A flat, easy – but approximately 10 km –
walk to this old pipehead well offers a nice leg stretch,
some great scenery, and the opportunity to be squawked at by
black cockatoos (always held in high regard). No, I'm not
THAT full of my beautiful Schnauzerness (well, almost),
however the name itself provides you with a general hint for
where you are heading - and a bad pun to groan at along the
way.
WHAT TO BRING Although this cache can be
approached along a fairly flat track, you do actually start at and
maintain elevation. With this in mind, walking in this area is best
done with a bit of preparation – be prepared for changeable
weather: Snuva advises you bring water, sun hats, sunscreen, wear
layered clothing (with a water-proof outer layer) and snacks. The
approach most people will take means you will have to cross a
stream; if it has been raining you might want some extra socks with
you. The cache site offers a lovely area to have lunch, although no
cooking as the fireplace has been taking out because of bush fire
danger during dry spells.
DIRECTIONS These directions are pretty
specific, so if for you half the fun of finding a cache is figuring
out the route, don’t read any further; likewise, the hint will tell
you right where to go (especially as coverage isn't great at GZ),
so only decrypt if you really can’t find it and would be depressed
if you left with a DNF. Park at S42 56.540 E147 14.496 and follow
the Pipeline Track. The initial incline as you head toward the
track will level off into a very wide well maintained path. Not
long after you join the Pipeline Track, you will see signage which
also includes a map; if you think about the bad pun the cache’s
name is, it should be easy to see where you are aiming for.
Continue along the track, and you’ll be branching off on a side
track after you reach the corrugated iron hut (approximately 5km
along the track after you leave the trailhead). This track goes
uphill, however it’s not far up the track before you will reach
your destination.
11 January 2008: This area has had some major work done - a
really beautiful seat / observation spot has been added. And
unfortunately the old location across the creek should no longer be
visited. So that cache has been retrieved and a new one placed on
the 'legal' side of the stream. THERE IS NO NEED TO CROSS THE
STREAM. Cache is now a small container holding a log book and pen
but no swaps. Note: the hint is a spoiler.
I visited this location at 10 pm with rebulus, gspblu, and red tag.
If you visit after dark, please beware of trees leaning over the
track. Someone, and I'm much too polite to say who, in our
group walked into this and was knocked out. And then had to suffer
us constantly asking if he or she was OK - and then, when it seemed
no permanent damage was done, being laughed at until some of us
were red in the face. So please be careful out there!
When in Australia, do as the Australian's do!
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