The SideTracked series of geocaches
are fairly easy to find hides which can be found at or near train stations, ex-train stations or near miniature railways. The first SideTracked geocache was placed at Evesham, about 50km south of Birmingham in the UK, on the 10th August, 2007.
The Invitation is open to all to join me to celebrate the 18th Anniversary of that first placement on SideTracked day 2025.
We will be meeting at 10:30 am, near the food court on the wharf. Public transport will get you close to the wharf, or else you can drive - there is a car park on the wharf itself.
STOKES HILL WHARF RAIL - a Quick History
During 1885-86 the first wharf was built on this site. Called the Port Darwin, or Railway, Jetty it was made of timber. The railway connecting Pine Creek to Darwin continued past the original Palmerston station nearby, and onto the wharf. A small steam engine, known as the "Sandfly", was used to shunt rail stock the length of the jetty. The jetty was closed in 1897 shortly before it collapsed, due to being eaten by clams and a cyclone.
The Town Wharf was the second built on this site. Constructed in 1903, it was made of cast iron and concrete piers with wooden decking on top. Unfortunately, its 'L' shape required the use of a turntable in loading and unloading railway carts. In 1922, the rail track along the bridge section was removed to assist in the shipping of live exports. On 19 February 1942, the wharf was damaged during the WWII Japanese Bombing Raid and part of the wharf was destroyed. The section was soon rebuilt by Army engineers.
The current wharf, with no rail line, was built in 1956.