Backpacking Sydney

Vivid - Tuesday evening walk

Vivid is back again for three weeks! Tonight we will walk to the Barangaroo Reserve and then return south beside Darling Harbour to view the multiple Vivid artworks. Out aim will be to be somewhere near the Pyrmont Bridge between 7:30 - 7:40 to view the drone show. Let us keep our fingers crossed that the weather is suitable for the drones to fly **and they have fixed the problem which caused 89 drones to fall into the harbour last Monday.** Afterword we will adjourn to the Arthouse Hotel for a debriefing. **LIMIT 10 PEOPLE:** Any more in Vivid crowds would be worse than attempting to herd cats. **RISK:** Please remember that you attend our events at your own risk and that our Organizers do not accept any liability for any health or safety problems that occur during our events. **MEMBERSHIP:** All members will need to be Financial 2025 to join this walk. A fee of $10.00 is payable each financial year. Please pay your fees before you RSVP. Please do a direct debit deposit for Sydney: St George BSB 112879 ACC 016949122 Wendy Harvey. Please use your Meetup Profile name in the bank reference.

Southern Highlands Adventure Day Tour

Would you like to join in on a Spectacular Trip to the Southern Highlands including the Nepean Dam, Corbett Gardens / Bowral OR Fairground Follies, The Farm, Fitzroy Falls OR Grandpa's Shed, Kangaroo Valley & Kiama Blowhole. Winter is here for a 1 day Adventure through this scenic region of N.S.W., so make sure you bring your excitement and come on a great coach trip, where you will be able experience an "Awesome Adventure". Kick back, relax, and experience the beautiful nature of the Nepean Dam as we stop for morning tea / coffee, biscuits & cake, while we take in the views of the surrounding nature and see a variety of birds & possibly kangaroos. We will drive a short distance to Bowral for a look at the historical town and view the famous Corbett Gardens OR you may want to visit Fairground Follies. I highly recommend the Fairground Follies option and witness this unique musical fairground surrounded by the 100 year old carousel, thousands of fairy lights, dance hall organs, violin playing machines, and so much more. Fairground Follies is an exciting new concept that embraces Fun with interactive cultural music, Folk Art, Mechanical Music and more of the Worlds Greatest Museum exhibits from 1840 through to 1950. Craig Robson has had a lifelong passion for “The Happiest music on Earth” and has been involved with collecting restoring and sharing this happiness from his teen years. He has built one of the foremost collections in the world to share and give back to the community through establishing Fairground Follies. It is probably the best collection in the world and the most fun you will have for ages. (Fairground Follies is an Optional Extra = $30.00). We will then head south to the Farm Club, which is a family-owned agritourism destination that brings together good food, real farm experiences, and authentic Australian hospitality. ​ Farm Gate features a fully licensed cafe and onsite bakery, edible garden and nursery. They specialise in handcrafted gourmet pies made on site with locally sourced ingredients—including produce from their own garden and pasture-raised meats—with options to suit vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets. Farm Club offers a true country experience—welcoming guests from all walks of life to connect, explore, and enjoy everything the country has to offer, ncluding seeing some of the local residents - Cows, Donkeys, Alpacas, Horses & Chickens. (Lunch not included). Our trip then takes us into the forest for a short walk to Fitzroy Falls OR a look at Grandpa's Shed with all the antique items available, you could possibly think of. We will continue in our modern coach down the big hill into Kangaroo Valley and check out the main street. We then climb over the mountain taking in rugged scenery including some beautiful mansions perched on the top of mountains looking at acres of incredible views. We arrive at our final destination - Kiama Blowhole and check out this remarkable natural attraction of the South Coast. After our visit to the Blowhole, it will be time to head to home sweet home, leaving with valuable memories from an Awesome Adventure. Return Times are Approximates; * D/O: Heathcoate - 18:45, * D/O: Wynyard - 19:45 & * D/O: Lane Cove West - 20:30. Details: Where: Southern Highlands When: 04 July 2026 How: Oz Extreme Coach Driver/Guide: Peter Cost: $95.00 per person. Inclusions: * Modern Coach for Full Day with Fuel & Adblue included, * Transport with Driver / Guide for Full Day, * Morning Tea, Coffee, Cookies & Cake * Visit Nepean Dam, * Visit Bowral & Corbett Gardens, OR * Fairground Follies ($30.00 EXTRA), * National Park Fees, * Visit Fitzroy Falls OR Grandpa's Shed, * Visit Kangaroo Valley & * Visit Kiama Blowhole. Not Included: * Lunch, * Fairground Follies ($30.00 Extra) & * Personal Insurance. Note: Inclusions subject to change pending on availability and personal insurance is not included. * \* Please answer Pop Up Question when Booking \* IMPORTANT: Once you confirm your attendance: FULL PAYMENT is required within 72 Hours of $95.00 + $30.00 - Fairground Follies (PREPAID OPTION) by cash, crypto currency or direct deposit to account: PT Bank Of Queensland BSB: 124 001 Account Number: 2294 6955, & send a Private Message with your FULL NAME, MOBILE, DIETARY, OPTIONAL ACTIVITY & PICK UP PLACE. \*\* No Refunds for this Special. \*\* Peter can be contacted through Meet Up - Private Message or Phone: 0421 683 805 \*\* HAPPY TRAVELLING \*\* DAY TOUR TERMS, CONDITIONS & DISCLAIMER; By joining this event you agree, to be responsible for your own safety, including injuries or damages to your belongings before, during or after the event. You are participating voluntarily, with an understanding of your ability and competency knowing there are risks involved that could lead to serious injuries or even death. As organizers, leaders & drivers we take safety as highly important and as much as we hope you have a great time and enjoy the event / adventure, we also make sure you understand that you and your guests come at your own risk and neither the organizer, leader or driver accepts any liability.

* Southern Highlands Adventure Day Tour *

INFO-NITE-FRI-22-MAY-BEST-of-VIETNAM! $999

**"INFORMATION-SESSION"** just ask me anything about the Vietnam Tour! **DATE & TIME: 6pm - Friday 22 May** **WHERE:** Castlereagh Club - 1st Floor - 199 Castlereagh St. Ask for George at Bar! **"SAIGON" - Vietnam's-Best-Nightlife-City-6-days-$999** **Dates:** 7 - 13 November 2026 **"SAIGON-DANANG-HOI-AN"** 9 days $1678 - most loved tour! **Dates Optional:** 7 - 16 November 2026 **"SAIGON-DANANG-HOI-AN-HANOI-MORE:** 12 days $2345 - the absolute! **Dates Extra Option:** 7 - 19 November 2026 **TRANSFORM** your life with **TRAVEL**, explore the wildest wackiest city in Vietnam! Lifetime isn't forever, so go out and play now! What are you waiting for? **"SAIGON" - VIETNAM's MOST ICONIC TRAVEL EXPERIENCE.** Travel with professional guides. Unbelievable. Unbeatable. Fully Guided Tour. Pack your bag! Let's Get Going! **"Best Taste of Vietnam"** 6 days for only $999 Grab it NOW! **Happiness is a choice - don't play it safe! -** Join this Masterclass Tour with incredible diversity. It's a Bucket List must! This is your chance, the world is your oyster. **Here We Go!** 1\. Hồ Chí Minh City People's Committee Palace\, known as Independence Palace\, city's most prominent landmark\, a historic piece of French colonial architecture\. 2\. \(a\) Mekong Delta\, cruising palm\-fringed waterways\, exploring the most iconic sites\, delving into deep\-rooted culture\, lunch included\, dining on delicious cuisine\. 2\. \(b\) Cu Chi Tunnels\, real eye\-opening No1\. day trip\, stunning tour highlight\. 3\. Ben Thanh Market\. Cheap cheap\, your eyes will pop out of your head\. 4\. Let's Get Going\! Saigon's stunning nightlife\! Live Music Bars\! Let's Party\! 5\. It's all about Saigon's 14 million people\, we see their exciting amazing way of life\. 6\. Ho Chi Minh \(Saigon\) city walking history tour\. Visit "Saigon Tower" \(Optional\) 7\. Saigon's Hidden Gems Tour\. 4 coffee/tea flavours tasting with guide\. \(Optional\) 8\. Notre\-Dame Cathedral\, 1880s Catholic Cathedral built with French bricks\. 9\. Local Craft Beers to taste then check out the backstreets of Saigon\. 10\. We will take you off the beaten path and reveal some of the lesser\-known spots\. 11\. Saigon's Sunset Street food experience on a different night\. Don't miss this\. 12\. War Remnants Museum\. Live the Energy of Vietnam suffering during the 70s\. 13\. From quiet alleys to vibrant markets\, these hidden treasures will make your trip unforgettable\. Try Vietnam's Finest Artisan Chocolate\, "MAROU" chocolate\! 14\. Wet Market is worth a visit\. Immerse yourself in Vietnamese Cuisine\. 15\. Turtle Lake remains relatively unknown to tourists\. Quirky\, Circular Square\. 16\. Nguyễn Huệ\. Wide\, bustling pedestrian street with French colonial architecture\. 17\. Đường Bùi Viện\. Dining\, shopping & drinking spots\, especially busy at night\. 18\. Binh Quoi Village is one of the Ho Chi Minh must visit places\. 19\. Ho Thi Ky Flower Market with lotus blossoms & exotic orchids\. 20\. Jade Emperor Pagoda known as the Tortoise *Pagoda, Saigon's Finest.* 21\. Admire the city lights on *Saigon River banquet dinner cruise*. (Optional) ***INCLUDED:*** **Accommodation:** Top Quality 3.5 Star Hotels & Breakfasts! **Entrance Fees:** Included for 2 absolutely amazing "out of city" tours. **Sightseeing:** English Speaking Guides. **Airport Transfers:** Arrival and departure as a group. **Small Group Private Tour:** Better than messy crowded tours. ***NOT INCLUDED:*** **Flights:** Jetstar or Vietnam's two airlines with direct flights. **Visa's** not included. We can plan/organise for you. **Insurance** for your 7 day stay. We can find special deals, ask us. **Contact:** George 0435 801 602 or email: [george@palasty.com](http://george@palasty.com/) **Operators:** Live Big Tours - Events4Singles - George's Tours - "Travel-Tours-Trips" - Stunning Saigon Booking Group.

Vivid Photo Walk - Barangaroo to Darling Harbour

This photo walk will visit some of the light installations on display during the Vivid festival. Starting at Barangaroo and making our way to Darling Harbour in time for the 9:30 Drone Show. We anticipate that it will be fairly busy around the area, and to allow enough time to see & photograph the lights, we may not be covering all installations in these areas on the night. This is a fairly easy walk with lots of stops along the way. We are limiting this walk to only 10 members as it is too difficult to keep a large group together at such a busy event. **DURATION:** Approx 4 hours (up to you when you want to leave) **EQUIPMENT:** Camera, lenses (wide/zoom lens e.g.18-70mm). A tripod and camera remote/cable release are essential for this event. A lot of patience is needed for this event, as there are a lot of photographers and the general public at each of the displays, all of whom have their own agendas. **PERSONAL:** Comfortable walking shoes, water, umbrella/wet weather jacket (if the weather looks bad). **GETTING THERE:** BY TRAIN: Alight at Wynyard Station. It's about a 10-minute walk to Barangaroo For more information about Vivid please visit - (https://www.vividsydney.com/events) COST: $5.00 - There is no refund/transfer of fee for cancellations. Minimum 6 attendees required to proceed. Please Note: By clicking RSVP on this event, you understand that you are attending AT YOUR OWN RISK. We are just organising the event to give you the opportunity to socialise with like-minded people interested in photography and maybe learn something along the way. While all care is taken, no responsibility is taken for any loss or damage/injury to you or your equipment during the event.

Noumea - diving trip

Join us for one week diving adventure in New Caledonia. Itinerary: Sunday 19th July - morning flight to Noumea, mid day arrival, check in accommodation. Get organised for following days of scuba diving. Monday - Friday - morning double dives (boat dives), afternoon free time, exploring the town and island, beach snorkeling, kayaking. Saturday - possible another morning dives. Sunday - afternoon departure back to Sydney. cost for 5 days scuba diving: 5 days pack price is 65 000 XPF - 2 dives a day and rental gear included. https://www.newcaledonia.travel/activities/heavenly-lagoon/diving/ Get in touch for more info if you are interested in joining us. Iveta and Ray

Mt Banks Summit via One Trail Loop Hike

Ikara Head-Thor Head-Asgard Swamp+.Blue Mountains NP. Mt Victoria

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…

Classic Grand Cliff Top Walk! From Leura to Scenic World.

**Be prepared for incredible views!** **This walk goes through a series of lookouts as we follow the restored sandstone track passing through countless waterfalls and ups/downs. It meanders through diverse flora and fauna that call the dense rainforest ecology home.** **We will start at Leura Train Station (meet outside the train station) at 9.50am sharp (a train leaves Central at 7:26am from Platform 18, change to a bus at Blacktown which arrives at Leura Train Station at 9.53am).** **From here we will make our way to Gordon Falls Picnic area and get on Prince Henry Cliff Walk and go past a number of lookouts including Elysiam Rock, Olympic Rosk, Tarpein Rock and others before reaching Leura Cascades.** **More lookouts on the way to Katoomba, taking in views over the Jamison Valley towards Mount Solitary, the Three Sisters and Echo Point.** **From here, we continue on the Prince Henry Cliff Walk to a number of other lookouts before passing Katoomba Falls and eventually arriving at Scenic World.** **There is the opportunity to exit the walk at some other places along the way.** **We will aim to finish by 3.00pm at Scenic World, from which we can catch a bus to Katoomba Train Station for a train back to Sydney.** **\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*** **DISTANCE: 12 km.** **GRADE: Medium, Grade 3.** **NOTE: A few get out points along the way, especially close to Leura. Please let the Host know if you leave the walk.** **IMPORTANT INFORMATION:** · **Be Prepared: Wear comfortable hiking shoes, bring 2L of water (some refill points along the way) and dress for the weather. I would recommend hydralyte tablets, snacks, lunch and sun protection.** · **Follow Instructions: Please follow the instructions of the Host at all times and keep the Host within sight.** **RSVP Responsibly and Be Ontime at the Designated Meeting Point: Update your RSVP if you can’t make it.** **GRATUITY: $10 applies to this event which can be paid in cash on the day or PayID is 0439 344987 Cristian Sylvestre.** **\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*** **DISCLAIMER: Your health and safety is our priority and we take care to minimize risk and avoid accidents and injuries.** **However, Organizers and Hosts are not responsible for your health and safety and do not accept any liability for accidents and injuries that may occur during Meetup activities and events. Please take responsibility for your own safety and belongings.** **By RSVPing to this event you and your guests agree to comply with the terms and conditions of the Aussie Explorers Meetup group which can be found in the link below:** **[https://www.meetup.com/Aussie-Explorers](https://www.meetup.com/Aussie-Explorers/pages/28346396/Terms_and_Conditions_of_joining_Aussie_Explorers)** **\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*** **Any questions or concerns, please send me a TEXT message (0439 344 987) rather than unnecessary updates on the comments section.**

🔥Asian Background Social: Lounge Asia Sydney (Easy English) 6pm

**⚠️ IMPORTANT: TONIGHT’S RULES ⚠️** **🎟️ NO TICKET = NO ENTRY** **(If you are on the WAITLIST, you cannot enter tonight.)** **🪑 SIT IF EMPTY** **Please take a seat if you see one to help create more space.** **📧 SHOW SCREEN AT DOOR** **Have your confirmation email/screen ready for Chris & Kev.** **NO WALK-INS. THANK YOU!** **“The perfect Saturday night to meet new friends in a warm, relaxed atmosphere”** **✨ 5,000+ Members have joined across Australia** **✨ Early RSVP FREE / Last-Minute Ticket $5** **✨ Relaxed & Friendly (Not a loud party, perfect for conversation)** **Why Join Us?** **First-timers welcome: About 70% of people are new every time!** **Easy to join alone: Most people arrive by themselves and leave with new friends.** **Language friendly: Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese & English OK 🧋** **📍 WHEN & WHERE** **🗓 Every 2 weeks on Saturday** **🕕 6:00pm – 10:00pm** **📍 Harts Pub (The Rocks) Located in the heart of historic Sydney!** **🚶‍♂️ Super Easy Access:** **• 5 min walk from Circular Quay Station** **• 8 min walk from Wynyard Station** **Easy to drop by after exploring The Rocks!** **💰 Cost:** **Early RSVP FREE** **Last-Minute Ticket: $5** **⚠️ Limited spots available — we highly recommend reserving early.** **👉 HOW TO JOIN** **Please click “Join” on Meetup.** **Follow & DM us on Instagram: @_lounge_asia** **⚠️ HOUSE RULES & SAFETY POLICY** **To ensure a safe and comfortable environment for everyone, Lounge Asia has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy for the following behaviors:** **🚫 No Solicitation:** **Any form of business recruitment, MLM, religious proselytizing, or poaching is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.** **🚫 No Harassment:** **Unwanted pick-up activities, persistent pestering, or making others feel uncomfortable will not be tolerated.** **Action:** **Any attendee reported for misconduct will be removed immediately and banned from future events without warning.** **⚠️ IMPORTANT** **Photo ID Required:** **Passport or Driver’s License only (Student IDs NOT accepted).** **18+ only:** **The venue is a licensed bar, and ID checks are required under NSW law.** **🎁 BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER (VIP)** **We are building an official app to connect our community safely!** **Join the VIP list for early access and priority invites to special parties.** **👉 [Join the VIP List here]** **https://forms.gle/T2KukvgEiGWEz3VR9** **━━━━━━━━━━━━━━** **初参加・一人参加も大歓迎です！** **혼자 오셔도 편하게 즐길 수 있어요!** **欢迎大家轻松交朋友！** **歡迎輕鬆認識新朋友！** **มาคนเดียวก็สนุกได้ครับ/ค่ะ** **Mọi người đều được chào đón!** **Welcome ang lahat!** **Semua dialu-alukan!** **Semua orang diterima dengan hangat!** **👥 Your Host:** **🎤 Chris – Your friendly Sydney host, ready to welcome you**

Rain…Makes Waterfalls… Lawson to Hazelbrook. Then Henry’s for refresher!

Ok this one is a car share or get the train and meet us there. (Always look after your Drivers) With all the RAIN and then SUN on Sunday. We are off to Lawson in the Blue Mountains. This is a stunning waterfalls walk. Approximate 10km You can get there by PT or grab a lift in one of the cars. Bring water, snacks and your awesome personalities. Gratuity $10 Safety is our Priority, but ultimately you responsibly.