This cache is dedicated to the geocachers in Townsville that keep this game alive and that always enjoy a good challenge!
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This multi cache will test if you got what it takes to get to the final location while showing you some nice places along the Ross River. The outdoor part shouldn't take much longer than 2 hours.
You might spot some locals along the journey, as they do you will have to be smart like an owl and water-loving like a turtle. You will have to float like a crocodile, see like a butterfly, fly like an eagle and jump like a wallaby!
However, you should avoid encounters with Arripis georgianus.
So be prepared, check the entire listing before attempting and take note of the attributes!
Please note: When flying like an eagle, make sure to follow the guidlines of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. You as a user are responsible for your actions and no liability of any kind will be assumed.
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There is nothing to be found at the posted coordinates, but Stage 1 isn't far!
Stage 1
The Ross River represents the primary source of drinking water in the Townsville region and was named after William Alfred Ross, the first mayor of Townsville. It rises in the Hervey Range mountains and flows through Lake Ross, the Ross River Dam and several weirs into the Coral Sea. The important addition of Black Weir and Aplin's Weir changed the use and ecosystem of the river forever. While Black Weir was erected in the early 1930s as freshwater storage, Aplin's Weir was built to separate the river into a freshwater and brackish water ecosystem.
The Ross River Dam was opened in 1971 and has an active capacity of 233,187 megalitres and a total capacity of 803,565 megalitres. It has a catchment area of 750 sq kms and is enclosed by an 8.67 kilometre-long and 34.4 metres-high earth rock embankment. To meet today's drinking water needs, Lake Ross is not only fed by the upper Ross River, but also by surrounding areas such as the Burdekin Dam (catchment area: 114,220 sq kms) which releases water into the Burdekin and Haughton Rivers. Weirs, pump stations and pipelines control the volume of water ultimately entering Lake Ross.
The dam furthermore serves as protection against floods. During the greatest flood Townsville has faced until now, the dam reached 250% of its capacity in February 2019. To prevent a breach of the dam, the 3 gates that span the 40 metre wide spillway had to be fully opened, causing major flooding’s in suburbs adjacent to the Ross River, but preventing more severe loss in other areas.
Lake Ross and Ross River are home to over 250 different species of animals and many more plants. Apart from a multitude of bird species that can be observed, 3 different wallaby species can be encountered at the rocky walls. Along the river, 2 types of turtles and the endemic freshwater crocodiles can be seen resting in protected sunny areas.
With this knowledge, I hope you enjoy the journey and see some of the locals.
Check if you found the location of Stage 1 here:
A boat isn't required to get there.
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Stage 2
Now get in your boat and search for the butterfly. Taking your eagle with you isn't required.
I hope U'V something with you though to understand what the butterfly is saying to find Stage 3.
Here you will also find V. Make sure to write it down, you need it for the final!
Check here if you understood the butterfly where Stage 3 can be found:
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Stage 3
Take off like an eagle and search the area to the East of the waypoint with a bird's-eye view for multiple large white signs with black numbers.
Don't even attempt without a ‼drone‼ as they can only be seen from the air, yet not from directly above.
There is no need to fly higher than 10m from your take-off position, nor directly underneath any obstacles.
You might have to get close though depending on the eyesight of your eagle.
Use only the big bold digits to the right (Units digit)!
W = Lmkliwx ryqfiv sr lmkliwx wmkr
X = Girxvep ryqfiv sr lmkliwx wmkr
Y = Psaiwx ryqfiv sr lmkliwx wmkr
Z = Psaiwx ryqfiv sr wigsrh lmkliwx wmkr
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Stage 4
Complete following calculations and go to the coordinates below to find the cache.
A= Y + Z - X
B= W + Z - X
C= V + Y - Z
D= Z + V
E= X + Z
F= W - Z
G= Y - V - Z
H= X - Z
I= Z - V
s19° AB.CDE' e146° 4F.GHI'
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Achievement Badge
Once you have found the cache you may display this achievement badge on your profile using the following HTML code:
<a href="http://coord.info//GC8TTGY">< img alt="Ross River Challenge" src="https://img.geocaching.com:443/f3efafa9-a1e8-454e-a3e9-43bec1d22d1e.jpg" /></a>
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