*** Do not go to the posted coordinates. There is no access to that location and there's nothing for you to find anyway!
Metro Mania
Are you a Metro Maniac???
After completing this multi geocache, you might just become one!!
This geocache will require you to spend a few hours discovering information at a number of stations along the Sydney Metro Line. You will need to enter the paid area of the stations so an Opal Card, credit card or contactless payment on your smart phone will be required. Obviously, the easiest way to complete this cache is by travelling the Sydney Metro system and alighting at each station required. Trains run approximately every 10min during non-peak time so you won't have to wait long for the next train to arrive. If you don't wish to incur the cost of the train trip, it is possible to tap on as you pass through a barrier to enter the station precinct, find what you are looking for, then tap off again as you leave the station. This will reverse the transaction and you will not be charged.
You can complete the cache by beginning your journey at either Tallawong or Chatswood, or anywhere else in between for that matter! You just need to collect all the information to help you work out the coordinates needed for the GeoChecker.
If you are looking for refreshment along the way, you can alight at Rouse Hill Metro Station for the Rouse Hill Town Centre, Castle Hill Metro Station for Castle Towers Shopping Centre or Macquarie University Metro Station for Macquarie Centre. All have food courts and cafes for you to enjoy. There's also plenty of food/coffee outlets around Chatswood.
I hope you enjoy your journey on this great train system.
All aboard......
Tallawong Metro Station:
A - Go to the lifts that takes passengers from the concourse to the platform and vice-versa. Inside either lift, find the postcode on the plaque on the wall.
Rouse Hill Metro Station:
B - Look for the bottom two digits, printed vertically on the yellow sticker attached to the overhead power staunchion located between the tracks approximately half way along the platform length. This can be viewed from either platform.
Bella Vista Metro Station:
C - At the Chatswood end of Platform 2, look for the large black louvre door with a 4-digit number on it. Multiply the 4 digits together. Eg. 4321=4x3x2x1=24
Castle Hill Metro Station:
D - In the platform area where the trains come in, there are overhead, angled video screens displaying the number of minutes until coming Metro Trains arrive. Count the number of screens on both platforms, working or not. Be very careful counting here as it could be easy to make a mistake.
Epping Metro Station:
E - Travel the long escalator from the Metro platforms to the next level. Look for the four white station boards, (not the video screens), located on the western side wall. Count the number of stations listed on the T9 board, second from the left.
Macquarie University Metro Station:
F - Above your head, on the curved white panelled ceiling, count the number of white downlights there are. Be careful to include any lights that may have blown.
North Ryde Metro Station:
G - When you get off the train, count the number of bench seats there are in the platform area. Now go upstairs and count the number of Opal Card readers there are at the entrance barriers, on the station side only. Be careful counting as one may look like a reader but it is not! Multiply these two numbers together.
Chatswood Metro Station:
Go to the downstairs concourse area and find a number of historic photos on the walls.
H - Discover the year on the football of the Chatswood Superior Public School (CSPS) Aussie Rules team photo.
J - How many school girls were in the Class of 1950 at Chatswood Public School?
----------<<<000>>>----------
To discover where the cache is located, you need to do the following:
Step1:
Mania = A + B + C + D + E + F + G + H + J
Step 2:
To work out the value for Metro, take all the digits of Mania and add them together. For example, if Mania = 6412, then Metro = 6+4+1+2=13.
Step 3:
Calculate the following and enter the coordinates into the GeoChecker. Don't forget to include the decimal point in the Mania part of the coordinates. No need for conversions, just plonk in the decimal point! If you are correct, you'll receive further instructions for the cache GZ. Please note, the coordinates are for the northern hemisphere!
North (Metro +14)° (Mania + 7676)
East (Metro + 104)° (Mania + 29069)
FTF Honours
Geotooter
A Meticulous Metro Maniac!!
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.