Te Kauri-Manuka Track (Waikato) Oparau, North Island, New Zealand
By psychrn on 04-Mar-07. Waypoint GC1186X

A great hike into here with explicit instructions. Thanks for the hike and TFTC- a favourite from me

I was messaged by a person who is a geocacher but didn't log it who says they found this cache out in the open. They placed in on top of a wooden sign a few days ago.
Today a cacher has found the container on this sign and appears to have replaced it in not the original location from the picture they have posted. So perhaps that can be the new spoiler picture.

Spent the night in kawhai and this was our plan today on our way out to do the circuit here. Had read a few logs to get an idea of how to get to it and find it. Because at the moment the Geocaching app isn't playing ball offline. Just a green spot and thats it. No idea of metres...nothing. So off we set. Arrive and found the track I needed at the back of picnic area and arrive at what the pics looked like. On approach me and hubby noticed a container sitting on the sign. He says to me that isn't the geocache is it? I was like no way surely not. So we to it to investigate. Thinking it might be someone's forgotten snacks opened it slowly. Inside was the logbook and a pen. Logbook was sign a year ago but haven't log online. I doubt its been sitting there that long on top of the sign. So now was the problem of working out where it had come from. With the app not working like it should and trying to picture the spoiler pic we put it under the rock face on top a of a flat rock covering it with another that seem to fit perfectly. I've added a pic of where I've put it so if it is in the wrong place you can find it. And took more if needed. Also took a pic of container if you want to confirm its the cache. But I'm sure it is. It certainly was a good climb out. Enjoyed our time here. Tftc

Found It! What a surprise! Thanks so much ️

2485 Today Kawhia was on my plan. It involved a walk around the top of the estuary, a bush walk at Te Kauri, Harbour walk (Aotea) and ended on the main beach before fish and chips at the wharf. Enjoyed the walk along the stream. Nice to be out of the sun. Nice quick find at GZ then back the same way. Cache all good even though has not been found for over 12 months. Thanks.

Great place for a walk and another new one we hadn't been on.
No problems with finding the cache and took the sheep track back.
Thanks for bringing us here.

Have been meaning to head out this way for absolutely AGES to pick up this cache but, for some unknown reason, have never gotten around to it. Caught up with HKCB recently and learnt there were new listings out here to further tempt me out this way, so was planning to definitely come out for a visit this summer. A change in plans around ferrying the kids to camp meant today was the day. Our young teens are spending the week at the nearby lodge, with the local Junats club who own & manage the lodge & the reserve and, with me on taxi duty, it was the perfect opportunity for a bit of a walk & to grab some caches too.

Helped the kids settle in at the lodge & suggested a group walk but no takers - apparently they're all saving their energy for what looks like it'll be a full-on week out here lol ! Headed off alone down the Manuka track. Apart from the many steps, this is a great track & really well-maintained; guess it needs to be for all the school groups that come through here. Lovely bush & really pleasant to walk alongside the stream, a real gem.

Picked up HKCB's cache at the swing bridge & followed the track by the stream around to the picnic area. Wasn't sure whether to then bush-bash or whether I'd find another track: a quick check of the logs & saw that Nova had found a track so hunted around & found a fairly overgrown but definite route tucked around the corner at the far end of the picnic area from where I'd come in. Followed the GPS & wasn't long til I spotted the hint items; from there, it was an easy find. Was initially surprised that HKCB had found it really recently until I twigged that it's now 2015 - doh! i.e. last found a year & 2 days ago. Cache in good condition, safely tucked away, and left a pen for the next finder. Thanks for the added incentive to visit this great spot. Now to tackle those steps on sheeps track .... TFTC

CB has just taken up a position teaching at the lodge and as we were heading out there to check it all out I thought I'd better load this cache up on the GPS and go for a wander around bush as well. What a great place. Only had time to check out a couple of the northern tracks but definitely keen to come back and check out the rest.

We had walked the Deversons - Medium Gorge Route in the morning and searching for this cache was a grand reason to walk the other tracks on the Northern side of the road. An easy find as well as much better tracks on this side. This is a great place to take school groups and tramping clubs. TFTC

I got a bit disorientated at gz it really is quite overgrown isnt it. This is the 2nd maintenance run on this cache. I coudnt find the berrocca. Have placed a bigger container on top of the flat rock. A pic published to help locate But needs a pen.
The sheep track is now seemingly steeper with the new stairway

This entry was edited by psychrn on Saturday, 02 February 2013 at 08:09:24 UTC.

This entry was edited by psychrn on Saturday, 02 February 2013 at 08:25:07 UTC.

Needs a new log and this one is soaked. Could also do with a new cache container... maybe a bigger one aswell

The day stared well with a sleep in and a great book. After relaxing and reading it was time to head out and collect the first geocache of the year.

For a long time I have been wanting to head to the southern part of pirongia and collect the cache that is located on the Te kauri walkway. I read the logs and it sounded like a great walk that Chelsea would enjoy and only take us about an hour and a half.

It was a long hot drive out to the walk with the sun beating down and the windows wound down it was still a warm ride.

We arrived at the car park and soon found ourselves walking down the manuka track. When I say down I really mean down about 100 steeps. It was a long way and Chelsea made a comment about having to walk all the way back up.

Once we were down in the valley it was a pleasant walk to the picnic area following a babbling stream. We eventually found ourselves in the opening that would be a great picnic if it wasn't overrun with tall grass. Chelsea soon spotted a trail that lead up a little hill where we were greeted by some baby birds. After saying hello we carried on to the cache location where I quickly found the berrocca container. It was a little disappointing to find such a small cache in this great location. Unfortunately the cache was wet so after all that I couldn't even sign the log.

Now that wasn't even the fun part. On the way back to the car we decided to cross the bridge and head back on the Devilish ridge. Now I must point out that this was Chelsea's idea, she thought the name was a joke - as in its not devilish, it's easy. Chelsea doesn't realise that the name normally never is a joke so needless to say the trip back was long and hard. There was massive uphill and downhills, wet parts, caves and massive boulders. I heard everything from this is cool to man it's steep, and later on, if I have to go down hill again ill kill some one.

It was a slow climb and on parts we were even on our hands and knees. We got there in the end and Chelsea was very pale but she did say it was fun.

We will see if she wants to come on another walk.

Maybe a more waterproof container is required

While tramping in the area a very interesting tramp have been here before
was not aware of cache at that time. Log was damp.

Good clues, thanks. Log-sheet very wet, maybe Berocca tubes leak a little! Our party staying at Te Kauri Lodge, so this was close by.

We have camped at the campsite on more than one occasion with primary school camps and have abseiled down the bluff. It does not look as though anyone has used the area recently. This walk is being used as a ramble for the Rambler's Reward Challenge Cache, GC2XBA7.

Today was the day to knock off a few small tracks in the area that I hadn't yet got too. Went in Manuka Track out via Devlin's Track as the sheep track was roped off as they appear to be putting in new stairs. Great walk along a beautiful stream. Thanks for bringing me here & TFTC

Loved the stairs down to the stream - nice little walk - climb back up wasn't as bad as i thought it might be. Very nice little camping area and good instructions for an easy find.
Went in on way back from a weekend kayaking on Kawhia harbour.
tftc would never have stopped here if there hadn't been a cache placement down there

Found this cache with sophfinder a while back, seems i forget to log it on the website

Awesome little absiel bluff and camp area nearby, did this at night with a clear sky, seen quite a few shooting stars.

Got this on a SAR training course at Te Kauri Lodge. Ran down here at 9:30 pm. Great walk with some other YSAR members. They all signed the log so feel free to ignore them!! It maade them feel better =) Tried this one last year on a similiar corse without the clue! Found it this time though!!
TFTC

Might visit this cache on the annual Junats Winter Camp. Should be interesting...

Yay, its back up and running.
Watch this space for a return visit by TFM.

Cache now replaced with my usual urban camo container ie a Berrocca container.
Slightly adjusted position.
I had forgotten how lovely this walk was. But I hadnt forgotten how steep the walk back is.
This time I came back via the Mackenzie track.
Its a bit rough in places. Plus there was an extra walk to where the bike was parked.
Clue altered and spoiler picture

[This entry was edited by psychrn on Thursday, March 05, 2009 at 2:17:26 AM.]

** Coordinates Changed From **
S 38° 03.845 E 174° 58.952
Distance From Old: 26.3 feet
Accuracy to 8 Mtres

Will have to check up on this one for sure in the next few days.
Can see a run out on the Honda CB 400 N circa 1980 to check on it

Well the Freezer Mice visited, but did not get to strike again!
Had read that there was an abseiling bluff near by this cache, so made sure to take out the rope/harness etc.
Had a really good old search (three of us) for the cache, but couldnt find it... bugger.
So did a few drop offs instead (in tramping boots none the less), so the walk was still well worth it... maybe you could find some bigger bluffs for us next time Psychrn
Thanks for bringing us out to this spot, we will be back.

These places are a major reason that I do this past time. Loved the walk, the bush, the stream & the cliffs.
BUT
didn't find it! The clues make it very clerar but to no avail, I hope it hasn't been muggled.

Thanks

Great little walk with maps available from the lodge. Good bit of variety on the walk, though a little steep in places and I managed to find a hole in the path beyond the picnic site. Watch out for this and you'll enjoy the walk.

TNLN TFTC

Not one of those caches that you just happen to be passing by, but sure am glad we saw this one on the list when we were invited to do this walk with a friend - well worth the effort though!!!

Dontcha love it when where you're planning to hike happens to have a GC! Great walk in (loved the side track to the camp site) and found by one of our additions - his first. Left turtle pencil sharpener, Took geocoin. TFTC.

Great track, loved the trees, and the campsite has potential in the dry season! Took an hour for the round trip and came back up the Sheep Track. Left a Geocoin. TFTC

I rushed this because I wasn't sure how much time I'd have, but got to GZ in 25 mins. I took the Devlin track instead of Manuka, so missed swinging bridge. Lovely clear stream! Came back via the Sheep track, which is steep but nowhere near as bogy.
I spoke to the DOC ranger back at the carpark, who recognised my Garmin 60CSx and told me a story of an American couple who left theirs on the top of their car at the Bridal Falls. We both suspected what they might have been up to . He has already had an attempt at the geocache on Pirongia summit.
+ Fat Controller tb
- world traveller geocoin
Thanks for a great explore psychrn - M@

I was in great company, the mighty Zorgon and Butterfly lady. I watched their moves and took notes on how to find and was a party to the FTF. In a penny nothing out and yes I did see a trout

What a shame that daylight saving is almost over. These after-work walks on calm warm evenings is something I will miss. This one was particularly enjoyable as it is a most pleasant place to visit and had some good company.
Helps to have an experienced search and rescue person in the party who took one look at GZ and said "someone was kneeling here a couple of days ago so the cache should be here" - sure enough it was. The walk back via the sheep track got us all puffing but spectacular views of the sun setting over Kawhia harbour at the top.
Thanks to Psychrn for the cache and to RadioNut, BF Lady and Boges for an enjoyable evening.

Was given the option of going for this cache after work, instead of going to the gym.... what a choice. Weights workout or cache workout... hmmmm.
No competition really, cache hunt wins.
A lovely downhill walk in, then followed a clear but dark stream, walking buddy spied a trout or two, or so he claims. Arrived at the picnic area, and had to figure out where to go from there... through the cutty type grass, of course. A small tomo like hole appearing in the pathway, but fortunately avoided.
Neat spot for a cache. Grabbed the GCC geocoin, and left the World traveller geocoin. A group effort for the FTF - RadioNut50, Zorgon, Boges and the Butterfly (Lady).
Return walk on the other part of the loop, required more effort. Butterfly's legs a little short for some of the steps, headed up the sheep track, steep but more direct.
Stopped and watched the sun set over Kawhia harbour (beautiful evening) and back out to the road. All up, including 15min stopover at cache site, 1 hour 40mins.
A lovely drive back and a full yellow moon out, closed a perfect caching experience.


[This entry was edited by Butterfly_lady on Tuesday, March 06, 2007 at 5:18:55 PM.]

Published

Dropping off TB