I first heard of The Barbed Wire Caves back in the early 1970's, while a student at the nearby Manly Vale Public School, and would come here after school to explore the many "caves" formed by the huge mounds of rusting barbed wire covering the cliff overhangs.
Most of the barbed wire has now rusted away, but there is still enough of it remaining to make a visit, and a cache placement, worthwhile. Beware of the dangerous cliffs and sharp rusty barbed wire near & around GZ. Close supervision of younger geokids is strongly recommended. PLEASE TAKE CARE !
Access: The cache is located just off a fire trail, which can be accessed from either Manly Vale, North Balgowlah, or Manly Dam (via a short access track). Street parking is available in both Sunshine Street and Gibbs Street (Manly Vale) or Water Reserve Road (North Balgowlah). Parking may also be available in the car park at the Manly Vale Trailhead, subject to the posted hours of use by the school (see school parking sign photo). Leave the fire trail at S 33° 47.071 E 151° 15.459 and head across the rock platform to GZ.
There are remnants of the old rusty barbed wire & metal support posts scattered all along the top & bottom of the cliffs, but some of the better examples can be seen about 12 metres east of GZ, at S 33° 47.089 E 151° 15.470, and also about 40 metres west of GZ, at S 33° 47.074 E 151° 15.448. If you wish to explore the area below the cliffs there is an access route about 70 metres to the east of GZ, at S 33° 47.088 E 151° 15.508. There is a track leading directly off the main fire trail, so there's no need to bush bash along the cliff top to get there.
The Cache is a camouflaged 200 ml Sistema container, containing a log book, pencil, and geocaching information sheet (stash note). Beware of any barbed wire that may be located VERY close to the cache container. *** Take care when retrieving & replacing the container, or it may attempt to "bite" you !!! Please replace exactly as found, with the cache container fully inserted into it's hidey hole and the natural camo in place.
We hope you enjoy our eighth geocache placement.
***** $3 for the FTF *****
*** Congratulations to JordsAU & pk1965 for joint FTF ***
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Did you know that NSW has a geocaching association? Geocaching NSW aims to enhance and improve the activity of geocaching and holds regular events where geocachers meet to enjoy their common interests. Visit the association website here. |