Solomon's Ford GCA Avondale Heights, Victoria, Australia
By
Solomonfamily on 13-Aug-09. Waypoint GA1554
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Traditional |
| Container: | Small |
| Coordinates: | S37° 46.279' E144° 51.070' (WGS 84) |
| 55H 310742E 5817382N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 10 m |
| Local Government Area: | Maribyrnong |
/144.851167,-37.771317,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
Solomon's Ford GCA
This is a Geocaching Australia Version of our GC Cache Solomon’s Ford. I wanted to encourage normally GC only finders to cross the ford – and now that you have – here is an Aussie smiley.
Arriving at GZ you will be standing near a rock ford crossing the Maribyrnong river. The ford, about 10 kilometres upstream from the Yarra junction was first formally observed by Charles Grimes who in 1803 noted that “the natives” used and placed the rocks that divided Saltwater and Fresh to catch fish. The ford in many ways is almost unchanged today. On our first visit we found locals fishing.
With the settlement at Port Phillip the ford crossing became the first and for a while the only place to cross the river (which was then known as Saltwater River) from Melbourne to Geelong and on to the goldfields of Ballarat and Bendigo. For decades this crossing was a vital for anyone heading west, and was still in use long after several bridges were opened.
In researching this location we have spent some time reading about both the ford and the tangled web of the extended Solomon family who the ford was named after because of their adjoining properties. “Solomon’s Station” was established in 1835 - I understand it stood where the Medley Golf Course is today; just down river from the ford. Different references attribute the “ownership” (“illegally” purchased from Aborigines / Squatted / Crown Land purchases) of the land to different members of the Solomon family (Michael, Joseph, Joseph Jnr,..) all relations of “transported” brothers Judah and Joseph (Snr). There was also discussion about the exact location of the ford as at least one surveyor in the 1800’s incorrectly mapping and documenting it half a mile upstream. Interestingly in previous editions of the Melways, the ford had simply been labelled “Rock Ford”, the current edition (2009) labels it “Solomans Ford” and after any email to Ausway, I am told in future editions it will now be corrected to “Solomon’s Ford”.
We are now pretty confident that our Solomonfamily are of no relation to the Solomon family of that era.
References
Solomon's Ford - V. J. Jones 1983 ISBN 0959367179 (Nice Read)
Heritage Victoria – Solomon’s Ford HI H7822-0242 http://vhd.heritage.vic.gov.au/places/heritage/8880
The Jews of Australia – A Thematic History Volume 1 1788-1945 – Hilary Rubinstein
The Jews in Victoria 1835-1985 - Hilary Rubinstein ISBN 0868615811
Melways (several editions) Published by Ausways. http://ausway.com/home/
http://www.redreaming.info/DisplayStory.asp?id=110
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maribyrnong_River
Hints
Onfr bs ebpx ba gur jrfg fvqr |
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Decode |
Logs
This geocache appears to be MIA so to stop it clogging the search lists we'll archive it. This is done to keep the geocaching Australia clean and up to date.
If the owner can confirm it is in place the listing can be resurrected by placing an "unarchived" log against it.
If the owner can confirm it is in place the listing can be resurrected by placing an "unarchived" log against it.
As there has been no activity since our DNF, we will log a maintenance. Hopefully that might stimulate a check of the cache.
After being blown around Edgewater Walk while we found the ten hidden caches we decided to look for this one before heading to Sale.
We parked in the newish housing area to the east of the cache about 500m away and walked the roughly formed track to GZ. As we walked we had a prossession of planes coming in to land passing over head. It was fascinating to note that their flight paths were exactly the same.
Our GPS liked one particular rock but after several thoŕough searches we came up empty handed. We expanded our search area to the rocks 3m away but still no luck. We expànded our search again to encompass the next groups of rocks but still no cache. After expanding our search out to 30 metres without finding anything we retuŕned to GZ according to our GPSs and still nothing.
As we had searched for over 40 minutes unsuccessfully we reluctantly left.
We would appreciate a check by the cache owner as we enjoyed the area and thè history you provided. Particularly as the coastal area of Tasmania where we live is known for its aboriginal fish traps.
We would love to return to find this GÀ cache
We parked in the newish housing area to the east of the cache about 500m away and walked the roughly formed track to GZ. As we walked we had a prossession of planes coming in to land passing over head. It was fascinating to note that their flight paths were exactly the same.
Our GPS liked one particular rock but after several thoŕough searches we came up empty handed. We expanded our search area to the rocks 3m away but still no luck. We expànded our search again to encompass the next groups of rocks but still no cache. After expanding our search out to 30 metres without finding anything we retuŕned to GZ according to our GPSs and still nothing.
As we had searched for over 40 minutes unsuccessfully we reluctantly left.
We would appreciate a check by the cache owner as we enjoyed the area and thè history you provided. Particularly as the coastal area of Tasmania where we live is known for its aboriginal fish traps.
We would love to return to find this GÀ cache
looked around the rocks, didnt spot it, looked in the bushes too. not found. maybe another day.
King and King with Geoprince and geodog
Finally we came to do some maintenance - replaced the cache all together. And restocked too.
It was good to see King Sr actually cross the ford itself (with some encouragement). At one point we looked around and could not see geoprince - we called out... no answer... called again still no answer.... geodog was there !! Then we worked it out in jest we had jokingly asked him to run back to the car parked on the other side up the hill and come back and tell us if it was locked... after a cooooeeeeee he replied and came back. The funny thing is that when we got back to the car - his door was still open - road side !!!!!
Finally we came to do some maintenance - replaced the cache all together. And restocked too.
It was good to see King Sr actually cross the ford itself (with some encouragement). At one point we looked around and could not see geoprince - we called out... no answer... called again still no answer.... geodog was there !! Then we worked it out in jest we had jokingly asked him to run back to the car parked on the other side up the hill and come back and tell us if it was locked... after a cooooeeeeee he replied and came back. The funny thing is that when we got back to the car - his door was still open - road side !!!!!
A quick find after finding the other cache nearby. Thanks for bringing me here. The cache is in need of a bit of TCL (cracked container).
TFTC!
TFTC!
found while out having a family dayFound with sksjd on a day out for the school holidays tftc and the history lesson
Rated: for Overall Experience
I was on my pushbike riding through the area and decided to grab some caches I needed to find here. As I arrived at GZ of one, I remembered that there was a GCA cache here, so I switched over to that app, and found The hidden prize shortly afterward, which I logged before carrying my bike over the ford to the GC counterpart.
Thanks to CO for getting me down here. Nice spot.
Thanks to CO for getting me down here. Nice spot.
First did street o, then the GC cache, then crossed the river in the dark to get this. A big thistle as GZ attacked me but I was not deterred. Good to finally do my second GCA cache.
Rated: for Overall Experience
After awaking early on this frost morning - unintentially and unwanted - I eventually gave up on sleep and got up to plan a day of geocaching. I decided to head out west again to tackle this one and the recent trail of pet rocks. My parents lived in this area so I was familiar with some of it, but so much has changed even in my lifetime. I also hadn't appreciated the depth of the river gorge here! Crunching through frozen dewdrops to GZ was rather enjoyable and I soon had the cache in hand to record my visit. I hoped to cross the ford to grab the matching GC cache but the river was flowing fast and I seriously didn't fancy a dip in the freezing conditions! I'll have to grab one another time. TFTC 
Never knew about this cache when I visited its companion piece over the river... so as I found myself nearby, I figured I should make an attempt.
Parking at the top, the GPS brought me bang onto GZ, where I started looking... and found the cache by stepping on it! I guess that's one way of doing it.
Parking at the top, the GPS brought me bang onto GZ, where I started looking... and found the cache by stepping on it! I guess that's one way of doing it.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this one! The park makes a nice contrast from the industrial area above. Also took the lazy way & drove from the other nearby cache on the opposite bank as the river was raging!
Logbook was a bit damp, but usable. TNLN TFTC
Logbook was a bit damp, but usable. TNLN TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
After a relatively short hiatus from my usual Monday night caching run, I was able to start them back up again with my good friend jsmyong55 tonight. I picked him up from Melbourne University just after 5 pm and we headed out to the northwest of town to pick a few up there. There was a fair bit of walking tonight, so we didn't bag the numbers we thought we might but we certaininly had fun grabbing the ones we did. This was a nice easy find at night. Local foxes were out and about. Thanks.
Rated: for Overall Experience
After a long break from our usual caching runs, Trailrunning and I met up tonight to continue on another awesome night out. We did quite well tonight, seeing that many caches are quite distant from each other, not that we were racing against time anyway. Many long walks and "adventures", even being poisoned by nasty noodle shop.
Another of our long walks to this one. Enjoyed the stroll along and managed to find the cache soon after. TFTC
Another of our long walks to this one. Enjoyed the stroll along and managed to find the cache soon after. TFTC
After finding the GC cache at the Ford itself, I found my way back over the river to grab this one. Two for the price of one, and both by pushbike while waiting for the car to be serviced at St Albans.
Cache was wet, but as time was on my side, I had time to dry it out completely before returning it to it's niche.
Thanks again Solomonfamily
Cache was wet, but as time was on my side, I had time to dry it out completely before returning it to it's niche.
Thanks again Solomonfamily
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this one and the one on the other side of the river this morning. Really enjoyed this area the crossing and the history of the area. Big thanks to the Solomonfamily.
Rated: for Overall Experience
I had a day to myself, so a caching day around the northern parts of Melb on the bike.
I had riden on the north side of the river a few months ago, but due to water then, was not able to get close to this cache.
I was travelling along Ballarat road and could not miss an opportunity get this off the GCA list.
A easy find, so with some time left I went down to the river, plenty of water again flowing.
Pic attached
Thanks for this cache and some history of the area.
I had riden on the north side of the river a few months ago, but due to water then, was not able to get close to this cache.
I was travelling along Ballarat road and could not miss an opportunity get this off the GCA list.
A easy find, so with some time left I went down to the river, plenty of water again flowing.
Pic attached
Thanks for this cache and some history of the area.
Found at 7.50pm at the end of a long day of caching and fun at Intervening Days. Thanks Solomon's for giving us 2 reasons to walk down that big hill. TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found because the ford was uncrossable... so it was a consolation prize. cache was pretty wet... dried it out as best I could.
TFTC
TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found it @ approx. 17:45
A nice easy find on a great melbourne afternoon.
Cache was full of water, so I emptied it out, layed out to dry on a rock, while I went to find this caches GC equivelant, only to thwarted by the recent rains, as the ford was under about a foot of water.
Came back, repacked it all, and signed log.
TNLNSL
TFTC
A nice easy find on a great melbourne afternoon.
Cache was full of water, so I emptied it out, layed out to dry on a rock, while I went to find this caches GC equivelant, only to thwarted by the recent rains, as the ford was under about a foot of water.
Came back, repacked it all, and signed log.
TNLNSL
TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
Slipped (almost!) across from the east side and negotiated the greasy mud up the bank to find a pleasant walk towards a rather imposing building atop the hill.... Enjoyed another GC/GCA double. Thanks.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Didn't even get close as the river was to high from the North side. Will try another day from a different approach.
Didn't get a chance to do this when I did the GC one yesterday, but was on my way to Hoppers and took a detour to grab this and a couple of others.
A pain of a walk down (and back up) the hill with the pram, but a nice easy find.
A pain of a walk down (and back up) the hill with the pram, but a nice easy find.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found @ 17:05
Finally! I wanted to do this one when I did the GC cache on the other side of the ford a few days ago but the GPSr froze when I brought up the details. The same happened on the other GPSr so I was not able to do this one then. Today with the newly reloaded file, I found the same thing happened. This time I used my nous and put the Garmin in Dasboard mode and it counted down to GZ and I soon had the cache in hand. TNLNSL Thanks Solomonfamily!
Finally! I wanted to do this one when I did the GC cache on the other side of the ford a few days ago but the GPSr froze when I brought up the details. The same happened on the other GPSr so I was not able to do this one then. Today with the newly reloaded file, I found the same thing happened. This time I used my nous and put the Garmin in Dasboard mode and it counted down to GZ and I soon had the cache in hand. TNLNSL Thanks Solomonfamily!
Rated: for Overall Experience
It was a lovely day to be wandering the banks of the Maribyrnong, and the river, though flowing quite well with recent rains, was plenty low enough for crossing safely. The only tricky bit was the wondrously slippery mud on the side of cache. With a bit of a squelch I made my way to GZ and added a second smiley to my morning's outing. Thanks, solomonfamily: having the two caches close encourages people to do the crossing AND gives a different perspective on things.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found with Rog and Diala
Great Muddy Day out!!
TNLNSL
TFTC
Great Muddy Day out!!
TNLNSL
TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
On the way back from the GC cache, we headed to find this one, I think Rog's and coley's gpsr's had some accuracy issues, had them going another 100m away!
Many thanks SolomonFamily for the placement of caches here.
Many thanks SolomonFamily for the placement of caches here.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Another great location and after signing the log I crossed the river to complete the other.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found by The Empire, Sunday 11th April, 2010 @ 12:40pm
I had been here for the GC.com cache a while back but the river was flowing VERY fast and HIGH on that occasion and we didn't want to drive around and couldn't cross se it was put on the back burner until now. Nice little cache and a decent walk! Thanks.
- M
I had been here for the GC.com cache a while back but the river was flowing VERY fast and HIGH on that occasion and we didn't want to drive around and couldn't cross se it was put on the back burner until now. Nice little cache and a decent walk! Thanks.
- M
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found on a day out wth Monch's Mob. Also found the GC one on the other side. There were a few muggles about so we took time surveying the area before the huge Buddha provided enlightenment.
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."
Buddha
"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."
Buddha
Rated: for Overall Experience
A pleasure also to find this GCA cache set by the 'Solomonfamily', after visiting a nearby cache also set by them. Reaching GZ and completing the Log I was delighted to see a smiling Buddha overlooking proceedings from nearby. I wonder what this 'happy old fella' would think of Caching? I suspect he'd smile the more. A terrific location to get some sweeping landscape shots of the River too. I'd suggest Cachers visit the temple, which adds to the wonderful diversity of our collective cultures. Some excellent walking tracks in the vicinity. TNLN. TQP
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found this morning b4 going to work.
Surely is a happy Budda ovelooking GZ
Cheers Gordo
Surely is a happy Budda ovelooking GZ
Cheers Gordo
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found at 4.05pm after finding your cache on the other side of the river. Incidentally, this was my first GCA cache!
TNLN and TFTC
TNLN and TFTC
We found this one at 11:50am as the 1st of 1 on the Left and Centre City Tour with Team Rubik. Technically, we didn't actually have to cross the ford to collect this one as we were already parked on this side. A nice spot. Thanks from D B-A.
Rated: for Overall Experience
I am always amazed when I discover hidden places like this so close to home, all because of geocaching. It was so peaceful down by the river this evening. You've gotta love daylight savings, now that I can get out for a couple of quickies after dinner!
I found the GC cache first, then crossed over the river via the boulders for a relatively quick find of this one. As previous logs have noted, the "temple" on top of the hill will be an amazing place when it's finished... I'll have to go and investigate it further.
Many thanks for two good caches, so close to home! TNLNSL.
I found the GC cache first, then crossed over the river via the boulders for a relatively quick find of this one. As previous logs have noted, the "temple" on top of the hill will be an amazing place when it's finished... I'll have to go and investigate it further.
Many thanks for two good caches, so close to home! TNLNSL.
Rated: for Overall Experience
The number of times we have passed this point, as a Bushwalking group, in the past, is quite numerous.
See: http://trekker.customer.netspace.net.au/essendon.htm for information
We are usually transversing from Brimbank to Canning street or visa versa.
Sometimes we have even been orienteering in the area.
See: http://street.orienteering.com.au/Common/What%20is%20Street%20Orienteering.htm for information.
Either way, we have often stopped and admired the place.
Thanks for the history lesson.
Get out there and have fun!
The Riddellers
See: http://trekker.customer.netspace.net.au/essendon.htm for information
We are usually transversing from Brimbank to Canning street or visa versa.
Sometimes we have even been orienteering in the area.
See: http://street.orienteering.com.au/Common/What%20is%20Street%20Orienteering.htm for information.
Either way, we have often stopped and admired the place.
Thanks for the history lesson.
Get out there and have fun!
The Riddellers
Found by Team Ladava around 4.30pm on a very cold, windy Grand Final weekend.
Nice to see a GCA cache in tandem with its GC cousin. Perhaps taking a lead from c@w with some of his series in the Wombat State Forrest.
We actually found this one first as our navigator had us parking near the temple so down the path, a bit greasy in places but thankfully with some respite from the biting wind in the hollow.
I wonder how much time and water had to pass to erode out this huge waterway we have seen a number of time with this sport.
I assume it must have been a much different climate at some stage perhaps even dating back to the last ice age.
TNLN
Our thanks to Solomonfamily for a very enjoyable cache.
Nice to see a GCA cache in tandem with its GC cousin. Perhaps taking a lead from c@w with some of his series in the Wombat State Forrest.
We actually found this one first as our navigator had us parking near the temple so down the path, a bit greasy in places but thankfully with some respite from the biting wind in the hollow.
I wonder how much time and water had to pass to erode out this huge waterway we have seen a number of time with this sport.
I assume it must have been a much different climate at some stage perhaps even dating back to the last ice age.
TNLN
Our thanks to Solomonfamily for a very enjoyable cache.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found by Bob at 1125
After doing the GC cache on the other side of the ford, I enjoyed taking the big steps across the river to head to this one. I've always been drawn to watery spots and this little stretch of the river held a great deal of appeal for me. I also enjoyed the location for this cache (probably more so than its companion) because of its views. I think the nearby shrine/temple being constructed overlooking this spot may be a reasonable location for a future cache when it is finished too.
TNLN
Thanks again solomonfamily
PS Phill, I meant to email you and tell you that I did visit your GCA cemetery cache down near Warrigal Rd a week or two ago - I didn't find it and it wasn't until I got home and checked, that I realized it had been archived
After doing the GC cache on the other side of the ford, I enjoyed taking the big steps across the river to head to this one. I've always been drawn to watery spots and this little stretch of the river held a great deal of appeal for me. I also enjoyed the location for this cache (probably more so than its companion) because of its views. I think the nearby shrine/temple being constructed overlooking this spot may be a reasonable location for a future cache when it is finished too.
TNLN
Thanks again solomonfamily
PS Phill, I meant to email you and tell you that I did visit your GCA cemetery cache down near Warrigal Rd a week or two ago - I didn't find it and it wasn't until I got home and checked, that I realized it had been archived
Found 3.00pm
Great place for a cache and nice to find a GCA for a change. Some good views from the top of the hill and an easy stroll down to make a quick find, then a not so easy slog back up the hill to the car.
Many thanks Solomonfamily the 2 caches here rescued an otherwise barren day of caching.
Great place for a cache and nice to find a GCA for a change. Some good views from the top of the hill and an easy stroll down to make a quick find, then a not so easy slog back up the hill to the car.
Many thanks Solomonfamily the 2 caches here rescued an otherwise barren day of caching.
I found this cache with caughtatwork and mummy today. It was nice walking up the hill and I found this cache right where I thought it would be. It was special as we were the first ones to find it. That's exciting. Thank you.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found by caughtatwork at 3:57
W00T! *FTF* to GabGab and myself on this lonely GCA cache.
Thank to the enjoyment of the previous cache we made our way across the creek and up the slight hill towards the magnificent paces on top of the hill (I think they're Buddhist temples).
We approached GZ with the GPS counting down and when it got to zero, there was the cache at our feet. Woohoo.
Took nothing, left nothing.
Thanks Solmonfamily for these caches which are quite local to us. It seems feathertop didn't find the GCA cache, so that's another GCA FTF to us. Double W00T!
*Overall Experience: 3*
GAFF 1
W00T! *FTF* to GabGab and myself on this lonely GCA cache.
Thank to the enjoyment of the previous cache we made our way across the creek and up the slight hill towards the magnificent paces on top of the hill (I think they're Buddhist temples).
We approached GZ with the GPS counting down and when it got to zero, there was the cache at our feet. Woohoo.
Took nothing, left nothing.
Thanks Solmonfamily for these caches which are quite local to us. It seems feathertop didn't find the GCA cache, so that's another GCA FTF to us. Double W00T!
*Overall Experience: 3*
GAFF 1
Rated: for Overall Experience
