Bill's Bong Bulleen, Victoria, Australia
By muzza on Friday 29 October 2004. Waypoint GCKYFC

3rd

Since the owner of the cache hasn't contacted me, I'm reluctantly archiving this cache. If the owner wants to reinstate this cache, they should contact the reviewer that first published the cache.  

19th

This cache is being disabled due to the inappropriate use of the area as a gay pickup spot. The cache is currently still there, but I will either relocate it or remove it in the future.

If you do want to find it, don't park at the end of the road, but park much earlier, and head East and approach from the North. Its easier and I've never had a problem that way.  

16th

Does Bill bat for the same team?
Lots of strange men (and only men) just sitting & wondering around at this place made me not complete this cache. I was very uncomfortable.
[My Politically Incorrect Radar was working overtime!]
When I got to GZ I had a quick look for the cache which seems to be gone if I read the hint note right?
Then a man wondered up & off into the bush and back again.
[That was my que to leave very fast!][xx(]
 

30th

Geoboy found this one at 11 am, easily as the Billabong is empty, it would have been a challenge with water in as we obviously approached from the wrong side. It would also seem that the lack of water has driven the mossies away as we all came home unbitten. T: two of the mondomen, L: a pokerchip key ring and a screwdriver.
 

22nd

Strange, creepy, odd!
We located cache, then threw real stones into the virtual water in the hole till the audience lost interest, dashed in signed cache and we were off!
 

21st

FOUND I HADN'T LOGED THIS ONE .NICE SPOT BUT DRY AND DUSTY
 

15th

This is a very strange location: as previously noted in the logs, around lunchtime there are a lot of single guys (OK, I was another one) both parked in the car park and wandering around the tracks by the river.

Either it wasn't what it looked like or I didn't fit the scene; nobody spoke a word to me. (Not complaining!)

I found and replaced the cache safely, but as I was leaving the cache location I was spotted by a cycling muggle with two dogs. That's the closest I've come to being caught yet; I will check in a couple of days that the cache is still OK as it's close to home. (Perhaps not at lunchtime though ...)

TNLN, and other than the muggles it's a nice location.
 

20th

Found this one after a nice muddy walk - should've waited another day or two after the rain, but the weekend only lasts so long...

TFTC
 

7th

12.25pm. Hmmm not sure about this park, seemed to be a lot of single males making there way slowly into the bush?? We got muggled by one close the GZ and he was telling us about a mountain bike track that used to run through the billabong as there has been no water in it for over four years.
Spotted him again on our way out and he was just sitting in a bench as then darted into the bush again with a couple of other men we had seen.
The car park was very busy with single guys in cars in the 5 minutes we were there writing our log. VERY strange.
Found the cache with no trouble.
+ domino
- nil
TFTC
Cheers M+S [:O)] (962)

 

17th

Found @ 1450.

Nice walk through the bush. Cache was found in the second place I looked. TNLN. Grabbed the clues for Puzzlemania #5. TFTC!
 

10th

Nice spot on the river - an area to come back and explore more fully. Thnks
 

17th

Found on a late night run with ADAcache and Cached
 

17th

Came up on this one in the dark and of course ended up on the 3.5 terrain direction. managed to retrieve the cache and get back to safety with only a minor slip.

TNLN

TFTC
 

16th

Nice easy find at 1200hrs. Lovely spot to walk in the middle of the day. It would be nice to see some water in that big hole.

TNLNSL TFTC
 

12th

I came here at 6:30pm with the intent to find but as i started my walk i saw many men walking around around the toilets and the park... so anyways i kept walking not believing my thoughts, however walking along i found myself being followed, so thought it might be a random stranger walking similar ways. So into the cache's home range, then still following... so started to get a little uneasy!

I decided that i should get someone on the phone just incase anything happened so called one of my best mates and started chatting, while looking for a way out of this area. No such luck, so stoped and he continued past me and then stoped. I turned and took the long journey back to the car and sure enough he was following... all the while making small talk with this mate (who was constantly saying why are you calling!) anyways getting back to the car and locking the car i let her know and had a good giggle but still a little shaken by this hole experience.

The moral is that this cache appears to be in one of those spots where men are not looking for caches, but something else! I am putting this one down to a streak of good luck that nothing heppened. If doing this cache be very careful at certain times of the day and it may pay to take a friend! I am sure this cache is great but didn't get to it today, didn't think it would be in my best interests! Thanks anyways, will return during the day sometime.

TeamGeoPlesk
 

23rd

LAST DAY OF OUR 3 WEEK HOLIDAY . AFTER GETTING STOPPED BY THE POLICE FOR PARKING SOMEWHERE WE SHOULDN'T HAVE AND A VERY GRUMPY POLICEMAN TELLING US TO MOVE ON SO WE DIDN'T GET A TICKET WE WENT BACK TO DEBBIE'S. SIMON HAD JUST ARRIVED HOME AND TOLD JUNE HE WOULD TAKE HER TO THE RIGHT PLACE. ON FINDING THE CACHE SIMON CAUGHT HIS HEAD ON A BRANCH WHICH WE THOUGHT HILLARIOUS AT THE TIME AND BROUGHT THE CACHE UP. TOOK MYSTERIOUS HAWAIIN SYMBOL TB. TFTC JDSUNDANCE & SIMON.

[This entry was edited by jdsundance on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 12:42:24 PM.]

[This entry was edited by jdsundance on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 12:03:05 PM.]

[This entry was edited by jdsundance on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 12:04:13 PM.]
 

20th

Perfect day for caching.

1st of 15 for the day.
 

20th

Found it today at about 4pm. The terrain is definitely a bit more mountain goat esque than we expected. Looks like some kids have spent the school holidays making the Billabong a cubby house/fortress. Fully expected the cache to be muggled but there it was, in pristine condition. A couple of muggles (or were they geocachers??) sprung us sitting down and admiring the cache but I don't think they realised what we were up to. Good luck to them trying to get to the cache anyway, not for the faint hearted.

Geoboy took the rubber snake and geodad took the LED light. Left a toy car and a mini sewing kit on a keyring.

Also left the Mysterious Hawaiian Symbol TB.

TFTC!
 

8th

Found 11.30
Second time around in searching for this one having tried earlier in the year to find a group a kids on bikes having fun at GZ. This time we had the area to ourselves and the sneaky hide was soon found. Nice new shiney container too

Took Nothing
Left A "Keeper of Time" + 3D Stickers

TFTC muzza
 

3rd

I have replaced the cache container, the log book and most of the contents. Now that the billabong is empty, its surprising how deep it is. And there's so much rubbish around.  

2nd

This was a little tricky for the wheelchair we took with us Actually, with it's rating we were not quite expecting what we found. The mountain goats couldn't get up the hills so we had to send the kids to fetch it. We eventually found it leaving the Wombat keyring, suitable for the spot it's in! TFTC!
 

2nd

4 of 11 on this fine sunny afternoon with the help of the Pharaohs. We think the terrain difficulty rating on this one is a bit low.
 

18th

Found with the Jersey Royals - Sorry for the delay in logging.

TNLN SL
 

18th

Will try to get to this one within the next couple of weeks.  

18th

A lovely area but 'Bill's Bong' is turning into a right junk yard a CITO here would be really great and make the area / cache a 'beaute' .
The cache was damp and mouldy and could do with a bit of TLC. Still a great walk was had around the park and made for an enjoyable hour or two. Thanks for bring us here.

TNLNSL

TFTC
 

28th

Cache in need of care!--wet,full of junk & logbook wet as well.  

28th

Bill's Bong has become a bit of a bog I'm afraid. Found this today on our second attempt. Would be nice if it were full of water instead of junk, but the area is very nice.

Thanks muzza. TNLN

 

27th

Found easily enough, but, the cache contents are wet,needs cleaning out with a new bunch of goodies maybe--TNLNSL,thanks!!
 

27th

It's a mess this place. Would look fantastic filled with water! Found cache OK. Silica Gel packs are sodden, pen was stuffed - so some maintenance is required.
 

3rd

Becoming quite a trap for junk by the looks, a sad state this billabong is in. I would've liked to have cached in,trashed out....but some of that junk is a bit big when you have teeny cachers with you.
Took Penny Farthing TB, but didn't sign the log since the pen is no good....missing the top, refill, and forgot to take my own pen :O
The cache is also getting damp on the inside, despite the pack of absorbent granules in it.

Left pingu sticker.
P-P-P-Pingu! Pingu!


 

10th

After a short stroll on a sunny day we soon had this cache in hand
TNLN SL
TFTC
Cheers
LIVERPOOLRED
(Y.N.W.A)
 

10th

This was a nice walk in the sunshine to find this cache. On arrival we discovered that instead of a billabong there was just a big hole in the ground. Problem no water anymore. Also we had approached from the wrong side. So being dry was a help.
Logged at 1140 hrs. Took clue, left TB Penny Farthing.
TFTC muzza.
 

6th

I think we definately took the more difficult terrain route for this one! We were suprised to see the number of bikes using the near by tracks late at night.

TNLN - TFTC

Luck Dog's Crew
 

19th

No mozzies to worry about, not too many muggles either.

After rain the cache might deserve another star in terrain rating due to the slipperiness!

TNLNSL.
 

17th

Found @ 08:10 with NEXT! The Secret Sever has been looking for this for a while now and Next and I just walked straight up to GZ and there was the cache. It took about 10 seconds to find so I guess he will be after a hint now TNLNSL TFTC
 

17th

08:14 was found with Scooter's Mob. Nice easy hide...plenty of birds chirpping at this time of morning . TNLNSL TFTC
 

12th

3rd of 3 done with John-Gill

In: Car and TbLittle Blind Squirrel 1
Out: Fish
 

12th

3 of 3 today. Did at first check the wrong side of the river and decided not to swim so went to the other side by car. Short walk from the parking lot. TFTC. In: Snake Out Car.
 

18th

Found by Facitman on his "Sweaty Sunday Soiree" at 13:45
Last cache for the day as the heat was sapping my energy. Arrived in the area to find it pretty deserted so I had a fairly pleasant walk to GZ under the trees. Cache was an easy find once I got to the bong.
TNLN
Thanks Muzza, an interesting location.

 

24th

It was getting quite dark, but I was able to locate the cache and get the next set of clues for the puzzlemania series. This is a beautiful spot, but running back to the car in the dark almost met with a couple of low branches. Another reason to take your time around here!

Thanks,

R - B
 

15th

Had a few minutes to spare on the way to work this morning as I passed by so decided to have a quick look for it and came up with the goods. Thanks. TNLNSL
 

14th

Lucky the water's so low, or the reluctant spouse would have taken an unexpected dip. The only person we saw was an intrepid cyclist whizzing past.

TN, left a jewelled elephant decoration.

TFTC!
 

29th

Great spot, but walked the long way out. In - Hair tie and out - golf ball. Vinaka
 

26th

Found on 26/11/06 @ 1335 AEDT with Malby the GeoHound. I had passed within a few hundred metres of this cache too many times to count so it was good to have a surprisingly easy find at GZ

Shame about the absence of water in the 'bong

Cheers Muzza
 

29th

A nice walk through the bush to this very dry billabong. A short search revealed the cache. TNLN. Thanks muzza for the cache.
 

14th

Found at 7.30pm and this one was our first night cache. Very spooky and scary walking through bush!! But found cache quickly once area located. Took bubbles left shampoo.
TFTC
 

6th

Its pouring rain but the billabong is still dry'. TNLN
 

20th

This was my second attempt at this cache after a long break. Last time i was here the billabong was full of water & mosquitoes but this time it was bone dry ! I was able to monueaver around much easier and located the cache in quick time. Good one Muzza, TNLN, TFTC, Jack0.
 

30th

A nice easy and quick find for the first of the day. I was helped by a new cacher - leep44.
 

22nd

Found by edmil & maddie. Neat little spot lost GPS reception as soon as we entered the vicinity of the cache. however figured the location quick smart. TNLN. thanks for a visit to this park. Decided to take of for 'the billabong' only to find I was on wrong side of river ah situation normal for me.
 

8th

It wasn't a case of 'Didn't find it', more a case of giving up in disgust.

I'm afraid a little warning is needed for this cache. The carpark closest and the nearby toilet to the cache is a gay pickup area. On our direct approach to the cache site from the carpark, we encounter a fair bit of rubbish (used condoms etc). We had two young children with us and the thought of one of them picking up this rubbish is very unsettling.

Can I suggest that the cache be accessed from a different direction, say from the bridge over the Yarra.


 

24th

08:29 am Found via a little detour on the way to work. Tricky spot to find, had to keep in the mind the terrain comment.
Took: TB
Left: Rubber ball
 

8th

Found at 1:02pm. Accompanied by the GeoMrs as navigator and scribe.
4th find out of 9 for the day on Birthday Dash for Cache expedition. What else would a GeoCacher do on his birthday?
In: dinosaur, Out: dog, Signed Log.
Thanx muzza....

 

23rd

Team members included Keymaster and Diceman. Found the cache with out any trouble but getting to the location proved to be a little but harder.

We very much enjoyed this cache... Thanks guys.

T:N
L:Sponge Bob TB
 

27th

The last few metres are a little tricky, but an interesting spot nontheless. Have been here several times but never knew about this particular spot. Took snake, Left Dog. Thanks.
 

26th

This took a bit of effort , after all the rains we had the previous day , the ground became a bit slippery. After some effort found it
TNLNSL

 

30th

Found at 7:50pm. I'm not sure about the terrain rating, whichever way you do it the last few metres are tricky... I thought I was a local but I didn't know this place existed, a lovely spot, thanks. TNLN.
Rated: for Overall Experience  

21st

Found by Phill and family 8:45. We got an early start in attempt to beat the heat. Tried out the new all terrain pram which didn’t do too badly up to the last few meters. Jess who is usually a mozzie magnet only got bitten once. Thanks for the Cache and the discovery of another hidden universe. In: Pen Out: Stapler Remover (Josh wanted the toy snake but we resisted). Also took TB “GeoSuzie”. THTH
 

18th

Very enjoyable find, opting to do this in the twilight.
Found at 9pm just as it was getting dark.

Took : Blue car
Left : Suzi Travel Bug
 

2nd

This is my one and only find for today, on a day when I've tried for three others, no less. GeoJen was with me and she wasn't particulary interested in caching today. (Come to think of it, she rarely is), anyway the net result was one out of four and I'll get the others later, probably in company with Oenze. Thanks Muzza and I found the correct way in and out. Took an orange dinasour and left a yellow frog and a green snake both of which I reckon would be at home here.
P.S I hope Jen never reads this log. I'll get a smack!!!
 

31st

Finally made it back to find this one, of course I took the bush bash only to find a perfect track 5m from the cache.
The place was empty today. Thanks Muzza.
 

18th

Another great cache. We found this one while riding the Main Yarra Trail. We left the bikes when the trail became too small to ride further. A great secret billabong in a place I would never normally have gone! Kids took usual swaps.
 

11th

Found at 11:45 after completing the nearby Drive-In cache.

After encountering several snakes a bit down stream from here it was a relief to find a large blue tongue lizard was responsible for the rustling in the grass near the cache.

TNLN

TFTC Muzza

 

27th

Had problem - tried to walk here from the Drive in Cache nearby but there was a river in thew way - once I got in the car and drove to the right side of the river I diodn't have to many problems,
 

2nd

Found by sbalogh53 at 18:55 on 2/11/2005.
What an amazing place. I did not know that secret billabongs like this existed on the Yarra. I even had to follow a maze of twisty little passages to get to this secret location. Thanks for bringing me here, even though the mozzies were quite hungry on a warm day like today.

The cache was quite easy to find once I was in the area.

Took: Badge
Put: Fish
Left: Mozzies

 

24th

After a quick walk, and a bit of a hunt, recovered this cache.

the cache had been exposed, so i hid it with a few other branches.

thanks Muzza for my 300th cache! it seemed fitting (to me) that one of yours had the honour.


 

11th

thanks Muzza, we went to the wrong side of the river at first ,then had to wait til heavy rain passed , then went in to get the cache.took mondo and yo-yo and put in notepads and chalk.we got a bit confused when logging find as there is a similar sounding cache nearby that we were going to do but ran out of time to do .thanks
 

9th

Found with the help of the Grand Children (S,J&R), great location fun to find.
Thanks muzza
Signed Log
Ross & Marg "Minnamurra"
 

21st

No 4 for the day found in the company of Juzmac.
I (J) was supervising from the top of the muddy slope while the other 3 went cross country.

Great spot in a fantastic park.
Thanks Muzza.



 

21st

Found at 1040. TNLN.
I think we walked in via the high difficulty route as we were almost falling over ourselves trying to find the cache in the mud... The cache was soon found and logged (I signed on behalf of Embi & J who were still struggling with their footing)... A nice area muzza - thanks for bringing us here!
 

14th

4.30pm
Found by Roma and Max.
Even in this neck of the woods there are walkers popping up everywhere.
We are glad the river appears to be low and the tracks are relatively dry.
We left a new log book and a Mondo Figurine and took a Fruit Magnet.
Thanks again Muzza,
from Romax.

 

12th

My GPS wanted me to be in the middle of Bill's Bong but I declined as the temperature was well under 10 degrees. I circumnavigated the Bong fortunately without slipping in and eliminating all other possiblities.

The log is still damp and nearly full.
I took a glue stick and left a bubble kit.
 

11th

This was our fifth visit to this cache!! The first was a "Not Found" when we searched thoroughly before the November floods (when it should have been easy) and its been bugging us ever since. The cache is very close to one of ours so we really wanted to find it. We were convinced that the cache would have been lost in the floods. A few people found it so we visited again after the November floods. We visited again after the February floods but without success in spite of searching every conceivable location (and getting very muddy). It was finally found fairly quickly two days ago just as the rain started. We abandoned the cache without claiming the find partly because we didn't have any swaps with us.

We returned today to claim the find at 5:10pm. We have no idea why we missed the cache before because it really is in a pretty obvious hiding place. The cache was quite damp and the logbook was very wet (and almost full). We took a dinosaur and left a strawberry fridge magnet. The base of the cache container is cracked so damp will be a continuing problem. We put the logbook in a zip-lock bag and included some desiccant to help dry it out. Thanks Muzza for this very frustrating cache!!!
 

8th

The question is: if there is a more difficult path, why not take it? It was not muddy today, and the tide is definately out in the ponds. However not in the cache (the logbook is soaked). I would have replaced it but I left my spare in another cache today. There are only 5 pages left.
TNLNSL. Thanks, Robmc.
 

7th

Found by Bob and Dan at 15:40

I imagine this one could be quite tricky - lots of windy little paths, lots of wet green trees and undergrowth, etc. however today we were lucky and found it quickly. We had climbed right down into the (very interesting) feature and it was extremely slippery. Daniel thought he had spotted the location, but I poked the cover away with a stick and couldn't see it. He was adamant that it was there, so, at great risk to life and limb (because if I had slipped in that mud I would have gotten filthy and my wife would have killed me) I managed to get one decent foothold and examine the spot closely. Sure enough, there it was - although he couldn't possibly have seen it from where he was - must be psychic I guess. The logbook was very damp unfortunately (it's not in a ziplock bag) but was usable, and the clue was ok.

I must say that the old Yarra had never meant much to me before I started geocaching early this year, but since the spate of caches out Warrandyte way, and some of these inner city ones, I have a newfound respect for it's recreational values - I'm even keen to get a canoe/kayak next summer and spend a bit of time really exploring it.

TNLN

Thanks muzza for another really interesting one.

[This entry was edited by Geodes on Sunday, August 07, 2005 at 9:02:33 PM.]
 

31st

As we were passing this area the cache popped up on the GPS and with that we stopped off for lunch. While Shelby got the lunches ready with help from Michael, Luke and myself ducked off for the cache.
The cache was found by Luke(the rabbitt)in seconds, and the logging was passed onto dad.
Many thanks Muzza for the cache and bringing us to a nice park for lunch, although I must of missed the clues for Puzzle5.
Regards Mr.Coffee and the "Luke thinks the Billabong looks like a scene from Crocodile Dundee movie" Clan.
 

17th

I'd attempted this one before but to no avail. Today, after a bit of slipping and sliding I was able to locate the rather damp cache. Recorded Puzzlemania #5 clues and TNLNSL.

Thanks for revealing this lovely Yarra River billabong area Muzza.

P.S. Cachers should be aware that there seems to be quite a bit of all-male activity centred around the toilets.

 

10th

After a beautiful walk, and Thylo taking the 3.5 Terrain option, we had the cache in our hands. Very wet inside. The log book really needs to be replaced - very wet.

TNLNSL

We were going to leave one of our new TB's Gribbit, but the cache was to wet.

Thanks again Muzza for another great spot.
Thyla and Thylo
 

5th

As Liz & Bruce's log says, we were just about to give up when Trev trekked further away and sighted where it was from a different angle to where we had been looking.
It had been a long walk from the car, so we were certainly pleased that we eventually found it before heading back. TNLN. Thanks muzza.
 

5th

This one was very tricky to find and were very careful not to end up in the drink on this cold day and not very inviting looking water. GPS pointed us to nondescript areas that looked like they would be subject to flooding. So we looked further afield - with one eye still on the GPS. Then our friend Trevor ventured to more adventurous areas, subjecting himself to mud and other horrors to beam in on just the right spot. We were very happy to find the cache because being tourists in this wonderful state we had parked on the other side of the river and so had already walked quite a way to get to the cache location. Would have done the trip back with heavy feet if we had not found the cache. TNLN Thanks muzza.
 

25th

We were looking for this cache (and P5 clues) a couple of weeks ago in the company of Thetaz. It was a bit close to closing time and in the rush and decreasing light missed it, although we would have been right on it at one stage. This time there was no pressure and located it quickly. It was almost too easy and we made sure that it was well camouflaged when the the cache was returned to its resting place. Took a dinosaur (adds to the animal collection) and left an enamel badge.
 

23rd

Found this one the way back from a visit to Melbourne. A very pleasant walk in bathed in the late afternoon sun. There were a lot of muggles about but none at GZ no mozzies either. Once GPSr settled down it took us straight to the cache for a quick easy find. The cache and contents were still a bit damp so we dried them as much as time allowed then returned it to its resting place and another enjoyable stroll out.
Took clues for Puzzlemania #5
Left Glue
Thanks muzza

 

16th

Found at 5.45PM.

This time I was 3rd time lucky. With the last 2 visits being a DNF. Found this one easily this time, The water level is now normal at last but the cache is still wet, Travelling light I TNLN..

Thanks for the cache from M.B

 

29th

Was unable to have a good look for this one, was followed from the car park, while I ducked in the bushes this guy sat and watched me, there were several empty condom wrappers in the area and I became very concerned at being followed to this location and then watched, made a retreat for the car and was followed back. Bit unnerving, will return with someone to look for this one.
 

28th

Nicely hidden! We live not far away and had a guess as to likely location [we were right!] but gps was useful to be sure.
TNLN. Thanks.
 

26th

found it after a 15min search to find the gz to 10mts. I could see the cache from the parth above so i was happy to struggle my way down that slippy dirty area.

the cache has been damped by mosture the log book is all wet but the ink is still ok. for an area like this you really need water proff bags for the pen and log book.

other then that it was a nice find.

Took stickers out, hire tie in.
thanks s.m
 

28th

Found in the midst of monsterous sized mossies. I was glad to have read the description carefully to ensure I was in the right place to look for the cache. Mind you that was after I had looked in the wrong place about 10m off. It is somewhat surprising that the cache survived the January flooding, but survive it did. Although the container is caked in mud and the contents soaking wet. It wont take long for the log book to deteriate in this condition.

As with the previous finder the I saw the toilet block and surrounding area was something to avoid with the 'extra activity'.

TNLN as the mossies were becoming too much!
 

27th

The mozzies flew us there! Big as birds and very hungry. The case has now cracked on the bottom and had a bit of water in the bottom. It was amazing that it has survived the weather we have had.

Took: rusty clips
Left: Mirror

The ‘action’ at the men’s toilets seem to have spread to the whole area, some heading down the path to the cache, all a bit creepy. Not recommended for young families.

 

17th

I came by about a month ago to look for this cache, but with a pair of people sitting near the GZ playing with a game boy i had to pass it.. This time I had no luck either. Some of the parts to anything in the clue was very slippery. Had to hold onto anything from tree branches to parts of a fence to get down to GZ. Tried everywhere... But I think that the storms might have taken this cache away. The park is still closed due to storm damage. The bong is still a little over its normal banks, but nothing like a picture I saw on GCA forums.. I think it would be wise of you to check this one out.. Thanks from M.B..


 

29th

Third time lucky! We were driven away by the mozzies on our first visit and on our second we were sure we looked in the spot where we finally found it today. It's good to finally get this one off our books. TNLN. Thanks.
Greg and Bev
 

29th

Easily found in very slipery conditions.
TNLN
Thanks Muzza

Beware if using the local toilet block there seems to be a lot of action going on in the mens.
 

28th

Yes the mosquitos are huge and numerous, but seemed mostly contained to this cache's home nook. Evidence of the flood was still apparent as described by the previous finder, it makes for great camoflage. Experience as a mountain goat in a past life is required to retreive this cache. Removed a rusty pair of pliers (thought it was best to get these out) and replaced with a pair of brightly coloured microscopic plastic dinosaurs (these don't rust as easily), GAO!
 

9th

The mozzies are surely big! This one survived the flooding, but certainly showed the evidence of it, muddy on the outside but quite dry inside. The last few metres require care, and it's best not to try this one wearing thongs. (Of the footware variety)

Took the Pooh Bear pen and left some champagne bubbles
 

4th

Note to the unwary (ie. me) - don't attempt this on foot from "No longer a drive in" unless you want to get very wet. Scrambled around through mud and weeds for 20 mins to find I could get no closer than 70m. Eventually got back to the car, then when on the correct side of the river, slid down an embankment and nearly ended up in the smelly billabong. Banged my knee on the correct tree and found the cache. Thanks for this one Muzza, it was rather an adventure!
 

3rd

Was passing thru Melbourne on the way home to Canberra, and decided to see if I could find one or two caches on the way. Certainly this one proved a bit of a challenge! First of all I tried this from the wrong side of the river – that didn’t work… When I finally found it, it looks like that it survived a flood! (And no water in it – great container (use them myself actually)). TNLN – thanks heaps muzza…
 

21st

After dousing myself in insect repellent (and then having to polish it off my glasses) I set off in a confident stride from the car park and wandered down the meandering tracks that eventually took me to within 12 metres of GZ. The EPE was huge so while I stood still for a few moments to let the GPSr settle, I could hear scores of mozzies moving in on me looking for a weak spot. Some eventually found my ankles (who sprays their ankles!!)and so I started off doing a kind of skip and jump walk, slapping my ankles. I didn't spend much time in any place I looked, as I didn't want the local mozzies to get used to my repellent and attack me. Thank goodness that after checking on the hint I found the cache so that I could get out of there as quick as possible.
Thanks muzza, but this place is really the pits.
tn/ln
 

14th

Found by WINE TIMERS with Son in tow on 14/12/04 at 19.46

This was my second go at this cache- tried last night on my own. I covered myself with tropical strength aeroguard and ventured into the swamp, but found out after a short search the mozzies sting through my shirt back, the only place not sprayed, and had to abort the hunt.
This time I had my Son along and he sprayed me all over so mozzies kept at bay for a while.
GPS was not much use at all, (could be the trees or water nearby), so we searched all the likly spots with no luck. About to give up after 20 min.,I used a bit of latteral thinking and went straight to gz.

Took - Australia Pin and TB Silvester
Left - YO-YO


Thanks muzza
 

11th

Christmas shopping. Bah humbug. With that done for the day, it was time to get the nearest cache to home that we hadn't done yet. Off I went sans cache sheet but after about 15-20 minutes of fruitless looking, I decided to head home for another attack at another time with the sheet.

On the way back to the car: there's someone with a backpack and a dark something in hand. Could it be another cacher? Not only yes, but it was No. 1 of 4 men and a lady. Woo, hoo!!! Spirits revived, it was time for another attack. 5 more minutes at the same place I checked earlier and we were off to the real GZ . Once there, the find difficulty was one star, terrain about 8 star . At least the mozzies weren't as bad as the other nearby cache (or maybe they ate enough of me the other day).

At 16:25, took clue, LNSL. Thanks muzza.
 

11th

Found at 1625 on 11 December 2004 in cahoots with EuDes after two failed attempts during the great floods of October.

This was Sensssattionnal!! at last running into a fellow geocacher and it was EuDes, my AWG Guru!!.

After banding together and checking several possibilities we circled the area and EuDes was on to GZ in a flash

Took Nix
Left TB Silvester (in honour of EuDes who ably assisted Silvester on his tour of the South East)

Many Thanks to Muzza
 

9th

1100h
We went in the morning thinking nothing of the mozzies. Unfortunately the mozzies did think something of us and wanted to feast on our northern blood. If you don't take repellant, make sure you have something to clean the blood off your hands from slapping yourself silly
Very pretty reserve and we enjoyed the birdlife. The cache was straightforward too.
Thanks Muzza.

 

3rd

GM: You have entered a swamp, there is a grassed area to the North.
There are signs of recent disturbance.

PL: I need to check where I am, does my GPS show a reading?

GM: Throw a d20 ...

PL: I roll a 15, I have a +3 because I am using the new Etrex not the GPS2000

GM: Your GPS says "That for which you seek, is 85m to the west"

PL: To the west! That's on the other side of the river !!

GM: You really should have done some more homework on this one ...

PL: I'll go back and cross the bridge. What can I see?

GM: There is a path winding into the distance

PL: I'll follow the path

GM: You have entered a swamp, there is a grassed area to the North.
There are signs of recent disturbance.

PL: I need to check where I am, does my GPS show a reading?

GM: Throw a d20 ... and I know; Etrex not the GPS2000

PL: I throw a 2

GM: Your GPS says "you've walk past it turkey!"

PL: I follow the GPS

GM: You have entered deeper into the swamp, there is a foul smell ...

PL: Bong water !! chuckle

GM: ..., and you have disturbed something!

PL: !!!!!!!

GM: HUGE MOSQUITO (100-300)- AC4, HD1*, hp 4, #AT 1, D 1-4, MV 80'

PL: !!!!!!!

GM: The MOSQUITOs attack, you are picked up an carried away by the ...

PL: How big are these @#%# mosquitos ?!

GM: they are *BIG*!! You really should have done some more homework on this one ...

======

Found by The ELTHAM Mob 03-xii-2004 19:15 hours.

T: Dog
L: Australian pin

And about those mosquitos; I really should have done some more homework on this one ...


 

2nd

Found it @ approx.17:55

Was intensly searching when I looked up and saw another body following his GPS and scratching his head, (don't know if this was from confusion or the mossie attack squadron??)Turned out to be "ALSUME" on the hunt.
Heed the advise about the insect repellant, the mozzies are so big I swear I saw registration numbers on their wings!!!!HA HA HA.

TNLN

Thanks muzza
 

2nd

Found at 5:55pm, after bumping into Scubacrazy666 near GZ. The mosquitos nearly ate both of us while we looked for the cache. Luckily it didn't take too long. The area is still pretty damp and slippery, so beware approaching GZ.

TNLN, except for adding another Puzzlemania clue to the collection.

Thanks muzza
 

29th

Found by Mary & David at 1320. Miracles do happen! The water level has receded to a point not far below the cache hiding spot, but enough to allow a dry access path. The cache survived (but not unscathed). Not surprised to find the cache full of muddy water and most of the contents with a greyish muddy film on them. The container itself has acquired a cracked bottom somewhere along the way too. Luckily, the logbook came through with flying colours in its zip-lock bag. Emptied out all the water and left everything to drain while filling in the log. The contents were not perishables and should survive ok if cleaned and dried out completely. Took key ring, left staple remover and a small pack of stickers. Out thanks to muzza - this one has been memorable.

[This entry was edited by maccamob on Monday, November 29, 2004 at 4:27:00 AM.]
 

19th

Visited again today. The park is now open, but large sections are still underwater, including the cache site. Couldn't quite get close enough to check if it is still there, but if it is, it will be a miracle.

I won't be able to check it now for at least a week. Sorry about that.  

15th

Visited this one today to see if it was still there but the park was still closed. The water level has gone down, but there is still lots of water around.

I'll try again later in the week.  

13th

Didn't find it at 16:50hrs, but then I didn't look too hard either. The whole area is underwater, with several road in the area closed due to flooding. Muzza, is there a fall back so I can get the 2 missing clues?
 

7th

We arrived at the car park at about 1030 and commented on the high water levels to the north of the road. After some toing and froing along various tracks, we found a dry one that placed us between the very swollen and fast-flowing river and the billabong, which was actually now an arm of the river. We were within 6m or 7m of the cache, and saw a few beaten tracks in the wandering jew as Biggles Bear mentioned, but they all descended into the water. The main track did the same a bit further on. Looked at the clue, and the only places matching the description were all surrounded by water. At best, this cache will require waders to get to it for the next few days at least. At worst, it may well now be waterlogged or have floated off somewhere downstream. It seemed as though the river was still rising, as the track we followed in had water over the lowest section on our way out, and the water in the car park had also risen a little. For us, that zip will have to remain mystic a little longer.  

7th

I had a phone call earlier today from Maccamob describing the environs of the cache. It may have survived, but only time will tell. I will attempt to check it out later this week, assuming that the water levels drop. (I thought it was high enough to avoid the current situation - perhaps it is currently freakishly high. Otherwise, if this is a normal flood level, I may need to find a new home for it).  

7th

Attempted by 4 Men and a Lady on November 7 2004

Reninscent of Noahs Ark. No just seemed like 40 days and 40 Nights of Rain.

Anyway in our attempt to get to GZ (after leaving the very flooded carpark - yes the Yarra is up that much)we could only get to within about 20 metres and noticed the feature where the cache is likely to be has a water level about 5 feet high.

Would suggest a check of this cache Muzza once the heavens and water levels subside  

6th

We attempted this before the river had peaked. The tracks made by previous searchers were obvious but we still failed to find the cache at about 7:00pm. Our only excuse is that we had limited time. The very next day the river rose by another 2m and the cache may have floated away. We returned for a quick look on 10th November and it does look like all the obvious spots would have been under water on Sunday 7th November. The only good news is the fact that we planned to leave a Travel Bug and it may have been lost if we'd found the cache!! The other good news is the fact that our very first cache (placed nearby on the 6th) may have been (just) above the flood level.
 

4th

Found by caughtatwork at 2:45
I found the car park easily enough, but from there all went downhill.
Literally. As I approached the billabong, I slipped and ended up with two feet in the slime. Can we all say eeeewwwwwwwww!
With wet, stink, dirty, disgusting feet, I wasn't going to let this cache get the better of me.
I spent probably 20-30 minutes looking at the various tracks and paths to see whether I could spot where other geocachers had been before me. With readings moving up to 34 meters (without moving myself), I cursed the trees.
The GPSr led me on one side of the track and then the other.
I finally resorted to the clue and kind of worked my way using the existing tracks until I saw a likely place. Finally!
My first reading at this point was around 40 meters, but by the time I had completed logging and swapping, my reading was back to 3 meters, so the co-ords are right, but my GPSr hates the trees.
Took the final set of clues for Puzzlemania 5. Now to work out what they all mean.
Took dinosaur candle, left bracelet and bouncy ball.
Thanks muzza. I won't say it was the best caching experience for me, but after all of that I still enjoyed it.
 

4th

Found easly after getting on the correct side of the river 2nd time round. I went for a slide too but luckily not in the drink. Just followed the new "freeway" to GZ.
Took Ball ex Caugt@work
Left I think a dog

Thanks Muzza
 

1st

Found at 13.30 after finding the direct route. There are also some Gretel crumbs in the form of flattened wandereing jew that may assist the next cachers. However, an interesting place even in the drizzle. Took Puzzelmania #5 clues only. Left nothing. Thanks Muzza.
 

31st

I had been so good over the Cup weekend with my list of things to do around the house. Seeing that I had crossed a fair few off, and the list was getting shorter and this was just up the road.[^] I decided to try my luck. So did the 'giant' mozzies! Found it after my GPSr settled down. Not a good idea wearing thongs though!

IN: UHU Glue Stick
OUT: Roll of sticky tape


 

31st

Nnth cache for the day, and the last for October. The GPSr wouldn't behave, but there are a couple of well-worn paths leading to GZ, so it wasn't too hard to find it at 1710. Muzza isn't kidding about the mozzies. Yopu have been warned! I recorded the "Puzzlemania #5" clues, and TNLNSL.
 

31st

Found at 11:45am. An especially satisfying find for us, as a few months ago we attempted the nearby cache of similar name from the same starting point but merely meandered around the wrong side of the river for around 2km. Not today though. Parked, walked, found, just the way we like them. A particularly cool and haunting little spot.

Thanks Muzza from D,H,K, & A B-A. Took a cap rocket. Left a Set of Hanger Clips.
 

30th

Well, we finally got home after a long day of caching - we'd done the 13th cache, then found another five in the area afterwards. Just settled down to dinner, and discovered Muzza had gone and done it again! We suspect he has found out where we live and is just trying to taunt us by springing new caches on us just when we're trying to eat. Anyway, we ate dinner first, then an expedition of teamkittens + extra housemate (Shaggy) cycled down to find Bill's Bong. We started trying to get at things from the wrong angle, but remembering that it was supposed to be easy, we tried to cache smart, and managed to find a suitable access path without trampling the vegetation. There's a very loud frog nearby, that kept making tokking noises the whole time we were hunting. Took squishy red thing, and left a dinosaur candle. Thanks Muzza.