This geocache belongs to the SideTracked series that is popular in the UK and is now spreading around the world. SideTracked caches are designed to provide you with a relatively quick cache find around railway stations. More information about the series can be found at the SideTracked website.
Cowan
Cowan is a small suburb/village on the northern outskirts of Sydney. It is largely surrounded by national park and there has been little change in the village since it was first laid out in 1910. The population of Cowan has remained relatively static since at least 1966, and the village had little more than 600 residents at the 2021 census. It has a small primary school, and a single cafe/general store serves the Cowan community.
Cowan is a regular starting point for fishermen and bushwalkers. The Great North Walk between Sydney and Newcastle crosses the railway and the Old Pacific Highway at Cowan, and nearby Jerusalem Bay in Cowan Creek is a popular fishing spot.
Cowan Station
The train line between Hornsby and Hawkesbury River opened in April 1887, but it was not until 1889 that a station (then named Cowan Creek) was established at Cowan. It is not clear, however, whether there was actually a platform at that point ... it appears the station didn't actually open to the public until 1901 when Cowan (rather than Cowan Creek) first appeared in published train timetables. Since there was no real population base there, it may be that Cowan Creek "station" was initially established primarily as a railway workplace/camp, as it was the point where auxiliary steam engines, connected to trains at Hawkesbury River Station, were disconnected after they had helped trains make the steep haul to the top of the plateau.
A second platform was added to the station in 1908 when the track from Hornsby was duplicated.
Cowan was once the terminating point for CityRail suburban services on the northern line. Since 1992, however, all T1 suburban services now finish at Berowra, and only Central Coast inter-urban trains stop at Cowan.
Reflecting its relative isolation and small population base, Cowan is (and probably always has been) one of the least patronised stations in Sydney's greater metropolitan area. In 2023, the station averaged just 90 tap on/offs per day.
The Cache
The cache is not at the posted coordinates, but you need to go there and look around the platforms and the station entrances in order to be able to work out where the cache is hidden.
| A |
Final digit of Level Crossing ID |
| B |
What digit is repeated on the serial number of the "Cowan" sign on the main station building? |
| C |
How many 3-seater bench seats are on the station (exclude those in the waiting rooms)? |
| D |
Number of orange "Cowan" signs on the fence of Platform 1 |
| E |
At the front of the carpark is a 11kV feeder pole. What is the last digit of the number on the top yellow sign on the pole? |
| F |
Number of doorways on Platform 1 |
The cache is located at
S 33° 35.ABC E 151° 10.DEF
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PLEASE NOTE
According to the Regulations, anyone entering a railway platform must TAP ON with their Opal Card
(or a valid contactless debit/credit card) even if they don't intend to board a train.
To reverse the transaction, you have 30 minutes to gather the information for this cache and TAP OFF.
Apparently, inspectors can and occasionally do check the Opal Cards of people on railway platforms.
For your safety, you must remain behind the YELLOW LINE on the platform
while searching for the information you need.
|
Remember, you MUST sign the log to be able to claim the find. Please bring your own writing tool.
Enjoy!!