Geocaching 10/9/14 Bushrangers Cave

So today we set out to do the geocache "Bushranger's Cave." GCZAYQ
It lies between Mt. Sugarloaf and Minmi off George Booth Drive.
Our geogroup - Belowparr69 (me), Jadenflair (Jae) and MrandMrsMayers (Sister Kiera and Brother in law Nick) decided to make a day of it and 4wd and walk our way through the local caches.

It's a difficulty rating of 5, terrain of 4. This geocache is found within a cave almost under the new Hunter Expressway. The story goes that an escaped convict joined a group of bushrangers in the area and this cave was a potential hideout for them up until they were hanged in 1841.

We started the day doing the Richmond Vale Tunnel series, which is close to the cave and runs along an old railway corridor which is now unused but the tunnels are still remarkably intact. We parked near the 3rd in the series and made our way East towards the first and the cave.

 

The tunnel series would make a great bushwalk, it is about 6km long though so we drove the distance in between and had a good walk down to each cache from the main road. I definitely felt it after a while but walking through areas that even the 4wd couldn't get to made me feel pretty good.

 

This is The Old Forgotten Bridge. An old railway bridge between Richmond Vale tunnel 2 and 3. There was a geocache on it but many people lately have not found it and we searched for a long while. It is a great long lost piece of history, with most bridges like this since being demolished.

I decided to climb out on to the bridge for a better view. Being scared of heights I took this as a challenge but once I got out I realized that I was 30m above the creek and needed the ground beneath me once more. It was exhilarating though!

The biggest walk of the day lead to the cave. Blue Gum Creek runs off Mt. Sugarloaf and has formed a waterfall at the mouth of the cave. Looking down it was at least a 10m drop and not knowing what was in the water below, we went around. After some bouldering/scrambling we made it down ok.

 What an amazing spot, I'm definitely coming back here in summer, hopefully when the water is running a bit cleaner and can swim! If you are looking at doing any Hunter Valley geocaches this should be at the top of your list!

We also found where Santa goes on holidays!

This interesting piece of bush art was found on the walk down to the cave. I assume the pipe was left in the bow of the tree many years ago and it has since been enveloped by its host. Though I despise dumping waste like this, it is pretty cool.

Thank you to the many local cachers for helping me get out and explore this wonderfully diverse and beautiful area that I am lucky enough to live in. 

If any cachers are keen to come out I would love to do these again, please message me and I will see what I can do!

Geocaching

 Ok so I haven't posted much lately but I have definitely been out and about.
I have been doing a bit of fishing but with most of my time off now I have been out geocaching. Please check it out if you haven't already, it is a great way to get out and enjoy this beautiful country of ours.
Geocaching.com/
As a quick run down it is basically an online treasure hunt, where somebody posts co-ordinates of a "cache" and you go find it, fill out the log book and log it online to say you have found it. Some are easy, some are difficult and can be tiny or huge. The community is full of great people, most of them more than happy to help and share this new world with others.
As I write this, I have found 75 geocaches and through doing so have seen many weird and wonderful things and places that I otherwise would have missed out on. I am also using it as a way to get fit, getting out and bushwalking and climbing rocks is definitely beneficial!

These Gymea Lilies were found at the top of Gan Gan Lookout at Nelsons Bay. They are an Australian native plant that you cannot grow or harvest without a license.

This is the view of the river at Morpeth, an old quiet town where I buy all my chilli sauce. The Morpeth Gallery has a great range of chilli sauces and products and is definitely worth checking out if you get a chance.

This is taken at Bar Beach, one of favourite places to enjoy the ocean. The carpark looks over this cliff and beach and down past Redhead also. When I was younger I spent a lot of time at this beach and have fished on these rocks a couple of times as well.

The Ash Island Geocaches make a great day out, there are several on the island throughout the walking trails and access roads. A large portion of Ash Island is now protected, since the government recognised the need to have a natural habitat for the native wildlife in the Hunter River estuary.
There are many volunteers giving their time to keep this area protected and functioning and as a result there are many different forms of wildlife to see.

This is the view from Bolwarra Lookout, it's a great little spot as well. It looks out over the farms and floodplains and also has a sneaky little geocache there.

 The Stockton Bridge was always my favourite part of Newcastle growing up, my sisters and I called it "The Dinosaur Bridge" for obvious reasons and I was quite surprised to see there is a geocache right at the top!

 I also spent a day atop Mount Sugarloaf. There is a great bushwalk through there and a few geocaches, all which I found after locking my keys in my car! Luckily dad was able to come up and me, thanks again! In my car I have most things I would need in a pinch such as rope, straps, chain, water, tools but this situation threw me. I had a spare key at home so at least I didn't have to break a window!

As a great little bonus I have been using geocaching to scout new fishing spots! Many are on the coast and in places most people would not look so I have found a few nice spots since I have started.

So check out the link, watch the video and get into it. If any geocachers out there have any questions or are planning on doing any Hunter Valley geocaches, feel free to contact me through the site. My name is Belowparr69. Also keep an eye out for my geocaches as my first one should be put out soon :)

Cheers,
Andrew