Bend Of Isles II is placed in a relatively isolated loop in the Yarra river that doesn't get many visitors.
Some time back we were viewing interesting locations along the Yarra river with Google Earth, when we spotted several unusual patches of green which appeared devoid of trees. My curiosity was aroused, and I was inspired to take a look myself -- at ground level. Fortunately, a little time later Geoson was attending the Clifford Park Scout camp, and while he was engaged in some daredevil billycart racing I took off along a long and undulating path to find out if the location looked the same from the ground as it did from space. When I got there, I found that it did. I've tried to find the reason for the clearings, but have not been able to come up with a definitive answer. It probably has something to do with an old market garden, since that's the name of the track, but that's the best I've been able to come up with. If you figure it out, I'd love to know.
If you take the hike to the cache, you will find yourself in a picturesque but relatively remote location along the Yarra River. Be aware, however, that a considerable hike is involved, so that this cache is probably not everyone's cup of tea (or even coffee). While there is no part of the hike that is particularly difficult and the track is easy to follow, the journey is about 6 km return with quite a few steepish slopes. The GZ is about 90 metres lower than the start, but it goes up and down getting there. If you're a reasonably good walker, you'll probably make it to the cache in 40 minutes or so. If you're fit and have a mountain bike, then you'll make it much faster, but if you're like me, you'd probably have to walk it up most of the slopes. I'd suggest assuming it will take at least an hour and a half, possible quite a bit more.
The logical place to start is WP1, however, there is no parking there. The best place to park is near the gate to the Clifford Park Scout camp at P1. From there you can walk back down the road and up to the start point, although since walking is allowed in Clifford Park, you can just take a short-cut to the start, but you have to hop over a gate. From the starting point, it's just a matter of following the wide fire trail to within 100m or so of the cache. Don't try and park near the gate on the turn-off to the left a few hundred metres on the road before the scout camp - you might not get out again (speaking from experience!)
At WP2, you can take the high road or the low road. The low road is a bit easier, but the high road has some nice views. At WP3 you can deviate off the road and walk to the top of a small hill for a better view, before continuing on with the track.
I strongly suggest you let someone know where you are going, as I don't think this area is well traversed. Take plenty of water (at least 1L/person) unless you like drinking water from the Yarra. A mobile phone is a sensible precaution, although there there is no NextG at the GZ, and probably none with the other carriers either. If you think I've overrated the terrain or the warnings, then please let me know. Dogs are not allowed BTW, although if you have a horse, you can ride it here!
I would advise against attempting this cache on a very hot day or when there is a very high fire danger.
The cache is a 1L screw top container painted brown which should not have you stumped for long. Please close the lid tightly