Rings and Wrags Multi-Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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An easy 2 step multi cache visiting a small piece of Illawarra history. Easy one for kids, though some supervision needed on site.
The posted coordinates take you to a small clearing near a pile of building rubble and a couple of trees that look out of place.
Look up to the south east, you'll see the outcropping of rock at Mt Keira’s summit. You’ll need to walk about 45 paces towards the Mt Keira outcrop to the hiding spot of the cache, which should be easy to find.
I’ve been coming to this spot for about 20 years now, but never thought much about the location. I decided to do some research and set up a cache to bring people to this peaceful relic of settlement and early life on the escarpment.
The farm located near the Mt Keira Scout Camp was owned by the Ring family. The family had been farming this area for many years, with the farm being originally settled in 1896. The Mt Keira Road was built in 1835-36.
The farm became part of the BHP mining lease, with a peppercorn rent of 10 shillings per year being paid by the Ring family. This then became $1 per year following the change to decimal currency. The arrangement in place stated that the Ring family could retain the land in the family through direct descendants.
The last farmer living at the property was Albert Ring. He was a regular visitor to the Scout Camp, and maintained the swimming pool there for many years. Albert passed away in the late 1980s. As Albert and his wife had no children the lease was extinguished, with the land falling under NPWS control.
In the early 1990s a squatter who had been living around the Mt Keira area moved into the empty house. Unfortunately he decided to burn down the house not long after as he didn’t like the colour of the lino in the kitchen (as you do)!
These days, only the ruins and open areas remain, as well as a plaque (somewhere under the ferns!). If you look closely you’ll find a tombstone, this marks the burial site of Albert’s dog, but is hard to find these days. The water tanks at the back supply the Scout camp.
The site was also of significance for members of Figtree Rover Crew (Scouts), hence “Wrags” in the name which was an acronym standing for “White, Red And Green Scarves”, the Rover Crew colours, and the name of the old Crew magazine.
The location is ideal stop on a day walk, or drive a little closer for a quick stop. It’s BYO salt for the leeches!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Frrx gur snyyra gerr, fbhgurea raq.