*** A reminder, particularly to new geocachers, that in order to claim an online find, you must retrieve the physical cache container and sign the logbook within it. Please make sure you have a pen/pencil with you. This is a fundamental rule of geocaching.
Totally Findable Tourist Caches
Welcome to Sydney
This series of geocaches is designed primarily with visitors to Sydney in mind who may have limited time and transport options and want a quick and easy find while out enjoying some sightseeing around this beautiful city.
All cache containers will be one of three types; a flat magnetic key case (MKC), a round film canister (FC or MFC for magnetic) or a fake rock (FR).
The hint will indicate the type of container used and will be very specific to help you find the cache easily. If you want a challenge to find this cache and don't wish to know exactly where it's hidden, do not look at the hint.
At each location you’ll be given some information about the site you are visiting.
Enjoy!
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The Ugly Duckling
This structure in the vicinity of GZ was a station where passengers could get on and off the Sydney Monorail that once travelled through this area. Why was Sydney’s only monorail called “The Ugly Duckling”? Read on…….
The Sydney Monorail was a single-loop monorail that connected Darling Harbour, Chinatown and the Sydney central business and shopping districts. It opened in July 1988 and closed in June 2013.
There were eight stations on the 3.6 kilometre (2.2 mile) loop, with up to six trains operating simultaneously.
It served major attractions and facilities such as the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney Aquarium and Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre. The system was operated by Veolia Transport Sydney, a former subsidiary of Veolia Transport and a subsidiary of Veolia Transdev at the time of cessation.
The monorail hit peak popularity levels on 30th June 2013, with 1500 people vying to be a part of its last ride through the city before being torn down. Sadly for its small band of devotees, Sydney Monorail just never quite fit in with the hustle and bustle of big city living.
Known simply as the Monorail, this vision of modernist transport could be seen daily, snaking its way along a suspended steel track between the growing skyscrapers of downtown Pitt Street, brushing the fringes of Chinatown and rumbling over the elegant Pyrmont Bridge, its passengers gawking at the wonderful vistas over a resplendent Darling Harbour, the 'darling' in fact, of that magnificent bi-centennial period of Australia’s history.
Unveiled in 1988 to service the needs of commuters and tourists alike, its introduction coincided with the high-profile redevelopment of Darling Harbour, from gritty working-class port to entertainment, shopping and conference mecca, a lasting symbol of Australia's coming of age boom-time. The decision to build the monorail over other forms of rail (eg light rail) was in the eyes of many, a political decision that came under attack from day one. Light rail would have been cheaper to build, service more passengers per hour and cost 40% less for a ticket, but the monorail system prevailed.
As a people mover, it rated quite well, with around three million people using it per year, despite the high ticket prices, though it never reached its projected passenger numbers. It was never as effective as light rail, and though it was a hit with tourists who were delighted at the opportunity to view Sydney's central shopping district from above, free from noisy traffic and crowded footpaths, it didn't cut the bill for residents as a viable means of public transport. To most Sydneysiders, it was the "ugly duckling" of Sydney's transport network. It was at best a tourist attraction, a gimmick and a fad whose novelty dissipated over time, and at worst, an eyesore destroying the streetscape, a white elephant, and a liability rather than an asset..... but I really miss the Monorail!!
For a VERY light-hearted look at Sydney’s Monorail, check out the following YouTube video by Sharath. Please note: It was uploaded on the 1st APRIL!!!!
Sydney Monorail
Sources: Wikipedia; Pocket Oz – Pocket Guide to Sydney; YouTube Channel - Building Beautifully by Sharath; Sydney - City and Suburbs