Conservation Groups Melbourne

Wetlands Walk – Connection, Birdlife & Nature at Laverton Estuary

Join me for a relaxed, family friendly walk through the wetlands, estuary, and coastal landscapes of Melbourne’s west. Whether you come for the birdlife, fresh air, meaningful conversation, or simply to slow down and connect — you are warmly welcome. Starting at Apex Park in Altona, we’ll explore the Laverton Creek Spit Conservation Zone, salt marsh, and boardwalks, finishing at the Hundred Steps of Federation lookout with wide views toward the You Yangs. At the lookout, we’ll pause to rest, chat, and enjoy the views. Please bring drinks and snacks, as there are no places to purchase food along the way. **Agenda** * 2:00pm – Meet at Apex Park, Altona (map and photo of meeting spot below) * 2:10pm – Depart * 3:15pm – Hundred Steps lookout break * 5:00pm – Return to starting point The walk is approximately 8km and mostly flat, with the Hundred Steps lookout accessible via either stairs or hill. By PT: Bus 411 from Bay 6, Leeds Street/Paisley Street, Footscray stops across from Apex Park. Please RSVP by clicking “Attend,” and I’ll be in touch with any additional details. This is a rain-or-shine event — any weather updates will be posted in the Event Comments on the day.

Ngarn Wa’ngal: Art of the gum tree

Coffee + Convo = Connection

Let’s catch up over coffee and food and play with the Art of Conversation cards! For those new to the Art of Conversation cards, they serve as an invitation to more in depth and meaningful conversation. Often going deeper than small talk, but how deep you want to go is up to you. An example of some questions you’ll find on the cards includes: ⭐️ Who is a person from your past that taught you something you still use today? ⭐️ What is a belief you held five years ago that you disagree with now? ⭐️ You can go to the past or the future, which one would you choose and why? I like to keep the group small (about six people) to allow for genuine connection to emerge. See you there!

Wombat State Forest exploratory Walk 16km 310m ascent

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

Ferndale Park Trail - Gardiners Creek SUNDAY WALK

**Ferndale Park Trail** This Sunday Walk we revisit the riverside trails around Gardiners Creek in Glen Iris. We'll meet at Ferndale Park reserve and walk along Gardiners Creek towards the Glen Iris wetlands and then return to our coffee spot for a catch-up and chat. **When**: Sunday, 12th July 2026 at 9:00 am **Start:** Meet at the carpark off **Glen Iris Road, at Ferndale Park** adjacent to the **Scout Hall** at 9.00 AM. If the carpark is full, park in Glen Iris Road. **Coffee:** On our return at the Pantry Cafe. **Summary:** This walk is very scenic along the riverside, on well-formed paved paths. The distance is approximately 5.0 Km. Actual walking time will be about 1.5 hours.

Afternoon at the Melbourne Museum & Coffee and Conversation

Join me for an easy going afternoon exploring and learning together at the Melbourne Museum. We'll have time to chat and meet new friends as we wind our way through the Melbourne Story, the living Forest Gallery and the dramatic Dinosaur Walk. We'll immerse ourselves in the newest exhibition, Our Wondrous Planet, a multisensory gallery where ecosystems and wildlife reveal the incredible connections of life on Earth, with large-scale projections, hands-on interactives, and stories bringing together First Peoples knowledge with modern science. We'll finish up at the Museum Market Cafe to enjoy a coffee and conversations together and share the highlights of our visit. An adult entry ticket is $18 and you can book online via this link [https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/tickets/](https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/tickets/) **Agenda** I will meet you to the left of the front entrance of the Melbourne Museum at 1.30pm and we'll make our way into the museum at 1.40pm From there we'll take time to explore the fascinating exhibitions and interactive displays through the museum. There will be time at the cafe to socialise and enjoy a coffee together and share our discoveries and insights. **Location** Melbourne Museum is located at 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, in Carlton Gardens (near the Royal Exhibition Building). The most direct way via public transport is by tram Catch Tram Route 86 or 96 and get off at Stop 11: Melbourne Museum (corner of Nicholson Street and Gertrude Street). The closest train station is Parliament Station on the City Loop and it's a 10–15 minute walk from there. When you RSVP please **click Attend** on the event page and I will be in touch with the details. I will also be available in the event page Comments on the day.

Maribyrnong River: Evening Stroll with Social Drinks and Dinner

Camping Mt Franklin Camping Area

TBC - 2x6 hours - Rogaining

Newport Lake Reserve & Cherry Lake

To help ensure we operate in a safe and inclusive manner we ask all members and guests to abide by the following guidelines [https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Tlklt2nqT-B8RnDaxvmZv8vsGXy3w8rVpiArNf_-f8/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/document/d/11Tlklt2nqT-B8RnDaxvmZv8vsGXy3w8rVpiArNf_-f8/edit?usp=sharing) \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* We have made some changes to this event and will begin with Cherry Lake at sunrise, followed by breakfast and then move on to Newport Reserve for more photography. Given this is a weather dependent event, please check this page the day before the event in the event we need to postpone due to poor weather forecast. If you are interested in attending only Newport Reserve and breakfast, you can join us at either 9am for breakfast or 10.30am at Newport Reserve. Otherwise we will see you at Cherry Lake at 7.30am. Join us for a relaxed photography walk at Cherry Lake and Newport Lake Reserve on Saturday 18 July **(weather permitting**), We will start off with sunrise photography at Cherry Lake, followed by breakfast at a local café (details to be advised). We will then explore Newport Lake Reserve after breakfast and this reserve offers a variety of photographic opportunities, from tranquil lake reflections and walking trails to abundant birdlife including ducks, swans, cormorants, pelicans and smaller native birds often found throughout the reserve. The surrounding bushland and open water also provide excellent landscape and nature photography opportunities. Cherry Lake offers a different atmosphere, with wide open wetlands, boardwalks, expansive skies and additional opportunities for bird and landscape photography — particularly suited to those interested in wildlife, reflections and winter light. Newport Lake Reserve is easily accessible by car or public transport. The nearest train station is Newport Station, approximately a 1.5km walk to the reserve. Bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing and your favourite lens for nature and landscape photography. Looking forward to a great day of photography, conversation and coffee with fellow enthusiasts! **DRAFT SCHEDULE** **7:30 AM – Sunrise Photography at Cherry Lake** Meet at Cherry Lake Reserve **(Entrance via Fresno Street, Altona)** for an introduction and briefing. We'll begin the day capturing the early morning light at Cherry Lake Reserve. The reserve features a scenic 3.5 km walking circuit which takes visitors around the western and northern sections of the lake. Along the way, photographers can explore a variety of landscapes, including the area's fascinating salt marsh habitats, which support a diverse range of water birds and other wildlife. Photographic opportunities: · Sunrise landscapes and reflections · Water birds and wildlife · Wetland and salt marsh environments · Nature and environmental photography 8.50AM - re group at the entrance to drive to breakfast venue 9:00 AM – Breakfast & Social Catch-Up Location: Pier 71 71 Pier St, Altona [https://www.pier71.com.au/](https://www.pier71.com.au/) A chance to relax enjoy breakfast with fellow photographers before heading to our second location. \-\-\- 10:30 AM – Nature Photography Walk at Newport Lake Reserve. Meet at Newport Lake Reserve (Entrance via Mason Street, Newport) Our second session will take place at the picturesque Newport Lake Reserve. The reserve offers several self-guided nature trail loops totalling approximately 2 km, which takes around 40 minutes to complete. The trails wind through dense stands of eucalyptus and acacia trees, providing excellent opportunities for nature and wildlife photography. The reserve is home to more than 200 plant species and nearly 165 recorded bird species, including Black Swans, wrens, herons, and many other native birds. Photographic opportunities: · Bird and wildlife photography · Native flora and macro photography · Landscapes and lake reflections · Environmental and nature photography **12.00PM - Event Ends** **What to Bring** · Camera and lenses suitable for landscapes and wildlife · Fully charged batteries and spare memory cards · Comfortable walking shoes · Weather-appropriate clothing · Water bottle · Tripod and ND filters (optional, but recommended for sunrise photography) We look forward to a relaxed day of photography, nature, and good company while exploring two of Melbourne's beautiful western suburbs reserves. Catherine and Rowan

July Clubnight: Hiking the Salkantay Trail and Red Valley in Peru