About SideTracked Caches
This cache belongs to the SideTracked series. It is not designed to take you to a magical place with a breath taking view. It's a distraction for the weary traveller, but anyone else can go and find it too. More Information can be found at the SideTracked Website
About Ida Bay Station
Ida Bay Railway
Ida Bay Railway Around 1919 an abandoned timber tramway built to serve the Huon Timber Co's Lune River mill was upgraded and extended by the Hydro Electric Power and Metallurgic Company.
The purpose was to transport limestone from a quarry at Marble Hill just south of Hastings Cave to a jetty at Brick Point, Ida Bay. The limestone was then loaded onto river ships, taken to Electrona in North-West Bay south of Hobart and used in the preparation of calcium carbide. This was mainly used for the production of acetylene gas.
Heritage railway
In June 1975, freight operations ceased. Following strong community action in support of keeping the railway operating it was purchased by the Tasmanian Government in 1977 and leased to private operators as a tourist attraction. Various lease holders ran the railway for years struggling to make a profit. After a two-year closure, the line re-opened in December 2005.
In September 2018 a train derailment highlighted the poor state of repair of the track, and the Ida Bay train has not run since. The lease held by the operator was terminated with Tasmania Parks & Wildlife Service appointed caretaker owner.
Little has been done to prevent further deterioration of the line, rolling stock and buildings and urgent maintenance and restoration of this heritage listed railway is needed. The Ida Bay Railway Preservation Society Inc was formed and in December 2020 reached an agreement with the government to restore the line.
The Cache
The cache is hidden along the old Ida Bay Road which is now behind a locked gate within Ida Bay State Reserve, it is however a clear easy walk with GZ being just at the side of the track.
Please watch out for muggles and hide the cache well when you replace it.