Sandy Cape Escape Orchid Beach, Queensland, Australia
By Just a Trifle on 04-May-08. Waypoint GC1BZ1W

Finally made to the lighthouse.

Found after successfully navigating Ngkala Rocks and getting up to the cape. Didn't have enough time to get to the bunker or grace site, next time. Thanks for the cache.

I found this cache after checking out the nearby lighthouse. A wonderful location. If I was born in an earlier era I believe a keeper to be my perfect job. Container and contents are in perfect condition.
Cheers

First trip to the Sandy Cape, so knew I had to find this one! Thought we would be in for a much harder search with the cache not being found for a while, but pleasantly surprised! Nice easy find and cache in great condition.

Tftc!! Found with Jess on New Years Eve

I had my eye on the is cache the moment we knew we were going to Fraser for the time between chrissy and new year. I wasn’t going home without another visit to the sandy cape.
Fourth time at Fraser, first time caching here.

What a mission. The tides mean we had to get up and back on one tide early in the morning. We took a handful of muggles on the mission. 9 climbed to the lighthouse with us but only 1 geocacher joined me in the search.

I was relieved that very quickly I got to say, found it. It’s the mission of getting here that was the hard part. The cache is in perfect condition even after over a year of no finds. Nice last day of 2022.

Thanks for the cache. ️ found with Billy91.

Volunteering has sent me on more trips to K'gari than I could have ever hoped for. And I was back for 11 days, with the mission to pick up all rubbish on every eastern beach of the island. And yes, we did. It took two weekend community events at Eurong, and the week in between camping at Waddy Point. Oddly enough, possibly right in the footsteps of the CITO that lead to this geocache.

Getting up to Sandy Cape is as remote, difficult, and beautiful as anyone has ever said it is. Our two vehicles made it, and we had lunch on the beach just below the lighthouse. I made a [mad dash for the 2004 hide](https://coord.info/GL16G66GM) just up the beach. And was keen to hike up to the lighthouse, and of course, this geocache! Thankfully, so was most of the crew.

Leaving the idyllic beach, it was a warm, steep hike up the old road. But at the top was just magnificent. We were here to smells the roses, and I made sure to do so. Reading about history, both pre- and post-colonisation. Checking out the museum, and looking up at the tower. Sitting on the table and watching Breaksea Spit (twenty nautical miles long, apparently). The urge to nap in the shade up here was strong.

When the time had come to return (beach rubbish won't collect itself, you know?) had to make sure I wouldn't hold anyone up. I ducked off the track and followed the app cross-country for 35 metres and across a small gully. Previous logs had me worried I might struggle here, but I was careful and took things calmly and was rewarded with a speedy find, right at the co-ordinates.

It had been an hour since we left the cars, and now almost 14:00 as I signed the logbook, replaced as found and jogged on down the track to catch back up. It was windy, warm and I was now very thirsty. But a magnificent place to visit; I may hope to return again sometime. Thanks for this bonus smiley in a priceless location, Just a Trifle

A brisk climb to get this cache. The light house and the stories surrounding it are well worth the trek. Finding this cache took far more effort than it should have. My GPS kept sending me down a steep gully. I actually walked past this easy to find cache twice. So maybe 30 minutes later and lots of sweat, I located this cache right were it should have been. I was having a bad eyesight day. But thanks for placing this cache. Loved coming up this walk.

Found 30/5/21 nearly died getting there, it’s a bit of a walk. Looked at the lighthouse then realised we had walked past the cache found it on the way back down. Once I found the cache realised I had left the pen in the car I wasn’t happy. So I did not sign the log. TFTc

Such a lovely area. Superb weather. Climbed up for a look then we had a fish and a swim. Thanks for the addition of the cache!

Found with gpander. Big Treck, with light at the end!!! Tftc

TFTC found with gypsitears11 worth the trip with the lighthouse

Found this one years ago with my hand held gps but have to log again with the app great place to stay at the cape

after all these years and many visits to the cache have realised I have never claimed the find. we were here last week for 8 days of bushwalking and made the trip up. fab weather and everyone loved the Cape. while checking mine I thought we would check this out on a walk to the light. all good the vegetation really growing back strongly. Back for the annual November trip and will as usual be around here, our favourite.

Great day with the family up here while on holidays, reminiscing with my kids all the fun times we had as kids. Plenty of memories of this place. But back when we were kids, the fish were more plentiful and the people were few. Now it's the other way around. Thanks for the cache. Moving some TB"s on from this cache.

Found on our way back from the lighthouse. Nice box with a lot of trackables.

So great to be in this place! We were invited by our cousin and his wife to come to Fraser Island from Holland. Perfectly beautiful! TFTC!

Great Walk! TFTC

Another TB dropped off.

Found at 10:58 AM GAFF? in the company of nana nel and wazza9..
What a long story this cache turned out to be! We were first approached by the CO's when they found out that we were going to Fraser Isl and if we could replace their cache for them - well off course we could and it also meant that we could visit them and stay the night on our way.
We then get on the island and on the second day zoom up the coast, past Indian Head, Waddy Point, Orchid Beach and then - - umm - why are there so many cars lined up before the ngkala rocks? Well a quick scout and what do you know 3 vehicles bogged in the really soft sand after the steep jump up. We wait and wait for our turn, drop the tyres to 18 psi press all the right buttons on the dash - and then just before take off I decided to check that I was in 4 low again. Big mistake!! I had forgotten in the anxious excitement that by doing that check all of my settings went back to standard - so DSC was back on and most importantly I wasn't in sand mode [B)] Well I made it up the jump up, but the car just died on the really soft sand that you had to rip through at 6,000 revs per minute. We then spent half an hour getting out and reversing out of there with our tails between our legs.
Take 2 - Warwick was very keen to have a go so the next day we head up there again and once again a big line up of cars with someone just being pulled through. Not many others were attempting the crossing , so us veterans go to the head of the line, this time make sure that all the right buttons are pressed and in place and off we go. The jump up took a couple of goes, and then it was on! We just ploughed through the really soft sand going up hill and at one point felt like we were losing power, but the engine was just taking a little breath and off it flew Warwick did the same and we were both over the north side of the rocks in a couple of minutes congratulating each other like we had achieved a world class feat!
We then enjoyed a beautiful drive up to the top knowing that we could get back across the rocks without any dramas.
Get to the lighthouse and as we haven' been here for about 14 years we forgot that there wasa 1.2 km walk up a steep track - SOB!!!
Anyway with amo can in hand we trudge up, find a suitable spot and place the cache for others to find. We then spent a good hour at the lighthouse enjoying the scenery
Thanks Just a Trifle - it was a great adventure.

Quick find, signed log and replaced, left trackable to travel. Thanks to Just a Trifle.

TFTC,
Today in the company of Nana nel and pprass was attempt number 2 to try for Sandy Cape. We were able to pass some notorious rocks without many problems when all the correct settings were applied to the computerized machine.
I had noticed that this cache was disabled before leaving home and offered to place a replacement and was told that arrangements had already been made.
We enjoyed the drive to within 500M of the cache only to find ourselves with a 2.2 Km return walk up a very steep sandy hill. What a great view.
Visited trackables and added a favourite.

The cache has now been replaced, with a bit of help from our friends Thank you to those who offered assistance, it was much appreciated.

Cache is now in place.

Our first attempt at replacing the cache wasn't successful. Arrangements have been made to try again in the next few weeks.

We are currently making arrangements for a replacement cache.

Everything burnt there, still some smoke so we found nothing

Couldn't find this one on this occasion

Our second DNF of Fraser unfortunately. We had a good look around with two adults and four kids but couldn't find it.

3rd time lucky. But by better management of the tides. Every year we go to Fraser and visit sandy cape. I started geocaching two and a half years ago and we had a go for this cache. But was sent packing by the tide. Last year after the storm the beach was impassable by all the debris and the tides were against us, So this year we made the trek to coincide with the low tide and finally was able to tick the boxes. Thanks for the adventure.

Some scratched up legs but the view from the cache is with it. No crowds here. TFTC

Alarm m at 5 for found this one and enjoy the sunrise from the light house! Tftc

TFTC. We have fond memories of this part of the island. 21 yrs ago my then boyfriend - now husband - proposed to me after hanging round the lighthouse and having some fun on the sand dunes which can be seen from there.

Lovely spot. Thanks for the cache

My second day at Fraiser island. So beautifull!! Turtles, dingos and heaps of birds! some adventures because it is our first time driving on sand. Good that we have a shavel with us...

I walked with my muggle friends up to the lighthouse and I got some internet connection so decided to check if there is any geocaches. And there was! Thank you so much for showing a beautifull spot. Greetings from Finland and France.

Nice spot, bit scatchy towards the end
TNLN
TFTC

On holidays with Dad, uncle & son. Finally the wind has died a little & we've come up this way.
Going over brown rocks we came across a group waiting for a helicopter rescue for one of the drivers who smashed he knee cap as he drove into a hole.... ouch for sure, he looked in a lot of pain, poor chap.

Yay Found it but was highly disappointed that the trackable was not in it!!! It was rough getting through all the storm debris & fallen trees but fun as finding it...

TFTC... it's in good nick & log is dry!!!

Nice greets from Dresden in Germany. Tftc

Taking the new (4WD) girl Suzee` Prime for an offroad spin - her first time off tar ... and here we are on Fraser! As you do. With the Mrs, Team Herbz, Sweet_bee and Fangsoki along we camped at Waddy Point and excursioned from there each day. Day Three was North, and after navigating (with a little delay) the Ngkala Rocks track (we know the tricks now) we were rewarded with a low-tide journey up the beach that was flat and hard and basically empty of anyone else. Muchos enjoyas.

At the most northerly point we approximated a little photo shoot was held, and then on to the end of the beach driving and start of the walking. A nice midday climb up the hill to find this one, we checked out the lighthouse, met the caretakers, met the baby turtles they'd rescued last night and replenished our water supply for the walking from their tank.

Mrs Prime and I also checked out the War bunker and on to the graves. Worthwhile (although I'll admit the notice board pictures probably cover it).

Thanks for placing this cache, Just a Trifle. Found in good condition.
*{Overall find #5142}*

Pprime, Sweet_bee, Team Herbz, and I decided to hit this one next.

After topping up my petrol ($2.21/litre!) at Orchid Beach we all embarked to this one. The biggest worry for us was Ngkala Rocks. I had never traversed up this far before - so it was all news to me. We got to the Rocks and a few suggestions were made for how to tackle it.

Through the rocks - not a problem.. past the first bit of sand. Too easy. Why are we slowing down? NOT ENOUGH JANDAL! I was not aware the sand continued to be soft. BOGGED. I tried to go forward with some Max Trax. It was very hot and I was sweating like a pig with sand all over me.

An Old Mate appeared and asked what my tyre pressures were. I rolled my eyes. I really hate Monday's experts. I really wanted to say something like "Zebras". "My tyre pressures are zebras". However I was nice and told inquisitive Old Mate they were 18 PSI. He told me they should be lower. Oh please - I am going to cry. You don't say buddy? Did the fact that my car is buried up to the axles in sand give that away?

I know a lot of these people mean well - but they seem to assume everyone that gets bogged is clueless.

I ended up using my Max Trax to go backwards to a "waiting spot" to calm and cool down. We lowered my tyre pressures. I was leaving nothing to chance. First low. And I was off. I revved my way through the pass with no problem and plenty of momentum. Poor old motor - 2nd low probably would have been okay

Pprime was next. He came through in First low as well (admittedly at my suggestion before we departed - he went back in 2nd low). And the Herbz in their Prado just putted through painlessly.

We were rewarded with an open beach all the way to the Cape from there on in. I had never driven on a smoother and open beach.

We parked up and made our way to the lighthouse. I sheltered myself under an umbrella. I am not usually quick up hills. The sun was quite hot today. We peeled off when Pprime's GPSr indicated we should. We looked in the wrong areas but I spotted the prize a little way off.

We signed the log and re-hid the cache as found and then headed up to the light house. We got treated to some newly rescued turtles by some volunteers. The views were also spectacular. A fantastic place for a cache - and an easy favourite.

It's been a while since I found a Just A Trifle cache - nearly 3 years actually. Always good to find one. TFTC

We're enjoying a geocaching weekend on the Island with Mr. and Mrs. Pprime, Fangsoki and SweetBee. It was quite an adventure reaching this end if the island as 2 of our 3 geomobiles got bogged at Ngkala Rocks! This took us quite a while to sort out. Fortunately Mr. Pprime was keeping an eye on the tides and we had plenty of time to get here and back. It was a hot steep climb to GZ but we eventually got here. Cache is in good order. Now on to the lighthouse where some baby turtles have been rescued and are awaiting release tonight. TFTC JAT

Awesome time on the island! 10 days camping went so quickly. TFTC!

Number 500 find for us. TFTC

Found it, great spot to visit for the day, tough driving conditions at the moment, very soft and dry. In good condition. TFTF

I have only made it up this way before once, in pre caching days. This week I had the pleasure of staying at Orchid Beach with Swellerfungus and LadySim, so took the opportunity to explore different parts of the island. Today the group planned to head to the top of the island. Yesterday we had a practice run at crossing Ngkala Rocks but too high tyre pressure meant that ended in abject failure (nothing a few MaxTrax couldn't fix). With yesterday's failure still front of mind I was definitely apprehensive about the crossing today, but with adjusted tyre pressures, all 4 cars made it safely through first go. It was the a pleasant drive up the beach at a very low tide, with the sun blazing overhead. Upon reaching the Cape, some of the group headed up to the lighthouse, where I made a detour to find the cache. Of course I took the hard way in and the easy way out and the cache was found safe and sound, noting that the previous log signer had found the cache by accident somehow! TFTC

SHowing some friends of a friend Fraser Island and knocking off some geocaches while I am on holidays, not here taking a tour.

Mad Russians have made it to the Top of Fraser Island 2 years after our first visit! We love it!!!

Had a great weekend away with my sister and broth Inlaw. Making it up to "Sandy Cape" has been on my to do list for awhile. Thanks for the cache just to top of a great weekend. Cheers stay safe

Lighthouse closed at moment. Walked up any way. Tftc

Great find TFTC - TSLS

A nice stroll along the beach with amazing views. TFTC

Found on a two day boating adventure to Fraser Island mrs happy harry found the cache while the toys were fishing TFTC

Found by geo husband and geo son. TFTC

Grabbed this one while staying at Happy valley with Team SLAMD and Bree girl ,Tiny T we drove up to the cape and made the walk up to the lighthouse and took a few photos on the way down grabbed the cache all fine easy find after the fire no damage to the hide log book is fine as well thanks for the great walk and hide

Found this with some new hunters. Love the views and the lighthouse. Was a bit difficult lugging a 2 year old and 8 month old up the hill. Forgot water and shoes. Don't do that geocaches!! Nice easy find

Here for our annual holiday on Fraser but this year with a difference...now we are geocachers. So an ordinary trip to the beach, or a lake, or the top end, or even just to the shop will become a search and find mission, especially as Swellerfungus is in the second half of the 365 challenge.

When we set out for this one we weren't sure we would be able to get to it...rumour had it that you couldn't get up to the lighthouse as there was a gate closing it off. Never in all the years we've been coming here has the lighthouse been inaccessible by foot to the public so we figured we'd drive up to the cape and take our chances. And of course we could get there!

Now the challenge was whether this one had survived the fires, having found one yesterday that did not. Swellerfungus found it fairly easily all in good condition.

Amazing what this area looks like now after the fires...never seen it so brown, black and bare.

Thanks Just a Trifle for this hide.

Happy to say this one is alive and well! Came by today with a few others in tow, and enjoyed the walk up the hill and the spectacular view. A must for any who visit the island. Well worth the effort. Thanks for the cache.

This entry was edited by Swellerfungus on Monday, 06 January 2014 at 23:37:35 UTC.

TFTC SL All is well with the cache. What a fantastic area. Worth the drive and wait while others were bogged in the sand. Beautiful waters, fish frenzy, Turtle time in the waters and clean sand. A must do area if you are with a great 4 wheel driver and friends.

We had a nice stroll up to the light house and a quick detour to grab this one on the way. A great spot and a nice container, good work and thanks for the cache Just a Trifle.

Found it!

Found it with NurseCait on a day trip to the top of the island. Great drive and a lovely spot.
TNLN TFTC

TNLN - Had a great time walking up and seeing the lighthouse. Great cache. Thank you.

Found on a day trip from our camp at Ocean Beach.

Great cache, but aren't you just a trifle far from home here ? We are more used to finding you in our home area around Samford & environs

Not that we are complaining - we had a great day out

TFTC, found it while on a family holiday. they were wondering why i wondered off the track.
First time visiting the light house and it was very nice. TNLNSL

Sid came back as he has done for many years to this magic spot. Called in and ok/ as usual will be back on the 6th Nov 2013 and while checking my cache on the beach will have a look.

Had lunch on the beach and Climbed up to the light house with friends and geohusband unaware we have no service I know the cache is near by what a great area on Fraser heaps of info took photos and headed back down,the water is so clear here we saw small sharks near the waters edge maybe the tides will suit and we will be back another day great place for your cache

No service and didn't down load before leaving campsite at Gabala Poyungan Rocks

We were visiting the lighthouse with the Qld 4x4 Club so did a maintenance check while we were there. We have replaced the ammo can with a newly painted one which hopefully won't be the victim of a bushfire any time soon and will last for quite a few years more. As usual, the views from the lighthouse were fantastic and we had a great picnic lunch with friends while we were there.

As it took us over an hour to walk 1.3km in the sand and then return to our car, this will count as our last ramble for the Rambler's Reward Challenge Cache GC2XBA7.

what a great spot best part of the island had a few problems on the way back missjudged the tide haha left a smurf

the lighthous is getting renovated there was no access due to aspestos danger road was closed ve to come back for this one logged a TB for this one but it is in sierra charlie at the beach sorry i mixed them up

Great walk, but might be worth moving as foul ground nearby (could be a one-off). Ammo container had obviously withstood ravages of bushfire, and one of the pens even worked. Well worth the visit. TFTC Just a Trifle.

Found this cache while going up to the light house, I thought I might not though.
I found it about 20m from where my gps was telling me GZ was.
I did a quick swap and signed to log. Wearing thongs my feet were quite black as the logs before me say about the burning off that has been done recently.
Tftc

vey barren due to fires, GZ was exposed and down the slope, recovered & rehoused as best as I could.
TFTC

Called in while checking my cache nearby. As noted a burnoff has occured around GZ but luckilly the steel container has saved the contents, log only a little heat damaged. They only burnoff ever few years so will be safe for a while.
I will be back next year so will call in again. I have found these containers rust over time so if someone visiting brings a zip lock for log protection it would give added protection.
Sid

Decided to head for the cape today hoping the storm would clear. No way, it just got wetter. After snatching Griffo out of a tricky situation we continued north. After waiting for the tide to drop we rounded the point and headed for the lighthouse. Still raining we made the climb and were given a history lesson by one of the volunteers there. Then off to find the cache, which Griffo found in the end. Signed the log and headed down like drowned rats. Pity about the weather as I sure the views would be great. TFTC

We set off this morning from our camp just a few km's north of Orchid beach. Traversed South Ngkal rocks without too much difficulty due to the rain. When we reached North Ngkala rocks however it was a different story. The tide was only 2 hours passed high so we chose the bypass track. Bad mistake. Halfway over we encountered a very difficult section and became bogged. Luckily The Green Team were able to snatch me out backwards. Unforunately I was to discover a little later I had damaged 'something' as I ould now feel a distinct shudder above 75kmh. We continued North and the persistent rain became heavier as we neared the cape. We sat inthe vehicle for some time before deciding to hike the trip to the lighthouse. We visited the lighthouse and stood in the rain while the volunteer lighthouse keeper gave us lots of information regarding the history of the area. We then set off to find the cache. Didn't take too long as all the vegetation had been burnt out and the cache stood out like the old sore thumb. We signed the log and headed back to the vehicles. Wet as shags. A most enjoyable cache.

After the steep climb up to the light house found this cache really easily TFTC

I subjected the family to a long drive today as I was determined to visit 'the cape' - I bribed the kids with the promise of an ice-cream at orchid beach

With ice creams consumed, we continued north.
Managed to get myself stuck on south Ngkala rocks bypass track - note to self (and others), I really must reduce tyre pressures BEFORE driving through soft sand - *sigh* - anyway, a few helping hands and a red face and we were on our way...

This really is a quiet part of the island - much less visited, but well worth the trip.

I strolled up the hill to find a lighthouse and a cache. Found the cache ok, but there had been a fire through recently and some items inside the cache had melted - see photo. I had no swaps, but removed the damaged items for disposal. Logbook and pencil are still ok as is seal on ammo box.

After signing log and returning salvageable items to cache, I headed over to the lighthouse.
The lighthouse keeper came out for a chat while I was wandering around and explained the ins and outs of the lighthouse and surrounds - most informative.

Thanks Just a Trifle, I really enjoyed the trip.

Good drive up to sandy cape spent the day up there as we got caught by the rising tide. Spent some time talking with the volunteer lighthouse keeper.
TNLNSL Thanks

I am returning to the island early next month. and while looking at my caches nearby and what maintanance was needed looked at this one. i will revisit as I can only presume I forgot to log my last time at the cache. It must be lonely after 2 years.
Sid

Wow, only the second to find this cache. I'd have though more people would have ventured up here. Loved the view from the light, we could see the whales playing out in the bay - awesome. Well worth the walk (and the drive).

TFTC Cheers

This cache gave me a good excuse to come and visit the Cape again and what a beautiful day it was, great to see Fraser in all its splendor. Thanks for the great day Just a Trifle.
Took Geocoin left aa batteries

Published

7/11/08 and I can finally log this one as being there with the family(holster & thehairbear) when it was placed. Glad to see someone has ventured to a great spot on the Island. I'm still thinking about how good that part time caretakers job would be at the lighthouse.

Thanks for a great weekend.

There with Konie & thehairbear. Great weekend. Thanks.

There with Konie & holster. Great weekend. Thanks.

Happy to post that I was there too.....

... Geoff ...

Woohoo, first to log! Great place for a weekend, a most beautiful part of the world!!

Thanks

Jerry.