Abbotsford Convent to Fed Square and Herring Island Social Exploration - 16km

🌞 EDDM Melbourne: Convent → Herring Island → Fed Square Social Walk
When: Saturday 17 October
Start: 10:00 AM Sharp
Collingwood children's farm entrance — Next to Abbotsford Convent. Get there by 9.45am
Optional: 9am start at the Abbotsford convent if you want breakfast/coffee at the convent cafe (usually quite busy)
Finish: ~3:00 PM — Transport Public Bar, Federation Square
Distance:~ 16 km (moderate pace 4–5 km/hr)
Max people: Around 12 to 15

Please note. Refer to group policy around waitlists, and no shows. At the end of the evevt description

🌿 Event Description

Join us for a 16 km riverside adventure that threads together Melbourne’s most beautiful waterway trails, a secret island, a cheeky punt crossing, and a celebratory finish at Fed Square.

We kick off at Abbotsford Convent,
Well you can grab a snack and coffee the if you arrive early enough. But we actually met at the children's farm entrance 50 metres down the path towards the river.

Melbourne’s artsy, leafy cultural hub, before gliding onto the Main Yarra Trail — no detours, no Dights Falls loop, just the direct riverside path heading south toward Richmond and South Yarra.

The trail winds through bush pockets, boardwalks, river bends, rowing sheds, and shaded sections that make this one of the most scenic long walks in the city. Expect a mix of relaxed banter, gentle pace, and the usual EDDM social chaos.

At South Yarra, we cross to Herring Island via the seasonal Parks Victoria punt — a quirky little ferry that feels like Melbourne’s version of a secret level. We’ll explore the island’s sculpture park, native bushland, and circular walking track before returning to the mainland.

From there, we follow the Capital City Trail along the river’s edge, looping past the Botanic Gardens, the Tan, Birrarung Marr, and straight into Federation Square.

We finish at Transport Public Bar, where cold drinks, warm chatter, and post‑walk bragging rights await.

🧭 Route Features

• 16 km of continuous riverside trail
• Main Yarra Trail → Capital City Trail (no road shortcuts)
• Herring Island exploration
• Punt crossing (iconic, seasonal, fun)
• Rowing sheds, gardens, boardwalks, river bends
• Moderate pace (4–5 km/hr)
• Finish at Transport Bar for drinks & social time
• Expected finish ~3 pm

📍 Meeting Point
Entrance to Collingwood children's farm
— 9.45 a m for a 10:00 AM start
50 metres walk towards the river from the convent entrance gates

🍃 What to Bring

• Water
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunscreen
• Light snacks
• Openness to playful banter and unexpected social dynamics

🎉 Vibe
Fun, flirty, social, satirical — classic EDDM energy.
A walk that feels like a moving festival, ending with a well‑earned drink in the heart of the city.

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

👟Fitness Requirements
Walking: 4+ km/hr. Moderate fitness. enough to walk 25 km with limited stops

We walk at a moderate 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.

⛹️ Your 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.

👥Waitlist & Gender Ratios
To keep things balanced and comfortable:
Event capped at 12 people, if my star signs are in favour i may increase this.

Generally guys admitted only after a woman registers (to maintain ratios) at my discretion. Group regulars get priority access.

Women can be a little flaky (we love them anyway), so I may accept 1–2 extra.

🧭The Creep Code
A refined social compass keeps the vibe safe, fun, and drama‑free
So: No married/Seperated individuals or those already coupled up (generally) unless I know you.
No Tinder Swindler‑style mingler

Guys: Please Take Special Note
Must have a clear face photo (no sunglasses, no blurry shadows, no “mysterious man in witness protection”
Don't send unsolicited messages, that's creep gold.

⚠️Don't obscure your identity in other words

No wide shots taken from a distance where you can't be identified
No yacht/car/jet flexing — if your profile screams “crypto‑adjacent”, you will be gently declined
If you are declined, update your profile photo to something less creepy and more classy

Girls: No restrictions — privacy and safety first

⚠️CRITICAL EXPECTATIONS⚠️

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

***Remove yourself more than 24 hours before the event, cancellations within 24 hour of the evevt when there is a waitlist will result in group removal and likely blocked

People on the waitlist require more than 24 hours notice that they have been approved to attend.. Flaking within this time period prevents waitlist people from attending

No‑shows will be removed from the group and likely blocked.
*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 Arrival
If you’re late, the group will not wait

You willl be marked as a No‑Show and removed from the group

Messages will not be monitored after the event start

It’s your responsibility to communicate and catch up before the evevt starts—this may not be possible for some events as the organiser is busy organising

🎲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 Indemnity

By 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