[Urban Volcano] - Sheoak Hill Toolern Vale, Victoria, Australia
By
caughtatwork on 04-Feb-07. Waypoint GA0680
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Traditional |
| Container: | Regular |
| Coordinates: | S37° 37.542' E144° 38.939' (WGS 84) |
| 55H 292527E 5833113N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 194 m |
| Local Government Area: | Melton |
/144.648983,-37.6257,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
The 79th cache by caughtatwork takes you to the site of an Urban Volcano.
Sheoak Hill is a dormant scoria hill volcano right on the edge of the western suburbs of Melbourne.
A scoria hill is a conical hill formed by weak explosive eruptions of generally basalt magma. These relatively small cones are the most common volcano type. They are characterized by steep slopes on both sides of the edifice, which lead up to a wide summit crater. This edifice is composed of ashy tephra (volcanic rock and glass fragments). Unlike stratovolcanoes, many scoria hill (or cone) volcanoes have only one eruption event.
Regrettably the cone of the volcano is on private property so you will not be able to get to the top of the dormant volcano, but as you approach the cache location you should be able to see the distinctive volcano shape.
If you take the time to drive around the volcano (via Black Hill Rd and Ryans Lane) you will see that the former crater is being mined for scoria. As you drive up Black Hill Rd you will pass the entrance to the excavation site and will see the large scoria blocks that are being extracted. The further you drive around the volcano, the more destruction due to excavation you will see.
If you have ever wondered why the western suburbs are so flat, you will be standing on the major reason.
The cache you seek is a 1litre sistema container.
I hope you find the experience of being on the slopes of an urban volcano interesting.
Hints
Va gur qrnq gerr fghzc nggnpurq gb gur fgvyy yvivat gerr. |
|
Decode |
Logs
Alas, the tree that this cache was hidden in was brought to end-of-life today.
I got a very nice phone call from the VicRoads man who spotted my phone number on the log book (after he'd cut the tree down) and called me to let me know the cache hide was gone. He got to keep the cache as a reward and will pass on the left over trinkets to his kids.
Thanks to everyone who found this cache over the last 7 or so years.
I got a very nice phone call from the VicRoads man who spotted my phone number on the log book (after he'd cut the tree down) and called me to let me know the cache hide was gone. He got to keep the cache as a reward and will pass on the left over trinkets to his kids.
Thanks to everyone who found this cache over the last 7 or so years.
14:05
In the area returning from Gisborne and spotted this and it's GCA neighbour. Hadn't realised until today that there were volcano's under the brow of the nearby hills. Another lesson learnt and another excellent C@W cache - they way they should be.
TNLN . . SL . . thanks for the placement.
In the area returning from Gisborne and spotted this and it's GCA neighbour. Hadn't realised until today that there were volcano's under the brow of the nearby hills. Another lesson learnt and another excellent C@W cache - they way they should be.
TNLN . . SL . . thanks for the placement.
Rated: for Overall Experience
There was no obvious evidence of volcanic activity today. In fact, if it hadn't ben for the detailed information provided in the cache description, we would not have been aware of the igneous past of this area. Thanks caughtatwork for bringing us to an interesting location. The cache was a quick find and its contents were in good condition. TFTC caughtatwork.
14:19
With the GPSr loaded up with both GC and GCA caches, gone are the days when I don't realize I've blown past a hide on the way to another. After visiting and logging a find at the most likely "Mission Impossible?" location, I stopped for a photo at the nearby virtual, then decided I'd enough time to check out a couple of volcanoes that had not been visited for a while.
This was the first; a nice quick drive-up find on an almost deserted road. You'll be pleased to know that all is well, and the contents are snug and dry in their hidey hole, C@W. Thanks for the hide.
GCA#86
With the GPSr loaded up with both GC and GCA caches, gone are the days when I don't realize I've blown past a hide on the way to another. After visiting and logging a find at the most likely "Mission Impossible?" location, I stopped for a photo at the nearby virtual, then decided I'd enough time to check out a couple of volcanoes that had not been visited for a while.
This was the first; a nice quick drive-up find on an almost deserted road. You'll be pleased to know that all is well, and the contents are snug and dry in their hidey hole, C@W. Thanks for the hide.
GCA#86
Rated: for Overall Experience
The hardest thing about this cache was the number of cars wizzing by at high speed. A nice quick find. Thanks
Rated: for Overall Experience
Third of four volcano caches for today, this one another easy find although a short walk required as I parked in the side road after passing GZ in the car. Cache was guarded by a huntsman spider and many earwigs but they moved off quickly... TFTC
Another piece of history to explain the geographic layout we exist in now. Volcanoes in Toolern Vale - I didn't even suspect. Ordered and used plenty of the scoria from this area not realising what a vandalised mess it was creating. Thanks C@W for the info and another accurately placed and well stocked (understatement!) cache. Look forward to the others in this area.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this one on the way home from Mt. Cottrell today. Interesting collection of goodies in cache, swapped china doll for golfing tees.
Surprised at the number of volcanoes around the area.
Surprised at the number of volcanoes around the area.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Despite my thoroughly wet walking boots from my last find on one of his caches, I was happy to see another C@W cache pop up on my GPSr as we made our way back to Tullamarine. This one was a quick, easy, and - dare I say it - sane cache to seek even in the foul weather I had to make due with. I quickly logged my find and made it back to the camper; the husband knew I'd been successful by the smile on my face.
Thank you for the cache!
Thank you for the cache!
Detoured via this cache on my way to Sunbury. Enough traffic, even at 08:00 to have to make a dash for the stash.
Thanks for another great lesson on the volcanic history of the area.
Thanks for another great lesson on the volcanic history of the area.
Loving all the Urban Volcano series.
Another easy find - parked only a few metres away
Another easy find - parked only a few metres away
Rated: for Overall Experience
It's past time to work through the volcano series, so started here. Wasn't convinced of the need to stop on this road, so parked in Black Hill and walked down. Easily found in the obvious spot, no sign of guardians! Thanks.
2nd cache we found in the volcano series, took keychain, left toy space shuttle. tftc.
Rated: for Overall Experience
It was rather dark and we couldn't see much around here except the light pollution from the city skyline..
Thanks again caughtatwork!
Thanks again caughtatwork!
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found by The Empire
Nice location, thanks for the cache.
- M
Nice location, thanks for the cache.
- M
Rated: for Overall Experience
Someone had pulled up right beside this one so we thought they may have been cachers going after this one, but he was just on the phone.
When beck pulled this one out a great big huntsman came out at the same time. Thank-god it wasn't me I would of had kittens.
TFTC
When beck pulled this one out a great big huntsman came out at the same time. Thank-god it wasn't me I would of had kittens.
TFTC
I must be mad.
Picked this one off on the way to work.
OK, it was a bit of a detour from Riddells Creek to Tullamarine but it only added about 20 mins to the journey.
TFTC
TNLNSL
The Riddeller.
Picked this one off on the way to work.
OK, it was a bit of a detour from Riddells Creek to Tullamarine but it only added about 20 mins to the journey.
TFTC
TNLNSL
The Riddeller.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Find #15 of 18 on my "Dad's Taxi trip to Macedon" day.
Another quick drive-by for me. I was a bit worried stopping here with the newly painted double lines, but was able to get well off the road into the bushes, so safely retrieved this cache. The tree is shooting again, so the cache is well concealed now! Thanks once again for the volcano tour, c@w!
Another quick drive-by for me. I was a bit worried stopping here with the newly painted double lines, but was able to get well off the road into the bushes, so safely retrieved this cache. The tree is shooting again, so the cache is well concealed now! Thanks once again for the volcano tour, c@w!
Found by Bob at 1150
Continuing on my way to Merrimu, this was another nice little drive-by and a quick find. I'm afraid I didn't really notice this cone too much as I parked a bit precariously and was a little hurried and, anyway, I thought Mt Kororoit was much more impressive!
TNLN
Thanks again caughtatwork
Continuing on my way to Merrimu, this was another nice little drive-by and a quick find. I'm afraid I didn't really notice this cone too much as I parked a bit precariously and was a little hurried and, anyway, I thought Mt Kororoit was much more impressive!
TNLN
Thanks again caughtatwork
Nice spot,and a good find. Just watch the traffic a bit.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found with McAdies after Melton event. Cachers almost everywhere we stopped!!! TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
Cache found easily and just as I was logging two more car loads of cachers from the event pulled up! Thanks for the cache caughtatwork.
Found by Uncle Jiffy on 13 Sep 2008 at 14:20
Thanks for my first GCA cache. I have been very slack with GCA caches, there is one 580m from home (that I havent found yet due to muggles). Ahh well better late than never I suppose. Thanks C@W for the tour of a couple of local volcanoes.
TNLN
Thanks for my first GCA cache. I have been very slack with GCA caches, there is one 580m from home (that I havent found yet due to muggles). Ahh well better late than never I suppose. Thanks C@W for the tour of a couple of local volcanoes.
TNLN
Rated: for Overall Experience
I've enjoyed doing some of this series a few months ago and decided to complete the set. On a cold wet afternoon, this was a pleasantly easy find. The horses watched on as I signed the log book from the car.
Rated: for Overall Experience
found by Bevfre 11.00 .Easy find as it was not covered by any thing, TN LN SL Thank you caughtatwork
12.30pm
Found by Roma and Max.
After negotiating some State Parks tracks earlier on today, this proved to be an easy drive by.
Once again we signed the log and exchanged a Mondo Figurine for a Blacklight Torch, and another thank you to C@W for placing this cache.
From Romax.
Found by Roma and Max.
After negotiating some State Parks tracks earlier on today, this proved to be an easy drive by.
Once again we signed the log and exchanged a Mondo Figurine for a Blacklight Torch, and another thank you to C@W for placing this cache.
From Romax.
Driving along a route I have not used before, TomTom alerted me to a couple of caches from the un-found list. This one was real drive by.
This is a different looking volcano to the others in the series that I have done.
No swaps today.
Thanks for this cache and an interesting series.
This is a different looking volcano to the others in the series that I have done.
No swaps today.
Thanks for this cache and an interesting series.
Found this one today nicely, its good to see a series of caches exclusivly for GCA members! I very much like this series and look forward to eventually completing all of them in due time! TFTC TNLN
Found 8.30am
Dodging the high speed muggles we quickly found this cache. Must be something about GCA caches that has them stuffed full of qulity swaps, and this one was no exeption.
Took Bubbles
Left A "Keeper of Time" + 3D Stickers
TFTC C@W
Dodging the high speed muggles we quickly found this cache. Must be something about GCA caches that has them stuffed full of qulity swaps, and this one was no exeption.
Took Bubbles
Left A "Keeper of Time" + 3D Stickers
TFTC C@W
Found by baby&Mrs gopher at 1145.Left bandaged bear fridge magnet and notepad.Removed TB Just In Time to place it in another series.Tnx caughtatwork
Nice easy drive by and the start of 4 today in this great series. A really good theme and what I like a rural cache as well. TNLN thaks c@w
Found by Pickupfamily Dad, Nana and kids (Pickup Tiger and Pickup Dragon). A quick easy find. No sign of sheoaks from here. Interesting to learn the geology of the hill. To us lay-people, the hill towards the city looks more volcanic than the "real" volcano. A well stocked cache, as expected from c@w, thanks.
We TNLN, except left a geocaching.com TB "Just In Time" TB11ZB3, as this was the first sizeable cache I've found in a while where it could fit. Forgot this was a GCA cache, so can't log this properly. I'll try to head back out to collect this if it doesn't get collected by somebody else.
We TNLN, except left a geocaching.com TB "Just In Time" TB11ZB3, as this was the first sizeable cache I've found in a while where it could fit. Forgot this was a GCA cache, so can't log this properly. I'll try to head back out to collect this if it doesn't get collected by somebody else.
Rated: for Overall Experience
I found this cache today for the River Deep to Mountain High game. Then caughtatwork checked it for maintenance.
Found by Team Ladava 3.15pm
Nice and easy again
Took Goldrush #5 Swaggie
Left keyring
Thanks again caughtatwork
Nice and easy again
Took Goldrush #5 Swaggie
Left keyring
Thanks again caughtatwork
Had a swaggie on board that hasn't seen a cache for a good wile so when I saw a GCA cache come on screen I headed off the HWY. After a bit or crusing the western desert dirt roads at the state limit and testing a few dead ends I found a road that seemed to be heading for GZ. It soon turned to tar and GZ was found. This cache adds new meaning to the term driveby.
Left Gold Rush Swaggie
Had passed the hill in question on the way to GZ. Have also been to the summit of another of these hills in the area before.
Thanks C@W hope the swaggie has a good stay.
Left Gold Rush Swaggie
Had passed the hill in question on the way to GZ. Have also been to the summit of another of these hills in the area before.
Thanks C@W hope the swaggie has a good stay.
Bit windy when the trucks come past!!
In- Western Bulldogs lanyard
Out- Allen Keys
In- Western Bulldogs lanyard
Out- Allen Keys
