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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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Diver is a NIGHT Cache. A reasonable torch is a must.
Newport Lakes is a bushland oasis created from a former bluestone quarry and rubbish tip site, in the middle of busy Newport. The park is 33 ha in size and is a great place for a picnic with family and friends, for a leisurely walk or just to relax in a tranquil bushland setting. The lakes area of the park has been extensively revegetated using native plants, with over 200 species of plants and 85 species of birds recorded here.
Usually, when I read about the number of bird species, I go there and see two sparrows, and if I'm lucky, a seagull. During the week though, there are stacks of birds here, and a great walk.
The gates open at 8am, and close at 7pm (9pm daylight savings). Even though the gates close, parking is available outside, and the area is open to foot traffic.
There are playgrounds, picnic areas, BBQs, toilets, and parking. Unfortunately no bikes or dogs are allowed on the nature trails.
The cache will take about 40 minutes to an hour (Depending on your power of observation).
Enjoy the walk.
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The cache is laid out with firetacks, and a few questions to answer along the way, mainly decisions at intersections.
The next firetack can always be seen from the middle of the path. Firetacks are best seen with your torch at eye level.
You do NOT need to leave the track at any time (except for a bit at GZ).
1. The Start
The cache starts at the listed co-ordinates with an information board on the edge of the carpark.
Follow the concrete path to the lookout.
2. The lookout
Your first task is to count the spiders (If they don't have a screw in the middle of their back, they don't count!)
If there are:
1 Spider: Go back the way you came,
2 Spiders: Head South on the track, or
3 Spiders: Head North on the track.
Walk at least 50 meters and look for your first firetack, then follow the next three to your next question.
3. Birds in Hand
You are at an intersection.
You are interested in the birds on the rock (Ignore the frog and his mates, he is on the wrong rock!)
To know which way to go, ask: to be, or not to be? Two b it is.
Follow the path to the next rock on the right of the track, and look for your next firetack.
4. Several firetacks later...
At this intersection there is a clearing and several green seats.
Go to the nearest seat, and look for an animal.
If the animal is a:
1. Giraffe: Head on the uphill track,
2. Hippo (of any colour): Head south, and follow the edge of the lake, or
3. Hammerhead Shark: Head north, but not along the same track as you came in on.
When you are at the BIG number, look for your next firetack.
5. More Green things?
You should have passed at least a half dozen firetacks on this path before you reach a clearing.
Cross the clearing to the rainbow, and walk to the rock at the end of the fence.
Your next firetack will be in view.
Only walk to the second firetack for the next task.
6. Three Blind Mice (or Rats in this case)
Two firetacks from the rainbow you will be at a small intersection. Don't miss it in the dark.
Look for the animals in the multi-trunked tree on the opposite side of the track (to the firetack tree).
If there are:
1 Blind Mouse: Follow the track downhill and across the bridge,
2 Blind Mice: Continue along the track to the clearing, or
3 Blind Mice: Go Home, Have a Hot Chocolate, and get your eyes tested tomorrow!
Follow this path to the next main intersection.
7. More animals?
After several more firetacks (there are a lot in a packet, you know!), you have reached another intersection.
This one has a rock with birds (as distinct from all the others with birds). Face the bird rock and look for animals in the tree immediately behind and to the right.
If there are:
2 Spiders: Take the track downhill and to the left,
1 Duck: Take the flat track to the right, or
1 Pink Pony (the $2 shops were full of them!): Follow the first person you see. Throw yourself on their mercy.
8. The Happy Dog
After the next firetack you have reached another intersection (who built all these paths anyway!)
Cross the path to the third rock behind the happy dog.
Guess what we want to do now? Three more firetacks until you find a double.
9. A Double Firetack
You are here. What more can I say.
Fill in the log, and hope you can find your way back to the car. (There are some instruction in the front of the log book.)
I hope you enjoyed this park in the dark.
Note: there are three GCA mysteries that can be picked up on your way - check them out!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)