-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Downgraded terrain as the path is now well beaten through the undergrowth. see note posted 13 Jun 11.
The cache itself is a glass jar, its lid is secured in place in the hope that the cache won’t be washed away when it floods. So when located just unscrew to gain access. Loaded with some Wentworth trinkets to get things started. Will be maintained by Stewbies_6.
1. The junction of Australia's two most significant rivers, the Murray and the Darling, provide a gentle scene of merging waters surrounded by the impressive River Redgums and natural riverine vegetation with a scattering of bird life such as the pelican, ducks, shrike, kite and parrots. An attractive and well maintained picnic spot is located on the northern bank.
History:
2. In 1829 exploration parties headed out west of Sydney towards the then unknown Murray and Darling rivers in an endeavour to discover an inland sea. Although no inland sea was found, Captain Charles Sturt, entered the headwaters of a wide river which he named the Darling. On his return to Sydney a Government conceived expedition then sent Sturt to trace the Murrumbidgee River. It was during this expedition that he entered a mighty river which he named the Murray. In 1830, while navigating the Murray, he came across a river junction which he was convinced was the Darling.
3. Joseph Hawdon and Charles Bonney drove cattle overland from New South Wales to Adelaide along the Murray and arrived at the Darling/Murray junction in 1838. Other overlanders followed the route, which became known as the Sydney/Adelaide 'highway', and the river junction spot became an established camp site known as Hawdon's Ford. The actual junction at the time was called "The Rinty". The settlement was later referred to as the "Darling Junction".
4. A number of squatters established reign over the land along the Darling and Murray Rivers, expanding their holdings westwards from the Murrumbidgee area and north eastwards from South Australia. In the mid 1840's the settlement was known as McLeod's Crossing", named for the first white residents of the settlement.
5. With the arrival of the river steamers in 1853, the small European settlement found itself to be ideally situated as an administrative and commercial centre for the untapped wealth of the vast Outback. For many years Sydney was the only port in New South Wales to handle more cargo than Wentworth. The steamers brought a new sophistication to the rugged river towns. They carried the hopes and dreams of fragile communities for over three quarters of a century.
6. In 1857, Surveyor General Barney considered it time to establish a proper township. The town site was approved in 1859 and was named after the New South Wales explorer and politician William Charles Wentworth, on June 21, 1859. The area was proclaimed a municipality on January 23, 1879, and is the region's oldest settlement.
7. Throughout the prosperous river trade days Wentworth Shire suffered extremes in fortune and dispair. The area suffered floods, droughts, rabbit plagues and overstocking which in turn caused erosion and land degeneration. Nonetheless, the settlements continued to thrive and grow at a reasonably rapid pace and by 1929 a series of locks and weirs, to assist navigation and pumping, had been completed on the Murray River.
8. An improved system of road networks, state¬wide rail links and motorised transport reduced the need for riverboats as a source of transportation, communication and trade, thus forcing an end to the riverboat era.
9. Wentworth continues to be an important centre for the surrounding landholders. It is a town steeped in history and as a tourist area of great diversity
10. Start Co-ordinates:
a. 34°06.685 S
b. 141°54.592 E
11. Start location will introduce you to PS Lady Augusta mooring, the two years will provide numerals for completing the actual cache site co-ord.
a. A= third number of the first year.
b. B= last number of the second year.
c. C= turn around and look across the Darling River for the number on a sign (NOTE::SIGN DESTROYED BY TREE WASHED OVER IN FLOODING C=4).
12. Move to Rotunda (34°06.679E, 141°54.621E).
a. D=third number in the Length of the Darling.
13. Cache location:
a. E 34°06.DAB
b. S 141°AC.A(A+C)D
14. Once you have deciphered the clues, you’ll discover that you are very close. However you cannot walk the direct path. Travel is required to get yourself to a place to park your vehicle and enjoy an easy walk through natural riverine vegetation with a scattering of bird life.
15. For those without local knowledge hints include Hospital and boat-ramp.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vs fgnaqvat ng gur cynpr jurer gur jnlcbvag jnf gnxra, lbh ner ba gbc bss guvatf.