Totally Findable Tourist Caches
Welcome to Sydney
This series of geocaches is designed primarily with visitors to Sydney in mind who may have limited time and transport options and want a quick and easy find while out enjoying some sightseeing around this beautiful city.
All cache containers will be one of three types; a flat magnetic key case (MKC), a round film canister (FC or MFC for magnetic) or a fake rock (FR).
The hint will indicate the type of container used and will be very specific to help you find the cache easily. If you want a challenge to find this cache and don't wish to know exactly where it's hidden, do not look at the hint.
At each location you’ll be given some information about the site you are visiting.
Enjoy!
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Getting to the Published Coordinates:
Walking - From Manly Wharf, it's approximately a 3.6km (2.3mi) walk with a steep hill to negotiate. It will take around an hour.
Bus - The 161 bus from Stand C at Manly Wharf will take you to the start of the Fairfax Walk. The service runs every half hour with approximate travel time of 15min. You will need an Opal Card, debit/credit card or travel card to tap on when you enter the bus and tap off when you exit.
Car - Drive up Darley Rd out of the centre of Manly. Continue past the Q Station onto Scenic Dr. Travel until you reach the carpark at the end of the loop road. As this is a national park, there is a vehicle park entry fee, payable at machines in the carpark.
Please Note - The gates to North Head are open from 6am to 8.30pm during summer daylight saving time, and 6am to 6pm the rest of the year.
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This is a three stage multicache that will take you on a walk around this beautiful area. I estimate you will spend between 30min and an hour here, depending on how long you wish to enjoy the wonderful views.
To Find This Cache:
1. Go to the published coordinates and locate the bronze plaque embedded in a rock.
2. Note the surname of the person who unveiled the plaque.
3. Make sure you visit the Burragula Lookout for spectacular views.
4. Take a walk to the second stage of this multi at the Yiningma Lookout and locate the circular sandstone block area.
5. Find the only Aboriginal word carved into the sandstone beginning with a "b". Note this word.
6. Join these two words together, as found, into one long string of characters and enter them in the Certitude Checker below to receive the GZ coordinates and hint.
You can validate your puzzle solution with
certitude.
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Heads Up
Image: Dictionary of Sydney
Welcome to North Head
The magnificent Sydney Heads are the gateway to the jewel in Sydney's crown, Port Jackson or its more common name, Sydney Harbour.
Before Europeans arrived, North Head was a sacred place for the local Aboriginal people. It was a place for special gatherings of the Guringai peoples, and also was an important place to their koradgee men (medicine men and healers) responsible for both burials and healings. North Head has great spirituality and significance to Aboriginal people.
The first recorded European discovery of Sydney Harbour was by Lieutenant James Cook in 1770. Cook named the inlet after Sir George Jackson, one of the Lords Commissioners of the British Admiralty, and Judge Advocate of the Fleet. Cook never entered the harbour. As the Endeavour sailed past the entrance at Sydney Heads, Cook wrote in his journal "at noon we were...about 2 or 3 miles from the land and abreast of a bay or harbour within there appeared to be a safe anchorage which I called Port Jackson." Little did he know what a magnificent harbour it was.
Captain Arthur Phillip, the commander of the First Fleet of 11 ships transporting convicts, soldiers and sailors that sailed through The Heads and into Port Jackson in 1788, described it as, "The finest harbour in the world, in which a thousand sail of the line may ride in the most perfect security."
The Start of a Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Boxing Day
Image: Newcastle Herald
The views from here are quite spectacular. Across the wide opening lies South Head where you can see the red and white striped Hornby Lighthouse. In the distance is the skyline of the Sydney CBD with the tall building to the right being the Crown Casino. Above the horizon of trees, you can just make out the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Both North and South Head are great vantage points to watch the spectacular start of the gruelling Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race held each year, commencing on Boxing Day.
The North Head ferry leaving Manly
Image: Jack Dallinger
One of the early Manly Ferries to ply the route from Circular Quay to Manly was called North Head. It had a long and distiguished career transporting commuters and sightseers to and from Manly. After 72 years of service, the North Head was withdrawn on 12th December, 1985.
On 26 March 1987, North Head departed under its own steam for Hobart for use as a floating restaurant and convention centre. She underwent significant restoration, however, the venture failed. In 2000, it was sold and moved to Cairns to be used in the same manner. Unfortunately, this venture also failed. The North Head is currently languishing high and dry, awaiting restoration, at a marine facility in Cairns, Queensland. Unfortunately, the cost may be too prohibitive for this to ever eventuate.
Source: Wikipedia
Image: YouTube
This cache is placed with the permission of NPWS.
***Please note: There is a vehicle park entrance fee unless you are in possession of a NPWS Pass. Payment can be made at machines in the carpark.
Information about visiting NSW National Parks can be found at the following links:
Safety in NSW National Parks
Alerts for NSW National Parks
Information about NSW National Parks
