Head like a Box

Every now and then we come across a geocache that we just know is going to be a memorable experience. Such is the case with Head like a Box (GC2471), by GeoMonkeys – so called because of it’s location on the tip of Box Head on the Killcare Peninsula.

The 1km hike out to GZ from the closest parking place was moderately challenging, and spectacularly rewarding with some of the most fantastic views across Broken Bay and the Hawkesbury River entrance that I have ever seen. A recent bushfire in the area on one side of the track gave an opportunity to see vegetation being regenerated, which in itself was quite fascinating.

Looks like a nice beach down there!

With so many photo opportunities along the hike to ground zero, it would be easy to dedicate half a day or longer to take in all the sites and have a relaxing time.

The Wolfie that ate Lion Island

When you arrive at a place where you can go no further, you’re pretty much at GZ and it’s time to seek out the medium-sized cache, which we did after only a few minutes of searching. We took the travel bug, signed the book, and took some more time to admire the spectacular views and fresh sea breeze.

Wolfie taking in the sea breeze

The walk back was equally pleasant, if not a little more difficult being mostly uphill with a few short steep climbs but nothing the team couldn’t handle.

Thanks GeoMonkeys for bringing us to this fantastic spot which would otherwise remain unknown. It turned out to be a memorable cache find and definitely one of our favourites. We’ve promised to return here again soon to give Wolfie a run and swim at the nearby beach!

Murphy’s Cottages

Geocaching can sometimes be a physical challenge, and this was the case walking up the track leading to our next geocache search for today – one of the steepest gravel roads I’ve ever had to walk up. Murphy’s Cottages (GC13C21) by daznat99 is located up a very steep gravel road on the Koolewong side of the bridges at Woy Woy. Once you ascend the track, and the steps, you are rewarded with magnificent views across Brisbane Water, Woy Woy Bay, and the township of Woy Woy. 

Steep Stairway on the way to GZ

Unusual Rock Formation

Wolfie overlooking Woy Woy

After a brief hunt we managed to locate the medium-sized cache. The lack of camouflage was surprising, however, I figure not many people have a reason to go walking over this way so it’s probably pretty safe exactly where it is. Inside we found some historic photos of the Murphy’s Cottages.

We left the North Yorkshire Travel Bug race CD in the cache, took nothing. Returned the cache just how we found it.

The trip back down the hill was quite a challenge. This is a very steep, gravel, road – and we found it more challenging to descend – trying to maintain a footing without slipping on the surface… but we made it down in one piece. Back at the bottom we had a new found respect for the little cottages by the waterfront, and took another photo opportunity.

Wolfie with Murphy's Cottages

Thanks for another great hide daznat99. We appreciate the cache, and we appreciate the history lesson, the views and landscapes up here. Thanks!

Secret Vision

It’s normal in geocaching to brag about being the FIRST to find a newly-placed geocache. But it’s not everyday someone might get to brag about being the LAST to find.

Sadly, this could be the case for Secret Vision (GC1871T) by d.d.dudes.

After reading the cache description and checking out the pictures and logs, it seemed this was going to be a really cool and fascinating place to visit. I parked at the Waypoint described, and headed off up the discrete track, and came across the little plaque, as described by the cacher.

This is looking interesting

We headed a little further up the track to where it opened up to a rocky outcrop, and noticed some beautiful and fascinating carvings on ground – the most prominent being a very large kangaroo.

A VERY large Kangaroo carving.

Some of the carvings were well worn and camouflaged, so they’re hard to photograph. It was a very peaceful, almost mystical place. Something rustled in the bush nearby, I turned to spot a large Goanna race up a tree. I must’ve startled him.

With the aid of the hint, I retrieved the cache very quickly and opened it to start signing the log book. Upon doing so I was very surprised to turn around and find two State Forest rangers had appeared from behind – and they wanted to know what I was doing!

I had the cache right there, log book opened which I was in the process signing — so I just told them I was geocaching, and asked if they’d heard of it before.  They explained they knew what geocaching is – but were concerned about it going on at a sacred aboriginal women’s site.

He said he saw my car parked out by the road and wanted to know what I was up to.  They told me there had been some vandalism and disrespectful activities going on, a person called “JACOB” had used an angle grinder to put his name in the rock, and he was very upset that somebody had once “outlined” the carvings with a chalk-type rock to make them stand out so that they could be photographed.

I showed him the log and explained it brought in a few people – but not large numbers, and geocachers are overall a very responsible bunch of people, which he understood – but he explained that to place a geocache at this location is “tacky and disrespectful” to the aboriginal tribe and their ancestors – and is “about as tacky as Nicole Kidman trying to play a didgeridoo.” 

Being a women’s site, they also do not like men being here. Period.

He wanted to know the website and the cache name, which I gave him. I offered to contact the cache owner – which I will, and the ranger said he will also follow it up.  He wants the cache owner to move it – say, a couple of hundred metres away somewhere down the other track. He said “there’s no problem with putting the cache in the state forest, but the problem is with it being at a sacred site.”

Wolfie, on sacred ground.

I returned the cache to its location. I’m not sure if it will still be there now.

This was my 60th find, my last for 2008, and sadly it might also be the last time this cache is found because this is a great spot which should be shared and accessible by responsible people.