September | 2020 | Cache QLD – Townsville GC9BVWD

Over the last few months we have had a few questions about how COVID will affect the Dayboro event, and the answer is that currently we just don’t know. Our goal continues to be hosting the event in Dayboro during Easter, 2021 and we are all busy working behind the scenes to make that possible.

We will continue to monitor National and State guidelines and advice, and keep you updated in our monthly Event News. We hope to make a final decision on proceeding by late Jan/ early Feb in order to give everyone enough time to plan.

If it becomes safest to postpone Dayboro, 2021 we have secured the Easter, 2022 date with other caching committees. This is great news for two reasons. First, if Dayboro is postponed we can host the event the following Easter. Second, (and the best case scenario) is that we proceed with Dayboro 2021, and then have Easter, 2022 for another big Queensland event. This is great news so watch this space!

New Caches

Our most recent published cache is entitled – Go Fish #1. A few months ago we did a highlight on trees and we mentioned this newish cache placement type of tree fishing. There are few more being placed around the area shortly. If you haven’t tried tree fishing before, this will be a good chance for you to have a go, and there is a good chance we will have a tree fishing pole that you can borrow from the Showground for an hour at a time to have a crack at getting these few local ones.

Other recent published caches in the region include a trio of kayak (or blow up boat!) caches in the heart of Dayboro at Lees Crossing – the three caches have vary degrees of DT ratings 1/5, 2.5/5 and lastly a 4/5 (which seems to prove a tricky one to find). This is a lovely area for a swim and perhaps cooling off after a big day of Easter caching. You will need a watercraft of some sort, and be prepared to do some portage in between the three.

You can keep up with any CacheQLD publications by using this public bookmark.

“Arriving at the car park I was greeted by Mrs SP who was a bit flustered, seems she had forgotten one vital part of her boating equipment…. the paddle 🤣 HAHA! Whoops!!! Ah well, let’s just see how far we can get with my two small dodgy ones? So with Mrs SP in the lead with one paddle I was being towed behind in my blow up with the other paddle. Surprisingly Mrs SP was quite talented with her stroke work and had us cruising down the river at a decent speed in a straight line. Hats off to her! Lots of laughs were had on the way to GZ, all that was missing was my grapes. It was a lovely day to be on the water with good company in this gorgeous part of the universe.”

Dayboro Bakery

Firstly, this is not a sponsored advertisement, but if there is one thing that the local caching community can tell you about Dayboro it is that they have a fantastic bakery! As you read through the logs, trying to find those little puzzle and GZ hints (you know you do it!) you will be sure to read that normally a day caching in Dayboro might start or end or be interrupted with a visit to the local bakery.

Their most recent accolade is winning a public vote on the best bakery in Moreton Bay 2020, beating out 50 other bakeries in the region. One of our committee members is an avid pie eater and highly rates them as well – Check out their Facebook page to see what they have on offer. So, why not plan to drop in while in town next Easter they open every day from 5am to 5pm and cover all your basic pies types, other baked goodies and have vegetarian options as well.

The Shop

We are still moving forward on the shop and getting it ready to be opened during October. The showground has been mapped and we can confirm a great mixture of 10 and 15 amp power sites.

You can expect to see a range of merchandise from the usual shirts, pathtags, geocoins, to car flags and other goodies.

The Puzzle

Remember to hold onto your solved code words and bring them all to the event to be the running for prizes!

What’s Next

As mentioned in the Toowoomba Highlight, we are turning our heads to the Sunshine Coast for October and checking out all the excellent things they have to offer to the caching community. We will be holding out that restrictions will be easing at the end of the month and we may be able to host an event!

Welcome to September!

The CacheQLD Toowoomba event was up for the briefest of moments, however COVID decide to come out and play in our environment and restrictions were handed down by the government and swiftly reinforced by our Reviewers to keep us safe. Hopefully soon the restrictions will be lifted, and we can get back out there and do a follow up event. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy this selection of what the Toowoomba Region has to offer.

Geo-Art

The main reason we wanted to talk about Toowoomba in September is because on the 8th it is Star Trek day! We are just a little bit fond of Geo-Art here at Cache QLD, so it’s no surprise that the top of our Toowoomba list is Brother Colin’s offering of the Starship Enterprise (SSE).

The Starship Enterprise geoart is an eclectic mix of 104 space-themed puzzles. Once solved they take you on journey around the picturesque rural outskirts of Toowoomba.

Brother Colin credits this uniquely varied series to the help of many different puzzle makers. The variety keeps solving interesting, and means you’re bound to learn a trick or two that you can add to your puzzle solving toolbox.

While collecting these caches expect to see a mix of Aussie native plants and animals, and wandering local livestock. This well maintained series, with good coords is a must-do whether you are caching alone or enjoying the day with friends or family. Close proximity to town means you have the option to duck into town for breaks, or pack a lunch and enjoy the views. Check out this bookmark list.

Happy solving, or should we say. Cache Long and Prosper

“When this series was just a twinkle in the CO’s eyes, I was lucky enough to be asked to help create a few of the puzzles that would be part of something big. Unfortunately, I was very busy with work at the time, and was only able to help out with a few. Since publication, I have enjoyed some of the distress felt by those trying to solve them! Eventually it was my turn to feel that pain, as I worked through puzzles ranging from mostly easy to ridiculously impossible. To all the CO’s I take my hat to you as makers of something very special!”
Swellerfungus

Challenge Caches

Another wealth of awesome things Toowoomba is it mix of Challenge Caches. There are challenges for getting a number of types (8 & 11), collecting souvenirs (25 & 50), collecting different size caches (micro, small, regular, large & virtual), completing scavenger hunts for Bronze, Silver & Gold levels and a tough little Nickel challenge. Have you got an Australian only JASMER? If you do, there’s a challenge for that! Toowoomba offers another for completing your 365 day calendar of finds, and your DT grid! All these are topped off with something to reward you for being a ‘well-travelled cacher’.

Adventure Labs

Toowoomba is home to Queensland’s very first Adventure Lab ‘Laurel Bank Park’. The 5-point Adventure will take you on a stroll around the Laurel Bank Park which is one of the premier parks featuring manicured gardens, mature trees, children’s play equipment, barbecue and picnic areas, and two croquet lawns! It is a must-see destination during the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. The most recent Adventure Lab offering is a Walking Tour of Picnic Point which is one the premier tourist destinations in Toowoomba because of its stunning views over the Lockyer Valley.

Top Favourited

Undertaking a quick search of the top favourited caches in the region it is a very interesting results with two letter boxes taking out the top two spots No Junk Mail (73) and Hampton Information (61) to round out the top three we have the Alphabetic Animal Challenge Cache (51) which requires you to find an animal for every letter of the alphabet.

Tabletop Mountain

What would a discussion be about Toowoomba without mentioning Tabletop. This is a real bucket list climb and something quite unique to experience from the unusual rocks to climb up, the scree, the gap of doom (or is that just me) and then finally making it to the very flat top, some might say it’s quite ‘table’ like!

This is a very popular climb for locals and visitors, so chances are you won’t be alone and if you need a break you will have plenty of chances to be polite and let other pass through – perhaps even a man and his cat.

With five caches waiting for your visit include one of Queensland 100 oldest caches “Nutters Knoll” and the previously mentioned highly favourited animal challenge cache it certainly is worth the trek and should only take a few hours depending on your fitness level.

Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers

It’s time to spring into Spring! Picture-perfect flora, plenty of family-friendly fun and local foodie adventures are all on offer over the course of the entertainment-filled festival from September 18–27. Okay, you have us, so this technically isn’t caching related, but it is a very good reason to visit Toowoomba. This year’s Carnival of Flowers offers over 170,000 blooms that have been planted across the city’s major parks and public spaces to create a spectacular canvas of colour for much needed celebrations in September. All events, experiences and areas will be managed with COVID-19 safe plans in place.

“Toowoomba is primed and ready to showcase it’s natural beauty. Nothing can stop the power of the flower and we are inviting people from all over to come and play in the petals this Spring,” Mayor Antonio said.

For the latest information please visit: https://www.tcof.com.au/all-events/

What’s next

It’s Event Newsletter time, and then we turn our focus towards the Sunshine Coast in October’s Highlight!