This is a bonus cache for the "Ōtari-Wilton's Bush Part 2: Ōtari Botanic Garden" Adventure Lab. The cache is not at the given coordinates; instead, you must calculate the coordinates using information from the journal of each location in the Adventure Lab. You can use the link above or use this QR code to get you there:
Ōtari-Wilton's Bush
Ōtari-Wilton's Bush is an internationally significant native botanic garden and sanctuary. It is the ideal place to experience New Zealand's unique bush environment and native bird life.
Ōtari-Wilton's Bush consists of:
- Ōtari Botanic Garden: 5 Ha dedicated to the collection and preservation of New Zealand's native plants. Ōtari-Wilton's Bush adventure Lab Part 1 and its bonus cache explore the Ōtari Botanic Garden.
- Wilton's Bush Reserve: 100 Ha of ancient and regenerating native forest, including some of Wellington's oldest trees, picnic areas, several waterfalls and 11km of walking tracks.
The Part 2 Adventure Lab will take you on a tour of Wilton's Bush Reserve. The locations are all on trails; three have flat access and two require walking bush trails. It takes longer than Part 1, and covers more rugged terrain. The locations can be visited in any order.
This bonus cache is also harder than the part 1 bonus cache: it requires more work to get the coordinates and requires more walking.
The location of this cache is on a track passing through new regenerating forest which used to be farmland. You can still see remnants of fences and invasive weeds in places. The forest is young but has a huge variety ot tree species and plenty of birdlife.
What is an Adventure Lab?
An Adventure Lab is a new way to geocache; you must use the Adventure Lab app on your phone to complete it. There are no physical caches to find – all you have to do is navigate to each location and answer a question there to be credited with a find (one for each location).
Here is what you need:
- A mobile phone with the Adventure Lab app. (Links to download the app: Adventure Lab app in Google Play; Adventure Lab app in Apple Store.)
- You must have mobile data – each location needs an internet connection.
- Transport: You can get to Ōtari by car (there is parking available) or by public transport (route 14 goes past Ōtari). Of course you can also walk or bike.
How do you calculate the coordinates of this cache?
When you complete each location in the Adventure Lab, you will be given a number in that location's journal. Use these numbers to calculate the coordinates.
- The coordinates are S41° 16.xxx E174° 44.yyy
- xxx = picnic - trail + stream - conservation + forest
- yyy = stream - forest + picnic + trail + conservation
- If your number is >1000 then take the last three digits. If it is <100 then pad it out with zeroes on the left.
If you are doing this cache at the same time as the Adventure Lab it may help to know it is closest to "The Forest" location. Note that some maps (including the geocaching.com map and OSM) show trails that aren't maintained. These trails are steeper and rougher – and more slippery when it's wet. If that's not your thing then stick to the signposted trails!