While exploring this border section I found a bunch of unlisted tracks. I noticed mountain bike tyre-tracks during my walks out here but during my four visits I never saw a bike. I do however recommend caution and alertness if you venture along these paths. I found this a pleasant area to spend a couple of hours wandering around. The cache is placed just off one of the deeper tracks.
The Trailhead coordinates take you to an entrance of the Hidden Valley Reserve where you can start your wander. Nearby street parking is plentiful. The Junction waypoint may be helpful but there are multiple options to get to GZ. Most of the tracks in this area are not listed and have multiple connection points so be aware that there is a chance you could take a wrong turn to/from GZ which will add time.
To obtain the coordinates for this geocache you must first look at some Border History.
- On 6 June 1859, Queensland was proclaimed as a separate colony from New South Wales establishing the first borders of the state. Queen Victoria signed the Letters Patent that allowed for the formation of a new colony from New South Wales and this colony was to be called Queensland.
- The survey of the Queensland – New South Wales border was made up of 3 components: Point Danger to the Dumaresq River, Dumaresq to the Macintyre and Barwon rivers, 29th parallel of south latitude.
- The original intention for the location of the border was that it should ‘follow the range that divides the waters'. Surveyors Francis Edward Roberts and Isaiah Rowland were chosen to survey the boundary line starting at Point Danger. This first section is known as The Watershed.
- The QLD NSW border survey took many years. In October 1881 Surveyor John Cameron erected a 1 ton post on the west bank of the Barwon River to mark the end of the survey. This original survey peg is still standing and can be visited near the town of Mungindi. It is said to be the largest wooden survey peg in Australia.
And now for the numbers..
In what year was Queensland proclaimed as a separate colony from New South Wales?
Answer: DF59
How many components made up the original QLD-NSW border survey?
Answer: B
How many surveyors were chosen to survey the boundary line starting at Point Danger?
Answer: C
In what year did surveyor John Cameron erect the 1 ton post near Mungindi signifying the completion of the QLD-NSW border survey?
Answer: 18XY, A=X/2 and E=X-Y
S 28° 09.ABC′ E 153° 29.DEF′