An Island Adventure awaits...
This cache will take you on a trip onto Fingal Island off the coast of Port Stephens. Access to the cache is via a sand spit connecting the island to Fingal Beach which can only be crossed at low tide. Another option is to boat or kayak to the island. Located on the island is the historic 1862 Point Stephens lighthouse and the ruins of the old lighthouse-keepers cottage. Fingal Spit was the location for Lara Bingle's "So where the bloody hell are you?" ad for Tourism Australia in 2006.
Parking is available at either Fingal Beach Surf Club or Box Beach carpark. It's best to start your walk a couple of hours before low tide to allow yourself plenty of time on the island to explore. Mostly the spit is a safe and easy walk and you will have enough time between the tides without getting wet feet.
Once on the island you can follow the well-kept trail through the bush to the lighthouse or take a side trail to the hidden lagoon for a swim in summer. Don't forget to stop and read the signs to learn a bit of the history of the island.
WARNING: The quality of the sand spit can vary month by month. It can become impassable even at low tide after severe storms or rough seas. Always use commonsense, check the tides and the weather conditions. Crossing the spit in deep water is extremely dangerous, lives have been lost here. The best advice is not to cross if there is any water at all covering the spit.
Logging Requirements
To log a find on this virtual you will need to gather some information provided on the two information boards on the way to the lighthouse.
1. Near the first signboard you will notice some old 'poles'. What were these used for?
2. What species of plant is not present on the island?
At the second signboard:
3. Over twenty vessels were lost before the lighthouse was built, name one of them.
4. In the early 1900s, how long would food staples need to last?
Once your at the lighthouse:
5. Go 'round the twist'. How many windows did you count as you circle the lighthouse?
6. Now climb the stairs up to the door. How many steps did you take?
7. (Optional): Please post a photo at the lighthouse (or anywhere on the island that you like).
Please send us your answers to the above questions. You can log your find any time, we will contact you if we feel there is a problem with the answers.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.