Prior to February 18th, 2002, Geocaching was a term unfamiliar to us, in fact Biggles Bear did not yet exist. It was whilst reading the web page for Roy and HG's Ice Dreams, that we idly clicked on a banner add for Geocahing, that had the catch phrase, "The Sport Where You Are the Search Engine", from there we rushed out to find our first cache Blackbeard's Treasure V2.0 (Melbourne) GCC81
To commemorate the tenth anniversary of that momentums day, we have taken the liberty of re jigging, this now archived cache, so that others might once again experience the excitement we did all those years ago.
At the time we did this cache we were both heavily involved with inline skating, so we made the trek from the starting point to the Key location and back on our skates, and then on to GZ by car. Instead of doing this a driving cache, please make use of the bike path to, ride, skate or stroll, and share your adventures in your log.
Note; We have tried to keep this re-load as close as possible to the original. However some items have changed or moved and the description has been changed accordingly.
Looking to get a bit of exercise and a cache hunt at the same time? Then this is the site for you. Hire or bring your own bike, roller blades or walking shoes on this treasure hunt along Melbourne's scenic bayside trail. Firstly you will need to find the key, then you will be searching for the treasure.
What do I need to do?
- Take a print out of this sheet and a pen with you. (vital!)
- Use the initial coordinates provided to lead you to the starting point.
- Answer the questions to work out the coordinates for the next landmark.
- The final coordinates will take you directly to the cache.
- During testing, I found the GPS to be more accurate in finding a location, if the last 100m was traveled at a walking pace.
- Please note: there is a walking path and also a sperate bike/roller blade path. Please use the correct path to avoid frustrating others.
How far do we travel?
Firstly you need to find the key which is approximately a 10 km return trip from the starting location. Then you will be searching for the treasure which is approximately 8 km (one way) from the starting location along main roads.
Let's Get Started.
START:
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The starting coordinates of (S 37° 51.862', E 144° 58.256') will lead you to an historical plaque. Read the plaque and answer this question;
Q. On what day of February 1921, was Lord Stradbroke Governor of Victoria?
Substitute the answer with the 'xx' to complete the coordinates that will guide you to landmark 1.
LANDMARK 1: (S 37° 52.5xx', E 144° 58.530')
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Instructions for the boating community.
Answer these questions to complete the coordinates for landmark 2;
Q. Using the phone number for Parks Victoria, take the last two digits and reverse them, then substitute them with 'yy'.
Q. Add the two digits of the emergency radio information VHF number together, then substitute this answer as 'z'.
LANDMARK 2: (S 37° 53.0yy', E 144° 58.z04')
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In this area, you will find a number of Red, White and Blue signs headed "Elwood Beach".
On the signs are four Warning Diamonds.
If;
- The second diamond warns of "Jelly Fish", then vvv = 391 and bbb = 055
- The second diamond warns of "Currents", then vvv = 477 and bbb = 106
- The second diamond warns of "stingrays", then vvv = 430 and bbb = 080
LANDMARK 3: (S 37° 53.vvv', E 144° 59.bbb')
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Colourful Mosaics. Getting closer to the key!
Q. Count the number of sailing ships featured in the triangular mosaic.
Now add 3 to this number and substitute this answer as 'gg'.
Q. Count the total number of rectangular mosaics and substitute the answer as 't'.
Q. Find the mosaic that features a tram. Substitute the tram number as 'f'
LANDMARK 4: (S 37° 53.f55', E 144° 5t.gg6')
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Ship wreck! Man the life boats
Q. How many anchors does this ship have, substitute the answer as 'k'
Q. How many port holes are on the superstructure on the forward section of the ship, substitute the answer as 'u'
Q. Count the number of lifeboats and substitute the answer as 'd'
Q. Count the number of points on the ships wheel, subtract 1 from this answer and substitute as 'e'
Q. How many sails on the vessel, substitute as 'w'
KEY: (S 37 54.du5, E 144 e9.wk2)
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Shipwrecked and stranded, the pirates stashed the key to the location of their treasure, leaving only this hint:
Stand on the sea wall and look down. The brass key is attached to the fence post. Once you have found the key, you can return to your starting point.
TREASURE: (coordinates are found on the key)
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Time to find that elusive treasure.
The coordinates you found on the key will take you to a park where you will find the cache.
Signed,
Black Biggles the pirate