Pindar Cave Adventure Wondabyne, New South Wales, Australia
By Rama497 on 03-Apr-22. Waypoint GC99PMZ

This was a great event and we were lucky to have held it last Sunday as this weekend is looking bad and the track has now been closed.

Thanks for everyone who attended.

We were so lucky with our timing. The Great North Walk between Sydney and Yarramalong is now closed indefinitely due to the severe weather and track damage.

Thank you to everyone who attended my very first event.

We had great weather, great company and after all the delays in holding it, there was a great turn out.

Geocaching to me is all about exploring new places and this was that for me.

I have attached some photos I took, including the group photo.

I hope everyone is not too sore from the walk, who’s kidding we are all feeling it.

Again thank you for a great event and I hope to see you again soon.

Soccer has been called off, so 2x4Rods are coming.

TFTC

More to follow.

TFTE

Full log to follow

Great walk even though quite muddy and water logged.
Fantastic turnout. Thanks Rama!

SL TFTC

I remember when this event was initially published way back before last year's lockdown chaos and then it got forgotten here but a month back I remembered it was now coming up after a fourth or even fifth (I think?) date change and so I bookmarked it. It is a great walk so I was keen to get out again particularly with a caching crew. The trails were not too bad but the section towards the cave resembled a creek at times but it was not a big issue just a fun challenge. A great day weather-wise too after the incredible number of rainy days we've been having the last month or so. Great catching up with a bunch of cache buddies today and putting some more faces to names as well. TFTE, Rama497, and congrats on an awesome first-time event.
#1484

A great walk out in food company for a massive turn out.

What a fabulous location!!!

TFTE.

My first meetup in Sydney; was good to be able to put a face to a few of the names in the logs. Cheers guys, great location and great hike, enjoyed

Great event with a purpose.
Was nice to get out of the house and do the trial with some fellow cachers. Although not wanting to miss a convenient train meant that the quick walk back in my unfit state now has me exhausted.
Gonna sleep well tonight, thanks Rama for organising the event!

Upon boarding the train at Woy Woy, I joined up with Team737, team novo and Banj5150. Once at Wondabyne we waited for the train from Sydney to arrive and joined the rest of the group for the hike out to GZ, with many stops along the way as caches were found.

The track was rather wet and boggy in places, particularly west of the lookout, and there were some wet patches that were surprisingly deep, with the water coming above my knee at a couple of them. I was beginning to wonder if this was turning into a terrain 5 but eventually we reached the magnificent cave.

A great turnout with great weather and it was good catching up with many familiar cachers and meeting others for the first time. Many thanks for the event.

We are so glad that soccer got cancelled and 2 of us could attend. It took us 3&1/2 hours to get to the cave, but we also managed to pickup some caches along the way. The trail was not the best after all the recent rain, it should have be classed as T4 for the event. After numerous cancellations and the recent run of wet weather, it was absolutely fitting that mother nature played ball and gave us perfect weather. The turnout was fantastic with cachers coming from all over the Sydney metropolitan area - the Sutherland shire to Newcastle, and as far west as the Blue Mountains.
A highlight was Brewmaker and Team Canary performing the Limbo dance to catch the train driver's attention so they could make it back home.
Thanks Rama497 for organizing. Geo-daughter also had a good time. TFTE. The 4Rods.

#5429

On our way to meet up with a large crowd for the Pindar Cave Adventure event. Bella at Waggy, Purplepeopleater and I decided to catch the later train from Hornsby as we were familiar with the trail and had already found most of the other caches.

We were surprised to catch up with the group about half way along the trail and took the opportunity to chat. Made it to the caves right on noon and took the opportunity to relax and enjoy our snack/lunch in the shade of the cave. Bella and I couldn't resist checking out the view from above and by the time we returned, the rest of the group started to trickle in.

Amazing location, perfect weather and a large group of attendees made this a wonderful first event for CO and host Rama497. Just so happened to be my 100th event too!

Headed off at 1pm and comfortably made it back to the station to catch the 2:55 return train.

I'm sure all participants will sleep well tonight!

TFTE Rama497

Thankyou Rama497 for making this event happen. Loved the cache GZ, the cave, the company and the 25k steps, and the harry-potteresque negotiation with the reins. All in all a satisfying day out and I’m exhausted after clearing a spot on the map. It was a long awaited event and back when it was first published I don’t think I would have had the fitness to get it done. Today was a different story and although I wasn’t able to run along the trails I did make it up and out and back. At the end Discobob3 and I got to the station with 40 mins to spare to do some stretching and relaxing before the train came along. My water had run out earlier than I expected so the sprite I got out of the vending machine at berowa was amazing… just a shame there isn’t one at good old wondabyne. I will consider it as a business idea. TFTC and event.

#5081
We completed the walk out to Pindar Cave in summer 2020 for the multi, and were keen to do it again, as it is an impressive area - the cave and the lookout.
After the southern crew arrived we set off in groups to the lookout, grabbing some caches on the way, and with time up our sleeve, made the cave in about 3.5hr, after stopping at the lookout.
We were spoiled with the best event location on the Central Coast, but with trains to catch we packed up on time and headed off.
A steady pace got us back to the train in just under 2hr, pausing only to check out a young goanna and two small brown (coloured) snakes - a little jog down the last descent giving us 60 seconds to spare before the train arrived.
Thanks for holding the event in such a great spot Rama - congrats on your first event going off so well....

#1,559
Calypso62and I (with some others) got the 8:26am train from Hornsby.
We arrived at Wondayne at 8:56am and meet up with more cachers.
Those who had not found the Side Track here, collected the calculations before heading up the track at 9:06am. They also stopped and found the other caches along the way.
We all got to the top of the hill and to the turn off to Pindar Cave.
We started the walk into the cave.
We got to Mount Pindar Lookout at approx. 11:50am.
We had a break before heading on to reach the cave. Some other went on a head, whilst the slower ones took extra time.
We arrived at the cave around 12:30pm. So, it was a 3.5 hour walk in.
We all started eating lunch. I handed around the logo book for everyone to sign, said a few words and then drew the First to Find winner, which was Banj5150.
I took the group photo and thanked everyone for attending my first event.
Everyone started to make their way back to the station. Calypso62, Jackscruff, Stefanoodle and I stayed back to take in the cave and the surroundings. I goanna even came out to say hello.
We started to make our way back around 1:30pm.
We took it easy and got back to the station around 4:30pm, just in time to catch the 4:45pm train back to Hornsby.
This walk has been on my bucket list for awhile after coming here to collect caches before. I have now done it.
I am completely stuffed but had the best day and meet new cachers. It was great 1st event.

Quite an adventure this was, that's for sure. How exciting that after several postponements over many months the day finally dawned bright: sunny and blue skies -- something I'd not seen for many weeks with all the rain along the eastern coast of Australia.

I set two alarms in case one of them didn't latch on to the change in daylight savings when the clocks went back on the day. All was good, and I was able start my day with a nice cuppa tea. Then off to the station to catch the Metro, only to realise I didn't have my mask and had to run back to the car to fetch it. But I made it in time for the correct train, and my connection to the main train up to Wondabyne was also on time.

Wondabyne is an awesome little station with only train and boat access, or a very long walk if coming from the northwest. The "southerners" made up a sizable group when we met up with the "northerners" who were already waiting at Wondabyne.

It was great to catch up with familiar cachers and to meet some people I hadn't seen before. The hike also provided lots of time to chat to various people. With several detours for caches along the way, and some stops to enjoy the surrounding -- especially at the lookout point -- it took around three and a half hours to get to Pindar Cave. In part we were slowed down by some slightly overgrown tracks and then by a very wet, soggy and muddy track, especially near the cave. But that's what adventure is all about. My choice to wear my waterproof hiking boots paid off.

We all made it to the cave in time for the group photo and some much anticipated lunch. Shortly after lunch most of the hikers started heading back because of trains to catch. Four of us stayed a while longer to soak in the experience and the surroundings. It's not often that one comes out to such a special place.

Eventually, we also made a break and arrived at the station in about three hours at a leisurely pace. My stepcount for the day was just over 25 000. The walk from the station to the cave and back was about 13 km. I certainly could feel the after-effects, but a hot shower, a strong cuppa tea or two and a good night's rest did me a world of good. The somewhat sore and stiff muscles lingered a day or two longer.

Thanks, Rama497, for planning this cache and being persistent through all the setbacks from lockdown. This was one amazing adventure and an event that will be remembered for a long time. And thanks to the other cachers who came along, too. It was a very enjoyable outing. When's the next one ...???

#4785
What a fabulous location for this event!! This was my second visit to the cave having completed my first trek out back in July, 2016. The "wow" factor was still there even though I knew what to expect.
It was great fun catching the train from Hornsby with mates and meeting up with another group of intrepid hikers at Berowra Station. Finally, we were joined on Wondabyne Station by those coming down from the Central Coast.
The trip to the cave was somewhat slow going with many participants enjoying side adventures to find some nearby caches. That didn't matter though as I was having a great time.
Pindar Cave is one magical spot. Well done Rama497 on your first event hosting. It was certainly worth the wait!!!
Cheers.

A very enjoyable day out to Pindar Cave for the group event today. The sun finally shined on us for a glorious day after all the rain lately. The path was very overgrown in parts but luckily not too many scratches to show for it and was easy enough to follow. Then the water on the track we had to waddle over to was fun after a while, at least no wet feet in the end, my shoes held up even with one big step in, at one point.

Thanks Ram497 for organising a great day out and taking us to this location. I have walked a few parts of the great north walk but never this far up.

Of all the many events I have attended, this would have to be the most remote one to get to. When originally announced what seems like decades ago, I put in my WILL ATTEND. With several changes to the eventual date, I decided to tag along today, despite driving all the way to Palm Beach and back to The Shire for a wedding yesterday. Luckily it coincided with the end of daylight saving, as the extra hour gave me enough inspiration to make the effort.

Although I had found the caches along the way (except for the Pindar Cave multi), it was a great day out as the sun was shining after months of rain. There was a huge contingent of about 20 eager hikers of all ages, and as the group grew bigger along the way, there were many tales and stories to be shared.

After nearly 3 hours, we made it to the cave. And what an impressive cave it is! We rested, ate our lunch, caught our breath, had more discussions, took photos, FTF was awarded, then made our way out in small groups. Unfortunately, I didn't get to thank the CO personally for hosting this event. Congratulations on your first event! Though I hope the next one is easier to get to.

Seriously though, it was a great experience with great company and impressive views along the way and at GZ. On the way out, we came across 2 small brown snakes. At least the walk back to the train station was quicker, especially the last 10 minutes as we raced to make the train, which we did by a minute, risking life and limb crossing the track as the train approached! And now I am home, I can rest up as I'm sure all the other participants will do tonight after covering over 12km. Fortunately I don't have to work tomorrow, so I can recover for my next adventure. TFTE Rama497.

Big walk to Pindar Cave today. As I opted not to take the train I had to start from Woy Woy Road. This included a fair bit of the Norhtern walk before even getting to the Pindar trail. Walked 27 km in ttotal with a few caches along the way and a great event at the Pindar cave with a really good turn out. Now at home feeling sorry for my sore muscles!
Thanks heaps for organising Rama!
TFTC Wilbert67

I'd been waiting for this event since it was first published, and then postponed a few times. A perfect opportunity to find the nearby cache in the company of some other cachers.
I made my way to the train station where I met up with Team 737 where we boarded the train heading south to Wondabyne.
Closer to our destination we were joined by Team Novo and BFJ. At Wondabyne we waited for those coming from the south, then made our way towards the Cave.
Great to meet some new cachers, putting faces to names.
Thanks Rama for the event, it was a fantastic day in a brilliant place, I wonder what you have planned for your next event.

After a hat-trick of attempts to hold this event today was finally the day!
And it was an event with a difference.

Firstly the train trip to Wondabyne Station was lovely, always like a good train ride and what a unique spot to start the trek to Pindar Cave. It is certainly a very remote and special location to hold an event, especially your first event. The end of daylight saving last night made being certain of the real time tricky but somehow a good sized group of geocachers met at Wondabyne Station, such a unique station being the only station in Australia with no road access.
It took 3 hours to reach the cave after several stops for caches along the way, stops for views and a rest and the slow track with water flowing along sections of it and other very wet and muddy areas and the track itself being quite overgrown. Also extra slow for me with a slip and a fall right into the water, which went into my mouth - hope its fresh!

Still it was worth the effort - what an amazing cave!
Love the colours of the sandstone, the different weathering patterns in the rock, the water trickling over the cave roof, the bush surrounding the cave and the wildlife us later stayers found sharing the cave with us.

I'm so glad I came on this Adventure!
It was an excellent day with geofriends, and the opportunity to meet others from different parts of greater Sydney, nature in this area - the plants, the birds, the butterflies, and the creatures here, (although maybe not the tick Stefanoodle found on my shirt, but I managed to get it before it got me.)

TFTE It's going to be hard to beat this for a location for your future events Rama497!
#4801

Was really hoping to make this but unfortunately the stars don’t align for me. I think I could get to Wondabyne around 12… just too late.
Oh well, I’ll get there one day.
Enjoy everyone.

Sorry to add to the last couple posts, but I'm also not well and won't be able to make it. It sounds like the weather will be good, so have a great trek!

I am so disappointed I won't be able to join this adventure! Hurt my back a few days ago and still recovering.
Looking forward to hearing all about it, and hope the weather holds out!

Hi Everyone who is attending this event tomorrow.

The weather is currently looking good. There is only a slight chance of some rain, but who knows.

Don't forget that clocks go back 1 hour tonight, so you get an extra hour of sleep.

I will plan to take a group photo around 12:30 pm.

I am so looking forward to hosting my first event and seeing this place.

See you tomorrow.
David.

I'm not confident that the day will stay dry, so I think I'll pass on this and have a go another day. Hoping it all works out for you this time round!

I've always wanted to do this hike. I'm really pleased that despite several postponements, and then some changes in my own plans for this time of year, I'll be able to join you on this hike. I'll make sure I'm on the same train from Epping to Hornsby to Wondabyne so that we can walk as a group from about 09h00. Always more fun to get lost together!

Little note: The clocks go back on Sunday. I hope this doesn't cause an awful lot of confusion about what time which trains run.

And according to the weather forecast this morning, Sunday ought to be mild and dry (but the forecasts change by the hour, so who knows?).

Pretty keen to make it to this here event in our own backyard just that there's a bit on for us novos this weekend. All going well though, we'll be on the train coming from the other end which will arrive at Wondabyne ~0845.

We once saw the biggest Brown Snake we've ever seen on this walk (it was about 6-7 foot long) but don't let that put anyone off lol.
#1482

Correction to the train arrival at Wondabyne.
Calypso62 and I will be catching the 8:26am train from Hornsby Station. This will get us to Wondabyne at 8:56am.

Time travel? Depart 8:26, Arrive 8:26? I'm sure it's just a typo! I'm still hoping to make it after attending a wedding the day before if I pull up ok.

Hi Everyone,

The day for the event to happen is soon approaching, it is this Sunday 3rd April.
It is finally going to happen - Rain, Hail, Shine, Snow, etc.

Calypso62 and I will be catching the 8:26am train from Hornsby Station. This will get us to Wondabyne at 8:26am.

Allowing for the 2 - 3 hour walk to the cave, we should be there well before the start time of 12pm.

I am looking forward to finally running my very 1st event and meeting those who can still make it at the cave.

Remember to take it easy and bring water and some food. There are no shops along the way.

See you on Sunday.
David.
Rama497

Looks like a fun day out. Will be coming to this.

Bugger, won't be coming as have stuff on in the south that day.

Im coming!

Looks like we are not going to be able to come after all. This walk was also going to be used as a rehearsal for another longer event, but now due to the winter soccer season starting, and a match scheduled for the day, we are pulling out. If soccer is cancelled, then we should be able to make it.

Yes, I'm coming.

Checked the train calendar this morning and it looks like trains will be running on this line on April 3rd.

Planning to attend this one. Saw it when it was first posted a year or so back and I'm glad you've rescheduled. If I don't have covid or a leg injury leading up to the day - I'm in!

Sadly now no longer able to make this one. I've just had a training course moved to this date that I have been waiting on for a year. Sorry, perhaps next time.

That elevation scare me a little as hills and I don’t get on so we’ll, so it’s a maybe from me at this time.

Keen

My "Will Attend" for the new date of the 3rd April still stands.

Count me in!

I'm a bit flaky on such things, but I reckon there's a >50% chance I'll be along. Looking forward to it

Ooooh this looks interesting, I'd be keen!

I coming cant wait to meet new people

this will be my first meet up

I am re enabling this event as I have now been able to set the correct date on the cache page.

This event will now be held on 3/4/2022.

Hope to see you there.

If we're free then, we'll come.... it's a great walk, but probably a good call to not do it in summer, we did it in summer - let's just say we won't forget it, and will take more water next time.....

Hi Everyone,

I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

With the current lockdown still in place, I am going to have to move this event again.

Given the fact that we are coming to the end of the year and into Summer, I don't want to do this hike in the middle of Summer.

I am moving this event to *****Sunday 3rd April 2022.******
The system will not let me set the date as the 3rd April as yet, so it is set at 6th March 2022.

Once I can place it on the correct date, I will update the cache page.

The event is for the 3rd April 2022.

I hope that I will finally be able to run my first event.

Regards
David.

This event will be held on the 3rd April 2022.

The system will not let me change it to the correct date.

Interested in attending - will follow closely

Hi Everyone,

With the Sydney lockdown now being extended to the end of September, I have had to move the date again.

The new date is Sunday 10th October.

Hopefully, we might be able to final get out and do this walk.

Stay safe.

Hi everyone,

Again due to the Sydney lockdown, I have had to move the date again.

The new date is 12th September.

Lets hope things are better by then.

Even though I would prefer Saturday, I will still put everything to work to make it here!
Cheers Will

Updated and fingers crossed.

????????????

Hi Everyone,

As the current lockdown has been extended, I am now moving this event to Sunday 8th August 2021.

Hope we are out of lockdown by then and that we can have a great day.

Regards
David.

Hi Everyone,

Covid Update
With the current lockdown in Greater Sydney and surrounds, I am thinking that this event will have to be postponed.

If the lockdown is lifted on Friday 16th July @ 11:59pm, I am hoping that I can still run this event the next day.

If it does not go ahead on the 17th July, I am looking at moving this event to Sunday 8th August.

Let's hope that the current situation eases, so that we can get out Caching again.

I will update the event once we have direction from the NSW Government.

Regards
Rama497
David

I have wanted to do this for long. Book marked the date

I'd like to come, but we shall have to wait and see how things eventuate.

Book me in.

Hope to make it. making a diary note. The 4Rods.

I should be there.

I should be able to make it

Count me in.

Published

Sounds great!

I'm keen, I haven't managed to stop at this station yet so this might be the nudge I need

I'll put this in the diary. Having already covered some of that area, it would be good to visit it once more. Brew

Woohoo!! I'm in.