Bikepacking Sydney

Balmain bike bus every Wed.

Join the Balmain Bike Bus, run and led by "Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle" for a pleasant ride to Union Square Pyrmont via White Bay power station and the ANZAC bridge. Two joining points: Option 1 8am, meet at Loyalty Square, outside Woolies Balmain departing at 8.10 am – and led through Balmain to White Bay Power Station. Option 2 Meet at the Robert Street gate, White Bay Power Station at 8.10 for 8.20 departure. The ride will continue over the Anzac Bridge to Union Square on Harris St, Pyrmont. Some may then choose to ride on to other locations, others may have a coffee nearby or simply head home. The Balmain Bike Bus happens every Wednesday from Loyalty Square. After the ride things get flexible depending on the desires/needs of participants that week - sometimes helping them to get to their destination/s, or sometimes stop for a coffee before heading off to work or to make the return journey home. • For more information about the Balmain Bike Bus, contact Rebecca Fernandez, by email on rebeccafernandez@outlook.com

Spring Cycle - Bicycle NSW

**Bicycle NSW Spring Cycle - Sunday October 11, 2026** Come along in Bike Leichhardt jerseys (or not) to ride 50 klms over the Harbour bridge along a dedicated route to Sydney Olympic Park. There is also a 10 klm route too. For full details - go to their website to find out more and register for the ride. Do it soon to get the early bird discount. https://www.springcycle.com.au/home Note there is a cost payable to Spring Cycle to attend. Its a great opportunity to enjoy a route open only once per year and to show the public as well as local, state and federal govts that cycling is a mass participation activity (and thus deserving a better share of roads and transport funding). Those who want to can meet at the start at St Leonards Park to ride as a group. Easiest way to get there is get the Metro to Victoria Cross and exit the station at the northern end then walk up the hill to St Leonards park near North Sydney Oval. We can enjoy coffee and lunch after the ride at Sydney Olympic Park. Its a great way to promote our club and to encourage more of the public to enjoy cycling. Bring family and friends too. Go to the website now, https://www.springcycle.com.au/home to register and pay for your participation.

Eastern Sydney Coastal Explorer

A relaxed morning bike ride with plenty of stops to catch your breath enjoy the fabulous harbour views and coastal scenery. *This ride starts early to avoid the traffic that builds up around the beaches and harbourside suburbs throughout the day.* We'll ride (easy pace, mostly on quieter streets and shared paths) along on- and off-road cycleways and back to Bondi Junction (ETA 11.30am). **Refer to the ride route map for a more detailed description.** *The ride will go ahead in a fine drizzle but not heavy rain - please check the site on the morning of the ride for any weather-related updates!* **You must RSVP in order to attend the ride.** Please make sure you UPDATE your RSVP if you cannot make it as nobody wants to be waiting for a no-show. **Disclaimer:** *By signing up for this event you acknowledge that you are personally responsible for your own safety, and that you are participating in the event entirely at your own risk. You also agree to indemnify the ride host/organiser from all claims for damages which may be incurred as a result of your participation.*

IN PERSON! Apache Kafka® x Apache Flink®Meetup - Oct 2026

Hello everyone! Join us for an Apache Kafka® meetup on **Oct 13th from 5:30pm**, hosted by Mantel in Sydney! The address, agenda, and speaker information can be found below. See you there! **Venue**: Mantel Level 21, 580 George St, Sydney NSW 2000 \*\*\* **Agenda:** * 5:30pm: Doors open * 5:30pm - 6:00pm: Pizza, Drinks, and Networking * 6:00pm - 6:30pm: Jaehyeon Kim, Senior Data Engineer, Kasada * 6:30pm - 7:00pm: Chris Arthur, Customer Success Engineering Manager, Confluent * 7:00pm - 7:30pm: Additional Networking \*\*\* **Speaker:** Jaehyeon Kim, Senior Data Engineer, Kasada **Talk:** From Prototype to Production: Building a Real-Time ML Feedback Loop with Kafka and Flink **Abstract:** While many platforms power real-time decisions, most machine learning workflows remain stubbornly batch-oriented. This session presents a practical case study on redesigning an offline Python-based recommendation prototype into a highly scalable, real-time contextual bandit system built entirely on Apache Kafka and Apache Flink. We will explore how Kafka serves as the backbone of the feedback loop by managing real-time event ingestion and user feedback streams. From there, we will dive into how Apache Flink performs continuous, stateful online model training directly within the stream. Join this session to learn how to safely manage ML model state inside a distributed stream processor, decouple continuous Flink training from low-latency serving, and successfully integrate online learning workloads into your event-driven architectures. \-\-\-\-\- **Speaker:** Chris Arthur, Customer Success Engineering Manager, Confluent **Talk:** Atomic Writes Across Kafka and Your Database: What KIP-939 Changes **Abstract:** If you've ever built a system that writes to both Kafka and a database, you've hit the dual-write problem: how do you guarantee both writes succeed or fail together? Today's answer is usually the outbox pattern — a reliable but heavyweight workaround involving extra tables, pollers, and CDC pipelines. In this talk, we'll cover what 2PC participation actually means for Kafka's transaction protocol, how it differs from Kafka's existing exactly-once semantics, and what this unlocks for teams building event-driven systems that need real atomicity between Kafka and external stores. \*\*\* If you would like to speak or host our next event please let us know! community@[confluent.io](http://confluent.io/)

Two Creeks Track walk

Australian Skeptics in the Pub

**Speaker TBA** **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

🌸CQ🌸Harbour Bridge🌸Harbourside walk to Balmoral Beach🌸

MEETING: Circular Quay Wharf 2 🌸✈️🌸 TIME: 10:15 🌸⏰🌸 DETAILS: This walk is nothing short of spectacular! We head from Circular Quay via The Rocks over the Harbour Bridge, via Bradley’s Head, Harbourside Beaches, Taylors Cove, Middle Head, views the entire way! 🌸⛱🌸 LUNCH: Chowder Bay, Harbourside 🌸🍽🌸 COST:💲5️⃣ cash gratuity or (donation)for this walk.💵 🌸💲🌸 DISTANCE: 1️⃣4️⃣kms 🌸🦋🌸 THIS WALK IS GRADED AS: Stunning! Ups, downs, tracks, stairs…. All worth it 🌸☀️🌸 GET OUT POINTS: a Bus or ferry is always just around the corner 🌸🚦🌸 TRANSPORT: Bus/ ferry from Balmoral back to CQ… many other options to other destinations 🌸✈️🌸 GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING: 🌸💃🌸 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING A FRIEND PLEASE MESSAGE ME, unfortunately only the 2 legged kind, and not the 4 legged kind are included. 🌸🥰🌸 I am always open to suggestions if there is a destination/hike/walk you’d like to do…just message me 🌸 👣🌸 A heads up for newcomers and first timers. Our walking group is a fabulous Melting Pot of cultures, backgrounds, professions and life experiences. We love our Walks. We are INCLUSIVE OF EVERYONE………if you’re: kind, nice, fun, polite and respectful. 🌸😘🌸 On that note…. In recent times my walks are at capacity, which I’m capping at 40. Regulars, regardless of numbers are always welcome….just PM me if you’re on a waitlist. 🌸♥️🌸 We walk at a medium pace of 4kms per hour, stopping for breaks and to take in the views. It is a reasonable expectation that the group stays together. It is your responsibility to stay in line of sight. If you cannot walk at this pace, I will let you know of the next get out point. This is not negotiable. 🌸🐌🌸 As this is a walking group, bikes, ebikes, scooters, escooters, and pogo sticks are not compatible or welcome. 🌸👣🌸 Grading for my walks:
Easy: Mainly flat, suburban, loads of get out points, up to 14kms.
Easy-Medium: some stairs, a few uneven surfaces, up to 15kms.
Medium: Stairs, rocks, coastal beaches/sand, ups, downs, get out points limited, up to 17kms
Medium-Hard: uneven surfaces, need to take extreme care and be hike fit. Few get out points. Tracks, uneven surfaces, steep inclinations and limited resources. 🌸👯‍♀️🌸 WALKING GUIDELINES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 🌸✍️🌸 Carry sufficient food and water (2 litres) for the expected conditions of the walk. Pls don’t separate from the group, unless you let someone know, preferably me. The waitlist is completely discretionary….reliable regulars will ALWAYS be included. 🆗……….If you are a no show, you will not be welcome to join a future walk with me. (It’s a courtesy kind of thing). If people are on the waitlist, it is also very inconsiderate. Marking yourself as “Not Going” within 2 hours of departure does not allow reasonable time to notify anyone on the waitlist. 🌸🙅‍♀️🌸 On the odd occasion, the walk may change from the schedule, due to weather, unforeseen track obstacles OR emergency situations. 🌸🤞🌸 Please make sure your conversation is always courteous to other group members. 🌸😍🌸 PS…. IF YOUR ID PIC IS OF A COFFEE CUP, YOUR DOG OR CAT, A VIEW, and not a picture of you…You’ll stay waitlisted. 🌸❌🌸 SAFETY WARNING: Please stay away from cliff edges and be very careful when walking on wet and slippery rocks and surfaces. Stay within sight of the group at all times. 🌸🔴🟢⚫️🟠🔵🟡🟣🟤🌸 DISCLAIMER: Your health and safety is our priority, 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 RSVP 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/pages/28346396/Terms_and_Conditions_of_joining_Aussie_Explorers 🌸☀️🌸 HAPPY WALKING 🍃🌸🌿🌸🌿🌸🍃 xxLisa

⛰️🍂 OCT LONG WEEKEND GETAWAY @ BLACKHEATH & KATOOMBA 🌲🏨⛺️🌌🌄🌠

📝 PLEASE READ BELOW DESCRIPTION FULLY BEFORE YOU CLICK ‘Attend’! ******************************************** ⛺️ LOCATION ⛺️ MT YORK CAMPGROUND Mt York Road Mt Victoria NSW 2786 🌍 Refer Google maps - pics no. 2 & 3 for campground location. 🏨 Those who wish to glam up at a hotel, motel, caravan park, Airbnb or anywhere you fancy, due to long weekend please make a booking online asap at a nearby towns - Blackheath, Katoomba, Leura, Medlow Bath, Mt Victoria etc. ✅ You may come or leave home at anytime or any days. You may also stay few more days to explore the Blue Mountains.

✅ I’d recommend taking Friday, 2nd October off, chuck a sickie or POETS from work. Lots of things to do and see around the area. 🚙 I’m planning to arrive at the campground on Friday afternoon to get the campsite for the group on first come first served. 😉 🚗 Mt Victoria train station is about 10 minutes drive from the campground, Blackheath about 15 minutes drive, Lithgow about 40 minutes drive and Katoomba is about 25 minutes drive. ******************************************** ⛰️ Mount York Campground is about 6 km from Mount Victoria station, a natural site that at 1061 metres has commanding views over the western plains, many layers of Aboriginal and European heritage, several convict built roads (now walking tracks) and remnants of the old convict-built roads (1823-1829) can still be seen. 🏕️ The campground is a small to medium sized camping area, suitable for tents and caravans. A popular climbing area, awesome view at the lookouts, walking trails and historic roads. 🌅 The campground is one of the best places to watch the sunset and stargazing. 🌠🌄🌌 🚻 FACILITIES: 🏕️ Camp near your vehicle, picnic area, drop toilets, limited fire pits, lookouts, walking, rock climbing and bike trails. 💦 NOTE- no tap water or showers, so please come well prepared. 🚿 I have basic shower tent that you’re welcome to use. BYO washing water, towel and shower gel. 🚗 The campground is accessible by regular 2WD with sealed road and carpark beside the road. 🛜 Mobile reception throughout the campground. 🏕️ WHAT TO BRING (CAMPERS): 🏕️ ⛺️ All creature comforts including camping gear - tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat or air mattress, blankets etc. 🥘 Food, snacks, drinking and washing water at least 15 litres, dish liquid, wash basin, portable gas stove, butane gas, fold up table, chairs, pots, pans, plates, cutlery, mug, wet wipes, rubbish bags, gazebo or tarps for shelter or cooking station and chill out area. 🔦 Torch or headlight (preferred), tent light, powerbank/charger etc. 🧥 Warm jacket, thermals, beanie and warm clothes. It’s cooler temperatures at night. 🔥 Firewood (if No Fire Ban) per bag per person. I will check with the Council and RFS closer to the date. 🚗 Bring everything that you can think useful that can fit in your car including kitchen sink! 🪣🛒 📝 Options for Things To Do & See will be communicated upon confirmation via group WhatsApp. ******************************************** 🌲 IMPORTANT NOTES: 🌲 📝 TERMS & DISCLAIMER: Attending this event is at your own risk. Organisers accepts no liability of any kind during and after this event. ✅ You are responsible for looking after your own health, safety and belongings. ✅ You must also take care not to put other people at risk. ✅ Keep well back from cliff edges at all times, especially when taking photos. ✅ Further information will be communicated via WhatsApp group chat upon confirmation - how to meet and identify the group, itinerary and other finer details etc. ✅ This event will be finalised a week before depending on weather condition. 🔥 I will confirm with the Council and RFS website for any fire ban, alerts etc. for the weekend. 🥘 NO, you’re not required to do a cook off on the campfire. You can cook, eat, drink or do whatever you like at the campground. So, just relax, no pressure! Hopefully the weather is kind to us for this October long weekend event. 🤞 ******************************************** 💵 GRATUITY/CONTRIBUTION 💵 💰 $35 PRE-PAID per person. Non refundable if you cancel or No Show. ✅ Includes all planned walks - day outs and sunset/night walks. 📲 Please send me a TEXT message for payment details or via PayID to my mobile; 0405038557 by cob Friday, 25th September to confirm your spot. Ref: (your Meetup name) & Mt York camp. ✅ Once payment made, please TEXT me receipt of payment. 💰$10 late fee for late payment confirmation after Friday, 25th September! ⏰ There are few things for me to finalise behind the scene that takes quite a lot of my time to ensure this event runs smoothly. 💬 I will add those who made a pre-payment to group WhatsApp on Saturday, 26th September for further details of this exciting event - our exact location, optional walks, day outs, sunset/night walks etc. ******************************************** 📝 NOTE - this event is suitable for a newbie (campers) with no camping experience required. 🚗 If you require a lift or able to offer a lift with share petrol and toll costs from your closest station, require a pickup from Mt Victoria station or wish to hire a tent etc, please update on comments section or send me a TEXT message. 📲 Any other questions, please send me a TEXT message to avoid any confusion. 🌿 Let’s explore and enjoy the great outdoors! 🍂 Norra 😎 📱0405038557 (TEXT & PayID only)

Castlecrag Menagerie, Castlecrag

This wonderful hike takes place around the waters of Castlecrag. We will meet at the Castlecrag shops in Edinburgh nowhere and walk up and down around the water and through magnificent natural forests. As we start to head back to the car, I tempt you with this challenging 300+ steps hidden water edge. NOT to be missed !! Why is there a fee for hiking ? All our hikes are led by professional certified Hike Coaches with Wilderness First Aid certifications. Sterling Fitness is also a licenced operator with NSW Parks holding an ECOPASS , as such we pay a licence fee to NSW Government for hiking in thier national parks #HIKEFit #HIKINGINSYDNEY #HIKESYDNEY #SYDNEYHIKING STANDARD to MODERATE

BEST HIKE IN 'Straya? Blue Mountains GRAND CANYON HIKE. Pub Lunch & Beer.

From TIMEOUT Magazine: *"One breathtaking bushwalk claimed the crown as the nation’s favourite. The gold medal went to the **Grand Canyon Track** – a challenging yet short hike through the lush rainforest of the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. The 6.3-kilometre circuit passes gently cascading waterfalls, giant ferns and moss-covered rocky overhangs that look straight out of a fairy tale."* Yup. A fahkin' fairy tale that ends with a beer and lunch. (Moved this to October as more sunlight will make for a better day!) **THE HIKE.** It's a 6.3kms loop hike. NSW Parks estimates 3-4 hours, which means this hike is medium in difficulty (430m of altitude gain is a lot of steps, but it's not that bad when you're there). It's absolutely beautiful - waterfalls, greenery, views, and more. It's like somehow Mother Nature carved out this perfect crevasse - hiking it has you exiting civilisation into Jurassic Park-esque world. *Fitness matters here, but we will be hiking at a relaxed pace so we enjoy our surroundings.* Last time I had a video of the hike here. I deleted it. Just come. At Step #1 where we view Evans Lookout, it's truly a "Woowowowowowow" type start. It only gets better from there. **THE TRANSPORTATION.** A train arrives at Blackheath Station at 951am. Let's meet at the pub across the road. There's parking and toilets there. However, let's try to get enough drivers for this one. The train arrives in Penrith at 827am. **[Perhaps drivers pick us public transporters there? Let's discuss this all in the whatsapp chat that you must join on this hike!](https://chat.whatsapp.com/KngCa1lMtdUEAoSy6zXuGP)** **LUNCH.** "[Spikes Bistro](https://www.facebook.com/p/Spikes-Bistro-Blackheath-61574548437651/)" (where all the locals are going these days) is now a family run joint at the golf course with GREAT food. I'll make a reservation right on the same balcony we had last time! It's a perfect ending to The Grand Canyon, and the family is thankful to have our business. Let's support the locals who support us. **ANOTHER HIKE.** We'll have cars. Shall we do another short hike? I'm open. Charles Darwin Trek is newly open, and it's an easy one with top, top views of Wentworth Falls. Valley of the Waters? Another 10/10 waterfall hike. Or no doubt you'll be able to get a lift to Blackheath Station if you need to get home. **THE DRIVERS.** We need some drivers for this one. If you drive each passenger you take from will chip in some cash - I'll see to it. We looooove you drivers! **THE LOGISTICS.** a) Gratuity $15 Cash or PayID on the day. b) Let's try to start hiking by 1030am absolute latest. c) Last minute Cancels and No Shows... *I'm not even going to say it.* d) Have a backpack filled with... well, you know all this shit by now. Make a list. Be safe. Be smart. This will be a hike you won't forget - I can't wait to see the "Holy shit, WOW" look on all of our faces! See you soon. MJ 0439 635 699 **In pressing the “Attend” button for this hike, you acknowledge that:** a) You are healthy and fit to complete the hike describe; b) You have read and will follow [NSW National Parks Bushwalking Safety Guidelines](https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/bushwalking-safety) for this hike; c) You have no chronic / underlying health issues that deter you from completing this hike; and d) You understand your host is just that – your host, not a professional hiker – and that you and you alone are responsible for your hiking health, safety, and wellness; and e) You’ve been advised to obtain individual [hiking insurance from 1Cover](https://www.1cover.com.au/adventure-travel-insurance/hiking-trekking/?utm_source=google&utm_source_platform=gads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=13564994076&utm_term=adventure%20travel%20insurance&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=13564994076&gbraid=0AAAAAD_bfRAu6Io5ZkHeiIYCP_evtsQ_z&gclid=CjwKCAjwz5nGBhBBEiwA-W6XRLm8Itjn1am8sdPMxVhBtRmsDOWkolLlVATJcXW5jW-9JgB7hb9kMhoC7M0QAvD_BwE).

Riverwood Meadowbank loop

Starting from Riverwood Station we'll cycle through the wetlands and on cycle paths to Bankstown, then on some quieter roads to Georges Hall before stopping for coffee at 14kms. Then on cycle paths to Meadowbank and on the newish cycle path on Heathcote Road to Voyager Point. Cross the river to East Hills, Revesby and back to Riverwood. About 36kms. Meet in William Road, Riverwood, near the station. Train leaves Central at 8.25 from Platform 23, arriving 8.55 at Riverwood for a quick start, or catch an earlier one if you prefer to take your time. After coming out of Riverwood Station, turn left and look out for us on the corner of Morotai Ave and William Road.

Tempe to Cronulla afternoon ride with beers at the finish line