Cache #26
Another attempt at a multi – this time using signs with numbers (rather than relying on my counting).
Waypoint 1 – International Year of the Family
There are two plaques here that share a common date AB/AA/ABBC
Waypoint 2 – Mungabreena Reserve
There is a stone at WP2 – Number of letters in 1st word on 3rd line D
Turn around and there are some signs:
Fine for Dogs off lead EEF
Speed Limit GF
Waypoint 3 – Boat Ramp
There is a large sign with many components – what is the RMS Number at the bottom AHAEHJ
Look across the river – there is a large number on a sign – this number multiplied by 2 = K
The camouflaged 200ml Sistema container is located at:
S HJ FG.BEJ
E ACJ GJ.BKE
The Murray River was the boundary of the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri People, which was the largest Aboriginal group in NSW. Their lands extended from the western Blue Mountains to the western plains and included the locations of the current towns of Mudgee, Tumut, Wagga Wagga, Cowra, Narrandera and Hay. Along the Murray, they extended west to around Howlong. At European settlement their population was estimated to be about 12000.
Mungabareena was important meeting place, where peoples of different nations would gather and gain approval to be on Wiradjuri country before heading to the high country to feed on Bogong Moths. The Council run reserve and the adjoining TSR have recently been recognised as an Aboriginal Place because of its significance to the local community (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5063515)
The Goanna is a totem for the Wiradjuri people, the story of Gugaa is the dreaming story of the creation of the Murrumbidgee River. The common goanna around Albury is the Lace Monitor (Varanus varius) which is the second largest of Australia’s monitor species (up to 2.1 metres). They are both terrestrial and arboreal and will often climb trees when threatened. They can become habituated around picnic areas and can be quite aggressive.
The Red Gum along the Murray River including Mungabareena form a very different vegetation community to the other areas around Albury. The reliable water source of the river means that the trees (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) can get much larger than trees in surrounding areas. Before European settlement it may have been a much more open woodland, but changes in to river regulation have had an impact on this community. The extra moisture also means that the areas can also be quite weedy, though significant efforts have been made in this area to manage some of the weeds.
Wildlife of Albury Series
Albury and Wodonga have a great range of reserves within the urban areas. This means that there is still a large diversity of native animals still present not far from houses. This series will hopefully take you to some nice patches of bush north of the Murray River, and give some background on some of the species that you might see.
Nailcan Hill is the focus of most of the caches, and in patches this can be steep. The other sites should be a bit easier to access but all have the potential for snakes (I have seen a few on Nailcan, but the most likely site is Wonga Wetlands where there are lots of frogs for the black snakes to feed on). However, if you walk with care you shouldn’t have any problems.
Each of the initial caches will have a clue for the final (which is the only one at Wonga Wetlands). There are other caches around each of the locations, so for new cachers enjoy, for those that have been around awhile, another excuse to get out and about in Albury.
Enjoy!
FTF - Congratulations the_stephenson5