SurfCoast - Winkipop II Traditional Cache
Mr Emu: As mentioned previously, I am no longer satisfied with the placement of this cache.
The cache and all associated hardware has now been removed, and this area is free for another cacher to use if they wish.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A year after the first version of this cache was embarassingly
"terminated" shortly after publishing, we think the new stairs
deserve a new cache. But beware - it's muggle city!
Mr Emu's thirteenth cache brings you to a spectacular and historic
part of the Victorian Surf Coast. Bells Beach is the home of the
world's longest running surfing competition, the Bells Beach Surf
Classic. This competition has been held annually at Easter time
since 1961, becoming a professional event in 1973.
You will know if there is good surf when you arrive by how
difficult it is to find a space to park your car. If this is the
case, be warned that many surfers will pass right by the cache
location, and you will need to be super-stealthy to retrieve it.
The newly-refurbished viewing platform and stairs, 80m down the
walking track from the carpark, provide a great vantage point for
watching the surfers. Winkipop is directly off shore, and Bells is
roughly 300m south-west. Although Bells is known internationally as
one of the best breaks in Victoria, "Winkie" often works better
under more diverse conditions.
When the swell is big, you may notice that the surfer's seem to
paddle constantly just to stay the one place. The strong current is
caused by the constant movement of water north along the Victorian
coast through Bass Strait, and is even stronger when the surf is
up. For this reason, surfers usually enter the water well to the
right of Winkie, and paddle around a rock platform known as "The
Button". This hazard has been the undoing of many surfers and their
boards.
The difficulty rating is due to the very high number of tourists
and surfers that can be in the area at all times of the year. I
strongly suggest not trying this cache before lunchtime when
there is any surf, as it is the main beach access used by
surfers.
Perhaps if you had a lookout posted further up the stairs you might
be able to sneak a few seconds to grab the cache, but you would
need to know exactly where to reach with your claws! There's no
point risking the cache unneccessarily - FTF enthusiasts please
take note.
The Cache:
The cache you seek is a 400 ml Sistema with a logbook and an
assortment of small swaps. Do not leave the stairs to search! You
will need to be very discreet, and the cache is not visible - you
have to find it by touch. Please make sure you replace the
container exactly as you found it.
Accessibility at Easter
The cache is still accessible during the Easter surfing
competition, but you have to pay a car parking / entry fee. With
thousands of muggles around, it might be better to leave it for
these two weeks - unless you happen to be a surfing fan.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fvg 2 fgrcf orybj ynaqvat, AJ fvqr. Ernpu haqre jvgu evtug nez.
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
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