Kaipupu - start (Marlborough) Multi-Cache

One of nine caches placed on Kaipupu Point Wildlife Sanctuary. The jetty that provides the entry to Kaipupu is here, at the start point of this cache.

Kaipupu Point Wildlife Sanctuary was first created in 2005 to protect and enhance our unique New Zealand wildlife. "Kaipupu" means shellfood - a reference to the abundance of shellfish and snails available in the sounds. As it is a 'mainland island sanctuary', the Sanctuary is separated from the mainland by a predator proof fence, so the only access for the public is via water. Take your own boat or catch a water taxi from the Picton foreshore to the Dolphin Bay jetty (where this cache's start point is). It feels million miles away from the town, yet it only takes 10 minutes to get here. You should be able to get a taxi for $40 per person (2021 prices) return at scheduled times, or about $80 for an ad hoc boat-load charter.

The track is 2.8km, which is an easy one and a half hour walk with stunning views out to the Sounds, back to Picton and, of course, of the regenerating forest. Allow for three to four hours for geocaching. You don't want to have to pay for another taxi to get the last few you missed! I would appreciate the the first few people noting in their logs how long the walk took. I recommend good walking shoes, and bring water and snacks. Dogs are not permitted. There are no rubbish bins on the Sanctuary, everything you bring in you must take out with you.

There are no rats, stoats or possums on the Sanctuary, and they are working very hard to keep it that way. You will see numerous traps and monitoring systems during your walk. As rats and stoats can swim across from Victoria Reserve or from the other side of Shakespeare Bay, there is active trapping in those areas to help protect the Sanctuary. All this work is performed on a volunteer and donation basis. There is no entrance fee to go into the Sanctuary, but please do look out for the donation box at the start of the track. Warning - many of the traps have vicious springs in them designed to kill an animal quickly - do not touch!

In March 2016 South Island robins were reintroduced to Kaipupu. And if the Sanctuary can maintain a pest free status for two years, we may see kiwi reintroduced here.

All the caches in this series are large - the smallest is 2.5L, most are 10L or more. Hints are almost pointless here (many would just be "tree"!) and the trees will make GPS coordinates inaccurate. Each cache location was averaged from over 500 readings. Don't be surprised if you have to hunt for a bit (that's why you need to allow heaps of time), but take care - there are growing plants are nearby. Please avoid stepping on them!

To find out more about the Kaipupu Point Wildlife Sanctuary, check out their web site: www.kaipupupoint.co.nz.

This cache starts in Dolphin Bay. A tourist operator, way back when this was farmland, used to catch dolphins and pen them here. It was a controversial operation - locals would often cut his net, allowing the dolphins to escape.

Toilets are available just a few metres up the track from the jetty.

Update May 2016: A number of New Zealand's rarest kiwi, the rowi (total population approx 500 birds) were released on Kaipupu. Good luck, guys!

Supporting the GeoKids program - my caches have treasure, makes them fun for kids to find!

None of the caches in this series are hidden in any of these containers. Don't touch them!