B&W (V) At the Flinders Normanton, Queensland, Australia
By
Geocaching Australia on 20-Aug-10. Waypoint GA2380
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Burke and Wills |
| Container: | Virtual |
| Coordinates: | S17° 52.718' E140° 49.602' (WGS 84) |
| 54K 481641E 8023233N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 10 m |
| Local Government Area: | Carpentaria |
/140.8267,-17.878633,14/400x200?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiY2F1Z2h0YXR3b3JrIiwiYSI6ImNqa2l4ZzNzMDE5bjgzdm1sZGpuODF1Mm0ifQ.q8YMzVyzDJJlJHHV8EMjwQ)
Description
This is a special Burke & Wills cache listed on Geocaching Australia.
This cache requires you to visit a Burke & Wills historical location and take a photo as described along with your GPS receiver and if possible yourself in the picture. Once you have logged this cache as a find, you are required to load your picture to your log to validate your find.
Validating Your Log
Take a picture of your GPS receiver showing the same co-ordinates as the cache page (plus or minus 100 meters) and attach it to your online log.
Important Information
The Burke Wills Historical Society notes: "The actual route Burke and Wills followed once they left Camp 78 is unknown and one of the most intensely debated issues. Wills' map and some of his journals containing astronomical observations have been lost. Because the journals have never been transcribed, it means the expedition's track north of the Diamantina, through the gibber rises, confused sand dunes and extensive claypans, is a matter for conjecture."
Travel in Outback Australia can be extremely hazardous. Plan your trip with care and seek and follow local advice on what precautions to take. Be aware of private property restrictions. Do not risk your life to log this geocache.
About This Location
On February 9, Burke and Wills reached the juncton of the Bynoe and Flinders rivers. Misled by damaged equipment, Wills thought they were on the Albert River, 100 kilometres to the west, but regardless, the water was salty and showed a strong tidal rise and fall, so the explorers knew they were near the sea. Camp 119 was officially the expedition's northernmost. At this point Burke decided he and Wills would push alone to the coast with just his horse, named Billy, and three days' provisions. King and Gray stayed behind with the five remaining camels, which "could scarcely be got along", as Wills wrote.
Additonal Information
Source: Paul Dorsey Used with Permission
Logs
After several hours of steady driving, I was happy to reach this area with a few caches. I was a short detour and a little walk to the camp, but it is amazing that there is anything to see at all. With all the sediment build up and the death of the trees over the years, the archeologists hve found lots here and it was great to read abut it. I was intrigued to see most of the signs duplicated in the Nomanton Visitors centre, but I suppose not everyone can visit the actual site.
Thanks for the cache Smittengranny
When I saw camel symbols on the GA map I just knew I wanted to find a B&W cache so I could claim a ‘camel.’
I can remember learning about Burke and Wills many years ago in primary school and this cache happened to be right along the road we were travelling on.
A busy place while we were there
TFTC
We managed to find this cache whilst we explored Gregory, Lawn Hill, Burketown, Karumba and Normanton.
TFTC
Today we explored Normanton and surrounding area using geocaching as our guide.
Many thanks to all cache owners for placing and maintaining caches for our enjoyment.
So remote is this region that only Virtual caches survive
This was one cache that was not too far from the beaten track and could be reached by iron horse
An interesting place it is too, with lots of stuff in the shelter to read and five blazed trees to look at.
Amazing to think that those marks on the trees were made by a member of the Burke and Wills party !!
So TFTC !!
