B&W (V) Howitt begins the search Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
By
Geocaching Australia on 20-Aug-10. Waypoint GA2408
Cache Details
| Difficulty: | |
| Terrain: | |
| Type: | Burke and Wills |
| Container: | Virtual |
| Coordinates: | S37° 48.581' E144° 57.692' (WGS 84) |
| 55H 320557E 5813343N (UTM) | |
| Elevation: | 16 m |
| Local Government Area: | Melbourne |
/144.961533,-37.809683,14/400x200?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
Chosen to lead the main rescue effort out of Melbourne, Alfred William Howitt left by train for Menindee on June 26. Even-tempered, highly intelligent and a skilled bushman (who would have been a good choice as leader of the original expedition), he was born in Nottingham, England, in 1830 and came out to the Victorian goldfields in 1852. Howitt later went into public administration and in his spare time was a pioneering anthropologist, studying Aboriginal society. He died in 1908.
Additonal Information
Source: Paul Dorsey Used with Permission
Logs
Co-ordinates on my phone were dancing around a bit but I hopefully managed to fulfill the requirements of this cache. 
what an odd place to begin, between an Asian restaurant and a bottle shop.
Another quick B & W, thanks!
Another quick B & W, thanks!
Grabbed a quick screenshot while avoiding being mugged in a dark alley
Found on our way from the markets to Spencer st station. TFTC 
Rated: for Overall Experience
I traveled back home to SA from Perth for family reasons and decided that Melbourne is only a short hop from Adelaide, so I logged an attendance at the Parkville Mega event and headed over for 5 days in Melbourne. I hired an E bike and had it for 4 days so was able to get around to many places and grab lots of caches as well as biking from the Youth Hostel in North Melbourne to Parkeville which was only a short ride. After checking into the hostel on Thursday i jumped on a tram and headed down to the markets and then jumped off and went for a stroll through a park nearby for another cache. On the tuesday after the event I rode all around the cbd getting caches and was passing through here to go to some other caches so i stopped by here to have a look and and grab some photos so i could log the cache. The things you see when riding a bike....much better than having a car. Thanks for the cache Geocaching Australia 
Rated: for Overall Experience
After checking out of the Motel I had nearly the whole day to do caches around the area before heading out to the airport so decided to walk from the motel into town doing GCA caches along the way.
From this cache I was doing Burke and Wills caches and a couple of history caches as I passed them.
Requested image was taken and attached.
Thanks Geocaching Australia for the cache.
From this cache I was doing Burke and Wills caches and a couple of history caches as I passed them.
Requested image was taken and attached.
Thanks Geocaching Australia for the cache.
Rated: for Overall Experience
on a recent visit to Melbourne I collected another two B&W caches and this was one of them. It is difficult to get a stable reading on my phone as it jumps around on the city. I took several readings and this was as close as I could get S37 48.578 E144 57.718 as indicated by "my location" on attached photo. TFTC
GCA Find #134
Currently reading a book on Burke and Wills, so it's great to visit places in relation to thier expedition.
TFTC
Currently reading a book on Burke and Wills, so it's great to visit places in relation to thier expedition.
TFTC
Rated: for Overall Experience
I promise I was much closer than the phone screenshot looks. The phone GPS was not coping well with all the tall buildings in close proximity. I was definitely NOT standing in the middle of a building like it seems to think. I was on the footpath on Little La Trobe, next to a tree.
Today we decided to tick off some B&W virtuals and bag ourselves a Dragon Zone trophy. This was one we snapped and we enjoyed our visit to the various locations. Not much to see here - lots of roadworks in the area.
Thanks Geocaching Australia.
Thanks Geocaching Australia.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Last day in Melbourne with my muggle daughter and last cache we grabbed today as we cached and shopped our way around the city. After looking at various other finder's photos I wasn't exactly sure what was required here so grabbed 2 photos, each one looking a different way from GZ. There was an interesting old building down one lane but the other was pretty much a typical Melbourne lane with dumpsters and rubbish.
The beauty of doing this series with my daughter was that prior to today she had never heard of Burke and Wills!!! Think it's time for a national curriculum that includes Australian history!!
Thanks.
The beauty of doing this series with my daughter was that prior to today she had never heard of Burke and Wills!!! Think it's time for a national curriculum that includes Australian history!!
Thanks.
Rated: for Overall Experience
In the city filling in time while my younger son is attending a school excursion (viewing a play at Southbank Theatre) on this public holiday evening. After dinner I convinced my muggle husband and older son to walk up to the State Library with me and then we continued down to Latrobe Street to find the location of this virtual cache.
As it was dark and there were a few seedy characters down the alley we stopped in Elizabeth street and took the photos.
Thank you for this interesting B&W cache.
As it was dark and there were a few seedy characters down the alley we stopped in Elizabeth street and took the photos.
Thank you for this interesting B&W cache.
Rated: for Overall Experience
23:30
A friend was offering some furniture we were interested in... the only catch was that it was in the CBD.
On the upside, the best time to collect large objects from the city is late at night, especially in the 35+ degree weather we've had for the past few days. So, I might be able to finally log a couple of caches that have been Muggle Central each time I've visited.
Car filled with lengths of metal, I parked at the top end of the city, and set off on foot. This was the second cache of the evening, and the first of 3 B&W virtuals I wanted to get tonight.... it's fun doing these in the dark.
GCA#131
A friend was offering some furniture we were interested in... the only catch was that it was in the CBD.
On the upside, the best time to collect large objects from the city is late at night, especially in the 35+ degree weather we've had for the past few days. So, I might be able to finally log a couple of caches that have been Muggle Central each time I've visited.
Car filled with lengths of metal, I parked at the top end of the city, and set off on foot. This was the second cache of the evening, and the first of 3 B&W virtuals I wanted to get tonight.... it's fun doing these in the dark.
GCA#131
Rated: for Overall Experience
Nothing much happening around here except it was raining. In the door way my GPSr seemed a way away so out in the rain I stood.
tftc GCA
tftc GCA
Rated: for Overall Experience
not sure what I was supposed to find. if it was a building being renovated though I found it
So the plan was to get up at 07:00 and spend the next three hours walking through Melbourne until the conference started... Well that didn't go according to plan!
The building was being renovated inside, I managed to grab a picture from the working people!
The building was being renovated inside, I managed to grab a picture from the working people!
Rated: for Overall Experience
#GA340 - 12:10; Day 2 of my B&W expedition in Melbourne. After eight finds and a single DNF on day 1, there were 12 caches left on the list for today. Taking to the geomobile, after a day on foot yesterday, I'd made it to Moonee Ponds, and was now back in the city via Parkville and Melbourne Cemetery. This was an interesting and entertaining effort. The photo was taken in Elizabeth Street, as the GPSr showed I was closer to the final coords there, than in the laneway where I was supposed to be. The tall buildings always have the geosenses working overtime when in a major CBD. TFTC Geocaching Australia 
Rated: for Overall Experience
In Melbourne for a Gift Fair today and a meeting tomorrow. Time to kill in the evening so a walk around the CBD gave me a chance to knock over a few of those B&W's I've been watching for a couple of years.
Had a great down hill run from Spring St to find this one. My little expedition was starting to develop it's own stress as I realised time was running out for catching my plane.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Managed to find the location easily but getting a photo in the dark where I could read the GPS was another matter.
Obviously a very easy find lol. Found on the way back to the hotel after hitting the markets. Thanks for the cache
Wandering the alleys of Melbourne I was able to come across another B&W site. I wonder if society stayed up as late drinking back then, as society does now?
Anyway got pretty close with the GPSr, although it changed to be a couple of digits out when I clicked the phone camera.
Thanks for the history lesson. Not sure I'll be able to do any others for a while
TFTV Geocaching Australia
Cheers
Anyway got pretty close with the GPSr, although it changed to be a couple of digits out when I clicked the phone camera.
Thanks for the history lesson. Not sure I'll be able to do any others for a while
TFTV Geocaching Australia
Cheers
Rated: for Overall Experience
I've enjoyed these B&W ones. Interestingly, there's one in Hobart too! I needed a third hand if I was to get a photo with GPS and me and background, so have two separate photos. Thanks.
Our First Burke and Wills cache, if you don't count the ones we placed in the Innaminka area. We coundn;t leave Melbourne without completing at least one in the series. This was the closest to where we were and the only one we really had time for.
GCA 338 - 4665. Flew down to Melbourne for a friends party and a long weekend. Today was a good day to walk around the Burke & Wills Trail in the CBD.
Eighth 'find' today in this interesting series - nice Alley !
TFTC !!
Eighth 'find' today in this interesting series - nice Alley !
TFTC !!
Rated: for Overall Experience
Out on our usual caching run with Trailrunning on Monday nights and today we were joined by The Physics Teacher to continue where we left off the last time at Altona. We headed west all the way to the edge of Weribbee caches and turned back and did the many caches back along the way to the city. We then headed to the city to get those done as Trailrunning and The Physics Teacher had not had those done yet but I have. On the way back, we tried to get a few more for The Physics Teacher to reach his 300 mark but we did not manage to. We brought him very close to his mark though.
The guys were doing the city caches, I popped here to get this virtual done. TFTC
The guys were doing the city caches, I popped here to get this virtual done. TFTC
Found the area and snapped my photo. All part of my walk around the Melbourne CBD grabbing a few B&W series caches.
Thanks for another one.
Thanks for another one.
Rated: for Overall Experience
found with Kmace on our way round town
have pic if you dont belive me
have pic if you dont belive me
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found with Irontoad. The photos are of the GPS unit against the cobblestones and one of me and the GPS standing on cobblestones and the original building. Unfortunately it was too dark to be able to read the GPS coordinates but the distance is 37metres from the coordinates. This was found in fading light quite near to where I used to work.
TFTC.
TFTC.
Rated: for Overall Experience
I haven’t had a Monday night cache run for a couple of weeks so I was pretty eager at work to get going after knock off time. I initially headed west to the coast but after an early and unsuccessful start I moved into the city precinct where I knew I could bag a few finds to push me towards the 800 finds mark. I spent most of the night running between caches so I’m pretty tired, but I’m sure I have over the 800 now. This was one of the caches grabbed tonight, and although it was raining I’m sure I got about a strike rate of 90%. Thanks for the cache.
My first B&W cache while in Melbourne for 3 days on a course.
Fittingly Howitt begins his search at the same spot I began my search for B&W caches.
Over 3 days I managed to find 9 of the series, so at least it is a start.
Fittingly Howitt begins his search at the same spot I began my search for B&W caches.
Over 3 days I managed to find 9 of the series, so at least it is a start.
Today I had a choice, I could sit in my cabin at Crib point, or I could head into the city and find some caches and waymarks. Heading into the city won out big time. After the 1 hour and 40 minute train ride I was set to go. With no plan other than to find 'next closest' on the Dakota 20, I meandered here there and everywhere. Part of my travels bought me to this place, where you get to see a horrible iPhone front facing pitcure of me!
Thanks for the history and the bit of Melbourne that you have shown me by brining me here and placing all of the info in the description. Quite interesting.
I took two photos of my GPSr and although they are not from the same spot as I didn't think of the second shot at the time, I hope that they suffice!
Cheers
Thanks for the history and the bit of Melbourne that you have shown me by brining me here and placing all of the info in the description. Quite interesting.
I took two photos of my GPSr and although they are not from the same spot as I didn't think of the second shot at the time, I hope that they suffice!
Cheers
Rated: for Overall Experience
One of the spookier lanes I have walked down in the last two weeks. Not to worry a quick snap then off to the gardens.
250. Not sure if the photo will really show the coords so two will be added to try and pinpoint where we zeroed out.
TFTC and the genesis.
TFTC and the genesis.
Rated: for Overall Experience
At 18:05, this was the last of three successful B&W finds this afternoon, with the rain starting to fall again. I'm not quite sure what this one was about 
; is it where Howitt was commissioned to start his search? The plot thickens 
.
Many thanks once again Geocaching Australia.
Post logging note: Whoops, should have read C@W's log
.
; is it where Howitt was commissioned to start his search? The plot thickens .Many thanks once again Geocaching Australia.
Post logging note: Whoops, should have read C@W's log
.The GPSr was bouncing a bit today so I hope this one is close enough 
It is amazing the history you can just walk past without even knowing about it.
It is amazing the history you can just walk past without even knowing about it.The 8th and last of the B&W caches for me on a wet Saturday morning. Time to return to civilization.
Took about a dozen pictures trying to get my N95 to focus at close range - very frustrating. Finally got a blurry picture of the GPS.
Thanks B&W organisers - I'll come back for some more soon.
Took about a dozen pictures trying to get my N95 to focus at close range - very frustrating. Finally got a blurry picture of the GPS.
Thanks B&W organisers - I'll come back for some more soon.
Rated: for Overall Experience
I'm suprised my coords were so close to the target ones - and that I was able to get a reasonable photo of them too
After visiting the state library I ducked around the corner to this site.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Went for a cycle around the CBD while in town for work. Thanks for the cache, photo to come when I get to some wifi or get home to my USB cable.
After such great expectations, the sending of a search party must have brought to all the stark reality of the harshness of the Australian inland.
15/09/2010 22:25 Found: #24 Cold in the city and drizzling. Not sure why I am here as the train station is further west. Ticking off my list of B&W.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Thanks to C@W for the insight as to why this cache exists. Perhaps the description needs updating to highlight the significance of this location. I must have just missed you guys around the city today, we covered a lot of the same ground! Cheers from Sydney
Rated: for Overall Experience
I found this cache with caughtatwork today while we were hunting down the B&W caches around the city.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found by caughtatwork at 15:34 on 12/09/2010
This is a strange location, but I believe it was originally the location of the Cobb and Co station where Howitt left from to begin the search.
Nothing much around here these days though.
Took nothing, left nothing.
Thanks to everyone involved in the B&W Project.
*Overall Experience: 3*
GAFF 1
This is a strange location, but I believe it was originally the location of the Cobb and Co station where Howitt left from to begin the search.
Nothing much around here these days though.
Took nothing, left nothing.
Thanks to everyone involved in the B&W Project.
*Overall Experience: 3*
GAFF 1
Rated: for Overall Experience
Took photo of little lane at GZ. Like other caches was not sure of the significance of this spot.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Found by The Empire @ 3:45pm
It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, a quick drive into the city to pick up some of the B&W virtuals was in order.
- M
It was a rainy Saturday afternoon, a quick drive into the city to pick up some of the B&W virtuals was in order.
- M
I hope you can read the coords on the GPS okay, taking a photo of the GPS turned out to be harder than I thought, but I was 13m from the listed coords when I took the photo.
Thanks for the cache.
Thanks for the cache.
Today was my "clean up the city of all remaining B&W caches" day. Like others before me, I wasn't sure of the significance of this location. Got the requisite photo anyway, as you can see I was using the iPad today.
12:05
On the day of the Federal Election, along with Robyn of The Morris and Princess Diala, we voted to follow the B & W Party.
At the location of this virtual cache we were able to blend in with the regular tourists and capture a photo of Alice – The Ship of the Desert (SW0228) along with the GPS’r.
It was interesting to contemplate the contrast in scenery and activity 150 years on.
TFTH
On the day of the Federal Election, along with Robyn of The Morris and Princess Diala, we voted to follow the B & W Party.
At the location of this virtual cache we were able to blend in with the regular tourists and capture a photo of Alice – The Ship of the Desert (SW0228) along with the GPS’r.
It was interesting to contemplate the contrast in scenery and activity 150 years on.
TFTH
Rated: for Overall Experience
This was a somewhat obscure location and we weren't really sure why we were here.
We had a great day wandering around the city completing the B&W caches, both traditional and virtual. Found in the company of Princess Diala, Phetlern and Alice.
We had a great day wandering around the city completing the B&W caches, both traditional and virtual. Found in the company of Princess Diala, Phetlern and Alice.
I decided a long whilst ago that since I helped place this series, I would not be crazy and hunt for this series on the first day, instead work through the city caches during on the Saturday.
This was such an obscure location, but there was a cute lane way nearby.
Many thanks for the Pheltern and The Morris for the company shared throughout the day.
This was such an obscure location, but there was a cute lane way nearby.
Many thanks for the Pheltern and The Morris for the company shared throughout the day.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Visited this site on the first morning after visiting the Royal Society and the Library.
Rated: for Overall Experience
Managed to get the morning off so we could do some of these B&W virtuals round the city. A very nice way to spend the morning even if it was quite cold.
