The first cargo to leave Port Augusta was 100 bales of wool, On the
26th January 1854 from then on “the port” thrived with
a “mosquito fleet” of Ketches, schooners and the like,
plying their trade up and down the Gulf, and by the end of the
1850’s it was berthing ocean going clippers up to 1000 tons.
By the 1880’s regular visitors included ocean going
steamers and sailing ships. Port Augusta closed as a shipping port
in the early 1900’s
The area and waterways hold reminders of this shipping history, But
is often not noticed or overlooked unless you know what to look
for…
You may find a pile of rocks on a mud bank, they are usually all
that remains of a ship or barge (The rocks were used as
ballast)
Occasionally you might find some timber and rusting metal amongst
the mangroves.
There is the occasional old bottle to be found in the mud if
you’re lucky.
There are many reminders if you look hard enough, but many are
also hard to reach or find (A kayak is great) and most are usually
covered by the ever ebbing and rising tidal flow.
Port Augusta locals are acutely aware of the large tidal
changes, this means that one day you can walk across an area and
not even get your feet wet… six hours later… the same
spot will be covered in three or four metres of salt water.
There is a wrecked barge near the “Old Bridge” that
everyone knows about, but there are many others in the area!
This cache takes you one nearby that’s hidden by a few
mangroves.
You can easily park within 50 to 100 metres of GZ
Then take what CAN BE a short pleasant walk in the
Mangroves…
But maybe you’ll end up having a muddy good time
instead!
Or… Maybe you end up having a swimmingly great
adventure!
In case you’re thinking you need a boat or a
kayak…
You don’t need them…
And they might turn out to be more of a hindrance than help!
NOTE: This cache is regularly covered by water.
The innermost container IS waterproof IF CLOSED PROPERLY (Please
ensure that nothing interferes with the seal) and ensure the outer
container lid is screwed on properly and the container has items
placed back on top of it to keep it in place.
No exchanges please. Log your visit only Thanks!!
