Alexander Naturist Walk, Harcourt with Chewton Overnight

A naturist bushwalk amongst spectacular scenery with large granite outcrops, original native vegetation and wonderful views to the plains.  
GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: This walk is of medium grade and about 7km long, from 10:30am until approximately 4:30pm. We will be walking from the top of the mountain to the bottom and you would expect it to be easy.  However the terrain is rather rocky with a few up and downs, and in many places the track is not very good - we need to pick our way through the large rocky outcrops.  Towards the middle of the walk it can be soft underfoot as we skirt around a swamp. 
MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Meet at 10.30am at the Goldfields Track Cafe, 21 High St, Harcourt for coffee and briefing before we leave in convoy towards the mountain a few kilometres to the east at about 11am.  
MAP REFERENCE: Melway map 609 grid D5 | Google map goo.gl/maps/1x8ZfUL8ChD2.  
DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 124km and 1 hour 30 minutes from the GPO.  Travel via the Calder Freeway and take the Harcourt exit (which is the next exit after the Castlemaine and Chewton exit).
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: There is no public transport arriving in Harcourt over the weekends.  Please contact the leader who may be able to arrange a lift for you.
COSTS: 

• WALK: $7, free for Nomads members.
• ACTIVITIES: To cover the cost of heating the big shed and the spas, there is a charge of $10.  
• BREAKFAST: If you'd like to include breakfast, the total is $15.  This needs to be paid by cash at the venue.

FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and water.
APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses.  Wear comfortable walking shoes/boots.  Shorts etc. for the start and end of the walk.  A small towel to dry off in case we find a place for a cool off dip.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: 
This walk is for naturists.  Mt Alexander is a significant mountain in this area.  The top is 744m above sea level and it rises 350m above the surrounding plain.  We will start our walk at the top of the mountain and make our way down to the bottom.  The scenery is quite spectacular with large rocky outcrops of granite and wonderful views to the plains below on the eastern side.  The vegetation on the eastern side through which we will be walking, is very much undisturbed from its original state.  Towards the bottom of the mountain we reach the main Coliban Irrigation Water Channel which was built in the 1870s.  At the end of the walk we will reach a few cars which we will have left at the bottom of the mountain earlier in the day.  These will be used to transport the car drivers back up the mountain to retrieve the cars which we used to get to the top of the mountain for the start of the walk.
Optional afternoon tea, evening BBQ, Overnight and Breakfast at Chewton: After the walk we have kindly been invited back to "Castlemaine Cosmex", actually Steve and Brett's place in Chewton for further nude socialising.  This is 10km and 10 minutes from the end of the walk, and on the way back to Melbourne.  The address of the property will be sent to all those who have RSVP'd by midnight on Wednesday 31st October.  It will also be given out at the walk on the Saturday, or if you make a booking with Steve by email.

• BBQ: BYO meat and drinks.  Basic salads and bread will be supplied.
• SPA | SHOWER | MASSAGE: Please BYO towels for spa/shower/massage.  Looks like we'll have two spas this time! plus massage tables and board games supplied.
• OVERNIGHT: For those staying overnight, there are various beds available (double and single).  BYO linen, blankets and pillows or sleeping bag.  There is room for tents in the back garden.  If staying overnight it is essential that you book and arrange your accommodation by emailing Steve at cosmex.melb@gmail.com.

Food can be dropped off at Chewton before the walk if desired.  Otherwise, the IGA Supermarket in Castlemaine should have plenty of meat available to purchase after the walk.
For those wanting a bit more nude exercise on the Sunday morning, we may be able to do a short walk of about 1 to 1.5 hours in the forest behind the Chewton property.
If you are unable to come on the Saturday walk, but would still like to come to the BBQ or stay overnight and/or Sunday activities, please email Steve at cosmex.melb@gmail.com.

LEADER | BOOKING: Russell W. preferably by Wednesday 31st October. Email the Leader if you have any questions. Members can access leader contact details under the Members->Leader Contacts tab when logged in to the website.