This month we welcome OzGeoker to the blog as they share with us their insights and local knowledge to geocaching in Mackay.  We share some photos from two small events to promote the Mega, pay our thanks to the Townsville Geocaching Community for their hard work at the recent Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser.  Provide a sneak peak of the Mega Pathtag set that will be available to purchase at a later date.

Caching in Mackay by OzGeoker

Mackay is situated roughly halfway between Rockhampton and Townsville.  There are over 450 caches within 50km of the city, with this figure growing monthly.

A fun adventure which may help visitors to get their bearings is ‘Mackay’s “Reverse Cache” Wherigo’ (GC6Q54Q). 60% of visitors have dropped a favourite point to attest to this.

Mackay city doesn’t have a lot in the way of high D/T hides but those that are can be a real challenge. Three puzzles that should be attempted are ‘The Imitation Game’ (GC6KGQA) ‘Do you really have the time?’ (GC6T60J) and ‘X – marks the spot’ (GC5X1YT).

Heading out of the city is where the real adventures begin.  You can see Platypus at Broken River, near Eungella (1hr 20mins), and a drive to Cape Hillsborough to see the wallabies and kangaroos on the beach at dawn are well worth a stopover.

Some caches of note on the way to Eungella are ‘Ye Old Pinnacle Town’ (GC4KRZ4) (53FP’s), ‘Finch Hatton Gorge’ (GC59N4X) (Earthcache) and ‘FREDDO’S GLASS and A HALF’ (GC3MRFW).

On the way to Cape Hillsborough, there are two caches that are worth a mention. ‘The Leap’ (GC6GFD3) which involves a climb to the top of a rocky outcrop and ends with stunning views and the Earthcache ‘Mount Jukes and the Neilson Leucogabbro’ (GC59QZP) which takes you in to the belly of a volcano.

The Cape Hillsborough area has a couple of caches worth the effort for those that enjoy a walk. ‘Finlayson’s Littoral Challenge’ (GCWWXE) and ‘Can you see the Turtles???’ (GC15YG0).

For those that like to get the numbers up quickly there are four power trails south and west of the city. 

The first is on the old Bruce Highway (Marlborough-Sarina Rd) honouring all of Australia’s Victoria Cross winners (102 caches) (GC8W2ZW).  The remaining three are for the RAN (45) (GC91AQ6), RAAF (107) (GC9EA7D) and Australian Army (201) (GC9G2GY) (still under construction).

No matter what your preference, there is sure to be something for everyone around Mackay.

Bunnings Fundraiser & Planning Event

As mentioned in September’s update CacheQLD was able to secure a fundraising spot for a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle.  Our huge thanks to the Townsville Geocaching community helping to put on a great BBQ and raise funds to bring you an excellent Mega event. 

Information Events – Mackay & Darwin

During the school holidays the CacheQLD Team were able to host two small Information Events as part of their holiday travels.  Both events were attended by the local geocachers were plenty of information was shared, plans were discussed and made.  We look forward to welcoming our new Darwin and Mackay friends to Townsville in April!  Hopefully as we move forward to borders reopening, we can visit more locations and share information.

Burgo78 visited Mackay and met up with alphag_25, Rainforest Cookie, caitlyn1105, TMAC61, dandent, OzGeoker & BlackPearl26

JACS Team visited Darwin and met up with corunnaroad, Doodle Bug Oz, CAD 1, Monchichi1 and low1. 

Merchandise

The team have also been quietly working away on merchandise and today we received our order for the event pathtags!  Check out this little four set beauty! Can you get any cuter? 

If you were observant, you may have noticed the new official event shirts for Townsville as modelled in our two event photos – we’ve gone Orange!

Upcoming Info Event – Cairns

Friend of CacheQLD and local Townsville geocacher, greencordial, will be hosting an information event in Cairns on Saturday 24th October from 10:00 to 11:00am at the Esplanade. If you are in the area and want to learn about the Mega event in April or get more information on caching in the Townsville region drop your will attend on GC9GCPE.