Iguana Creek Traditional Cache
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Size: 
(regular)
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Iguana Creek is between Bairnsdale and Dargo and easily accessible with 2WD vehicles on sealed roads.
It is said that Angus McMillan was the pioneer and discoverer of Gippsland, after which the Federal electoral seat is named. He died near where this cache is located. Angus McMillan was killed when a horse rolled on him whilst crossing the Iguana Creek on 18th May 1865. Angus McMillan was originally born in Glenbrittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland in 1810, and although the self styled Count Paul Strzelecki is heralded as the first European to explore Gippsland, it was actually Angus McMillan who discovered the area. Angus McMillan came to New South Wales in 1838. He became the overseer of Lachlan Macalister's cattle station, befriended the local Aboriginal people and quickly became an expert bushman. In 1839, Macalister instructed McMillan to set up a cattle station at Numbla Munjie, near what is now Omeo, where McMillan was involved in massacres of the Aborigines in retaliation for their herding of cattle. Around this time McMillan and five other men set out on an expedition to find grazing land and a harbour on the Gippsland coast. They explored many of the rivers and lakes, but were forced to return to Numbla Munjie when they ran short of food. During 1840, McMillan set up another cattle station for Macalister near the mouth of the Avon River, and also his own station, Bushy Park, further upstream. From here, McMillan made two unsuccessful attempts to reach the coast at Corner Inlet. On his third attempt, in February 1841, he finally reached the coast, near where the Albert River flows into the inlet. In 1840, Count Paul Strzelecki and his party (including James Riley) passed through Numbla Munjie and followed McMillan's trails to the west. Strzelecki had knowledge of scientific instruments; which was of little value in his journey through the ranges now called after him, to Westernport where his party were lucky to escape with their lives. McMillan had a cheap pocket compass, and a torn map of the coast prepared by Matthew Flinders, yet through his bushcraft he found a way over the mountains and through forests with unerring skill. Strzelecki claimed – and was given – credit for the discovery of Gippsland, but he didn't admit that he had followed McMillan's footsteps. McMillan did not receive the credit that was due to him, and from then on regarded Strzelecki as a ‘foreign imposter.' McMillan continued exploring in 1864, in a Victorian government expedition to find new gold mining areas and open tracks between Matlock, Dargo and Omeo. The expedition found rich gold deposits, and McMillan was successful in cutting 354km of track through rough terrain. However, on the 18th May 1865, one of his pack horses rolled on him, causing him severe internal injuries. He died soon after. Angus MacMillan, who died a pauper leaving his wife and children penniless, was buried beside his brother Donald in Sale Cemetery. This cache is a medium size Sisteme container in camo. It contains a note book and pencil and the usual swaps. Please ensure the container is well hidden from potential bridge maintenance workers.
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Treasures
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