During the Apollo XIII mission, not everything that entered Earth’s atmosphere made it home. One piece of mission equipment — prepared before launch and thought lost during re-entry — is now believed to have landed far from its intended splashdown, in bushland near Davidson.
This geocache represents a recovered fragment of Apollo XIII mission hardware, complete with onboard documentation and crew activity materials. Visitors are invited to inspect the contents, take part in the activities, and record their visit in the mission log.
“Houston, we have a problem!”
This cache is inspired by the film Apollo 13 (1995) and the space craft’s real life journey, and is the third cache in a series created in tribute to actor Bill Paxton.
Inside the container you’ll find a mission log and some research materials from the Apollo XIII space craft. Visitors are encouraged to undertake the earth-moon scale experiment (watch your step in the bush) and observe the moon phase if visible. No prior knowledge of spaceflight or the film Apollo 13 is required — just curiosity.
Please do not remove the logbook or themed materials. Trade fairly if you take something, and return the container exactly as found, ensuring it is properly resealed.
This cache is located along the same bush track as Operation Bug Hunt and We’ve got Cows!, a little further along the trail again. Parking is available on Sir Thomas Mitchell Drive, with access via the Caroll Trig fire trail just west of “Sidewalk with a view”. You can also approach the trail from the end of Mathews Street.
Please be aware of local wildlife, take appropriate care, and respect the natural environment — take only photos, leave only footprints.
Thanks for visiting, and for contributing to the research.