-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Related Web Page
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Stanwell Park beach is in exceptional natural
shape, set back in a valley of the Illawarra Escarpment, just south
adjacent to the Royal National Park. It has a total length of 900 m
between the cliff shores, where Bald Hill and Mt Mitchell fall into
the ocean, north and south, respectively.
The sands of the beach may shift considerably from Far North To Far
South, depending on the currents in the ocean. At times, the beach
stretches or retreats by 100 m at one end and adding to the other,
demonstrating the forces and power of the waters.
As you walk along the beach, you will see various landscapes,
biotopes, communities, sports, views and landscapes, which make up
the area such a jewel.
Starting Far North, you could venture further north hopping from
rock to rock until The Pinnacles (GC2J7JJ), such as some fishermen
do. However, let's stay on the sands today for our walk to the Far
South.
The northern most part of the beach is embraced by a 20-30 m high
wall of colorful sandstone, which is worth to admire. There is
valuable bouldering at some spots, If you like an abseil adventure,
seek Muggle More Than Welcome To Watch (GC2J5TB).
Surfers and board riders enjoy the waters here as the break on the
sand bars is opposite to the rip created by the northern
lagoon.
At this place, the sands retreat towards the park, along the
Lawrence Hargrave creek. This flat beach are is often used for
landing of the hanggliders coming down from Bald Hill.
Tourists and locals meet in the grassland of the park, where picnic
tables are located. Sometimes Indian communities gather here to
enjoy the day after celebrations at the Hindu temple in Helensburgh
nearby.
Dunes surround the beach heading further south, at which the
Helensburgh Stanwell Park Surf Life Saving Club is located and,
together with the Wollongong life savers assure a safe swim. Say
hello to the patrol members; a few of them are involved in
geocaching and other outdoor activities!
Another broad sand field separates the ocean from the southern
lagoon of Stanwell Creek - seek The Blue Hole (GC2HWNP) further
upstream.
At this place, Nippers meet for training and pointscore every
Sunday morning during the warm seasons. Kids compete in beach
events, such as sprint and flags, while they are approached to the
water by wading for the youngsters, swimming, board race for the
teens.
In the evening, fishermen occupy the shore line, while surfers are
in the water all day round.
The break is particularly powerful due to the steep slope of the
ground. A short swim out - or on a board or a boat opens splendid
views around the southern cliffs towards Coalcliff and the Seacliff
Bridge.
The multi cache has two stations. Fist you
need to seek to the Far North end of the usual sand area, where you
find five dates at the Way Point. At times, they are easy to see,
but it may happen occasionally, that they are covered by
sands.
Ground Zero Far South is obtained by considering the
coordinates
S 34° 14' 19.65"
E 150° 59' 33.59"
and subtracting the youngest and the oldest year numbers from the
arc seconds of the latitude and longitude, respectively. Use the 4
digit numbers while disregarding the decimal dot (i.e. divide the
year numbers by 100 when accounting for the decimal dot).
As a double check, Far South lies in a radius of approximately 900
m from Far North, with a bearing of roughly 225°.
You have a lovely walk.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
TM hc gur ebpx, nobhg jurer gur tenff fgnegf.