History of
Eddington (You won’t even have to leave your car for this
one.) That is, until you have to get out to get the cache of
course…lol.
Eddington developed at the
natural crossing point on the Loddon River on the road between
Dunolly and Maldon. Originally a punt operated the crossing but in
1861 a bridge was built. In 1863 the township was sub-divided with
commercial buildings springing up along the road to this bridge.
Pubs opened on both sides of the river, stores, saleyards,
saddlery, bank, stock and station agent, chemist and a blacksmith
were also established. Business developed along the river to supply
the expanding population with the necessities of life - flour,
butter, cheese, beer and the bottle to put it in. When gold mining
in the vicinity dwindled and the new river crossing at its current
location went ahead in 1926, the township was bypassed and the
population declined. How lucky for us today to be able to enjoy its
tranquility and historic ambience.
To get to GZ you
will have to go through a gate. It is not private property, it is
just to keep the sheep in when they are in there. SO MAKE SURE YOU
CLOSE THE GATE PLEASE. If you go just past GZ you will come across
a very old bridge. You can also see pelicans, ducks and many other
types of birds. And I reckon the fishing would be awesome
here.
This was also the
site of the Butter & Cheese Factory, which was built in 1884
and operated until 1901.
To work out the
cords for GZ you will need to take a short tour of Eddington and
answer a few easy questions.
At
WP1
Casey's Shack is now a private residence
but was originally a construction worker's cottage moved from Cairn
Curran after the reservoir was completed in the 1950's. It may have
originally been used at Eildon during the early 1950's
re-development of that reservoir.
a = How many chimneys can you
see?
At
WP2
St
Paul's Anglican Church. The foundation stone was laid in 1865. Due
to declining membership. The church closed in the early 1970's. It
is now a private dwelling.AND across the road is a private
residence that was relocated from Bendigo in the
1970's.
b = What is the number of the
house?
c = How many arched windows on front of church?
At
WP3
Post Office and General Store was built in the mid 1850's. It has
had many lives, including producing malt for the local brewery. It
was also a telegraph station, becoming the telephone exchange and,
then a general store which closed in 1969 and is now a private
dwelling. AND next door Sheehan's Eddington Hotel was bought in
1863 by Timothy Ryan when the township was subdivided, although the
hotel may already have existed. It was at one time a change station
for the coaches running the Goldfields route. It is referred to in
a contemporary 19th century book as serving 'the worst beer on the
goldfields'. It ceased to operate as a hotel in the 1920's and is
now a private dwelling.
d = What is the number on the
building post of the Post Office?
At
WP4
From the cords you can see the Police Barracks (white building)
that were built in 1881/2 with it's lockups and paddocks for the
horses. It was de-commissioned in 1934 and is now a unique township
farm and private dwelling.
e = How many chimneys on the main
building?
At
WP5
Eddington Common School was operating in 1865, although the present
building dates from 1892, after fire destroyed the previous
building. It closed in 1993 and is now a private dwelling.
f = What number is the
school?
Now work out:
G = a
HIJ = f – 515
K = e – c – 1
LM = d + 41
N = Sum of the 2 numbers in b
The cache can be found at:
S36°5G.HIJ E143°5K.LMN
Coord Checker
G.HIJ - K.LMN = 1.331