Rotoma Refuge (Bay of Plenty) Lake Rotoma, North Island, New Zealand
By Popsit & Sweets on Tuesday 21 January 2003. Waypoint GCC80A

19th

Walked 700m from car to cache. Beautiful walk and easy find.
 

3rd

Just knew there had to be a cache here. Just a bit damp now, probably better now the log is protecting it.
 

29th

First find by myself as a new geocacher. Exciting !! Lake is so low at moment no worries about wet feet. Very easy to find didn't even need GPS directions so good. Unfortunetly cache was very damp and everything yucky , plastic container seems to be falling apart - perhaps needs a revamp. Also not covered by log as suggested in hint so placed log over it when put back.
 

24th

Great easy walk and easy find and so close to home.
Everything in container very wet.
Otautu.
 

30th

Nice place and in summer w3ith nice weather must be magical. Was raining. Did wet my feet through the last part of the shore line but water temperature very nice.
Easy find. Log book a little damp and lid doesn't close properly.
TNLN SL
TFTC
Cheers
nzkeko
 

10th

Gave up, was going to have to get wet to keep going and not in that weather.
 

8th

We were headed to this cache today. Parked 600 metres from cache, although we could possibly have driven further. Started to walk, but at 400 metres from the cache we had to stop, as we were going to get considerably more than just wet feet if we continued. We assume the lake had more water in it than usual following recent rain, worsened by the quite considerable waves rolling in.  

29th

Well a difficulty 1.5 and terrain 1 we thought we would do a quick drive by and record this lovely cache. Oh how wrong we can be some times!! Needless to say we don't have a 4 wheel drive!! We walked along the foreshore then scrambled along the rocky bits trying not to slip into the water or get poked by the branches. Three times we scrambled around the rocks until daughter finally removed her shoes and waded through the water to retrieve the final cache. Meanwhile a 4wd went past us heading back to the start of the beach. Anyway it is an interesting lake with no outlet and we will head off the to other lake that also has no outlet nearby. - bouncey ball + jandal TFTC

Note Geocaching description in the cache is damp and eaten and needs replacing. Contents were damp and could do with a dry out also.
 

2nd

Was confused briefly by the instructions, the cache is about 600m from the end of the road that runs around the waterfront. It was an easy enough find and there was no need to get wet feet.
 

26th

A nice wee cache while on a caching raid in Rotorua. many thanks . Cheers Bo
 

15th

Day 25 straight caching, 400th cache. Saved this for here. Great to find a cache signed by Budokan.

Found with wife, Dad and Sister so the find was enjoyed by all. Had to leave a coin and dip my own.

SL TFTC

Hanjac from Aussie.
 

7th

The lake was low and I could have driven to the cache without getting the tires wet. But a good short walk on a beautiful winter's day. In fact I walked right past the cache wondering how far one could go without getting feet wet. Logbook was a bit damp. TNLN. TFTC.
 

25th

Hubby was doing the R4 cylce race- Rotorua to Whakatane past the 4 lakes: Rotorua, Rotoiti, Rotoehu and Rotoma. I think it should be renamed the R5, for Rain!!!!
I thought I could manage to squeeze in a cache & still stay ahead of the pack for my support crew duties besides, the dog needed a walk!
I optimistically started the dash when the rain seemed to let up; but that didn't last long! haha, oh well.
The cache was easily found & I signed the log quickly under the shelter of my small brolly. I don't think it got any damper than it already was....
TFTC
Look forward to returning in the sunshine!

[This entry was edited by SaltyCacheNutZ on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 5:00:44 PM.]
 

12th

We've been planning to do this one for ages, two summers came and went, but today was the perfect day, it could wait no longer. Long white sandy shores made walking easy, dry feet all the way. We really enjoyed this one, a lovely beach walk with beautiful bush, lush punga trees and red rata flowers in bloom. Hot sunshine and calm clear waters.
A simply perfect day. Thanks for the cache. We loved it!
 

5th

Nice paddle around the lakefront today, nothing over ankle level and a quick find by us and a quick find of our legs by the sandflies.

TFTC
 

26th

Great find, on our family holiday.
The water wasn't too cold to walk in.
 

21st

After a hot slog up Mt Edgecumbe this afternoon, this was a refreshing find with OmaGosh. Water level just about up to the knees in places today, but watched a 4x4 which still managed to get around it!
Thoroughly enjoyed this one - many thanks!
 

21st

MY FAVOURITE LOGGED CACHE YET!!!
saw a couple making out though - YUK!!! [:o]
OmaGosh, over and out...
 

8th

The Freezer Mice strike again!!!
Wow, the lake must have been quite a bit lower than when this cache was placed, as you would have been hard pressed to get even a 4x4 around to the cache today.
We adopted the wading approach, and found easily.
TNLNSL, TFTC.
 

28th

A great cache. Had great fun wading and splashing around to it.
 

27th

Got our legs wet well and truely, but a great cache regardless. Thanks for getting us here. We watched some others wade in a little later. Will be keeping an eye on this side to see who it was. Thanks for the cache.
Out: sweets and TB
In: window crystal
 

11th

Got my feet wet, but a lovely walk around the edge of the lake. TFTC
 

27th

find it ok under log .the walk a bit cold on feet in cell phones wrist strap and out sweet they were nice then it started to rain as we got back to car
 

19th

Container is in serious need of replacing, the plastic is very thin and brittle, and has a crack up one side. Having read the previous blog's before heading to this one we came with Tape and have wrapped the entire container with black polythene tape but not sure how much longer it will last.  

19th

Find 2 of the day, find #21

Parked up, and the rain stopped, water level of lake was quite high so didnt risk driving the van around the lake, looked at our GPS and estimated the position from the distance shown, as lack of luck would have it there was a muggle fisherman right outside GZ!! we walked past him and carried on for a few metres, then noticed he was leaving!! Luck's on our side for this one!!
In - Black perspex Geckoh TB
Out - Brain teaser cube game.

There was also a bag of eclair lollies- unopened- but my wife would not let me take any!!! So Next in best dressed on those ones!! They expire in December 08....
 

27th

still drizzling easy walk with the lake low
In Jeep
Out dragon man
 

27th

Easy find when the lakes down low. In Croc
Out Nil

[This entry was edited by Cach Hunter1 on Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 7:03:03 PM.]
 

27th

Cache interior wet and contents damp  

19th

The actual container is broken at the bottom corner and when I picked it up quite a lot of water poured out (all over my shoe!). The logbook was okay in its plastic bag, but with winter coming on not sure how much longer it will survive  

16th

This would have been a very pleasant walk if it hadn't been raining! Looks like the lake level is low at the moment. Found the cache easily enough, must come back here on a fine day. TNLNSL, TFTC
 

29th

1200th cache I think.

Made the stroll down to gz, really enjoyable, thank you for your placement. Thanks.
 

21st

The second cache found by the family while in Rotorua at the Young Mariners Regatta. Really nice walk around the lake - left Knot Me TB and picked up the Travelling GeoCoin to bring it to Whangarei.
 

2nd

Nice spot, but a few sandflies were there to remind us that life has two sides (my son didn't like being bitten)
 

29th

The family has a small bach here so nice to find a cache. Its such a nice lake. Took the geocoin to find soem grass for it
 

26th

Found it - thanks. Came in by boat but with the lake so low it is possible to walk there.

My first cache!
 

18th

0paco0 and Red found it on their way home to Palmerston North after a week-long stay in Whakatane.

This is a magical place to stop!

OUT: squid
IN: sunnies
IN: Chunky NL Geocoin

TFTC

We'll be back to swim here (no togs, too many muggles)
 

2nd

Lovely little cache, and another one where we would never have visited were it not for the cache. Staying in Rotorua and we took the 30 minute drive out to Rotoma.

The lake level is fine, and we got our ankles wet. Also the barefoot walk across the pumice sand does wonders for the feet.
 

28th

(123) Well we got a bit more than our feet wet! Nice secluded spot and today there we no muggles this far around so it was easy to go searching all-out without fear of being spotted.

- uncle sam
- christmas cracker
+ squid
+ dino egg
+ disco stu cookie cutter

TFTC,

~ Chrispy Twitch and Boots
 

24th

#955
Quick find, after getting wet feet, we didn't mind the warm water. Managed to get a convenient parking spot ~400m away. Didn't attempt to drive any closer, although it's possible. Saw some tyre marks on a little beach ~50m from GZ. Another magnificent spot, thanks for bringing us here, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
TNLNSL, TFTC

 

8th

Been here several times, even canoed around past the spot. Today we walked and got a slightly wet feet but we were told the level of the lake is down at the moment. Think the walk is about double whats in the description but it was nice and easy as was the find.
Took nothing.
Left embroidered NZ badge and Zcoin travel geocoin.
TFTC
 

2nd

Have passed this lake many times and never stopped! will return, lovley spot...thanks for the wet feet! Grandson loved it! :)
 

2nd

Got pretty wet walking round to this one! 3yr old thought it was great fun splashing in the water. luckily it was quite warm. TFTC
 

21st

A nice fine day and the water was warm, an easy straightforward walk but think that might be a tad more than 200m. Very enjoyable.
TFTC
 

13th

Easy find after the pleasant but damp approach. good break from driving all day.
TNLN
 

23rd

kotare got VERY wet feet getting to this one, but fortunately it was a warm winters day! Cache was out in the open, so hid it where I think it should have been. Left Uncle Sam and a Squeaky frog. Took an old style 50c coin. Thanks!
 

28th

Good to see you are still around Morrie :) Yes the lake level varies ( no outflow so inflow makes a big difference to the level) and I hadn't considered that when I wrote the cache details..Still its a good excuse for a walk/swim in the summer .. Thanks for the visit..  

28th

Lake level must have been pretty low when this was placed.You'd need a good snorkel and maybe some floation to get a 4x4 round there now.Way more than 200m to get there but the water was nice and warm.Found it OK, TNLN, logged visit.This is my first cache for about a year so made the most of a nice summers day.
Thanks
 

7th

1st of holiday caches found Lake conditions not great westerly wind creating large chop. Both wet up to our chest but found it. Think you need to up grade your terrain rating.
PS. does your 4WD reasemble a submarine
 

24th

Not a good idea to take your vehicle into the lake as there have being a few slips come down into the lake. Very slippery walking in water waist high in parts. Young child swam most of the way as lake level is high. At cashe site a slip has come down and the lake water is washing over base of tree. Didn't find what we were looking for and uncertain if it is still there!
 

7th

We got here but didnt have the gear to go for a bit of a wade-the track in is quite rough and even with our 4 x4 wasnt game to enter the lake. next time will bring our togs etc

[This entry was edited by psychrn on Tuesday, February 07, 2006 at 2:27:21 AM.]  

4th

Bit of a wade, but the water was so warm! Its more than 200 m, and a fair bit of muggle dodging along the way.
 

20th

Had a nice walk. The water was warm. Found it no problem. We stopped on the way back and had a picnic and a swim. Did this together with caughthebug. TNLNSL
 

20th

Warm water walk with lots of sun easy find with family. Brought new cachers with us. TNLNSL cheers
 

13th

Neat day and yes, it was a good way to break a long trip. Had my two daughters with me with my eldest being a first timer. Perfectly still lake.
Hotel key ring in, Canadian key ring out.
 

7th

Great afternoon outing with my partner and son, water still a bit chilly but we had fun getting to the cache. Out TB.
Thanks
 

25th

Managed to easily drive within 400m, but when I got out on foot to carry on round to the cache I found that the lake level was a bit too high. Didn't have time to change to shorts so have left it for later. Cheers Gav
 

6th

Great Fun, water not all that warm. Managed the find in between showers so only the bottom half got wet. Thanks In TB (that looks like Jimminie Cricket) out Dolphin key ring.
 

17th

Lake suprisingly deserted for Sunday afternoon, but
was a little bit cold/windy. Water not too bad though,
and pleasant ankle/calf-deep walk around, which was a
new caching twist for us. According to recent logs cache
has been relocated 1m or so further inland due to slip,
but is still easy enough to find from same tree stump.
TNLN, cheers.
 

31st

Let us start by saying OUCH!!! Those darn volcanic stones along the shoreline of the lake sure are sharp!!
Man, you kiwi cachers sure have a different grading system to the ones we're used to in the Eastern US. Quarter of a mile in knee deep water over nice little sharp volcanic rocks would definitely rate more than 1 star for terrain back home.
Anyway, having reached the cache site and fought off the circling sharks that were attracted by our bleeding tootsies the cache was an easy find. Then all we had was the long, slow, painful walk back to the car. At least you had warmed the water for us - thanks.
Took: a Mario toy
Left: a beginner's juggling set (containing two balls).
SL Thanks.
 

7th

Very nice lake indeed. Not to crowded at the time I was there. I waded knee-deep. With my length thad is over 50cm. Would a general 4-wheel drives realy make it to the cache trough the water? Thanx for this cache.
 

28th

Neat little cache! Easily found just inland from the waterline. Couldn't believe this gorgeous lake was nearly deserted on a sunny Saturday morning. Took nil, left pencil, sharpener, Canadian keychain, calling card.
 

22nd

did this one on the right day, nice and sunny that is plenty of people about. Forgot to leave pen or sharpener.
+ bubble blower , glitter pen and coins
- ball & tape measure.
Myxmytosis
 

11th

1.30pm - Found rather easily but painfully (for the feet that is!). Definitely recommend OLD SHOES or WETSUIT SHOES for walking in water on rocks.
- drill bits
+ christmas cracker & pingpong ball.
Really nice lake, we stopped here for a picnic lunch after we found the cache, great place for safe family fun!

NEXT PERSON BRING A PENCIL SHARPENER or pen please.
Awesome, thanks!
 

4th

Not as easy find as it may have been in the past,as the lake level is up and slips continue to bury the site .... as the cache is now almost at water level, we re located it a couple of meters away to save it from a soggy death.

The water temperature is rising ....

revised clue [change under root to log]
 

16th

I should stop doing caches after a night shift!!...[|)]
First of all I forgot to print out the sheet, then I thought the coordinates were in the GPS... they weren't!
A quick phone call to my brother and got the lat/long.
By this time the weather was closing in.
I also recommend an old pair of shoes - I did this bare foot and the stones are quite uncomfortable, particularly when the cold (wrong time of year!) made my feet sting.
Never mind, I got to the area. However, without the sheet I was wandering around in circles... another phone call to my brother (I love cell phones!) and it was easy then.
Don't stand still too long, the sandflys are hungry.
I think things must have slumped a bit since the last visit - I had to literally dig the container out and it was partially squashed, but still ok.

TNLNSL
Cheers

 

31st

Will not be winning father of the year award after doing this one in mid winter if the kids have anything to do with it! We started out about half an hour before sunset and had to wade knee deep (close to waist deep for the kids) through the water around the headlands. The water was so cold that it wasn’t long before our feet had turned numb and pink. We were treated to a beautiful sunset on the way back which made it worth while and finally managed to get the kids smiling again after a soak in the Rotorua hot pools.
Took: $AUS (will be visting in 2 weeks)
Left: Screw driver set

 

14th

Found this one with a little side track on our way home from hawkes bay to tauranga. I ran the whole way to and from the cache as we were running late.
TNLN
 

19th

Took the little puzzle cube and left some Australian currency. Had some lunch here as part of our geocaching day out. And we didn't even get rained on..... .
 

31st

Put our boots on and walked "through" the waters. It was a lovely walk and the water was quite warm. It was a beutiful sunny day.
+ shark keyring & game chips - bike light
This was our 200th NZ find.
 

12th

Went for a wander to get this one, kept my feet wet too! Must be a dry winter. Took nothing left Small cube game. Thanks
 

22nd

 

25th

Another awesum spot in the Bop...and yes I can add that the water is certainly warm.

After a wee short bare footed walk, I headed bush and very easily located the cache from following the barks of DUFUS, he was sick of eating trout and wanted to come home with me for a good feed....

Took $10 and dufus, left deck of cards, 2m measuring tape and a earphone for the radio at Dopers Den.

p.s. also left a pen to do your log with.

p.s.s. YAHOO...A VIRGIN CACHE AND HAVE MANAGED TO BEAT SNOOPY AND KLAYMEN TO IT.