A Park for Howard Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Howard Springs Nature Park protects 283 ha of diverse habitats including monsoon forest, extensive swamps and riverine areas. These areas provide valuable wildlife habitats, especially for Magpie Geese, Whistling Ducks, Radjah Shelducks and Pygmy Geese. The gates are open from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm daily, all year round.
The European history of the Springs began in the late 1800's when they were part of large pastoral leases in this area.
In the 1910's the Springs themselves came into focus as a solution to Darwin's unreliable water supply.
Eventually, in 1939, after a community petition and delays caused by the Depression, water from the Springs was piped to railway dams, overhead tanks in Darwin, and Vesty's meat works. This arrangement served as a stop-gap measure until Manton Dam was completed in 1942. A road connecting this area with Darwin was built as part of this project.
During the Second World War, rest and recreation camps for up to 120 men were set up here for servicemen from USA and Australia. The weir was built in 1944 by the Royal Australian Engineers to improve the swimming hole.
In 1957 Howard Springs became the Northern Territory's first Reserve under the NT Reserves Board, now the Parks and Wildlife Service.
You can often see Ibis and Agile Wallabies on the lawns near the main pool, also a variety of fish including Barramundi, can be seen from the weir wall. Signs on the weir walkway will help you identify some of the fish.
There is a 1.8 km walking track below the weir. Signs along the track explain some of the different vegetation and animals you may see. Another short track off the main road will take you through dense rainforest to the springs which feed the main pool.
The cache itself is green waterproof container located a few hundred metres from the main pool in light scrub land. The cache contains some small goodies and a geocoin.
Happy hunting and enjoy!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ibypnavp ebpxf?