Bulwer Drive By (Nelson/Marlborough) Bulwer, South Island, New Zealand
By Biggles and Kiwi Explorer on 26-Sep-09. Waypoint GC1Z4JT

A nice long drive to get here! Sadly, the further access is locked, accessible to guests only... Not sure you could get a boat up here... TFTC!!

Trouve ! / Found it ! L'objectif du jour, venir chercher cette bote tout au bout de cette route, pour sa cotation assez rare en Nouvelle-Zlande Elle sera finalement trouve facilement.4553me cache trouve.Merci Biggles and Kiwi Explorer pour la cache The objective of the day, to pick up this box at the very end of this road, for its fairly rare rating in New Zealand it will finally be found easily.4553th cache found.Thank you Biggles and Kiwi Explorer for the cache

One very happy Geocacher. Need this cache for my D/T chart. Having just climbed up Mt Somers for another two this cache has been on my radar for some time. Left Christchurch at 6am and arrived 480 kilometers later in 8 hours. TFTC Give it a Favourite

Quick find. When I was growing up in the Sounds, you used to be able to drive right down to the water front here. No such access any more. Will have to make a trip to stay at the Cedarview Motel another time! TFTC!

Staying in the area with SJT_NZ so headed over to Bulwer for the morning and grabbed this on the way, a few slips from recent heavy rains but always beautiful views across the outer sounds, cloudy and a chill breeze but that keeps the mossies under control.

Got to the end of the road and found the obvious GZ. Unfortunately quite a lot of rain / slip damage with clay and mud having been shifted in and around the GZ. Performed some community maintenance and put some rocks around the base of the punga to secure the cache in place. Thanks Biggles and KE for the motivation to make the trip to the end of the road.

Yay finally managed to get here. Last time with rain it was too muddy for the car. This time with a different vehicle got but the car would have also. Now my diff/terr chart is now full

It 10am and we have finally arrive at Bulwer. Its over the fence!! Then the search is on here, keeping the hint item in mind. The search range gets bigger and finally pay dirt. I have this one captured. Container has hole in it but the new log is ok. Arranged a new container to help this one along. Cheers

Bulwer and French Pass are on my radar to explore today, with the Seagnoid and Toby along for the ride. Left home at 6am and finally crawled back home at 9.30 having dinner at Okiwi Bay before leaving the sounds. Great views on a beautiful clear day with little wind. Lots of driving and lots of maintenance on this trip.

#7774. Day 2 of my Marlborough geocaching adventure. Have come south for a work meeting but arrived early to do a bit of exploring in a rental car. Today the plan is to drive out to Bulwer and French Pass. Little did I realise at this early stage just how far away those roads were from civilisation and the rather nerve-wracking drives on gravel roads with certain death plunges if you lost concentration and slid off the edge of the road with no protective barrier. Decided to skip most caches on the way out and pick up more on the way back if I had time. Replaced any wet or tatty log sheets with fresh waterproof paper if needed.

This was the main target cache today. Have to say it was a lot further away from the main
highway than I expected. A drive-by it might be but it took me nearly three hours to get here with various stops along the way. Bit sad that the last bit of the road to the houses and coast is on private land. So parked at the top of the hill and looked out at the scenery. Then headed into the shrubbery to find the cache. Took about 5 minutes to locate. Finally noticed it had rolled down and was sitting near my feet. Must have disturbed it in the hunt. However the hint was accurate so you don't need to leave the flat ground to get it. Signed the logbook and returned the cache where found. Thanks Biggles and Kiwi Explorer for the cache. Favourite for the adventure getting here.

Happy palindrome day! 02-02-2020 is the first global palindrome date since 11-11-1111 (909 years ago).

Last one of the day. As mentioned by previous finders it is a pity you can't go all the way to the coast. Resorted to the hint as GPS all over the place. Had to cross the fence and cache was reachable from ground level in an obvious hint item.

Found it. Disappointed we couldn’t get all the way to Bulwer after having come so far! Tftc

Shame you can't drive all the way down. Found cache using a hint. Replaced log and bag as it was soaked. Tftc

Real hard. Couldn't find it

We were ging to Bulwer hoping to find some free bay access. Unfortunately, we found none. At least we took this cache, had great weather and Stundung views on our way coming here. Thanks for the cache and greetings from Germany ,
Laura & Max

This long weekend Jojo and I headed off to French Pass for a spot of caching and camping. 3 days, great weather and some stunning views. Sorry for the cut and past bit, and thanks to all cache owners.
Day two: After a pretty rough night's sleep, we couldn't really wait to get on the track. Seems the campsite had been overbooked so our tent was on a car park with a slight slope that soon became the talking point with our friendly neighbours. That and us being a sleeping bag short. So we got prepped early knowing that Capperz was going to meet us at 10.00am, and being a good forces bloke he won't be late, which of course, he wasn't.
The target today was the road to Bulwer and a few caches Capperz had unfinished business with around French Pass, then for Jojo and I an afternoon tea with her auntie at Elsie Bay, a catch up on the cricket and a hoover up of any caches back to FP. And overall it was a successful day - all targeted caches found, a cricket win over Oz (as well as Forest over Villa - sorry Capperz!) and some good chat on the trip and back at camp.
A few possible options here, cache found in the most obvious in retrospect. Now the trip back, TFTC.

And so the end of the road was reached and that was that (except for drive back to the post box junction which took 40 minutes. Ricardinho hopped the fence and struck success fairly quickly while Jojo and I took photos and admired the scenery. The motel looks nice, but a bit pricey I guess.
Time to return the way we came and the end of todays caching apart from an abortive Farm Tracjk attempt.
T F T C BigglesNZ

Todays plan was a return trip to French Pass after our whirlwind trip over there on New years Day (or should that be hurricane-strength trip?) Leaving home at 0700 on what promised to be a hot day of over 30 degrees I had a timing to be met and, being a good military man, was determined not to be late to meet up with caching buddies Ricardinho.nz and Jojo over at the French Pass camp-site. Together we grabbed the few missing caches of mine from the French Pass area, then a road-trip to the end of the road at Bulwer. 16 caches found and some beautiful views along the way too, nice.

Delighted to find this one - need it for a challenge and it meant that we could stop travelling for the day - we had booked in to Bulwer and were looking forward to exploring the bay tftc

An early start saw us heading far out into the Marlborough Sounds, arriving at Bulwar around 10am to find our first cache. Spotted the cache in the open and a few minor repairs later we had signed the log (new one as old one was drenched), dried the plastic bag and container and repaired the container with sticking plaster (no duct tape in our bag). Then we placed it back where the clue suggested.

Log books wrecked due to weather good evening find. Tftc

My mission achieved
The long drive made again nearly 5 years since my dnf. At least there were 20 new caches to collect on the way.
Looked in all the same places as last time and started to get that sinking feeling and then would you believe it, there it was. Did I have one big smile on my dial and a feeling of massive relief.
Quite a nice D/T too, which I had forgotten about. One step closer to second time around the grid.

I had better give it a favourite because this is an amazingly isolated place to come to and it really is well worth the drive.
TFTC

Nice find

This cache is less than 200m from our accommodation, but we had to drive right past last night as it was getting dark. Pleased we did, as it would have been tricky to find in the dark, plus my GPSr was saying the cache was 100m at the time .
Now that we have driven to the lost city of Bulwer, I can truthfully say that it may be a while before we tackle that road again! It was very slow, very windy and narrow, with blind corners and enough ruts to keep one on ones toes. StreetWalker manfully did most of the gravel road driving otherwise we may never have got there. We were lucky that we didn't see another vehicle from Cissy Bay to our destination as it would have been interesting passing an oncoming vehicle on some stretches of the road.
GPSr was more accurate this morning and pretty much took us straight to the cache, but I didn't think it would be hidden there so we checked out a few more places before trusting the arrow, and SW found the cache.
Took a couple of TBS as there was a bit of water in the container, plus I wasn't sure when the next visitor would brave the drive (turned out it was the same day, though I see they have logged on-line as the previous day).
Thanks for bringing us to this delightful spot, Biggles.

#9527. Yes it's a drive by, but boy what a drive. When we arrived the previous night it was getting dark, and we were tired after lot's of caching and driving; just as well that we left this one to the next morning as it took a little bit of finding. While Bulwer's roading network was never completed, there are a number of houses here, and we found the motel to be an excellent place to stay. TFTC.

[green] Hired a car to tour the far north. Amazing views and scary lopes down to certain death. What a fantastic road!
This cache was a bit of a challenge to find. Followed the geotrail up to GZ only to eventually realise the the coords are a little out (only a little, still acceptable). Yay! Turn Around! No more sun in the eyes! [:8] (it is 9:45 am - I started this morning at the Harry's House cache). Dropped in a couple of TBs.
Neat D/T here - alas I already have it .

First trip away for the year and it had to be down to Wellington & Nelson to see customers and do a spot of Rep training. Arrived first thing this morning and it was straight over to Blenheim and back to this side of the hill for client meetings with the rep (and lots of coffee).

As I am working on my DT Grid this came up as one that I needed and so while in the area it was high on the importance to find stakes. So as soon as I could escape from work for the day it was to collect a multi and then head further afield to collect others, (This being one of them). When I told my rep where I was headed he said I was mad and that I wouldn't be back to well after midnight. I infact managed to be not only back but collected other challenge caches and back to the hotel in Nelson by 11.20pm. So all in all I thought I did quite well. Having grown up in the back of beyond between Kawhia and Awakino I actually thought these roads were quite good out here. Not a lot of caches collected but some very interesting DT Combinations

Thanks for the placement

An early start meant we where headed for the drive by. The road from Rai said 2hrs and after awhile we could see why with the trucks and timber jinkers. Then we hint the dirt and the road narrowed. Some people coming the other way had some large boats on trailers and wanted all the road and then some making for a tricky pass. The final slow up was some sheep that wanted to escort us the last few km to GZ and just would not get off the road despite us stopping and the like. As they tried they only did 20km/hr. Once at GZ the GPSr gave use a rough spot so we dived in and soon made the find. The log was a bit damp so we tried to dry it a bit. We completed the signing duties and re hid. On the way out we came across a deer who also decided to run in front of us like the sheep but was good for 60km/hr. TFTC

This entry was edited by bella at waggy on Tuesday, 16 December 2014 at 09:38:12 UTC.

Drove by this one on our way to the metropolis for lunch. Actually I was surprised at how many dwellings there are in Bulwer. Part way through lunch the resident huge sheep (that used to be a pet lamb) decided to join us - climbed right up on the table sniffing and snorting while I hurredly packed up the food. What a hilarious memory. Eventually it was shunted away by the treat of a big stick by a local. Then the pig and 5 piglets arrived. Finding the cache was uneventful after all that. TFTC #6172

I've never been to the city of Bulwer before. A long drive and unfortunately the rain started on the way in so i missed the views that would have been there. Cache was found quickly but not before managing to get both feet soaked in a puddle that was deeper than i thought. So much for my waterproof hiking shoes TFTC

#2244

A little bit of a mission on this one - pouring with rain and windy but we hopped out anyway - did not come all this way not to find the cache looked in the wrong spot to start with then sense prevailed and I finally after a wee wander found a cache - we were both soaked by this point and the wind was howling and it didnt look like the weather was going to lift - so we decided to head back to Duncans Bay - just one cache at the top of the hill to do thanks for the cache

TFTC! I found your cache today and i will do a complete log when I get back to my computer.
This log posted with CacheSense for Android!

TFTC! My Second - lots of fun and lots of punga to look behind!

My first find of 2013 and a very apt one after spending 10 fun days in Bulwer Bay. Got the low down on the 2 slips that came down in this area...the McAuley's are full of great historical information and are great hosts if you want to stay in bulwer in on of their motel units. Also spotted the glowroms in the area as the light faded. My daughter made a trade in the geocache. TFTC

Staying the night for work and thought I'd get up early for a quick run.
No trouble locating it, and got to see the awesome morning view when all my work mates were still asleep.

TFTC. A bit damp. And it took us a while as we had no Idea what a Punga was. We know now Cheers Lydias

Our first trip beyond French Pass. As the road gradually became more challenging the further we went from civilisation, as we know it, we really wondered where we were going to end up. Like the SoBad team, the road just ended!!! But the day was just so wonderful - the outward journey clear, calm, sparkling, picture postcard stuff. Like the previous we were 'collecting' . When we stopped to 'collect' Port Ligar Rocks, the wind was SO strong, it bought water to the eyes. No cars in the area, no people obvious, just mindless sheep racing us down the road!!! TNLN.TFTC.

Today was the day earmarked to go to Bulwer to snaffle this cache to complete requirements for BGSc 301 as well as pick up others in the area. A long trip and a long day, with a road I haven't yet decided if it was worse or about what I expected, but with Hazedarus driving I had the benefit of being able to ooh and aah at the scenery while he kept his eyes on the road. The only movement we saw apart from sheep and cattle was another vehicle leaving Bulwer which we both decided immediately couldn't have been a local because the vehicle was too clean and at the same time wondered about the odds of it being another cacher visiting this far flung little settlement. Our 'suspicions' were not allayed about this when we noted 3 of the 4 caches we found here had been signed earlier today! The log book was quite damp but easy enough to dry out on the bonnet of the car. This was a first, and probably last, visit to this bay for me but very enjoyable nonetheless. Thank you for bringing us here and thank you for the cache.

Today was the day. Up at the crack of dawn for an expedition caching with Holymu. Needed this one for a challenge and shortlisted a few extras to make the trip worthwhile. I can't say how pleased I am to have finally had an excuse to go to the end of the road. Bright sun and slight breeze we thought but cutting through multiple layers with ferocity when we ventured in exposed places. Close to GZ we passed a bright shiny vehicle, in fact so shiny it was commented: "that can not be a local". At GZ coords proved spot on and the cache was soon in hand and log signed. Only half surprised we noted the log was already signed today. The log was rather damp so it was put out to dry on the bonnet of the car that was toasty warm after some serious work. It was a good start of a caching day that brought us to places that many people only dream of. TFTC

Sorry for the repeat log at the start but there are 3 CO’s we need to thank.
Sometimes it is the destination – today was all about the journey. Mrs SoBad had been eyeing the caches in this area since there were two – and then there were four. Some new ones on the way and she checked the weather forecast. And persuaded SoBad that he wanted a day of car caching!! We had a fabulous time going to an area that only caching would have alerted us to. As she had expected we would as we love the trip to French Pass. Once we left the seal we saw 2 cars on the road, 5 cows on the road, hawks in the thermals, wekas, robins and quail and even one deer. And wonderful views that Mrs enjoyed the most as SoBad was driving. But enough photo stops for him as well. Sun and NO wind all morning – clouds in the afternoon but that made some of the views more interesting. Thanks for your cache that was one of the 4 that gave us one of our best caching days.

Hmm... we did not expect a thriving township, had food as we suspected that there would be no cafe but....... There was a motel but it had a warning that it was a hazardous area!! And a private road stopped us going in the other direction. However SoBad did find this little plastic box while Mrs took more photos and it has another signature on the log. Thanks for the cache that contributed to a great day for us.

TFTC. A beautiful clear day gave spectacular views from GZ. Accessed via boat. Thanks for giving me a reason to come and explore this old settlement.

nice drive in today had the road to myself. didn't seem as far in this time. quick find and back to elaine bay . tftc

An easy find at the end of a long drive - the view makes it all worth it! TFTC

You will never believe this, but this cache was my primary objective today, so the loss of the FTF was a minor irritation. Working on filling some D/T grid gaps with the hope to achieve 71 out of 81 soon. Cache took some finding as it wasn't where it was supposed to be. With some deduction (finally ) I found it in the ditch covered under debris. After a good clean I have put it back in line with the clue but jammed it in place to prevent it going for another walk. Also took a photo of the log as there has been a find recorded online that isn't present in the log. Since I am in a mood, I've decided to report this back to the CO. I make the coords closer to 448/874 today. TFTC

Long drive out punctuated by passing the grader as he made the road a little more impassable for a perky Hyundai Getz. Almost cleaned up by some from the Marlborough District Council who was admiring the view rather than looking at the road. Took a bit of finding but finally got there. Photos will follow. TFTC

catching up on logs... found it with integersmirk during our Christmas trip to the area thank you

Arrived at lunchtime on xmas day, and met Santa Claus! he had 3 presents to hand out...
The first was for us, with a 20second find.
The second was for the cache owners, that they don't have to think about cache maintenance.
The third was for marchwoods, that they now have a reason to come back

Came out for the BIG drive. Enjoyed visiting the bay. Saw the tame pig. Disappointed that we couldn't find the cache. Pretty wet around GZ.
Four fence posts and five Punga to choose from. We assume "behind" meant that it was supposed to be on the ground. No luck today.
Liqourboy09 must have hidden it too well or else we were never looking in the right place. Were hoping to use it to knock off our third BGSc. Sh*! happens.

Spotted this D5 and thought ah a drive by nice.A great place to go for lunch and a quick fishbut the fishing wasnt good but there was a friendly tamed wild pig wanting our lunch so lunch was eaten in the car.Bulwer is a must see for everyone will come back again.tftc

Had lunch on the beach at the lost city of Bulwer; quick cache find at gz (thankfully). Road was in pretty good condition all the way. No dramas. Good one, thanks. Topgear01 (and dog)

Whew. Relieved to see that its still there Its a long way for a cache check.

Hmm, its not meant to be that hard. I've taken comments on board and updated the hints. Given reported issues with GPS accuracy at GZ, I've left the difficulty rating as is.

Pretty disappointing experience here. The hint was next to useless, there were many of the items it referred to in a radius around where the gps was zeroing out. Being in a gully, where it zeroed out shifted quite considerably, depending on the approach. Wasn't sure if the ratings have been changed, like the logs suggested, so wasn't sure if they were in keeping with the hide or not. I gather, now, they are accuracte. Gave the area a decent hunt, but presumably not decent enough. Long way to go for no reward.

Such administrative chicanery! Shame!!

worker visits all the bays you drive past to get here, but first time on the road past Cissy. By the time we were at the saddle above, she declared she is going to stick to her usual travel transport arrangements!!
we had a few issues finding the cache, resorted to the clue (whew, glad we took the computer) and still had to hunt!! Then , when she finally found it, worker declared, there is some funny entries in here, but I think we are actually first finder.

Surprised to find about 20 baches here. we saw a school of about 12 x 1m long King fish swim past the jetty 4 times, then later a school of about 100 juvinile (20-30 cm) kingies come past 3 times, 1 piper, 1 huge electric ray ( he was round and round). These all right at our feet!!

Not a breath of wind, so when all the fish show stopped, we had a swim.

Will we be back?.....not by road in a hurry !! (smile)

Almost 6 months without a visit. The motivation for placement was to bring a few extra cachers out to enjoy the nearby cache and discover this part of the sounds, obviously it wasn't enough as the hoards never arrived. B&W are definitely First To Find on this one even though there is a KE in the log from when the cache was first placed. A belated log now that the FTF has been claimed. TFTC.

Hmm, how to make this more interesting.... From this date on, for every 2 months that it remains unfound I will increase the difficulty rating by 0.5...

This cache needs fixing - it's obviously not interesting enough

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