Rotoma Refuge (Bay of Plenty) Traditional Geocache
camocrab: See my last log
Rotoma Refuge (Bay of Plenty)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This is a green 'cookie jar' cache very easy to get to after a short 200 meter walk along the northeastern shore of Lake Rotoma in the Bay of Plenty. The lake is situated on SH30 between Rotorua and Whakatane.
This is an easy cache to break a journey, to use as an excuse for a family picnic, or as part of a 'geocacher's day out". Turn off SH 30 onto Matahi road at the Eastern end of the Lake and follow the road to the end. Use your GPS to guide you along the shoreline to the cache.
Lake Rotoma is an unusual lake for several reasons. It has no obvious outflow but is fed by several smaller creeks. A combination of evaporation and seepage maintain the level although many years back something went wrong and the level dropped dramatically. A small island that is normally covered broke the surface for some months. On the way to the cache look out for the buoy marking the island as it can be a hazard to boats.
It is also one of the warmer lakes as it has a gently sloping shelf on the Eastern and northern ends. It is normally many degrees warmer than the sea or other lakes in the area and it is a really good place for kiddies to swim..
It is possible to drive a 4x4 to within 5 meters of this cache by simply driving into the lake and then driving along the shore in the lake and around the small headlands. However I suggest a walk but you will have to get your fet wet..
Look for an old fallen tree that has been sawn off right on the lake edge and check around the roots. If you have not passed the Navigation pole then you need to keep going..
When placed the cache contained:
A Bottle of Car Wash
M&Ms
Metal Garden Hose nozzle
Mini Puzzle
$10 note
Travel Bug
The shoreline on the way to the cache is a favourite with people looking for a private spot for a picnic but unfortunatly that means it is not accessed by council rubbish collection. There is usually all sorts of rubbish and this would be a great cache to take a rubbish bag along too. When you get back to your car there are plenty of bins..
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybbx haqre n cvrpr bs jbbq