Eat, Drink and Dance Melbourne

🌿 Maribyrnong Meander: Flirty River Ramble & PicnicSaturday 7 February — 9:30 a.m. start (arrive from 9:15 a.m.)
Boathouse Café → Canning Reserve → Boathouse Café (15 km return)

Long but an easy to moderate walk.

### Before you consider joining this event, read the group rules section at the end ###

Ready to stretch your legs, your social muscles, and maybe your flirtation radius? Join us for a long, lazy, exploratory wander along the Maribyrnong River—an easy, flat 15 km return that’s perfect for conversation, curiosity, and seeing who naturally drifts into step beside you.

We’ll meet at the Boathouse Café in Moonee Ponds, where the early birds can caffeinate, snack, or casually “accidentally” bump into someone over a croissant. If you want breakfast, best to get there at 8.30 am. At 9:30 a.m. sharp, we set off at a relaxed, chat-friendly pace. This route is new to the organiser (yes, we’re all discovering together), so expect a little adventure, a lot of scenery, and the occasional “Is this the right path?” bonding moment.

Around the halfway point, we’ll settle into Canning Reserve for a picnic lunch—bring whatever fuels you, whether that’s sandwiches, strawberries, or strategic snack-sharing. After lunch, we’ll wander back along the river to the Boathouse Café, sun-kissed, endorphin-lit, and pleasantly tired.

Please Note
As I am removing No Shows from the group I get a lot of people flaking just prior to the registration cut off, usually not giving people on the waitlists fair warning to attend. If there is a waitlist and you're on it and would still like to come (i.e. Under 21 people registered to attend which is my max number) contact me to put you on the going list.

🌞 What to bring

• Sunscreen, water (1 or 2 litres) and snacks, small backpack
  Sun hat or parasol
• Comfortable walking clothes and shoes (runners or better)
• A light picnic lunch
• Your best riverside banter
• A sense of exploration (the route is flat?… presumably). I've not done it before.

🤔 What not to b ring
Purses, tote bags, long dresses, shoes more appropriate for Chadstone than long walks. Jeans aren't a great idea.

🌡️ Weather note
If the temperature forecast is set to go above 33°C during the walk , the walk may be cancelled—because heatstroke is not a meet-cute.

🚋 Public transport
Catch the 57 tram from Elizabeth St and hop off at Stop 41 (Maribyrnong Park). From there, it’s an easy stroll to the café.

Come for the walk, stay for the company, and let the river do the mood lighting.

Optional extension, depending on how people feel I may extend the walk by another 4km to Flemington via the wetlands and the racecourse.

⚠️ Group Rules & Event Etiquette ⚠️
These are basic, commonsense standards that keep events safe, smooth, and enjoyable for everyone.

👟 Fitness Requirements
Walking: 3–4 km/hr for 15km with few breaks

We walk at a relaxed pace. Please ensure you meet the fitness level for the event. If the group is forced to wait excessively, you may be asked to leave the event.

⛹️ Pace: Too Fast or Too Slow
Small social events rely on staying together. If you prefer a very different pace, consider going solo, joining a faster/slower group, or choosing events that match your fitness.

👩‍💼 Time Constraints
If you’re on a tight schedule, this may not be the right event. Social activities rarely run exactly on time.

⚠️ CRITICAL EXPECTATIONS ⚠️

👻 No‑Shows
No‑shows block waitlisted people from attending and disrupt small-group events.

• Remove yourself at least 24 hours before the event.
• No‑shows will likely be removed and blocked from the group.
• Last‑minute cancellations (“flaking”) may also result in group removal, especially when there is a waitlist.

👀 Attending Without Being on the Going List
This is a security issue.
Do NOT turn up unannounced.
If you’re not on the Going list and haven’t arranged it with the organiser beforehand, you will be asked to leave. Event check‑ins are performed.

⏰ Late Arrivals
If you’re late, the group will not wait.

• You may be marked as a No‑Show and removed from the group.
• It’s your responsibility to communicate and catch up—this may not be possible for some events.

🎲 Second Chances
If something goes wrong, communicate with the organiser. Silence + poor behaviour = removal. Communication + accountability = second chances. As the organiser is busy organising this may be impossible during the event.

🚩Disclaimer: No Liability & Organiser IndemnityBy participating in this event, you acknowledge and accept full personal responsibility for your own safety, wellbeing, and belongings. The organiser assumes no liability for injury, loss, or damage incurred during the activity. Participation is entirely at your own risk.

💘 Eat, Drink & Dance Melbourne: The Pre‑Valentine’s “Last‑Minute Love Grab” Party 💘
Friday 13 February
7:00pm – 10:00pm
Lustre Bar, Flinders Lane

Melbourne, assemble your charm, your courage, and your most persuasive eyebrow raise — because Valentine’s Day is looming, and this is your final chance to secure a date before the city descends into roses, prix‑fixe menus, and smug couples holding hands like they invented affection.

Join us at Lustre Bar, where the cocktails sparkle, the lighting forgives, and the mood is set firmly to romantic chaos. This is a night for the bold, the hopeful, the delightfully unhinged, and anyone who refuses to spend Saturday eating supermarket chocolate and tubs of ice cream like a lonely Chewbacca on the couch (again).

⚠️Expect:

• Flirty icebreakers that make “So what do you do?” feel like a relic of a more boring civilisation
• Silly mini‑games designed to nudge strangers into becoming “entangled parties of interest”
• A soundtrack calibrated for maximum swoon‑potential
• A room full of people who are also pretending they’re “just here for fun”

By 10pm, those who have successfully paired, tangled, or otherwise conspired with another human will be invited to continue the adventure as we spill into a dance venue of our choosing. Think of it as the Valentine’s Migration: a flock of seagulls abd romantically‑charged humans moving gracefully (or not) toward a dance floor where destiny, chemistry, and questionable rhythm await.

Whether you leave with a Valentine, a new crush, or simply a great story, you’ll be in excellent company.

Dress code: Cute, confident, or chaotically optimistic.
Vibe: Romantic comedy meets mild social experiment.
Goal: Snatch a Valentine before the clock strikes midnight on Cupid’s deadline.

Come for the cocktails. Stay for the chemistry. Dance for the glory.

🌞 Delectable Summer Evening Social Stroll: Full Yarra Bend Circuit - Moderate to Difficult

Saturday 17 January - 4.30 PM AM..Arrive at 4.15 PM please

Join us for a long, lazy, laughter‑filled summer evening social stroll tracing the full Yarra Bend circuit — a gorgeous loop of river bends, bushland, boardwalks, rising flying foxes and iconic Melbourne nooks. This is our expanded version of the smaller Yarra Bend walk many of you enjoyed, now stretched into a full, flirty, scenic adventure.

Now that I've done the walk, I have to update the difficulty level lol. Its mostly easy but there are rough sections that you could expect in a proper bushwalk

+++Ensure you read the rules at the end before joining. Registering = agreeing to them+++

We’ll begin at the Abbotsford Convent, (or more specifically st the Collingwood children's farm entrance), wander past Dights Falls, pause for snacks at the Studley Park Boathouse, and follow the river’s contours through some of the most beautiful natural pockets in inner Melbourne. Expect birdsong, breezes, shady gums, and plenty of social mingling along the way.

You can choose your own finale:

• 11 km Full Yarra Bend Circuit ending back at the Convent, or
• 14 km Extended Merri Creek Trail Option finishing at Rushall Station for those who want a little extra summer sparkle in their step.

🕙 Timing
Meet at 4:15 p.m. at the gates of the Collingwood Children’s Farm (about 50m from the Convent entrance at the end of the road).

- Walk begins at 4:30 p.m. sharp. hopefully after the worst heat of the day and on the beautiful late afternoon coolness.

• Expect 3–4 hours depending on pace, weather, silly jokes, banter, and snack enthusiasm. My priority is having a relaxing time so I'm not following a strict timetable.

☕ Mid‑Walk Pause
We’ll stop at Studley Park Boathouse or the Golf course cafe ror more reliable coffee,, a sit down cold drinks, or a light bite. Bring a little cash or card if you’d like to indulge.

🚶 Route Highlights

• The leafy bends of the Yarra

• Dights Falls lookout

• Riverbank boardwalks and shaded bushland

• Roosting Flying Foxes

• Abbotsford Convent

• Studley Park Boathouse

• Optional Merri Creek extension to Rushall Station

• Plenty of photo spots, conversation pockets, and nature‑soaked moments

🚆 Getting There

• Train to Victoria Park Station is the easiest option, followed by a short walk to the Convent.
• Parking at the Convent can be a gamble on weekends — arrive early if you’re trying your luck or choose elsewhere.

👀 Stuff to know
The walk cam be quite rough in a few places, expect some minor scrambles on rough and slippery ground

🌿 What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Comfortable walking clothes
• Water 2 litres
• Sunscreen and a hat
• A light snack if you like
• Curiosity, good humour, and your best summer social energy

😜What not to bring

• Purses, Tote bags, long dresses
• Clothes more suitable for Chadstone than a rough urban hike
• Jeans aren't a good idea.

⚠️ Group Rules and Event Etiquette ⚠️
These are basic, commonsense standards that keep events safe, smooth, and enjoyable for everyone.

Fitness Requirements:
This should be an easy to moderate walk for people with average fitness.

Ensure you can walk around 4km/hr for about 4 hours with breaks. Walk 15km comfortably with a small pack.

We walk at a relaxed pace. Please ensure you meet the fitness level for the event. If the group is forced to wait excessively, you may be asked to leave the event.

⛹️ Pace: Too Fast or Too Slow
Small social group events rely on staying together. If you prefer a very different pace, consider attending solo, joining a faster/slower group, or choosing events that match your fitness..

👩‍💼 Time Constraints
If you’re on a tight schedule, this may not be the right event. Social activities rarely run exactly on time

⚠️ CRITICAL EXPECTATIONS ⚠️

👻 No‑Shows
No‑shows block waitlisted people from attending and disrupt small-group events.

• Remove yourself at least 24 hours before the event.
• No‑shows will likely be removed and blocked from the group.
• Last‑minute cancellations (“flaking”) may also result in removal, especially when there is a waitlist.

👀 Attending Without Being on the Going List
This is a security issue.
Do NOT turn up unannounced.
If you’re not on the Going list and haven’t arranged it with the organiser beforehand, you will be asked to leave. Event check‑ins are being introduced

⏰ Late Arrivals
If you’re late, the group will not wait.

• You may be marked as a No‑Show and removed from the group.
• It’s your responsibility to communicate and catch up—this may not be possible for some events.

🎲 Second Chances
If something goes wrong, attempt to communicate with the organiser. Silence + poor behaviour = removal. Communication + accountability = second chances.
This may not be possible during the event as the organiser is busy organising.