B&W (V) The monument Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
By Geocaching Australia on 20-Aug-10. Waypoint GA2423

Cache Details

Difficulty:
Terrain:
Type: Burke and Wills
Container: Virtual
Coordinates: S37° 48.939' E144° 58.004' (WGS 84)
  55H 321029E 5812691N (UTM)
Elevation: 11 m
Local Government Area: Melbourne

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Description

This is a special Burke & Wills cache listed on Geocaching Australia.

This cache requires you to visit a Burke & Wills historical location and take a photo as described along with your GPS receiver and if possible yourself in the picture. Once you have logged this cache as a find, you are required to load your picture to your log to validate your find.


Validating Your Log
Take a picture of your GPS receiver and if possible yourself in front of the monument and attach it to your online log.

Important Information
The Burke Wills Historical Society notes: "The actual route Burke and Wills followed once they left Camp 78 is unknown and one of the most intensely debated issues. Wills' map and some of his journals containing astronomical observations have been lost. Because the journals have never been transcribed, it means the expedition's track north of the Diamantina, through the gibber rises, confused sand dunes and extensive claypans, is a matter for conjecture."
Travel in Outback Australia can be extremely hazardous. Plan your trip with care and seek and follow local advice on what precautions to take. Be aware of private property restrictions. Do not risk your life to log this geocache.

About This Location
News of the expedition's tragic end was only days old in Melbourne when talk began of the need to erect a monument. The state government made its £4,000 grant conditional on public contributions of £2,000, but the absence of King and Gray from several proposed designs sparked arguments, and the German community threatened to boycott the fund-raising because of the poor treatment of Becker, Beckler and Brahe. The government finally funded the entire cost.
The design competition was won by ex-Londoner Charles Summers, who seated his bronze Wills poised over an open notebook behind a Burke gazing to the horizon.

The monument was originally installed at the intersection of Collins and Russell Streets, but by 1886 traffic was so busy there that it was moved to Spring Street opposite Parliament House, then again at least twice more before finding its present location at the corner of Swanston and Collins Streets.

B&W Logo

 


Additonal Information
Source: Paul Dorsey Used with Permission

 

Logs

14-Apr-23
Such a pity the monument is still absent....
 
16-Sep-22
No statue at the moment here as renovations continue.
However the placard remains.
Cheers
 
19-Apr-22
The monument has been removed for restoration whilst a new underground station is being built. Plans are to return it to its original location after the building works are completed. Very Happy
 
20-Jan-20
out and about with 1 Rafa caching in Melbourne, watching the tennis, Thanks for the GCA cache GA.
 
17-Feb-19
I traveled back home to SA from Perth for family reasons and decided that Melbourne is only a short hop from Adelaide, so I logged an attendance at the Parkville Mega event and headed over for 5 days in Melbourne. I hired an E bike and had it for 4 days so was able to get around to many places and grab lots of caches as well as biking from the Youth Hostel in North Melbourne to Parkeville which was only a short ride. I arrived Thursday arvo and headed into the cbd from North Melbourne for a quick look around and then back to the Hostel I was too early to pick up the bike so jumped on a tram and headed to the docklands and grabbed some caches in the area. I can not believe how much the CBD and docklands has changed since we were here about 5 years ago. Then back into the cbd to grab a few in the area. It was a shame to only find a sign here but i found lots of other treasures of Burke and Wills. Thanks for the cache Geocaching Austrlia. Dancing
 
15-Nov-18
After going to the event nearby this afternoon and then doing the two nearby GC virtual caches I was heading back to the motel via some of these Burke and Wills caches.

Pity that the actual monument is not in place. Have taken an image of the image instead.

Thanks Geocaching Australia for the cache.
 
18-Aug-18
Grabbed a selfie of the image while scouting around in the area. TFTC and the history lesson
 
03-Jan-18
I do remember the statue but there is a nice picture there now to remember it by. perhaps the city will finally do something usefule with this site and we hope the statue will return
 
26-Dec-17
Well I didn't find it but I found where it had been, and that was the best I could do.
All that is there now is fencing and just sign showing where the statue used to be.
I'm disappointed. This was my third Burke and Wills virtual and I was looking forward to seeing the actual statue. I'll just have to visit it when it is repositioned.
That's all of these I can do today, as I'm travelling on foot, and it's getting awfully hot. I guess where they went though it got a lot hotter than this as they crossed the country, but they were only half my age
 
10-Nov-17
Unfortunately access is blocked due to construction so I took a photo of the sign saying no pedestrian access. Looks like it might be awhile before it is open again to public access but it does amaze you sometimes how quickly they transform an area. TFTC- I am enjoying the series
 
14-Oct-17
So, access to the monument is currently blocked by tunnel construction, but the wall around the site has a photo and some info about it. So I took a pic with that, hope that counts Laughing
 
05-Oct-17
Hi Geocaching Australia
Was looking through some old photographs of past trips to Melbourne this morning and came across a picture of the monument of Bourke and Wills taken some time ago. Part of the team at the time is in the photograph. We were actually staying in the City Square Motel across the road as it happened.
Our trip included tours of the city and a trip to Sovereign Hill in Ballarat
The city lights were great of a night time and were photographed immensely on this trip
Bourke and Wills caches are as scarce as hens' teeth here in Tasmania
Only one exists and that is located on the Eastern Shore just outside Hobart and was placed by SG-3; as you can imagine, it gets quite a few finds as people try to capture as many of this series caches as is possible.
The only other memorial to Bourke and Wills I've seen in Hobart was a painting at Mona, The Museum of Old and New Art, but I can't describe here the theme of that painting as it was in the form of some rough language and their state of play just before they died.
Sainted this cache at 0945 hours
TFTC and cheers
OldSaint
 
04-Oct-17
Found this location however due to construction works the actual monument is away until project is complete.
 
20-Aug-17
Today we decided to tick off some B&W virtuals and bag ourselves a Dragon Zone trophy. This was one we snapped and we enjoyed our visit to the various locations. No monument as works going on - so just a pic of GZ

Thanks Geocaching Australia.
 
18-Jul-17
Have a photo of the monument from a previous visit to Melbourne but that is on a camera that we no longer have a way of transferring to the computer. Went to GZ and there is no statue here anymore, just a construction site for the new railway station. But to prove we were at GZ we still took some photos and hopefully will work out a way to add the old photo of the monument to our log soon.
Guess the monument will pop up somewhere else in the city soon.
Thanks.
 
27-Apr-17
Monument is undergoing restoration?
Enjoying the history tour around Melbourne.
 
13-Apr-17
After planning to pick up a few caches in the cbd that I thought hey I should pick up a handful of B&W caches whilst I was there. This was one of the 3 that I did today. anyways thanks for the cache and the adventure. The statue had been taken down for some nearby construction but should be fixed shortly I hope.
 
24-Aug-16
I had a few hours to spare this afternoon so I set about visiting some of the B&W series. This was my first stop, at a monument that I have admired on previous city visits.
My photo taking skills are not the best but I did get one view.
 
A fitting monument for the expedition.
 
15-Jul-16
Doing some sightseeing in Melbourne and we stopped to grab a picture here
 
26-Jun-16
19:06
Two solid weeks of Pre-poll down, and one more to endure before the main event... with a six-day week behind me, I was desperate for a play outdoors!
I'd promised to check on the condition of a couple of caches for a nun, so it was only natural that I park on the northern fringe of the city and cache around the CBD and the river.
Second of three B&W virtuals added to the collection today.
GCA#122
 
28-May-16
Another monument to Burke and Wills.
 
26-Apr-16
Back home in Tasmania we only have one B & W cache. It was nice to add a couple more today (despite the horrible selfies) while I had a couple of hours spare on this balmy afternoon. It was hard to get a good shot of the momument due to the trams and garbage truck. TFTC
 
13-Feb-16
Another quick cache whilst enjoying walking around Melbourne today! TFTC!
Cheers,
The Hancock Clan
 
02-Oct-15
yeah we're finders
with the help of some Campari at the Campari bar at city sq.

 
27-Aug-15
It was cold, it was wet. But nothing would stop me to make a picture of me with it!
 
16-Jan-15
#GA325 - 12:00; I was in Melbourne for a few days on the way home after a trip to Tassie. I had picked up my first B&W cache last month while in Melbourne on a Great Aussie Icon Hunt and the opportunity arose to continue with the series. This is the second of 18 successful finds over a couple of days and a place I pass regularly when I'm in Melbourne! TFTC Geocaching Australia
 
02-Aug-14
In Melbourne for the day doing some shopping and caching and took the opportunity to grab this one as I was going past.

It is amazing how many time we walk past things like this and never take the time to stop and look at it.

I am enjoying this series of B&W caches, as it is making me stop and see parts of Melbourne I would normally walk past.
Clan Griffin
 
22-May-14
I was having my own expedition challenges trying to get close enough for an image. Manoeuvring my trusty blue bike through the muggle pedestrians was a challenge. I think the other side of the road would have been easier! Very HappyClan Phoenix
 
20-May-14
A quick stop while driving through the city. This is a nice tribute.
 
23-Apr-14
I was in Melbourne catching a Frank Woodly show at the Melbourne Town Hall, as this was close by I decided to knock it over.

The pics I took didn't turn out so well due to it being to dark and no flash.

TFTV
 
13-Feb-14
Walking past I knew this would have to be a Burke and Wills GCA Very Happy
A magnificent statue and the bronze plates around the bottom depicting scenes are stunning too.
Took a photo, but it was evening and I was using my phone so it is not the best, but I was here and enjoyed it. Smile
 
28-Oct-13
Out for a Burke & Wills walking tour of Melbourne. Despite the rain, enjoyed the walk and the information along the way.
Thanks for the B&W series.
 
10-Oct-13
While I was trying to take a selfie a man offered to take the pic for me. Another great B&W - thanks!
 
04-Aug-13
Found on a fantastic AFL footy trip with Sol de Lune. Before the Bulldogs vs Sydney match at Etihad Stadium, we decided to go through the city to get a few B&W virtual caches for my statistics. Another quick easy snap at the GZ. A very cool statue of the two. TFTC!
 
11-May-13
Out wandering the city looking for an icecream shop and stumbled across this B&W location.
 
03-Dec-12
FlyingPigSquadron has landed! well Piggles has - Ginger is at a Conference so Piggles filling in time between appointments! Great monument with the 'Christmas Square' in the background. TFTC&H will log photo when we get home
 
18-Nov-12
A short walk from the theatre and another photo stop. The monument's history is fascinating as is the whole adventure/journey.

tftc GCA
 
15-Nov-12
I planned on doing a few of these while in Melbourne before seeing Mondo Cane at the Regent Theatre, we ran a bit late and only managed two. TFTC.
 
09-Oct-12
091911KOCT12 (Google DTG for details)
1,319km from home.
Down this way on business, the plan for this hunt was to get off the train at Flinders St and work my way through a few caches, somehow I got to the motel before I remembered the plan.
So hoofing along Collins St I set off. May as well left the phone turned off, ages to acquire satellites and I don’t think I found a cache all night that had the co-ords less than 50m out.
This was one of the easy ones, once I worked out how to hold the phone in one hand with the tablet in the other, get my face, phone and B&W in the frame and then press the button with my spare hand…
Didn’t leave our tag, took nothing but memories and left nothing but footprints (not that anyone will see them on the footpath).

Hide, log and container are all in good nick.
Thanks for the cache Geocaching Australia.
Roaring Ford
Discovering Australia and the World, one hidden treasure at a time.
 
31-Aug-12
A quick find while in the CBD
 
25-Jul-12
Today I was back in the city after visiting East Brunswick for school. After picking up a multi nearby, my friend and I wandered down Collins St to find two B&W virtuals. As works were still going on, we took the photo from across the road. Thanks again for another quick one Very Happy
 
19-Mar-12
We were in Melbourne to see the Formula one race and had a day to spares, so I spent 3 hours caching around the Yarra finding approximately 17 caches including a few of the Burke and Wills series from GCA.

Located the correct structure, photograph attached.

Construction work underway around statue has made this a little bit more difficult!
 
13-Feb-12
Construction guys still working on this block of Swanston Street, so monument is still fenced off
 
21-Jan-12
GCA 332 - 4659. Flew down to Melbourne for a friends party and a long weekend. Today was a good day to walk around the Burke & Wills Trail in the CBD.

Third 'find' today in this interesting series - some construction work has the statue surrounded by fences at the moment.!!

TFTC !!
 
03-Dec-11
Last cache for the day after a big day of walking around Melbourne. Photo is from across the road and the GPS is in my hand.
Will log as found when I get the photo
 
14-Oct-11
Now this location I really can directly relate to the B&W expedition!
 
05-Sep-11
Out on a legendary cache run with caching buddy Trailrunning. For the first time, we actually completed the whole list and added a few more on the way home to meet the 50-find cache mark. Started early at 5.45pm all the way till 2am before we went home tired, but happy. 2 DNF's along the way but an awesome run all the same.

Grabbed this one on the way to the other nearby caches. It was dark and with poor lighting conditions, the photo isn't very clear. Hopefully its good and clear enough. TFTC Smile
 
03-Sep-11
A very well known landmark in Melbourne. Another photo opp in my walk around town.
 
18-Jul-11
I haven’t had a Monday night cache run for a couple of weeks so I was pretty eager at work to get going after knock off time. I initially headed west to the coast but after an early and unsuccessful start I moved into the city precinct where I knew I could bag a few finds to push me towards the 800 finds mark. I spent most of the night running between caches so I’m pretty tired, but I’m sure I have over the 800 now. This was one of the caches grabbed tonight, and although it was raining I’m sure I got about a strike rate of 90%. Thanks for the cache.
 
07-Jul-11
My first B&W cache, more like a waymark.
Stopped of for a quick photo, while Mrs bucketeer was busy shopping across the road.
 
08-Jun-11
A nice big monument, and easy to find, though easier to take the photo from the other side of the street in order to get more of the statues in.
Thanks for the reason to notice it all.
 
05-Jun-11
9.12am

I was in the city today to do a basic photographers course, so I took the opportunity while I was here to find a few caches. This is the second one I have done in this Burke and Wills series today. Too much Traffic down swanston Street to get the photo of myself.

I will do some more of these virtual caches next time I am in the city.

Thanks Geocaching Australia for putting this series together.
 
26-May-11
Whoops. I did two more before dinner. I walked straight past this and across the road because my GPS lost signal. Back I go. Very busy tonight around here.
 
10-May-11
Wandering around Melbourne on bicycle
nice quick find
love this monument
Dancing
 
07-May-11
On a day in Melbourne I was wandering around completing caches and waymarks. I was very happy to see that a Burke and Wills cache was one of the ones that came up as a next closest, so I made sure that I got it! Arriving at GZ, I could easily take a picture (although the forward facing camera on the iPhone leaves a bit to be desired regarding quality of picture)

Anway, you get the idea, it is me in the photo with my GPSr and a silly look on my face Brick Wall

Thanks for making this series of listings, I did enjoy the ones I hae completed today.

Cheers Cool
 
18-Apr-11
243. A short stroll over from the Mechanic's Institute and some more history uncovered. I've walked by this many years ago but never took any real notice of it. Thanks to this cache I now have.

TFTV and the story board.
 
02-Apr-11
Found on the walk home after my meeting.
 
Found by PR&F on 24/1/11 @ 1.05pm.
Great to cross this one off my list whilst in town today!
TFTV
 
29-Dec-10
I was wandering around Melbourne on a 10km IVV walk, snapping pics along the way for potential waymarks, when I spotted this monument... I then remembered there were a stack of B&W caches in the Melb metro area, but I had forgotten to load any GCA caches into my GPS - grrr! At least this was one I could find while in Melbourne - I'll make sure I make a better B&W effort next time I come to town!
 
27-Dec-10
Nice quick find while walking around the city.

Thanks.
 
16-Dec-10
Found this cache on my first day in melbourne.
 
14-Dec-10


Had to make the trip to Melb to see the dentist. An ideal opportunity to pick up a few caches. Does this indicate a degree of addiction? TFTC

Monument.jpg
From 2010-12-14
 
10-Dec-10
I was in the city for geodaughters speech night just across the road at the town hall.

Luckily the wife wanted a quick bite to eat so I made her cross the road past this great monument.

Much better they moved it here than where it was many years ago.

Very Happy
 
28-Nov-10
In Melbourne from Tas for a conference but the weather wasnt ideal for caching in. Sad
This monument was only a 100 or so metres from my hotel and luckily I had just bumped into someone I knew and they offered to skoot across the road and take the required pic of me, GPS and monument (and suitcase) Laughing
 
27-Oct-10
My second B&W cache in Melbourne and this place was very crowded today. Luckily all I needed was a photo! TFTC
 
23-Oct-10
My 4th B&W cache on a wet Saturday morning in town.
Tricky getting a decent photo with the mobile phone that seems to resist focusing in a lot of conditions.
I wonder if B&W would have got such a great monument if they had been more successful?
Thanks again to the B&W organisers - Great concept.
 
07-Oct-10
Found during a Wagga to Melbourne Caching run. Thanks for bringing us this way.
 
04-Oct-10
I dropped by here at 18:30 while on the way home from an afternoon in town. It took a while to get the pickie with all the homeward bound commuters around. (I guess I'm not used to peak hour in the City anymore (thankfully Wink).) Yet another informative instalment in this great series Very Happy.

T pickies, L. Thanks Geocaching Australia.
 
03-Oct-10
I was in Melbourne for a rare trip away with my partner and some friends. Caching was not on the "to do list" but I slipped some in early on Sunday morning.

Funny I had not noticed this very large statue before. Guess that is what caching is about! Great series and wish I could find them all.
TFTC
#247
 
03-Oct-10
I need a wider lens - wasn't game to leave the GPS unattended or attempt the shot from on the road... Razz
 
27-Sep-10
Went for a cycle around the CBD while in town for work. Thanks for the cache, photo to come when I get to some wifi or get home to my USB cable. I'd never noticed this monument before, and infact missed it completely while looking for it.
 
22-Sep-10
Visited this afternoon in my dad's lunch break
heaps of muggles as it was lunch time
ExclamationVery Happy
 
22-Sep-10
Found by The Empire
iPad caching in the city, very easy to check up on all of the information and no need to worry about the buildings throwing the GPS signal out.
- M
 
21-Sep-10
An imposing reminder of the dreams and courage of Burke and Wills in a very busy city.
 
17-Sep-10
3rd B&W for the morning. Quite a lot of trafic & people around
 
12-Sep-10
Very cool sculpture. Snapped from across the street on a busy Sunday afternoon caching in the CBD trying to grab all the B&W in striking distance. One of my favourites. Cheers from Sydney.
 
12-Sep-10
I found this cache with caughtatwork today while we were hunting down the B&W caches around the city.
 
12-Sep-10
Found by caughtatwork at 14:12 on 12/09/2010
After taking a happy snap at Princes Bridge, GabGab and I strolled on over to the monument to see what we could see.
There were lots of animals around at the exhibition for the Royal Melbourne Show, but alas, still no camels. A quick snapshot or two and we were on our way.
Took nothing, left nothing.
Thanks to everyone involved in the B&W Project.
*Overall Experience: 3*
GAFF 1
 
05-Sep-10
Last cache of a short morning's caching.
 
03-Sep-10
Riding along Swanston walk is darn dangerous. Horses, buses, trams, bogans, wobbly cyclists, but we made it to GZ and took the photo.
Thanks for a great series to all involved.
 
03-Sep-10
You have to wonder how mnay people take notice of the monument. Even an impressive like this one.

Photo of GPSr and hand, between trams.

Thanks for the cache. Very Happy
 
31-Aug-10
31/08/2010 12:54 Found: #8 A short walk down the hill during lunchtime and I was at GZ. Always feel a bit odd standing in the middle of a the city trying to take a picture in a casual manner. Especially as I am trying to produce a self portrait where I can't see myself as I click. I am a little ashamed to admit that I have never really taken any notice of this monument before now and I am a local! I honestly didn't know it was here and must have passed by it hundreds of times. TFTC
 
27-Aug-10
Stopped here for a photo today, thanks for the cache and the series.
 
23-Aug-10
Today was my "clean up the city of all remaining B&W caches" day. I decided that the back view of this one would be best - see attached photo. Not many more city ones to get now!
 
21-Aug-10
10:40
On the day of the Federal Election, along with Robyn of The Morris and Princess Diala, we voted to follow the B & W Party.
At the location of this virtual cache we were able to blend in with the regular tourists and capture a photo of Alice – The Ship of the Desert (SW0228) along with the GPS’r.
It was interesting to contemplate the contrast in scenery and activity 150 years on.

TNLN TFTH
 
21-Aug-10
Can't believe I have never noticed this huge statue before.
We had a great day wandering around the city completing the B&W caches, both traditional and virtual. Found in the company of Princess Diala, Phetlern and Alice.
 
21-Aug-10
I decided a long whilst ago that since I helped place this series, I would not be crazy and hunt for this series on the first day, instead work through the city caches during on the Saturday.

A location I've passed many times since living in Melbourne. Its really amazing the things some people will miss as they walk right past...

Many thanks for the Pheltern and The Morris for the company shared throughout the day.
 
20-Aug-10
Lunchtime stroll around city. Really enjoying doing these caches. Big thanks to everyone who set up this series.
 
20-Aug-10
Managed to get the morning off so we could do some of these B&W virtuals round the city. A very nice way to spend the morning even if it was quite cold.
 
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Melbourne (C) - dragonZone
142.50 52.00
29.00 107.00
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