Car Rally & Scavenger Hunt with the Alluvians
April 30 @ 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Free
EVENT: Car Rally & Scavenger Hunt in Victoria’s Goldfield Country Run by the Alluvians of Castlemaine.
DESCRIPTION: Do you like getting into the country? Enjoying fresh air, scenic views, farming country, native forest and gold diggings? Have you contemplated what life was like during the gold rush of the 1850s? … or what Castlemaine is like today? Do you dream of escaping Melbourne’s polluted air, noise, urban sprawl and endless traffic lights? If so, this is the day out for you!
It’s a fun car rally (not a race) and scavenger hunt around Castlemaine and nearby goldfields, followed by a social picnic – if you find any gold, it’s yours! It concludes about 3pm with time to travel home. The is a joint Alluvians and Motafrenz event and is part of the 2023 Castlemaine Pride Festival.
Use your passenger’s best navigation, observational and problem-solving skills along the way. While there is a spirit of competition, we all know it is not about city or regional queer teams winning, or losing, who wins doesn’t matter (much!). It’s having fun along the way that counts for more.
Pack a picnic lunch or pick up a little something in a nearby town and be ready to socialise with Motafrenz and Alluvians after the event. The Proclaimed Bushfire Season will still be in force, so there will be NO fires or BBQ.
The route is classic-car friendly.
Prizes for highest scores, wooden spooners and most rural auto.
Instructions will be provided at the beginning of the event and will include an emergency ‘got lost’ envelope with our secret scenic lunch location, should you mis-read a map or your passengers mutiny!
There is an option for a two-day weekend, by driving up on Saturday 29th April, maybe go to Hadfield’s a local car museum in the morning and join the Castlemaine Pride Picnic and entertainment in the Botanic Gardens from noon (https://cch.org.au/castlemaine-pride ) Close by are a microbrewery, winery, and coffee house, or look for a bargain at the Vintage Bazaar, all within The Mill complex. (https://millcastlemaine.com.au/) You will need to organise your own accommodation if you stay Saturday night https://www.bendigoregion.com.au/visit-castlemaine-maldon.
WHO ARE THE ALLUVIANS? The Alluvians are Castlemaine’s gay men’s social group, an informal group with about 130 members (only some will be attending this event!). It provides social events for gay men in Mt Alexander Shire and surrounding districts. Events include weekly Tuesday morning social walks in the botanic gardens, followed by coffee; weekly Thursday morning bushwalks in nearby bushland. Monthly there are social drinks, plus one or more functions, a diverse range of dinner, sport and social events. Each year Alluvians Paul Williams organises a highly successful car rally and scavenger hunt, and for 2023 it is part of the Castlemaine Pride Festival and we invite the Motafrenz.
Long time Motafrenz members Max Clarke and Ian Gould are also Alluvians. Some may remember the joint Motafrenz – Nomads event at Queenscliff a few years ago, co-organised by Ian Gould (also a Nomads member).
WHEN: Sunday 30th April 2023 and with the option for making it a two day event if people wish to arrive early on the Saturday and enjoy the Castlemaine Pride Festival Picnic entertainment in the Botanic Gardens
TIME: Starting at 9.45 am for a 10.00 am start at Castlemaine’s Wesley Hill Hall, Pyrenees Highway, Wesley Hill which is across the road from the Albion Hotel.
PRE-MEET: at 8:30 am BP service station, 937 Calder Fwy, Calder Park (outbound) for a coffee and travel in convoy.
RSVP: Use the RSVP button or email events@motafrenz.org.au and for any further information we will put you in touch with Ian Gould or Paul Williams.
BRING: Family, smart friends, enemies and arch-villains to help you navigate and untangle the clues. Best to bring a pen or pencil, also a picnic lunch, drinks, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, e-tag, chair and picnic blanket should you choose to luncheon in style. There will be NO fire or BBQ, so bring food ready-to-eat.
SUITS: All vehicle types.
PETS: Pets are not allowed at the final destination.
COST: $10 per car and driver. $5 per passenger
CONTACT: events@motafrenz.org.au