Finke River Traditional Geocache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
The cache is hidden near the carpark in a small plastic container.
As always: Please watch out for snakes!
Named by John McDouall Stuart in 1860 to honour his staunch friend and financier, South Australian pastoralist William Finke. From 1860 until 1929 when the railway reached Alice Springs 120km east of its source, the Finke was one of the main routes from the south to the Centre. It was used by missionaries and camel trains servicing the cattle stations that opened along its length.
Long before the Europeans arrived, the Finke was a major lifeline for tribes in Central Australia. Its permanent waterholes ensured a variety of bush food from kangaroo, wallaby, fish and waterfowl to grubs, fruits, berries and yams. And the Aborigines used it as a major trade route - those from the Centre bartering cutting stones, carving woods and ceremonial ochre with tribes from the south, who brought large sea shells and hardwood boomerangs.
The Aboriginal name for the Finke River is usually given as Lhira Pinnte, from the Western Arrernte language that means salty river.
The Finke River rises behind Mount Sonder in the Western MacDonnell Ranges and meanders 690km (400km as the crow flies) south east of Moorilperinna waterhole, on the western fringe of the Simpson Desert.
Congratulations Dr.Emma, first to find on 9 May 2009!!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Abg gur ohfu, ohg arkg gb vg. Bhg bs fvtug sebz gur pnecnex.