Conservation Groups Melbourne

Maribyrnong River Walk: Birds, Wetlands & Coffee – Footscray to Edgewater

Join me for a relaxed nature walk along the Maribyrnong River Trail, exploring the section from the Footscray Community Arts Centre to Edgewater and Burndap Park. We’ll allow time to pause along the way and observe birdlife and enjoy the natural environment, and if you enjoy photography, you’re welcome to bring your camera or phone to capture the flora and fauna we encounter along the river trail. Our route takes us past the Heavenly Queen Taoist Temple, and through Newell's Paddock Wetlands Reserve and past Footscray Park. Newell’s Paddock is a conservation area that has been regenerated over the past 30 years from a polluted industrial site into thriving wetlands, where more than 80 bird species have now been recorded. We may also see the local swan family out exploring with their cygnets. [https://www.newellspaddock.org.au/2016/06/07/birds-of-newells-paddock/](https://www.newellspaddock.org.au/2016/06/07/birds-of-newells-paddock/) When we reach Edgewater Marina, we’ll stop to have something to eat or drink. There are two cafés and an Italian deli nearby. From here we will walk through Burndap Park, a revegetated space that provides an important habitat for waterbirds and other native wildlife. The Superb Fairy-wren, the endangered Growling Grass Frog and Spotted Marsh Frog have found a home here. For anyone interested in identifying birdlife and frogs there are many free apps, including [Frog Census ID](https://www.melbournewater.com.au/learn-about/making-difference/citizen-science-waterwatch/frog-census) app and [Merlin Bird ID](https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/). The Maribyrnong River Trail is flat and well maintained, and this walk is rated easy to moderate. Distance: approximately 7 km Walking time: around 1 hour 45 minutes, with breaks along the way. **Agenda** 2:00 pm – Meet at the Footscray Community Arts Centre (see event photos for a map and meeting point) 2:10 pm – Begin our walk 3:30 pm – Arrive at Edgewater Marina for a break 4:15 pm – Walk through Burndap park 5:15 pm – Arrive back at the Footscray Community Arts Centre **Getting There** If you’re coming by public transport, the Arts Centre is about a 7-minute walk from Footscray Station—head down Bunbury Street and turn left onto Moreland Street. For those driving, there is on-street metered parking as well as a car park at the Arts Centre. **RSVP & Event Notes** Please RSVP by clicking Attend on the event page, and I’ll be in touch with any additional details via direct message. This is a rain or shine event and I add any updates about weather conditions in the Event Comments on the day if needed. *Please note once we meet at 2:00 pm, I will be connecting with guests and unable to respond to direct messages. For anyone running late, I will post a location tracker in the Event Comments so you can find us along the trail.*

Engineering Machine Consciousness Monthly Meetup

The discussion topic for this meetup will be identity and whether or not history is a necessary condition for consciousness as Dretske proposed. James

Riverside Bush Regeneration

Meeting up near the Liberty One building in Neilson Place, not far from the Heavenly Queen Temple, 20 Joseph Road, Footscray. We're completing the mulching outside the building, which is a great achievement. The final step in turning what was a dry patch of dirt into a green space. It's a fun experience! Come and meet some friendly, like-minded people working to increase the amount of native bushland along the banks of the beautiful Maribyrnong River. Bring along a bottle of water, wear a hat and old clothing. Gardening gloves are handy, but these will be provided if you need them.

Olinda Reserve Loop (17km Grade M-H)

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) - Archibald Prize Exhibition - 7 going

The Devonshire Society

Spirits of the Sky at Healesville Sanctuary

Join me for a full day out at Healesville Sanctuary — a bushland wildlife sanctuary in the Yarra Valley, home to Australian animals like platypus, dingoes, koalas, wombats and a lot of very good birds. It's an easy, relaxed day: plenty of walking through the bush, keeper talks scattered through the day, and the Spirits of the Sky presentation where birds of prey fly right over the crowd. We'll meet at Boost Juice inside Southern Cross Station at 7:45am, say hello, and head to the platform together around 7:55am. The 8:09am train and connecting bus get us to the Sanctuary at about 10:19am. From there we'll wander the grounds as a group, catch as many animal and keeper talks as we can fit in, and make sure we're set up for Spirits of the Sky. We'll start heading back on the 4:26pm bus and reach Southern Cross at about 6:22pm, where the meetup wraps up. If you'd rather drive, you're very welcome to skip the train and meet us at the Sanctuary entrance instead — just let me know so we can look out for you. One important thing: this is a casual social meetup so we can go along together. It isn't run by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Healesville Sanctuary or Zoos Victoria. Please book your own entry ticket directly with them — an RSVP here doesn't include entry. **Who this is for** * Anyone who likes animals, bushland walks and an unhurried day out of the city * Good for all fitness levels — it's flat-ish walking on paths, but it's a big site, so expect to be on your feet for a few hours * Photographers and first-time visitors will all get a lot out of it * Coming on your own? Very welcome — most people at these meetups do, and it's an easy day to chat **Links** * Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sfyVPt3akkGBKxrF9 * Healesville Sanctuary: https://www.zoo.org.au/healesville/ * Tickets and membership: https://www.zoo.org.au/healesville/whats-on/events/entry/ * Spirits of the Sky: https://www.zoo.org.au/healesville/whats-on/events/spirits-of-the-sky/ * Spirits of the Sky video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEdPvCQvP84 * Animal and keeper talks: https://www.zoo.org.au/healesville/animal-talks/ * Interactive map of the Sanctuary: https://healesvillesanctuary.maptivateapp.com.au/ * Cafés and where to eat: https://www.zoo.org.au/healesville/food-and-facilities/where-to-eat/ **Timeline** * 7:45am – Meet at Boost Juice, Southern Cross Station, and say hi (driving? meet us at the Sanctuary entrance instead) * 7:55am – Head to the platform together * 8:09am – Train, then connecting bus, out to Healesville * 10:19am – Arrive at Healesville Sanctuary * Through the day – Animal and keeper talks, Spirits of the Sky, and a wander around the grounds * Lunch – Grab something at one of the on-site cafés or eat the lunch you've brought * 4:26pm – Bus, then train, back towards the city * 6:22pm – Arrive at Southern Cross Station and the meetup ends **Tickets / cost** * Everyone books and pays for their own entry ticket online, in advance, directly with Healesville Sanctuary. * If you have a Zoos Victoria membership, bring it along * Train and bus fares are your own, and food and drinks on site are extra **Transport** * We're travelling by train and connecting bus from Southern Cross Station — bring a myki with enough balance for the return trip * Timings above are the ones I'm planning around; please check the PTV app on the day in case anything has changed * Driving instead is totally fine — there's parking at the Sanctuary. Just tell me beforehand so I know to look for you at the entrance * If you miss the 8:09am departure, don't panic — message the group and make your own way out, and we'll find you there **Bring** * Your pre-booked ticket or membership card * Myki with enough balance (if you're travelling with us) * Water bottle * Lunch and snacks, or money for the cafés * Sunscreen, hat and sunglasses * A jacket * Comfortable walking shoes **Expect** * Difficulty: Easy — walking paths and gentle slopes, no hills to climb * Pace: Relaxed, with plenty of stops * Vibe: Friendly and low-key, lots of looking at animals and chatting * Group style: We'll move around together, but no pressure — if you want to drift off and see something at your own pace, just meet us back up **Important notes** * This is a casual social meetup arranged so we can visit together. It isn't run by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Healesville Sanctuary or Zoos Victoria * Book your own entry directly with the Sanctuary — an RSVP here is not a ticket and doesn't include entry * Spirits of the Sky and the keeper talks are run by the Sanctuary and can change or be cancelled on the day, especially in poor weather. Check their site closer to the date * It's an outdoor day, so dress for the weather — the Yarra Valley is usually a few degrees cooler than the city * Please follow all Sanctuary rules and staff instructions, keep a respectful distance from the animals, and take part within your own comfort. You're joining at your own risk and are responsible for your own safety and wellbeing on the day * It's a long day with a decent amount of walking — please come prepared for that * If your plans change, please update your RSVP so numbers stay clear

Men's Naturist Day Walk on a private farm near Lancefield with optional BBQ

Monthly South Melbourne Beach Patrol beach clean-up

Join us for one hour of beach cleaning, socialising, and generally being a good person. It's a perfect time to head down to clean up the beaches that you love. Meeting Spot: Kerferd Rd Pier When: Every third Saturday, 9am - 10am Please arrive 850am for a 9am start! Bags provided. Please bring your own gloves if you like. Feel free to invite neighbours/family/friends/colleagues, etc to join in and lend a hand as we tidy up our beaches and bay!! 3205 Beach Patrol is a group that meets for One Hour each month to clear rubbish from South Melbourne Beach. Totally voluntary, totally optional, totally local. We meet every THIRD Saturday, same place, same time. Beach Patrol is a chain of volunteer community groups each defined by suburb, post code and t-shirt colour. Starting in 2009, by mid-2015 there were 18 groups running, covering over 50 km of beach across the top of Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay with approx. 1500 volunteers signed up to help keep our beaches clean.

Spotswood to Williamstown Beach Walk - 8 going

Spectacular Grampians - Grand Canyon, Pinnacle Lookout, Boroka Lookout &more!

We are heading to Grampians National Park, one of the most incredible places in Victoria to lose yourself in nature for a while. We will book a bus with a driver. Our events are only open to people aged 18 years and older. Please follow these two steps to confirm your spot: Step 1: Please RSVP to this event on meetup. Step 2: Please buy the bus ticket via Trybooking ($99 - Early Bird, $119 - Regular): [https://www.trybooking.com/DPXUZ](https://www.trybooking.com/DPXUZ) Payments are managed through Trybooking and not Meetup. You will see an **"Unpaid"** status on your RSVP. The only thing you need is the Trybooking ticket which you will receive by email. I will manually update the meetup payment status closer to the event date. Trybooking payments are non-refundable. There is no option to transfer the ticket to a new date. Trybooking payments will be refunded only if the event is cancelled or moved to a new date. If you are a digital creator or youtuber, please message the organizer before buying the ticket. Meeting Point: Let's meet in the Corner of Russell and Flinders Street (Federation Square Bus stop) at 8:45 AM. We should be back at Federation Square Bus Stop around 9 pm. Map: [https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=-37.817028%2C%20144.97006](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=-37.817028%2C%20144.97006) This is a rain or shine event. Cost: Bus Ticket: $99 - Early Bird $119 - Regular Lunch: Varies (depends on what you buy at Halls Gap). Tentative list of locations we will be visiting: Tentative list of locations we will be visiting: **Halls Gap**: Stop at Halls Gap for a lunch break (own expense). **If you are lucky**, The Halls Gap Recreation Reserve is a fantastic place to see **Kangaroos** in the Grampians. 🕒30 mins **Boroka Lookout**: Picturesque views of mountain ranges, lakes & plains. (Please **stay within the safety barriers for your own safety**. In the news: [https://bit.ly/3o3MvAI](https://bit.ly/3o3MvAI) ) 🕒15 mins \| 1\-2 mins walk **Reed Lookout:** From the summit of Reed Lookout you will enjoy stunning views over the entire Victoria Valley, Victoria Range, Serra Range, Lake Wartook, and the Mt Difficult Range on a clear day. (Not much walking involved) 🕒15 mins \| 1\-2 mins walk **Pinnacles Lookout:** The Pinnacle is the Grampians’ most iconic lookout — and for good reason. The sweeping views are nothing short of spectacular, making it one of the most breath-taking vantage points in the entire Grampians National Park. 4\.2km return hike \| 🕒2 hours **Grand Canyon -** Climb your way through a stunning gorge beneath towering rock walls on this short but challenging hike. Take a moment to pause, listen to the gentle stream, and soak in the natural echoes all around you. It's short strenuous walk up and the downhill coming back. 🕒45 mins Please follow us on Social Media for photos, videos & updates: [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@explore-melbourne) \| [Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/exploremelb) \| [Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/exploremelb) \| [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/xpmelb/) \| [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@exploremelbourne) \| [ExploreMelbourne.AU](https://exploremelbourne.au/) Explore Melbourne is Australia's largest meetup group, with a big social media community too. To keep everyone safe and make sure every event is a good time, we have nine simple rules. Anyone who breaks them is removed from the group, and so far that's 336 people. ❌ **Not a dating group**. We're here to make friends, not find soulmates, so no flirty business, please! 📵 **No phone numbers.** Asking for or sharing phone numbers has led to scams, harassment and privacy problems in the past, so anyone who does it will be removed. Swapping social media is fine if you're both happy to, but please don't add people to WhatsApp or other group chats. 🔞**18+ only.** All our events are for adults aged 18 and over. 📢 **No promoting other events** or groups. 😅 Give people room. Everyone's here to meet lots of people, so please **don't be clingy**. 🚗 **No carpooling.** We've had safety incidents, and our public liability insurance doesn't cover motor vehicle accidents. 💰 **No sales pitches**. That means no selling, no MLMs, no pyramid schemes and no "life-changing mentorship" offers. 📸 **Cameras welcome, but**… – please **refrain from taking photos of our members** for privacy reasons. 😊 A lot of work goes into every event. **Please be kind to our organisers.** Rudeness towards them won't be tolerated. By joining this event, you agree to follow these rules. Break them and you'll be removed, just like the 336 people before you. **No second chances.** Let's keep it fun, friendly and drama-free! Liability Waiver: The organizer of this group cannot accept any liability for any loss, damage, injury, or accident to participants or their property at this event. By participating in this event, you're taking responsibility for your safety and well-being. By joining this event, you agree to the liability waiver mentioned here: [https://exploremelbourne.au/explore-melbourne-liability-waiver/](https://exploremelbourne.au/explore-melbourne-liability-waiver/)

TBC - 6 hours - Rogaining