Nicolas Baudin was born in 1854 and joined the French Navy at age 22. Commanding his third expedition of scientific enquiry, he sailed a 40 m 200 ton frigate "Le Geographe". Accompanied by a second frigate "Le Naturaliste", they left France in 1800.
After stopping in Mauritius where a significant number of scientists and crew left the expedition, they sailed up the West coast of Australia, then back to Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) before meeting Capt Matthew Flinders at Encounter Bay in April 1802. The French then sailed to Sydney where they purchased a smaller ship, sending "Le Naturaliste" back to France.
Baudin then returned to explore much of the SA coastline before heading west to WA and Mauritius, where he died, leaving the publication of his journal to his second in command Louis de Freycinet, who completed the work in 1814.
This cache commemorates the sighting of this stretch of beach by Baudin and his crew on 3rd Jan 1803, when they sailed along the S coast of Kangaroo Island. Baudin listed it specifically in his log, a copy of which I have pasted into the cache logbook, along with some maps by Baudin and Freycinet.
The cache itself is a wooden box (handmade by me), wrapped in oilskin. Generic pathtags for FTF. There are assorted French and nautical-themed items for swaps. I'm guessing it won't be visited often so TBs may not want to stay, only visit. Please rewrap it in the oilskins for waterproofing, and hide well afterwards. Please try not to leave too many footprints around GZ, as beach walking muggles may be tempted to follow.
A few points to note: DO NOT attempt to access the cache by the tracks visible on satellite images, they are on private property and are OFF-LIMITS to everybody. The cache is not on private property. DO NOT trample the dunes or the vegetation - it is very fragile and will blow away in the strong winds. You should only have to reach over from the narrow path up the headland to find the cache.
Watch for hooded plover nests in the sand. These little birds are threatened and should not be disturbed by trampling GPSreaders who should be looking at the great views. You might also see ospreys and maybe a sea-eagle.