Bikepacking Sydney

La Farma Backpacker Social Club

If you are looking to meet new people in Sydney, come join us at La farmacia Backpacker Social Club every Wednesday from 4pm-6pm. We will have: • Steak Wednesday $25 • Slushies Margaritas $10 •Icebreaker Cards • Language flags • Useful tips for new arrivals

Mogo

Mt Banks Summit via One Trail Loop Hike

Backgammon Night

Don’t leave the fun to the weekends - make the most of your weekday evenings and come play some social backgammon 🎲🎲 All levels and ages welcome! Our instagram is @sydneybackgammon follow for more updates and to see what a Monday night should be like 🍸🍕 It’s your roll…

Tentative - Bali 10-Day Winter Escape: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Luxury

**OZ Outdoors is going international this winter - on King's Birthday Long Weekend! ✈️⛰** *This originally started as a personal trip, but we managed to secure a great group package and custom itinerary that it made perfect sense to open it up to the community! This trip can only go ahead with 10+, or we'll reschedule for a later day! To be decided by end of April.* If you’ve ever wanted to **Explore Bali’s lush jungles, climb active volcanoes, and snorkel in crystal-clear waters**—but wanted to do it with a fit, like-minded group of Sydney hikers—this is your chance. We’ve partnered with Turban Adventures ([a TripAdvisor top-rated](https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attraction_Review-g304555-d12403649-Reviews-Turban_Adventures-Jaipur_Jaipur_District_Rajasthan.html) \- Awarded Travellers' Choice 2025 boutique agency that safely and brilliantly hosted Manish\-OZ Outdoors \- own family holidays in India\) to create a custom "Hiker’s Edition" Bali escape\. We are trading the tourist traps for the **Campuhan Ridge Walk, the mighty Sekumpul Waterfall trek, and a Mount Batur sunrise summit.** But don't worry, we are balancing the grit with **premium boutique hotel stays, traditional massages, and beachfront dinners.** **✨ What is Included?** * 🏨 **Premium (5\* + 4\*) Accommodation:** 9 Nights in hand-picked boutique hotels and resorts across Ubud, Gili Trawangan, and Canggu (featuring lush gardens and infinity pools). * 🚐 **Seamless Transport and Support:** All private air-conditioned ground transport, airport pick-up/drop-off, and return fast-boat tickets to the islands. 24\*7 Ground Support. * 🍽️ **Curated Meals:** 9 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, and 3 Dinners. * 🌋 **Mount Batur Sunrise Trek:** A fully guided, 4-hour return hike up the active volcano for epic sunrise views. * 💦 **Sekumpul Waterfall Trek:** A rugged 2-3 hour jungle hike to experience Bali's most majestic cascading falls. * 🌾 **Ubud Culture & Nature:** The scenic Campuhan Ridge Walk, an excursion to the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, and a traditional Balinese cooking class. * 🤿 **Island Adventures:** Guided island snorkeling boat trip in Gili Trawangan (spotting sea turtles!) and free time to cycle the car-free island. * 🏄 **Coastal Recovery:** A beginner-friendly surf lesson in Canggu and a traditional Balinese massage to soothe those hiking muscles. * 🎒 **Expert Leadership:** A dedicated Tour Leader from Turban Adventures to handle all on-ground logistics. (Manish will be there to hike, but the pros are running the show!) **📍 Key Details:** * **Dates:** Friday, June 5th (Fly out 4:25 PM) to Sunday, June 14th (Depart Bali during the evening). * **Difficulty:** Moderate. We will be doing a 2-3 hour waterfall trek and a 4-hour volcano return track. Good fitness and bushwalking experience are required. * **Dietary:** All included dinners and the traditional cooking class will have dedicated vegetarian options to suit plant-based preferences. * **Full Itinerary:** [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wm7s4TVVUuWN_2njvhz-eaTqIqGMBR4g/view?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wm7s4TVVUuWN_2njvhz-eaTqIqGMBR4g/view?usp=sharing) * **Exclusions:** ✘ Meals and beverages other than those mentioned above. ✘ Optional activities (scuba diving, extended snorkelling trips, paddleboarding, beach clubs, spa treatments, Kecak Dance performance, cliffside dinners etc.). ✘ Travel insurance (Essential). ✘ Visa fees (if applicable). ✘ Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, tips, medical expenses, minibar etc. ✘ Alcoholic beverages unless specifically mentioned. ✘ Any services not specifically mentioned under “Inclusions”. **💳 Pricing Options:** * **Option A (Everything EXCEPT international flgihts): AUD 1,820 per person** (Twin Sharing, **Single** Sharing - AUD 2,270). Perfect if you want to book your own flights using points or extend your stay. * **Option B (All-Inclusive WITH Flights): AUD 2,640 AUD per person** (Twin Sharing, **Single** Sharing - AUD 3,090). Includes Return International Flights SYD-Bali-SYD with 20KG checked luggage. **📋 How to Secure Your Spot (Please Read Carefully):** 1. **RSVP & Select:** RSVP on Meetup and answer the pop-up question indicating your preference for Option A or Option B. 2. **Contact & Deposit:** Within 3 Days of your RSVP, you must contact Mr. Manohar from Turban Adventures to secure your spot and pay a minimum 50% deposit directly via their secure Payment Gateway (cards and other options accepted). The remaining 50% balance is due one month in advance (early May). * *Meetup Message:* Manohar Singh, Host, Turban Adventures * *WhatsApp - click to message:* [+919587555888](http://wa.me/919587555888) * *Email:* info@turbanadventures.com * *Website:* [https://www.turbanadventures.com/](https://www.turbanadventures.com/) * Questions? Post your comments or message directly! 3. **Confirmation:** Your spot is only confirmed once your deposit is paid directly to Turban Adventures. 4. **Cancellations & Transfers:** The group tour deposit is non-refundable. However, if your plans change, your spot is fully transferable—meaning you can assign it to another group member who wishes to take your place. 5. **Commitment:** Please only RSVP if you seriously intend to join and pay the deposit. 6. **Liability & Safety:** OZ Outdoors is acting as a community host. All financial transactions, travel liabilities, and on-ground safety are managed by Turban Adventures. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for this trip. Let’s escape the Sydney winter and hit the jungle trails together! **Connect with us on Instagram:** [https://instagram.com/ozoutdoors.syd](https://instagram.com/ozoutdoors.syd) And: [https://www.instagram.com/turbanadventures/](https://www.instagram.com/turbanadventures/)

Australian Skeptics in the Pub - HOW SCAMS INFILTRATE OUR BRAINS

**From Jonestown to Aunty Cath’s in Camberwell** ... the evolution of AI has led to an explosion in convincing scams that affect us all. Scams infiltrate our brains and evade our defences, and intelligence is no protection. Author, actor, facilitator and podcaster **ANNIE McCUBBIN** will examine why we sometimes make bad decisions and explains about the importance of learning about scams, particularly taking our time and double checking when making decisions involving financial institutions. Annie is an expert in teaching critical thinking and highlighting the risks of cognitive flaws, making her a natural skeptical activist. Her books include *Why Smart Women Make Bad Decisions* and *Why Smart Women Buy the Lies*. Her first book won Best Audio Book at the 2021 Australian Business Book Awards. Her podcast, the *Why Smart Women Podcast* is considered a significant contribution to skeptical thinking. She has also spoken at the Australian Skeptics annual conferences (SkeptiCon) in 2023 and 2024. **After the presentation:** Following the presentation and question time, we will hand the microphone over to one audience member for a 5 minute chat on a sceptical topic of their choice. It can be a news item, your own sceptical "special subject" or an encounter with everyday scepticism. If you're interested in sharing something with your fellow pubbers, contact us before the talk. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- On the first Thursday of each month, Australian Skeptics and friends get together for Skeptics in the Pub. People generally start arriving at around 6pm after work. The talk begins at 7pm and lasts for about 30 minutes. The night finishes when the last person leaves. Enjoy a meal and a drink accompanied by lively discussion, free spoon bending lessons and the company of other sceptics, as we cover a variety of interesting topics. There is no need to belong to Australian Skeptics - all are welcome. Bring friends too. Please take a moment to read our [Code of Conduct](https://www.skeptics.com.au/code-of-conduct/). **REMINDER - If you are feeling ill or showing any signs or symptoms of a possible COVID (or indeed any) infection, please do not attend.** Parking is available nearby at: * 71 York Street Car Park (Wilson Parking) * Landmark Car Park (Secure Parking), 24 York Street * 321 Kent Street Car Park (Wilson Parking), ENTRY 86 Sussex Street * Queen Victoria Building Car Park (Wilson Parking), 111 York Street

GRAND CANYON HIKE — EXPLORING BLUE MOUNTAINS

A relaxed day hike and picnic through one of the most beautiful canyon walks in New South Wales — shaded trails, waterfalls, valley lookouts, good coffee, and an easy picnic overlooking the Grose Valley. Perfect autumn escape from Sydney with a relaxed social pace. MEETING POINTS 1\. North Strathfield station \- 6:15 AM 2\. Penrith Station \- 6:45 AM ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🗓️ PLAN FOR THE DAY 🚗 6:30 AM — Depart Sydney Meet early and head west before traffic builds. Easy cruise toward the mountains with a quick stop along the way. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ☕ 8:00 AM — Coffee Stop in Leura Morning fuel stop in Leura. Coffee, pastries, breakfast rolls, and a chance to grab trail snacks before the hike. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌄 9:15 AM — Arrive at Evans Lookout Quick stop at Evans Lookout before heading down into the canyon. Panoramic views over the Grose Valley and a good chance for photos before we start walking. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🥾 9:30 AM — Grand Canyon Track Loop 📍 Grand Canyon Track Track Details: • \~5.5 km loop • Around 3–3.5 hours relaxed pace • Moderate difficulty • Mostly shaded canyon terrain What to Expect: • Narrow sandstone canyon walls • Fern-filled rainforest sections • Small waterfalls and creek crossings • Cooler temperatures inside the canyon • Steady climb back up past Beauchamp Falls We’ll stop midway near the creek for a proper rest/snack break. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🧺 1:00 PM — Picnic / Lunch / Relax at Evans Lookout Back at the cars for a relaxed picnic overlooking the valley. Bring something simple/shareable if you’d like: • sandwiches / sourdough • cheese & dips • fruit • pastries / sweets • tea, coffee, or cold drinks There’s space around the lookout and grassy areas to sit with picnic rugs, though formal tables are limited. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ☕ Final Coffee Stop Optional caffeine stop in Blackheath before heading home. Suggested spots: • Sanguinary • Hounslow ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🚗 Return to Sydney Leave around 2:30 PM Expected arrival back in Sydney around 5:00 PM. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎒 What to Bring • 1.5–2L water • Hiking shoes or trail runners with grip • Warm layer or fleece • Light rain shell/jacket • Picnic rug or compact mat • Hat + sunscreen • Spare socks for after the hike (strongly recommended) Blue Mountains mornings in late May can be cold, especially at the lookouts, but the canyon warms up once moving. Track can also be damp/slippery in shaded sections, so avoid flat sneakers if possible. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🚗 Carpooling (Optional) • Can be organised depending on availability • Riders expected to share fuel/toll/parking costs • Arrange directly in comments/messages • Please be punctual and respectful ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ⚠️ Important • Stay on track and follow organiser instructions • Keep safe distance from cliff edges • No dogs allowed • Please respect the group pace and timings ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 👥 Who Can Join • Beginner-friendly (basic fitness required) • Open to solo joiners, friends, and newcomers • Relaxed social hiking pace ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🌦️ Weather • Weather dependent event • May be rescheduled if conditions are unsafe ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📌 Terms & Conditions By joining, you agree to participate at your own risk and follow all safety guidelines. Full T&Cs: [https://tinyurl.com/433pn3ws](https://tinyurl.com/433pn3ws) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ✅ Notes • Limited spots — please cancel if you can’t attend • Admin/Club fee: $10 per person (Cash or PAYID on arrival) ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 👉 RSVP if you’re coming! Comment/message if you can offer or need a ride.

WE ARE NOT POWERLESS  

Last June some of our members accompanied Muzafar Ali out of Sydney on his epic 4,000km Ride for Education fundraising ride from Maleny, Qld to Adelaide. (Short video of the ride here: [https://vimeo.com/1192453516](https://vimeo.com/1192453516) ) Muzafar’s film *We Are Not Powerless* is now finished and will be screened at Randwick Ritz cinema, followed by a Q&A with directors Jolyon Hoff and Muzafar. Their film tells the story of what can happen when a community refuses to give in and work together for hope, love, and education. We will ride from Pioneers Park, Leichhardt to Randwick to arrive in time for the 1.00 pm screening (finishes at 3 pm) Buy your ticket in advance from the website [wearenotpowerless.com.au](https://w7r4.engage.squarespace-mail.com/r?m=6a0ba8a6e4e23a10cee91407&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwearenotpowerless.com.au&w=65fe21b643328317b4d5a6d5&c=b_6a0ba3ea8c459265c0db8eae&l=en-US&s=zkW_8OD_e7A6Br5lKzQ1AnHd_6o%3D) or online from www.ritzcinemas.com.au **WEATHER**: IF RAINING you have 2 options \# One \- ride anyway \(as Muzafar did\); Bring wet weather gear #Two make your own way to Randwick Ritz, 45 St Paul's Street, Randwick and meet in Foyer **DISTANCE** 15 km (one way) Make your own way home, OR 30 km return to start with ride leader. **WHAT TO BRING :** Bike in good mechanical order, helmet, water, spare inner tube(s) and pump in case of puncture. Riders must be financial for this year. First time riders may have a trial ride with us before joining ($10 a year) - please contact ride leader before attending. **RIDE LEADER** : Laura 0439 901 613

Moore Park to Ramsgate RTN - 36k

An easy and relatively flat morning ride south through Waterloo, Alexandria, Mascot, around Sydney Airport and along the new cycle path through the Barton and Scarborough Park wetlands to Ramsgate where we stop for coffee/pastries. Much of the ride is on cycleways, otherwise along back streets, except for the first short stretch along Dacey Ave and South Dowling St. We meet at the Dacey Avenue Bus Shelter, Kensington (in front of the E S Marks Athletic Field) and leave from there promptly at 7:30 am. Alternatively - meet us at 7:45 am in front of The Grounds on the corner of Bourke Rd and Huntley St Alexandria. Medium pace (20kph av.) ETA return 10:30 am

Continuation of Circle Sydney

Segment Four - 7 June : Meadowbank to Clyne Reserve (Barangaroo) Take the 8.37 ferry from Circular Quay to Meadowbank arriving at 9.30. Alternatively, train from Redfern platform 4 at 7.40 AM. If on the train take the Bay Drive from the station towards the harbour (down hill). Check transport schedules beforehand please. Meet at the Meadowbank Ferry Terminal for a 9.35 start. This segment is 35 kms and relatively hilly. There are lots of toilets, water refill stations and food options up until the Lane Cove cafe at the causeway at the bottom of the hill, then there is nothing on the route until you arrive in Wollstonecraft. There are a couple of steep climbs . One is on Anzac Avenue in West Ryde/Deniston is a 11% climb with a steeper 12% section. The second one is the very long 11% climb out of Lane Cove up Fullers Road. The first safety issue is at the intersection of Station Street and Victoria Road near West Ryde Station. It’s a right turn and a buses only R turn. The Brooke Street Motorway underpass is awkward and slow. My thanks to Fran and Peter for detailing this segment. Watch for updates closer to the departure date.

The GSBT Section 3 - Rooty Hill to Meadowbank

Take the train from Redfern platform4 at 7.13 AM to Rooty Hill, starting the ride from the Rooty Hill station at 8.30. There is quite a good cafe next to the station on the RSL side. This segment is complex with lots of turns at 35kms riding to Parramatta and along the Parramatta River to Meadow bank. Some urban traffic is expected closer to Parramatta the bulk of the riding will be on very good quality cycle paths. Lunch will be at Meadow Bank cafe. At the end of the ride take the ferry to the CBD or Train it. Coolish weather so bring layers and rain gear - and snacks as long sections between food opportunities. Check the Departure details with tNSW as schedules change -

Nellies Glen and Devils Hole Hike