The Real Life Moo Moo Farm Mystery Cache

Welcome to the 'Real Life Moo Moo Farm' geocache, where the spirit of Mario Kart comes roaring into reality! Buckle up and prepare for a heart-pumping adventure where a dirt track behind Greenwith bears an uncanny resemblance to the Moo Moo Farm circuit first appearing in Mario Kart 64 and later in Mario Kart DS. The 'virtual coordinates' are the centre of the dirt track which resembles the Moo Moo Farm circuit.

This geocache is split into two parts. Part 1 is to get the padlock code for the cache and part 2 is to identify the cache location. Both locations are within 150 metres of the marked 'virtual coordinates'.

Part 1 - Getting GPS Coordinates to Crack the Code

The cache is locked with a combination padlock. In order to unlock and access the cache, you must find the coordinates to a sign by answering the following questions. The code to the padlock is the last three numbers of the 'GRID' on the sign.

Question 1: What are the two missions in Mario Kart DS that Moo Moo Farm is featured? The mission numbers are formatted in 'number-number'. Remove the dash to form two, two digit numbers. Put these two numbers together from smallest to largest to form a four digit number. For example, 1-2 becomes 12 and 5-2 become 52. Combining these two numbers forms 1252.

Question 2: What was the release date of Mario Kart DS in Australia? The number should be eight digits long in the format YYYYMMDD. For example, the 1st of January 2000 becomes 20000101.

Now for some math...

1. Subtract the number from 'Question 1' from 'Question 2'.
2. Subtract 19,385,240.  You will now have a six digit number.
3. The first three digits are ABC. Plug these numbers into S 34° 45.ABC'.
4. The last last three digits are XYZ. Put these numbers in E 138° 43.XYZ'.
5. Use the checker to confirm your coordinates for the sign are correct. Visit these coordinates to read the sign (last three numbers of 'GRID') and get the code. You may choose to access the dirt track from this location.
6. Complete 'Part 2' below to find the location of the cache.

Part 2 - Playing Mario Kart to Find the Cache

Jump online and do either of the following:

1. Delve into Mario Kart DS and race along the track.
2. Zoom through gameplay footage to study every twist and turn of Moo Moo Farm.

Whilst you are avoiding the bananas and shells throughout the wheel-to-wheel action, keep an eye out for the arched bridge.

The cache in the real-world will be tucked away on the opposite side of the arched bridge to where the lone friendly grazing cow is in the virtual world. While the virtual bridge is sturdy stone, the real-life treasure is hidden near a more natural feature tucked between rocks. Overlay the Moo Moo Farm circuit map (which is available online) and a satellite map of the dirt track with some creative liberty to assist you.

Notes

• Once you have found the cache, please ensure that it is hidden well before you leave. There's a few 'muggles' around these parts.
• The cache is not at the marked 'virtual coordinates' or at the sign.
• You are looking for a black and white speckled container with a round lid.
• There is some rusted metal near the geocache. Exercise caution where you walk and ideally access the cache during the day. You do not need to move any metal and can walk around it in order to access the cache.
• Google Maps and Apple Maps do not accurately represent how steep sections of the dirt track are in person.