The Nomads Outdoors Group Inc.
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Jul
26
O'Keefe Rail Trail, Knowsley State Forest to Lake Eppalock walk
Derrinal
10:00 – 16:00
We continue along the O'Keefe Rail Trail from the Knowsley State Forest through Knowslea to Lake Eppalock.
GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 3: Moderate 12.7 km walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). Mostly flat on a gravel rail trail.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: After meeting at the O'Keefe Rail Trail car park we carpool to the start of the walk at the Smart Track Visitor Area, Knowsley State Forest. We walk for about 2 hours along the O'Keefe Rail Trail through forest and farm land to arrive at our lunch stop at Knowsley. After lunch, we continue on to Lake Eppalock. Depending on early winter rainfall, the lake water may reach this point. We will then drive to Heathcote for refreshments, before heading home.
BOOKING: By Friday 24th July. To register click on Get Tickets.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.
FURTHER INFORMATION: OKeefe Rail Trail | Commercial Hotel Heathcote
MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10am at the O'Keefe Rail Trail car park, 8 km/5 mins drive from the Northern Hwy/McIvor Hwy intersection, Heathcote (towards Bendigo).
MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/7PWvjg3uCwkiAARS7
DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 135 km, aproximately 1 hr 44 min via Kilmore & Heathcote. Alternative routes via Lancefield 130 km, 1 hr 45 min or 146 km, 1 hour 45 minutes via Calder Fwy/M79 to Kyneton, then follow C326 via Redesdale to Heathcote.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Not Available. If you need a lift or to carpool, contact leader at least a week in advance to arrange.
FOOD: Carry snacks, lunch and 2 litres of water. After walk refreshments will be at the Commercial Hotel or Gaffney's Bakery (closes 4pm).
APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Knowslea can be several degrees warmer and sunnier than Melbourne.
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.
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Jul
30
PRO FORMA Event - Duplicate this to create your event
10:00 – 17:00
Short precis of the event, for example: A climb to the top of Babbington Hill in the Wombat State Forest, passing by a hidden reservoir and an historic mineral spring.
GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 2: Moderate 9.5 km circuit walk (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System).
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION:
Add a descriptive narrative here ... a few lines or a few paragraphs, as appropriate depending on the complexity of your event.
BOOKING: By Friday 11th November. To register click on Get Tickets.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.
FURTHER INFORMATION: If appropriate, add links to relevant online references.
MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 11am in the car park of the Radio Springs Hotel, 1 High St, Lyonville.
MAP REFERENCE: Google map goo.gl/maps/AcrfAxJF7GPZj8Pt6.
DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 102 km, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes via Calder Fwy/M79 to Woodend, then follow directions to Daylesford, taking the Tylden-Woodend Rd, then the C318 Kyneton-Trentham Rd, and finally the C317 Trentham-Daylesford Rd to Lyonville.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Provide public transport details, if public transport is an option.
FOOD: Carry lunch, snacks and a litre of water.
APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Lyonville can be several degrees cooler than Melbourne.
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.
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Aug
09
Ski Week at Falls Creek
Cosela Alpine Club
09 Aug 2026 13:00 – 16 Aug 2026 10:00
A full week of cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and/or snowboarding, staying in a cosy lodge at Falls Creek. Stay the full week, or part thereof.
GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Your choice (choose slopes and equipment to match your skills) – cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and/or snowboarding.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: A full week (or part thereof) ski trip to Falls Creek is planned for a week Sunday 9th to Sunday 16th August. We will be staying at the cosy Cosela Alpine Lodge, which provides ski-in ski-out access from Wombats Ramble with no oversnow transport requirements. This will be a cross-country ski, downhill ski and/or snowboard week leaving Melbourne on Sunday and leaving Falls Creek the following Sunday.
BOOKING: Please get a Nomads ticket ASAP by clicking on Get Tickets, as there are limited beds now available. It's advisable to email LeaderLesB@nomads.org.au after you book, so he can advise what beds are available and organise payment.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.
FURTHER INFORMATION: www.cosela.com.au/Winter/index.html.
MEETING TIME | LOCATION: Sunday afternoon, Cosela Alpine Lodge, Falls Creek.
MAP REFERENCE: Melway Map X922 grid H10 | Google map goo.gl/maps/V7fBUEiNBb62.
GETTING THERE: There are coach services from Melbourne, Mt Beauty and many other locations to Falls Creek. There are long-term parking facilities in Mt Beauty if you don’t wish to take your car up the mountain. If driving, take the Hume Freeway (M31) to Wangaratta then the Great Alpine Road (B500), turning off to Mt Beauty. On arrival at Falls Creek you should request to unload your luggage at the steps beyond the CFA station, which is lit at night. As you are staying at Cosela, you don't need oversnow transport. After unloading, you will return to the attendant to be directed to a parking place. Cosela Lodge can then be reached by travelling up the steps and across Snowgum Lane (see map at www.cosela.com.au/Winter/Map.html).
DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 391 km, 4.5 hours.
FOOD: It's advisable to bring food for the period of your stay; group catering arrangements will be organised after registration. Breakfast cereal, milk, bread, jam, condiments, tea and coffee are provided by the lodge. There’s a local food store for last minute supplies and oversights.
COSTS: You can come for the full period or part thereof:
ACCOMMODATION MON-THU: The accommodation cost is $125 per Nomads member per night.
ACCOMMODATION FRI-SAT: $280 for Friday plus Saturday night (i.e. $140 per night, but payment is required for both nights if either is required).
BOOKING FEE: There is also a $3.50 service booking fee.
BUS - MOUNT BEAUTY TO FALLS CREEK: The bus fee is $79 Mount Beauty to Falls Creek return if you decide to park in Mt Beauty bus depot a secure parking fee of $84 for the 7 nights.
FALLS CREEK PARKING: The parking fee at Falls Creek was $469 for the 7 nights in 2025. This will be updated once this year's price is known (plus you will need to carry snow chains).
NON MEMBERS: Not a Nomads member? Purchase a temporary one-month membership before getting your tickets (cost $8).
APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Bring sheets and pillowcases, towel, washer and toiletries, plus ski gear to suit all possible conditions (or hire it in Mt Beauty or Falls Creek). Don’t forget warm, comfortable clothing for after-ski activities. If driving you will be required to carry chains (these can be hired in Mt Beauty), and you should ensure your radiator has antifreeze.
LEADER: Les B. | Email LeaderLesB@nomads.org.au if you have any questions.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.
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Nov
29
Nomads Friday Cycling - virtually every Friday
10:30 – 16:00
** PLEASE NOTE: We have temporarily put a hold on joining this group - it's simply too big at present **
Do you enjoy cycling, and are you sometimes free on Fridays? You're welcome to join the Nomads Friday cyclists.
** See Archive - Friday Bike Rides for the upcoming Friday's cycling details (posted on Wednesday 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 Fridays? Join a small group of Nomads and friends for a leisurely cycle on trails around metro Melbourne, and occasionally into Regional Victoria. 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 usually posted on the prior Wednesday evening at the start of the Archive - Friday Bike Rides document, by which time the weather forecast for Friday 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.
If you have any additional enquiries or requests, email Alan Drummond on LeaderAland@nomads.org.au or phone 0415 771 220. If you're not sure if your bike fitness level will match, contact Alan to plan your first foray.
BOOKING:
Mailing List: To join the mailing list so that you receive an email (usually on Wednesday evening) about the upcoming Friday 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 LeaderAland@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 Friday 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 weekly email or email LeaderAland@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 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: 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.
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Feb
17
2027
Nomads Wednesday Cycling - 3rd Wed each month
10:30 – 16:00
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.
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Past events
Apr
19
Past Event
Bike Ride: Williamstown to Mordialloc via the Westgate Punt
Tick Tok
10:30 – 15:00
Enjoy a scenic bike ride from Williamstown to Mordialloc, crossing the Yarra River on the Westgate Punt.
GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium Grade 38.5 km point-to-point cycling, mostly on concrete off-road cycling paths. The distance to the lunch spot (The Brighton Beach Hotel), is 22 km and the Brighton Beach Station is next door if you wish to exit the ride immediately after lunch.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: From the cafe in Williamstown we'll follow the Bay Trail W. to the Westgate Punt pier (just prior to the Westgate Bridge). We'll cross the river on the punt, then cycle through Westgate Park and along the Bay Trail all the way to the Brighton Beach Hotel, 4 Esplanade Ave, Brighton (beside the Brighton Beach railway station), where we'll stop for lunch. After lunch there's the option to exit via the Brighton Beach Station, but the ride will continue along the Bay Trail to Mordialloc, where you can board a Frankston line train to return towards the CBD.
BOOKING: By Friday 17th April. To register click on Get Tickets.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.
MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:30am at Tick Tok, 181 Nelson Pl, Williamstown. If you'd like a coffee, you should arrive at the cafe no later than 10am. See Public Transport below.
MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/G3Nr9tCviDAMit1S7.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
WITH COFFEE: Take the Werribee line service that departs Flinders Street platform 9 at 9:20am, and change to the Williamstown service at Newport (on the same platform), which arrives at Williamstown Station at 9:50am.
NO COFFEE: Take the Werribee line service that departs Flinders Street platform 9 at 10am, and change to the Williamstown service at Newport (on the same platform), which arrives at Williamstown Station at 10:30am.
Note: To get to the cafe from Williamstown Station, ride along Ann St to the end and turn left into Nelson Place. The cafe is just before the first roundabout.
RETURN: Mordialloc Station is on the Frankston line, with trains at least once every 10 minutes.
FOOD: Lunch will be purchased at the Brighton Beach Hotel.
COST: $5 for the Westgate Punt + lunch cost based on what you order - see menu.
APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable attire that's suitable for the weather forecast, in addition to your bike and helmet. A spare bike tube is advisable as well as a waterproof layer if any chance of rain is forecast.
LEADER: Alan P. | Email LeaderAlanP@nomads.org.au if you have any questions.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.
Image: Pavel Danilyuk, Pexels
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Apr
18
Past Event
Sassafras and Sherbrooke Forest circuit walk
Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve Hall
10:00 – 16:00
Enjoy a stroll in the Dandenongs. Travel via public transport is an option.
GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 3: Moderate 13.5 km (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System), although relatively easy within this grade.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This walk is in a pretty part of the Dandenong Ranges. At the start of the walk we will head downhill through the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens and uphill via Sassafras Creek to the Sassafras shops. Here we can eat BYO lunch in the town rotunda, or you can brave the crowds and purchase lunch. After lunch the second part of the walk will be in Sherbrooke Forest to the Sherbrooke Falls and back to the starting point via a boundary fire track.
Bring boots and poles if you use them, morning tea and lunch, and appropriate weather gear. There are toilets at the starting point and at the lunch spot.
BOOKING: By Thursday 16th April. To register, click on Get Tickets.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.
MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 10:00am at the Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve Hall, Hilton Rd, Ferny Creek.
MAP REFERENCE:
Starting Point - Google map: maps.app.goo.gl/AN9iic5g7Sgnn8Lq6
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Take the 8.06am train from Flinders St station towards Belgrave, disembarking at Upper Ferntree Gully at 9.14am. Take the #688 Croydon bus at 9.19, disembarking at the corner of Hilton Road and Mt Dandenong Tourist Road at 9.33am. Walk to the Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve via Hilton Road, arriving 9.45am.
FOOD: BYO lunch or purchase at the Sassafras shops.
APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Comfortable walking boots/shoes and dress according to the weather forecast. Bring poles too if you usually use them.
LEADER: Darren M. | Email LeaderDarrenM@nomads.org.au if you have any questions.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.
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Apr
17
Past Event
Beginners Overnight Grampians Hike
Wannon Crossing Campground
17 Apr 2026 18:00 – 20 Apr 2026 18:00
THIS EVENT IS FULL. GET A WAITLIST TICKET IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.
A beginners two night/three day hike in the Grampians with stunning views. This is your hike to discover the joy and serenity of escaping from the rat race for a few days. We will assist with what to pack and what to leave behind. We also have some spare equipment if you don't have it all.
GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Grade 3: Medium, 42 km hike along well established hiking trails (graded according to the AWTGS: Australian Walking Tracks Grading System). There are a few climbs but we will go slowly. We will walk up to 16 km each day. A reasonable level of fitness will make it more enjoyable, but it is also an opportunity to improve your fitness.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: We will drive to the Wannon Crossing Campground on Friday night for a good start on Saturday. This campground is car accessible, and is free with no booking required.
Saturday morning we need to do a car shuffle, then a 16 km walk to Djardji-kjawara camp site. Day 2 is 9.3 km over Signal Peak and Mt Abrupt to Mud-Dadjug campsite. Day 3 (Monday) is 16.5 km over Sturgeon Peak to Dunkeld and drive home in the evening. A total of 42 km.
Here is the Parks Vic website with a lot of info that will help in planning: Parks Vic Website.
If the temperature is forecast to be above 30 deg C we will cancel the trip, as it is hot country. Also possibly a fire risk.
The focus of this trip is not to break any records, but rather to enjoy the beautiful scenery, company and joy of camping out.
BOOKING: 1st March - or ASAP! Note that you need to book and pay for your own campsites!
Campsite Bookings: You need to book for Djardji-Djawara campsite on Saturday 18th April, and Mud-Dadjung on Sunday 19th April. Book now since campsites do book out (don't wait). That is why we have selected such an early RSVP date. Also if we don't get at least 6 participants we will cancel the trip.
Wannon Crossing Campground (Friday 17th April) is free and no booking is required.
Nomads Booking: Please also select Get Tickets here to let the leaders know you are joining the group.
If you are not sure this event is for you, please email one of the leaders (details below) to discuss.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.
MEETING TIME | LOCATION: We will drive to Wannon Crossing campground on Friday night to get a good start on Saturday. This is about 3 hours from Melbourne.
DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: 280 km, approximately 3 hours drive from Melb GPO. I will try and car share.
COST: All participants need to book and pay for their own campsites via Parks Vic. Here is the link: Campsite Booking. It costs $53 per night for a camp site on a tent platform (i.e. a total of $106pp). If you share a tent it will cost $53 pp for 2 nights. This includes use of the cooking shelters. If you have one person in the tent it still costs $53 each night. Contact the leader about sharing a platform if you don't know who is going.
FOOD | APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: All food for the event will need to be carried in our packs. A suggested packing list, including food requirements, will be sent to those who register. We will share our night meals to make cooking easier. Dont worry if you don't have all the gear as we have a lot of spare, and many items can be shared.
LEADER: Stephan C and Roger H. | Email leaderstephanc@nomads.org.au and LeaderRogerH@nomads.org.au (joint leaders) if you have any questions.
Members can access leader contact details under Members | Leader Contacts when logged in to the website.
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Apr
14
Past Event
April Social Night - Royal Melbourne Hotel
Royal Melbourne Hotel
19:00 – 21:00
Our regular monthly social night - this month at The Royal Melbourne Hotel, 629 Bourke St, Melbourne.
GRADE: Social.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: Join us for our monthly social evening where members can enjoy a meal, compare notes and float ideas on events they would like to see run, and simply have a chat. 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 a walk we haven't done before? If so, we'd love to hear from you. Everyone is welcome – new members are especially invited to any of the monthly Nomads social evenings.
See The Royal Melbourne Hotel website for more details, including their menu. Tuesday night is Parma Night - with various types of parma, including vegetarian, plus wine, beer or soft drink for $26.
BOOKING: By Sunday 12th April. To register, click on Get Tickets.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.
MEETING TIME | LOCATION: 7pm at The Royal Melbourne Hotel, 629 Bourke St, Melbourne.
MAP REFERENCE: Google map maps.app.goo.gl/BE48Kp47nuFUWZAZ9.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Royal Melbourne Hotel is located on the corner of Bourke and King Streets, close to Southern Cross Station as well as to the trams on Bourke St, Collins St or Spencer St.
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.
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Apr
13
Past Event
Winter Program Pre-planning - Online via Zoom
19:00 – 20:00
Preparing the draft Winter program of events - online via Zoom.
GRADE: Social.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: The bulk of the planning for the upcoming Winter 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 13th April. 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. You may 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: 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.
Photo by Bich Tran from Pexels.
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Apr
10
Past Event
South Gippsland Rail Trail Ride based in Toora
Toora
10 Apr 2026 10:00 – 12 Apr 2026 17:00
Cycle sections of the Great Southern Rail Trail from Friday to Sunday, staying overnight at a private home in Toora. Toora is a small historic town located on the South Gippsland Highway between Foster and Welshpool.
GRADE | LENGTH | TYPE: Medium grade rides of 30 km, 44 km and 61.5 km on Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively. Being a rail trail, there are no significant hills. Some previous cycling experience is essential.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION: This event is limited to eight riders, plus the leader. Four riders will travel by public transport with their bikes to Morwell Station and be picked up from there. The other four riders will need to bring their own vehicles, or share with other drivers, to transport themselves and their bikes to and from Toora.
We will ride a separate section of the Great Southern Rail Trail each day - see the Proposed Rides below for details.
Upon completion of the Sunday ride, the leader will transport the public transport users back to Morwell Station, and the private transport users will depart from Meeniyan at their leisure. An option to depart Monday is also a possibility, if it suits.
Proposed Rides:
Friday: Toora to Port Welshpool return 11:45am – 4:00pm (30 km total)
Saturday: Toora to Fish Creek return 9:am – 2:30pm (44 km total)
Sunday: Meeniyan to Korumburra return 9am-3pm (61.5 km total)
Optional Additional activities:
Friday afternoon: Walk around Toora township and historic houses or chill at the house.
Saturday afternoon: Drive to Mt Best/Agnes Falls or Waratah Bay to walk/swim. Or chill/relax.
BOOKING: By Monday 6th April, or ASAP to ensure you don't miss out (limit of 8 riders: 4 x public transport and 4 x private vehicle). To register click on Get Tickets. This event is only open to Nomads Members.
Unsure if you've already booked? Click View my bookings.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Toora facilities: Supermarket (with bottle shop), Toora Deli, Pharmacy, Post Office, Wood Fired Pizza, Windmill Cafe. The pub is currently out of action.
MEETING TIME | LOCATION:
Train Users: 9:51am Friday 10 April at Morwell Station. The leader will transfer you and your bikes to the Toora house.
Drivers: Arrive at the Toora house Friday morning by 10:30am or Thursday afternoon/evening (9 April). The address of the property in Toora, and instructions for getting there, will be provided to the drivers after they register for the event.
DISTANCE | TIME FROM GPO: It is 183 km from Melbourne CBD, approximately 2 hrs 15 mins drive depending on departure time and traffic.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
Friday arrival: departure 7:17am from Southern Cross (7:38am from Caulfield), arriving Morwell at 9:22am or, departure 7:39am from Flinders Street (7:52am from Caulfield), arriving Morwell 9:51am
Sunday departure: The leader will transfer the four V/Line users from the ride endpoint in Meeniyan to Morwell, from where they can catch a V/Line train to Melbourne: departures from Morwell at 3:54pm, 4:34pm, 5:15pm etc.
ACCOMMODATION: The house has 3 double bedrooms which can accommodate singles, partners, or two mates willing to share, a double mattress on the lounge floor (1 or 2), an L-shaped sofa (1, or 2 at a pinch). Additionally, there are two stretcher beds and room for a couple of 2-man tents (BYO) in the back yard.
NOTE: Please bring your own sheets & pillowcase or sleeping bag, and towel.
FOOD:
Dinner Friday night and breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday will be provided at the Toora house. Contribution $20.
Lunches Fri, Sat and Sun will be at stops along the rail trail (Port Welshpool, Fish Creek, Korumburra).
Saturday dinner will be at Trulli in Meeniyan or at the Foster pub.
APPAREL | FOOTWEAR: Appropriate cycling gear with layers to cater for all contingencies, including a wet weather layer. Plus the usual hat, sunscreen, sunnies and togs/towel if you plan to swim. Light casual clothing for the evenings. At least one spare tube that fits your bike is essential.
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.
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