Roonka Ruins Blanchetown, South Australia, Australia
By 'scargoes (original by blue75) on 11-Nov-07. Waypoint GC17C8K

Found by two Scout patrols of kayakers, signed by "Ridgehaven Scouts" and "Ridgehaven Venturers are better".Thanks again for the cache scargoes'

A nice day for a kayak and a cache, we set off from our cozy houseboat in aim of the three caches local to Roonka.Oflights leapt from the kayak on to the log and searched for the cache whilst I kept the kayak from floating away. The cache was nicely restored by 'scargoes. The cache is missing it's lid, however the contents remain dry.Logged by HeapsGoodTom, Oflights, and jrejos.Thanks for the cache, certainly matches its difficulty and terrain ratings.

Cache restored.

Original cache container restored with some top-ups and a new fixing.
Ready for new/old finders

Replacement had been prepared and will be placed in the next month.
Cheers

We've managed to retrieve this geocache just before it would have definitely floated away
Sadly it's chain was no longer in place but otherwise it was all good. The water shown ~1m above normal but will go even higher, maybe close the ruins!

We'll now wait until this century record River Murray flooding event passes before restoring it.

Cheers 'scargoes

TFTC. We had come up to This area to collect caches on the On Your bike Wherigo series.Decided that before we move on to Loxton that the kayak needed to get wet. Along with MeandDe we drove up to the Scout Camp To launch the kayaks to attempt water caches. We managed to find 3 of the 4 attempted before come back to the ramp. A bit blowy on the water but a great couple of hours. A bonus was the amount of unloved on the 3 caches we found.

I've left M back at the scout camp and headed down the Mighty Murray with half of HansandLinda to find a few kayak caches. I always enjoy a paddle on my kayak and a cache as a goal always adds to the fun. There was an extra facet to the adventure here when I had to try to get out of my kayak and balance on a log to reach the container .

Thanks for find #2930
TNLN

Visited again with Rovers on RiverMoot camp

Sneaky spot. Was a little precarious to get from a kayak, but I didn’t fall in!

Checked up on this old one, whilst here with the Scout Paddling Team training weekend and yes that screw lid can be tight (maybe I need to come back with the silicon lube) but otherwise all good. Interestingly a Paddle SA Team Paddle Challenge scorecard was in the cache...

Cheers
Paul

Third time found... but couldn't get it open this time! Always s good hunt in the trees

Found while on Super Splash 2019

james0116

Awesome paddle during a weekend scout camp at Roonka, had a fun time teaching the scouts to raft up and stand in their kayaks for the cache

Out for some paddling caches today with gridge98. What gorgeous day, love being on the river! Would have been an amazing but tough place to live! Great cache nice little landing watch out submerged trees! TFTC

The spare seat in Davidwazza’s kayak to get to the event near here today was too good an opportunity to pass up, especially as it provided an opportunity to get some of the more difficult D/T combinations added to the fizzy grid.
This cache was the last of three on a nice paddle from Roonka Scout Water Activities site.
TLNLSL.
Found with Davidwazza.
TFTC ‘scargoes
Find #554

A big day out kayaking around Blanchetown with the paddling crew, and later from Roonka with GeckoJ. Although kayaking geocaches are normally high D/T anyway, we were targeting a few caches that GeckoJ needed for his D/T grid, of which he managed to fill in two for the day. A great winter day out actually, and the inflatable kayak did us well.

A pretty cool little stream that we followed to get to this one, with the whole river filled with small red-pink flow items. Once near GZ, we decided to take a shortcut through some logs and branches in the water, which probably wasn't the smartest idea with an inflatable kayak, but no issues other than the rudders scratching the logs. At GZ, it was a nice reach to the logbook and allowed me to get out and stretch. Good views of the ruins from here, and then it was back towards our Roonka launch area. I also left a TB here, thanks blue75 for the placement, and 'scargoes for its ongoing maintenance!

A nice day for a paddle on the water, cache was easily found and is all good.
Some cool ruins on the other side too
TFTC

It was one of the nicer days we have had up this way over the last week and it called for some kayaking on the Murray. Nettieknows and I packed up the kayak and parked over at the waterski club and made our way through the trees to get onto the main part of the river.

A nice stop and find, cool to see the old ruins on the bank across from this one and the pelicans too.

Cache is all good. TFTC

I parked at the Scout campground and as instructed by the sign on the gate, I went to see the Site Manager. We had a bit of a chat and I went on my way to the water’s edge to launch my kayak.

Sunshine and very little breeze so perfect weather for kayaking and Geocaching.

I had three traditionals on my list from this launch site. This was the lasr one.

I didn’t realise you could get to this lagoon from the little channel starting at Roonka Reserved so I went the long way around. No matter - it was a lovely scenic paddle.

On approach I could just about reach the cache from the kayak but decided the photo opportunities were better if I gout out of the kayak.

A quick sign, a couple of photos and the hopped back in the kayak.

I took the shorter more direct way on the way back to the campsite.

Thanks for the cache.
# # #5364 # #

Second cache found whilst Kayaking with Kullari Rovers this morning. Once again I positioned myself to grab the cache as the most keen geocacher in the group. Thanks to my fellow Rovers for supporting me with the find. TFTC

Our third find of our morning of kayaking ! This time i got the chance to be the finder, a frog was the cache guardian but i wasn't quick enough to snap a
TFTFun

Mr Tardis was out with a nice day's paddling with Team Scoobster and Andy Colombia. This was our third cache from Roonka. Andy got out and found a frog who was calling the cache lid his home. The bird life was amazing and some lovely views too.

Signed the log. Thanks for the cache `Scargoes.

Today I paddled from Blanchetown, to Reedy Island and then headed into the Cumbunga Creek lagoon to grab the caches in there, culminating in Zytherans Contoured Cliffs cache - a rewarding 14km round trip.
Good views of the ruins from the cache. Slid the kayak between 2 logs near the cache for an easy exit and re-entry. Disturbed the cache-keeper (a frog) and then signed the log. Surprised that this one hadnt been found for 11 months as its quite accessible by kayak from Roonka.TFTC.
The paddle back through the lagoon was stunning - not a breathe of wind - perfect! Another fav point for the adventure.

Found cache at ruins!!

Janet and I were at Roonka for the McKee annual event and staying in the house on wheels.
Early morning came and I decided to go for a kayak. Janet decided to mind the bed in the house on wheels and make sure no-one stole it.
A beautiful morning on the water with three target caches.
This was the first one and the main target.
The channel is was a bit clogged and only just passable.
At GZ it a circle around gave me a spot to target. Time to get out - without submerging myself.
Made it!
And there is an excellent new replacement cache with as blank logbook. Very nice
One team name in it now

And then all I needed to do was to head back and grab the other two along the way

TNLNSL
TFTC 'scargoes

Found on an early morning paddle. Detailed log to follow

Cache upgraded and back in place for new Finders
Cheers 'scargoes (P&F)

Temp disable due to the River rising, water about 0.8m from the cache today and more to rise too.
Bonus Pathtag from D&V&L

Found ir very cool

Our final kayaking cache for the day, D & L arrived at GZ quite easily, thankful that this cache did not require a difficult climb, L jumped out the kayak, cache was quickly located along with a huge huntsman spider, log was signed and we paddled off back to camp.
TFTC

tb visits

Found It!
A nice little kayak trip to this cache with Freddo. A quick find to after getting the right dead tree! Mind the spider on the cache...
TFTC

A lovely geocaching/kayaking weekend with the JB Frogs and others TFTC

This house would have had wonderful views. Enjoyed paddling away from the faster flotilla
TFTC

Found with a group of geocachers as we went for a nice paddle down the river I came back extremely sun burnt and paid for that for the next week or so next time I will remember to reapply the sunscreen but ended up with 4 finds so somewhat worth it.

Sorry about the late log.

Spider!
We found your cache with a bunch of other cachers out kayaking on the water.
Thanks for the cache

Well if that wasn't the largest eight legged cache guardian I don't know what is. Ive also never seen someone move that quick in a kayak before. I've taken my scouts many times through this lagoon and I never realized that there was a cache here. TFTC

It is difficult getting to this spot but the effort is rewarded with such a beautiful area with so much to see. Our name is in the log book a few times, but we finally managed to remember to log it online! Thanks for shaing this special place with us!

found as part of the group assult of the kayak caches.

Great day out with Let's Kayak caching event. Tftc

I bought my family up to Roonka today for a day trip and what a lovely time it was. This was my second time here, but last time my kids were too young to get out on the water but today a couple of years on, my eldest was out in his own Kayak, my youngest was in some crazy canoe and even the husband who is a non geocacher gave it a go.

It was a great time with all caches found, however I was the first and only person to captise - yes typical, but it made for a great adventure.

This was my main target for the camping weekend at Roonka. The 1.5/4 D/T combination is surprisingly rare in SA. So this cache now brings me to within 1 cache of completing my 5th D/T loop.

A big thanks to Red Ronso for kayaking with us and encouraging our geoson on his first solo kayak trip. Navigating through the narrow passage into the lagoon was certainly great fun!

Arrived at camp a little later than the rest of the group. We quickly set up our camp site before heading out on the water with *Cache_or_Check* and geoson, who had arrived around the same time as us. It was fun navigating through the little channel into the lagoon, and once through, we could see a huge gathering of kayaks in the distance! We made our way over to this one, with ronso volunteering to retrieve the cache. Luckily it was chained to the structure, as ronso got a nice surprise... a huge huntsman spider hugging the side of the cache!! The spider did not want to move... luckily for ronso... who had to bravely retrieve the log book for signing. TFTC 'scargoes!!

Attended a wonderful weekend event at Roonka "Let's Camp and Kayak". Reached my 2000th cache at this event and had such a ball with a great group of cachers. This cache was obtained during the weekend. PERFECT weekend.

Arrived at the Roonka Camp site, set up the Camper trailer and Squash99 set up her swag and chair in the Purple camp zone. Then the Row Row Row Row Row Row Row Row RowRow Row Row, so off we Rowed Rowed Rowed Rowed Rowed Rowed Rowed Rowed til the next location. TFTC

Staying at Roonka for the camping and kayaking event and found this cache. nice big spider on the bottom of this cache and nice view of ruins

I could win an award for most caches found but not logged online. Please forgive this very generic log. If I admired your cache you'll get a favourite point from me and I'll likely come back and edit this log once I've caught up. If this generic log makes you unhappy - delete it. Life's too short to worry over it, I had fun finding your cache either way. Cheers!

I found this cache with SEMIK on an adventure in the Roonka area, caching by by kayak. Thanks for an awesome adventure.
We launched from Griffin's Marina (after seeking permission from the marina office). TFTC.

7 year old geokid was super brave getting out of the kayak and getting this one. So proud!

found it.
TFTC

3rd find for the day whilst at annual Blackwood Scout Group Family Camp at Roonka. A crafty hide in a beautiful peaceful lagoon. TFTC. .

Back in place, please replace the cover and hope the new camo container lasts a while.
Cheers 'scargoes

Collected UV-effected container and will replace this weekend whilst on Roonka Camp Warden duty.
Cheers 'scargoes

Was out doing a scout activity and decided to go find it as part of the Scouts Australia Geocaching Competition.

Found during a recent trip to Roonka for kayak qualification - unfortunately didn't have a camera with us in the kayaks to meet the requirements of the Scouts Geocaching Competition

Found 9/2 while at Roonka on camp. A nice kayak trip prior to find. Travel bugs not there.

At Roonka for the weekend with Venturers and Leaders from Ridley District.
Paddling, delicate balancing, and logged with some help from friends
tftc

TFTC, nice easy paddle in, parked houseboat @ the entrance

Had a great kayak with part of the gang from the Bush Mechanics Weekend.

Thankyou to Jim for the find art of balance and climbing to get the cache.

Cheers and thanks

TFTC as being the back up ground crew

Staying in the area for the bush mechanics weekend. Love getting out into the countryside and meeting new people. Thanks for bringing us to this great part of the country.

Did as part of bush mechanics weekend.what a great weekend need to do more weekends like this.great company and awesome experiance.

The first of 2 adventure caches for the afternoon .
After some practice on the lagoon, Mr & Mrs DISK took our first paddle in a kayak down here (as part of a group) .
Took in some great scenery as we paddled past the ruins and car wreck to this cache.
Jim made the landing and Mr DISK filled in the log [8].
TNLNSL.
Thanks Blue75 & 'scargoes.

Such a fantastic location, the car on the way was a good laugh and banter, especially when refrenced with my last work vehicle and that it would have had the same fate if the engine hadn't blown up. A great adventure with a great crew.

A huge thankyou to whitedog gang (tour guides), Gordon Patrick Samuel (recovery team) and Emily~Angel (Super star team). To get 9 kids and 8 Adults on an adventure like this was fantastic. With 9 kids ranging from 3-13 years old it was fun.

Found today with the assistance of Burtons. Thanks guys

First time in a canoe for about 18 years, not long though and I was back in the groove. Didn't read the logs correctly prior to setting off, probably more concerned with not Capsizing the canoe with muggle teen. Great little ruins area, makes you wonder why they ever left the homestead? So lack of research led to a little land tour, then back in to paddle to Gz, very very clever hide this is getting a favourite point.
When at .gz harleyjohn had exited to remove the cache, when out jumps a frog, the look on his face was priceless! Lucky for him he didn't go for a swim. As we were about to leave another frog jumped into my canoe with muggle teen nearly capsized us. Well worth the paddle. However first to find frog would be a great name tftc

While at the bush mechanics weekend we decided to go for a paddle, so 8 adults and 9 kids hit the river. The kids shared out amongst the boats, we made it to this cache hassel free and the sights were loved by all.

Our kids first kayak trip, they absolutelly loved the scenery, the people and being on the water and haven't shut up about it. I know what everyone at school will hear about

Thanks for a great experience and thankyou to Patrick Gordon Samuel, The whitedogs, the Mckee Clan, Kay-shazlo and Wheezle for a wonderful Australia Day.

enjoyed kayaking to this cache with a group and loved this experience

First time kayaking, had heaps of fun. Glad I shared a kayak with Makayla from the Mckee Clan. We got stuck on a few logs, crashed into a few trees and a few reeds but didn't capsize. Very pretty area and loved the kayak. An amazing cache all together! Thanks for the cache had a great time.

Great expedition with a keen & diverse bunch of cachers to grab this one.
Really enjoyed the paddle, 1st one since 2 broken collar bones, so was a bit nervous, but went really well.
Thankyou to Gordon Patrick Samuel, Emily Angel, McKee Clan, Kay-shazlo and Wheezle for an enjoyable outing.
TFTC 'scargoes
Happy Australia Day

Found with teavellinbees at the bush mechanics weekend. First time in a kayak for a longtime. There was a frog at .GZ. scared the life out of me. Then proceeded to jump into next canoe scoring the life out of smuggle teen. Tftf thanks for the frog in the log left geo coin
Harleyjohn2569

Just my sort of cache.
A nice day paddling around and just generally enjoying life.

TFTC

Found on a day of kayaking fun with AdrianMc. A clever spot for a cache in a serene and scenic place - although the terrain is about half a star underrated. TFTC and for keeping it going, scargoes.

Found while as part of Captain Shonky's fleet, I docked the SS Southern Cross and worked as a tug to secure the SS Diveyak II, while the able Bruce conducted the paperwork. Captain Parrot was circling keeping a lookout for potential rival possies.

TFTC
Cheers & Happy Hunting,
Southern Cross Caching

Took a detour from the main channel and up the lagoon to the ruins. We managed to park the kayak in the conveniently shaped wedge, and Uni could reach up and grab the container while sitting down. I reckon that makes this a float-by. Like a drive-by, but with more water. We had a look around at the ruins and the scenery, then were back on our way.

TNLN - Thanks 'scargos!

This cache was also soooo much fun to locus cache!

Out in the Canadian 7 man canoe with matmob x 3 and Mr 'scargoes at the helm. We had trod the reeds to Reedy Roonka to SL there and then headed into this beautiful lagoon to score this cache.

Before we entered the channel, other voyagers informed us we would be 'white water rafting' however while it may have seemed like that to their smaller craft, we passed through with nary a whitecap in sight

The river was high and flowing fast and threading the large craft through the needles (tree branches) sticking up in the channel was fun It was a good thing someone in that craft had some idea of what they were doing! Thanks 'scargoes

With the craft nestled securely, the cache was opened and we SL.

Our return to the camp was highlighted by a small 'disturbance' about 30metres from the boat ramp when the canoe decided to wiggle, waggle and wobble: we all thought we were going to capsize, right in front of everyone watching us. However, miraculously, the craft righted and we paddled on home to a dry landing

All in all, another lovely adventure for a fun locus cache!

SL (I think I even put the 29th instead of the 28th because I was so excited).
TFTC 'scargoes

Found while paddling down the Murray
Thanks 'scargoes

The adventures of Captain Shonky and his crew Bruce the able.. paddler. Continued.

After flying the Blue Peter indicating imminent departure Captain Shonky and able paddler Bruce set off for a further foreign destination. This time it required carefully steering the ship through the Panama Canal to the Atlantic Lagoon on the other side. There was a significant current from the Aft, and Captain Shonky did not need to whip Bruce as much as usual. The remainder of the fleet had no trouble keeping up with the SS Diveyak II Galleon. Captain Shonky and the SS Diveyak II led the way, followed by a number of smaller vessels of convenience.

The massive Canadian vessel Bismark was also rumoured to be about and Shonky kept a close eye out less he run into those marauders.

After a journey of several days Captain Shonky came upon a nautical message container just above the waterline. It contained the marks of previous buccaneers that had passed this way. Shonky left his mark, and feeling generous he also scribbled the marks of his crew Bruce, and some of the other captains.

Paying close attention to time and tide Shonky and the fleet decided to head back into the prevailing current to return to Fleet Base. This was where Bruce the able paddler really had his work cut out for him. He needed a bit of whipping but managed to propel the Galleon upstream. At the head of the canal a shout of 'ship ahoy' was heard. Shonky and Bruce hid in a small fjord while the Bismark cruised slowly by. Closely studying their crew through the glass Shonky thought they seemed a bit uncoordinated, but their sheer size still represented a clear and present danger to the SS Diveyak II. Luckily they did not have a competent lookout and did not spot the Diveyak II hiding in the shallows of the fjord. Phew, that was close.

to be continued....

Found during our 'dragon boat' excursion with 'scargoes and Locus Cache. Our only regret was that we didn't have a camera. (We weren't game in case we ended up in the water!) Thanks again Paul for your steering which kind of kept us on track! Favourite point from us.

Went for a nice paddle into this gorgeous lagoon, and found the cache nice and handy, didn't even have to get out of our vehicle!
Enjoyed the view across to the ruins, and seeing the water levels on the dead trees indicating that this lagoon can (and does) get much more full at times.
PS - thankyou for the loan of the hats - having forgotten to give them back we will endevour to get them back to you somehow!

Found at about 2:30, with Winterdragon and a gaggle of other cachers.

Enjoyed kayaking and geocaching and seeing the ruins from the water. TFTC.

Another visit with the Venturers in kayaks, explored the creek as far North as we could go, it's much clearer since the 2011 flooding but no way through yet...

Roonka Ruins was transferred from blue75 to user 'scargoes

After the report of no lid and exposed by Astro, came today with a new container but was disappointed to see it yet again out in the open and now with no log book . We wondered if the Cockatoos might have been at play here...
Being a good Scout , I was Prepared and cut a new exercise book down to size, refilled container with some of the original smaller swaps and a new cache note too.
YiS & Cheers 'scargoes (P)

We cut the motor and oared it to get to GZ. There are some nasty crocodiles in the water around here so if you value your split pin, you will do it the old fashioned man powered way.

We could spot GZ from 50m away. I took the shot here about 10m away. There was no lid on the cache so we rehid in the obvious hole and covered it was some bark we could see in the tree. Nice to get my 6th 1/5 find.

Thanks to blue75 and clear skies from TeamAstro.

First find after the flood and the water level is getting back to it's usual level. Nice paddle on the first sunny day about a month. Very peaceful here today with a v-formation of 15 pelicans flying overhead.

Cache has been held at Roonka Water Activity Centre whilst river was in flood.
Restored cache to its location this afternoon.

This entry was edited by Mark my words on Sunday, 15 May 2011 at 11:15:20 UTC.

Visited three times whilst at Roonka for the OzMoot 2011 River Murray Adventure Expedition, checked out the water height, brought some Rover Scout Geocachers for a paddle and then returned to secure the cache in case of a further flood waters. Photos included.

With flood waters rising and knowing where it rests, this cache is getting easier to reach by the day! Visiting Roonka next week, will try to get there for a look / assist.

We were staying at the local scout camp for my nephews birthday. Couldn't pass up the opportunity to use the canoes supplied by the scouts to go get this one. Took my muggle brother who has had extensive training in canoes to guide us to the cache. He had to do canoe training in this playground and knew it very well. He parked the canoe on a log without anyone having to get out and I could retrieve the cache safely from my front seat position. Thanks for this cache and the opportunity to spend time with my brother doing fun stuff.

Slowly catching up on logs, only a few behind now!

Found with setsujoku on one of our many journeys.

Our tenth find for the weekend, on our Roonka ramble weekend.

After a nice sleep in whilst staying at the scout camp, we elected to do this one as soon as we were up, as unlike yesterday the water was calm, and the return trip would be a million times easier.

With 2 canoes in the water, M, Anja, Anana and Anana's muggle brother made our way down stream, through the reeds, and in to a very peaceful place. I would have loved to have had a cache on the old car on the shore, but it would have been too close to this great cache!
We navigated in to the playground without any hassles, and quickly made it to GZ. Anana found a safe landing, and the canoe magically parked itself! A nice easy find.

After enjoying the area, we headed back to camp for some much needed breakfast.

Great cache, and well worth the paddle to get to.

TNLNSL

Rated: for Overall Experience

just found out about cache.1st EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




found it with chandys

Found with ex-muggles, hoppies! and melandch, and Steffi from Germany tftc


[This entry was edited by chandys on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 1:49:47 AM.]

Our second Boat Cache - two in a day We took the long way to this one, coming in accross the land after parking our Ski Boat several hundred metres away in a small creek - I wasn't brave enough to take it into the lagoon. A great hide in a great area, with nice views of the ruins. Found with the Geokids and Geomutts, and some Muggle friends who all enjoyed the adventure. TN, Left Half Penny, SL. Thanks blue75 for the cache.

Returned to show a Danish visitor and possible new Geocacher "Peiter" where we like to paddle, especially at night and tonight was very calm and Full Moon too .
Picked up the TB that's been here too long and returned the next morning with a load of swaps to add to this good size cache
Thanks again & Cheers 'scargoes

Found in the company of Mooshell. TFTC.

Oar-some.....then oar-some more. Yep.....note to myself that
using a kayak is easier to negotiate a shallow weed riddled swamp than using a 4.5m boat.
Especially on a 38 degree day with no breeze, plenty of fallen timber
and some sections are only 8 inches deep. It was a challange but we made it.

The things we get up to with the Mooshell team sometimes leaves your head
shaking but it was always going to be a laugh and some great fun.

We are now kicking ourselves for not taking the TB that was there and moving
it on as it has been sitting in the cache for nearly 12 months.
Perhaps later in the year we might call back if it doesn't get shifted soon.

TFTE (Exercise), TFTC, SL, TNLN

Unreal. Found this cache with Zak Power Team. OARSOME. I hope Zak Power Team will put a photo up so you know what i mean. Man my arms are sore. Must have heat stroke to do it this way. I don't care. I think we all had a good time. TFTC. TNLN. SL.