Your journey to the Oracle of Cunio Point (formerly the Oracle of Windy Banks) , by some reports the southern hemisphere's equivalent of La Bocca della Verità (the mouth of truth) will involve finding Hikari Orifisu - the tree sprite, Dokuro the Guardian and finally the Oracle. There are three tests to demonstrate your resolve and four challenges. You may wish to print out these instructions and take them with you on your journey.
The description below is based on parking at Berowra Waters on the east side (refer to Parking WPT) and taking the Great North Walk to near the start coordinates: the home of Hikari Orifisu. Take plenty of water and perhaps a snack. Long pants and a long sleeve shirt with good walking boots will make things a little more comfortable. We had good mobile reception for the whole walk. The whole journey from here is about 3km return based on GE and took us about 2.5 hours to complete placing the caches on the way. HOWEVER there is another option that gives the chance to find Boats Below and Hermit of Berowra by taking the single track at the end of Alston Drive (Parking option 2); this is less strenuous as it avoids the stairs of pain. We leave the decision to you. Regardless the walk could be combined with a longer bush trail walk and/or car shuffle that includes The man in the high castle, A Tartan Treasure, Two Bizarro and Gundah Ridge Library-Fight Club, or other Berowra bush caches. You might also be interested in solving some of our other puzzles.
There are several routes to the Oracle, the number and style of the challenges will depend on your own personal journey.
Challenge 1 - The Place of the Oracle only the lucky or well timed may pass. Berowra Waters is sometimes a busy place and getting parking close to the start of the trail may sometimes pose a problem, especially on weekends. If fortune is on your side you may find a good spot, close to the trail head (parking point), or perhaps you will have to find your spot further down, or on the other side of the deep dark channel and face the challenge of crossing back on the ferry of certain sloth. (Parking at the end of Turner or Alston generally not a problem)
Challenge 2: The stairs of pain only the fit shall pass. If you come from Berowra Waters you will have to ascend the stairs of pain to begin your search. The steep narrow path will test your knees and ankles. We hope you brought some water! (Stairs of pain may be avoided by taking the single track from Alston Drive, great views!)
The location of the Oracle of Cunio Point is only known by Dokuro the Guardian. In turn, the location of Dokuro is only known by Hikari Orifisu - the tree sprite. Once at the top of the ridge you now face your First Test: find Hikari Orifisu. A stick may help to check if anyone else is visiting her home. Oh and do mind the drop close by. If you are kneeling as you are reaching, you found the right spot.
Using the information provided by Hikari Orifisu: the tree sprite, you must now locate Dokuro the Guardian who lies through the Bushes of Pain… Challenge 3: The Bushes of Pain: scratchy, scratchy, ouchy, ouchy; can't go over it, can't go under it, and must go through it - only the persistent may pass through. The degree of this challenge dependent on your own personal pathway to the Guardian and the Oracle (In our experience it's reasonably open bush with stepped sandstone outcrops especially along the west side of the ridge line, no where near as bad as the pathway to this alien abduction site).
In order to find the Guardian you must pass the Test of Distraction, your second test. Don't be distracted! Dokuro is always accompanied by his evil nemesis, the Itchy Witch who may be flying overhead. She is a much slimmer and quieter version of her old self. Don't let her distract you from your quest! (Note that no tree climbing is required to locate Dokuro, neither do you need to whack anything.
Once you have the information from Dokuro find the Oracle. (Our GPS was +/-10m at GZ, if having difficulty suggest trying downhill and using the hint and photo). Once you find him your Third Test awaits: the Test of Courage. According to legend the Oracle keeps a tiny guestbook for visitors to sign, and there is also a place to leave small treasures (like small TBs or coins). If the Oracle chooses to remain mute during your encounter with him do not fret, for his words are also inscribed in parchments in the treasures lying within. Once you find him, frame your question, ask it aloud if need be, or keep it to yourself, then reach into the Oracle's open mouth to retrieve your answer. If you feel something promising give it a little pull-push-pull before extracting it, much like a dentist might extract a stubborn tooth. If you hear something it might be the Oracle whispering your answer; but, if you do not get the answer you're looking for, the Oracle is patient and you may reach in and try again. Beware! Placing your arm into the Oracles' mouth is not for the faint of heart. Legends say that if one told a lie with one's arm in the mouth of the Oracle, it would be bitten off. Only the most determined searchers prepared to explore will succeed in their quest.
At each attempt the Oracle will ask you to return what you have found, as you found it. Those who do not, risk the Oracle's wrath. There's a note in the guest book to help out.
When finished at the Oracle replace his cover as found and then face your final challenge: Challenge 4... a safe return!
We wish you good luck on your quest, and remember to tell someone where you have gone, and tell us about your experience. You have been warned.
PS...The Oracle's memory sometimes fails and he may still refer to himself by his old title.
Congrats to Bella at Waggy for being the first to find the Oracle and ask a question, so quick!