Basil's gone fishing Pierces Creek, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
By Agent Basil on 10-Oct-09. Waypoint GC1ZN36

Out in Tidbinbilla for the day with Noikmeister. A nice day for being out and about although a chilly start. I was pretty tired by the time we got up here and was glad of a spot to have a quick break. I'm not sure where one would go fishing around here, but hey - I'm well up for a pathtag at least...maybe I'm just fishing for compliments?? Found this one fairly easily all nice and dry and in good condition.

Doing resistance and cardio training is paying off, this was much easier and faster than I expected. Would have loved to go on up to Mt Domain but that wasn't the plan, and I had errands to do in the afternoon. TFTC.

Incredible how this cache 'survived' the fires that went through here.

As I continued my wander up to Mt Domain for the FTF, this would be my last find on the formed trail. I didn't go after the caches further down this track as it was a bit too late in the day, and the trail looks a little overgrown.

For this cache I went to the coordinates, followed the clue and found the cache pretty quickly. Stopped for a bit to have a bit more trail mix and started off again up the mountain.

Thanks for the cache!

For me an early start up the Fishing Gap Fire Trail to Fishinggap Frippery [FTF]. Quick find. TFTC

A lovely quick ride up from the carpark to the saddle here before securing the bikes in the bush ahead of some more serious exploration up the hills. A quick find at GZ - cache is still in very good condition.

Thanks, Agent Basil!

easy to find

First finder since June .
Cache is good order and well hidden .
Many thanks for the trail hide .

Heading down for a quick adventure to A Stream Astray on a lovely public holiday. I completely forgot to grab this great little cache when I was down here last fortnight, so made sure to nab it and leave a few trades for the next cachers.

Everything in good condition, TFTC

Who would have thought we would find this cache in fresh snow right at the end of sep ( see pic)
TFTC

My third day of walking the trails around Tidbinbilla that I haven't done before. Nice bush at the beginning, but soon changes to the burnt landscape. Good to see the river flowing well. Arrived at the top and started the search, finding the cache on the first lap of the rocks. All good with what looks like a new container.

Thanks,

Today’s Omnia Friday Ramble to Fishing Gap provided the opportunity to find the geocache at Fishing Gap plus a couple more in and about Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve. The walk to Fishing Gap was about 8km in two and a half hours, the weather was warmish and the walking conditions pleasant. This cache was a straightforward find, in an obvious spot close to the coordinates. Thank you to Agent Basil for installing this cache.

A nice morning walk with walw up to this cache. TFTC

Out hiking today with Jemmalong & Friends, and Yvonne. A quick find before heading down to look for a couple of recently posted caches.
Tnlnsl, thanks for the cache!
Walter

**This Cache**
Easy but steep walk up the road 3.8kms to GZ. Interesting to see the impact of recent fires side by side the untouched bushland. Good to see the regeneration of plant life that must be changing rapidly week to week despite the colder weather. Saw no animals and heard just a few birds along the way. Quick and easy find of the brand spanking new container at GZ. TFTC Agent Basil.

**Our Day**
A late 10.10am start from Fishing Gap car park with no other walkers in sight. It took us 53 minutes walking on Fishing Gap Road to reach 'Fishing Gap' slowed only by the continuous steep incline. The distance is just 3.8kms on a road perfect for mountain biking albeit an ascent of 300m. Partway up this road the effects from the Jan 2020 fires become evident.

From Fishing Gap we easily found the head of the trail to hike up to Mt Domain. HOWEVER the trail was soon lost due to recent fires and beautiful dense fern regrowth. We made the mistake of not spending more time looking for the trail however we didn’t know what we were looking for and took a path up that initially looked 'obvious'. As it turned out we were 53m to the left of the trail and spent close to 1.5hrs undertaking serious bush bashing and repeatedly climbing up and over huge boulder outcrops. We were thrilled to eventually come out the other side free from injury. Clearly the fires did not come through this location. Some 300m from the top we headed to our right and came across THE TRAIL. Ahhh! We are saved!

With a skip in our step we walked quickly up, down and along to 'Overlooking Agent Basils Domain'. It was dead easy in comparison, and the helicopter views spectacular. After quickly finding this cache we headed to 'Tidbinbilla DROP-OFF' enjoying the geology on an interesting narrow 4m rocky piece of land keeping us from falling over either side. Fun and different with interesting shale outcrops.

It took 25 mins and a 600m walk from the last cache. It was again a quick and easy cache retrieve at GZ. It had taken us approx. 3.5hrs and 7.72kms with 738m ascent and just 85m descent to reach this location from the car park. It was close to 2pm so we had a quick bite to stay energised then headed back. We needed to safely reach the road before dark at 5pm.

It was an easy walk back taking just over 1hr 20mins to reach Fishing Gap, ALL ON TRACK to the base of the mountain, that including brief stops to take photos. At 3.20pm we sat briefly near the Fishing Gap sign to eat lunch ready for the brisk walk home but not before adding a layer of clothing as an icy cold breeze set in. Back at the soon after 4pm.

Today, some 1.5hrs was spent looking for the lost trail and bush bashing. So, the **start of the climb UP the very steep part of the trail to Mt Domain is S 35 29.158 E148 52.492 immediate right of rock boulders at small white gum tree**. The trail may be steep but it is clear from shrubs/trees and a dream run compared to our unnecessary struggle up through dense bush.

In total our adventure took 6hrs 18mins for 15.1km with 835m of ascent/descent. Another great day in the outdoor office.

Found on a CBC walk to Mt Domain. Recent fires have caused the rocks to shed layers and there are many dangerous partially burnt trees, future cachers be sure to look up before stopping in the burnt area. TFTC

TFTC Back again today and an easy find. Already condensation in the container but log book in zip lock bag so should be good for a while. Was out this way two weeks ago when the melted cache had been removed for repair and replacement from recent fires. Blacked trees all around. CO had given me permission to log the cache then but as I was heading back leading a CBC walk I of course had to sign the log because I could. Thanks Agent Basil great spot for a cache.

I was able to saw open the bottom of the old container and recover not only a lot of the trinkets, but even the logbook! though slightly damp - and missing part of its back cover, which was melted into the snaplock bag at the top end of the container - the book is still perfectly usable.

I have placed the book, with some new pens, in a new snaplock bag, and that together with the surviving tradeables in a new container (a 1l sistema box). This I have hidden *near* to the original site - the fire has rearranged the terrain somewhat and I found what I believe to be a better concealed and more weatherproof spot some 2 meters from where I found it. The hint still applies!

Found it!
... What's left of it.

I wasn't sure what to expect, returning here after the fires. Fishing Gap was one of the last places the bushfires reached before the ride finally turned on them.

Walking here was a very interesting experience, through burned wasteland amid which new buds and ferns grew; beautiful, in it's own strange way.

The cache container has half melted, and is unopenable; however, it is possible that contents have survived. I have taken it with me and will operate when I get home.

I have to return here soon anyway - my proper camera lost its batteries halfway through the trek, and I really want to capture more of this scenery in photos!

I will replace the cache when I return, within the next few weeks.

Log book very damp but still writable. TFTC

Incompany with Electron Girl. TFTC

Found it - forgot pen so took photo. TFTC

Brisk walk along the Fishing Gap fire trail, where we admired the gully, listened to the birds, and the gurgling of the unseen creek. Lovely little spot, very peaceful, stopped and had a break before the climb to Mt Domain. Grabbed the cache as well. TFTC.

Decided to tackle three caches in the Basil domain today for 11 terrain stars. My destination was Mt Domain of course, to really get above it all, and this was a nice bonus before leaving the comfort of the fire trail. Cache was quickly found amongst the lovely granite, things were a bit damp inside but the logbook was still writable.
You are not wrong about needing a really long line to catch anything from this spot, luckily I was hunting mountains and my target was looming above me calling my name....
Thanks Agent Basil, think I am now suitably qualified to look over your Domain...well I hope so, about to find out.
Thanks for the cache and bringing me back to my favourite Canberra sanctuary.

I was with TikvaNZ and Noikmeister on a half-day trip in which we were targeting the new trads near Mt Domain. The first leg of the journey was to reach this point, find this cache, and have a breather.
TikvaNZ found the cache and handed me the log for signing duties. I saw that the container was a little damp inside, as mentioned in MJW1's log. But the log book was okay - I could write in it no problem.
We didn't have much of a breather, as soon as we'd tucked this one back in it's hide we set off for the toughest part of the journey.
TFTC Agent Basil!

Found at 8:11:00 AM

A quick stop on the way up to higher things.

Thanks Agent Basil

#6161 @0810
A morning's caching to the new caches on Mt Domain. Noikmeister, ZQX and I met at the visitor centre at 0710, and arrived here an hour later. A quick breather to find this cache and then it was onwards and upwards. TFTC

A Canberra Bushwalking Club trip to Mt Domain. In the company of the famous mtbikeroz. Trip report at http://www.johnevans.id.au/wp/16-march-2016-mt-domain/ . TFTC.

Today was a picture perfect day for a bit of geocaching in Tidbinbilla. The nicest thing about this visit was that I ended up walking quite a few trails that I hadn't walked before, despite many visits out here - thank you geocaching!!

First up for the day was Fishing Gap. A good, solid walk with its fairly constant ascent and occasional steeper stretches to get the heart working. Halfway up a nice big brown snake crossing the track gave me an excuse to pause for a breather. We lent each other due regard and continued on our respective ways.

As seems standard, there was a bit of water in the container. I emptied it out and put all the contents in the sun while I had morning tea and a breather. Everything was in pretty good shape when it went in. The (legged) reptilian cache guardian in the crevice above seemed approving. TFTC

Where to go for today's adventure? This has been on the radar for a little while now and with the perfect weather, what better way to spend an afternoon? [^] Jetboil packed, picnic trail lunch packed and we were off. An enjoyable stroll and not too tough in the end, except where it was . Steep but definitely not the steepest . Muggle walkers passed us on the way up and were enjoying a break when we arrived so we sat down to our tea and snacks until they moved on. We then moved in for the find and an obligatory clamber up the boulder . Today the logbook was only very slightly damp and definitely usable. Thanks for a lovely wander Agent Basil .

The inside of the cache was wet, all the swag has rusted and the logbook was wet. I was not able to sign it. but took several photos to show my visit. The cache was under 10 cm of snow,

Found with Boot65. Arranged our TNR pass and set off early morning. The morning soon became very humid and as I was to find out 'Fishing gap' was way too high in the hills to catch fish. Tested my fitness or lack there of, but really enjoyed the walk.

3854. An outing with Relish64 to TNR on a lovely summers day. A little humid this morning with no breeze until we reached the gap. This place looked as fishy as some of the other ones I have fished at! At least we caught a cache at this one. The silica bag seems to be doing its job and all was fine within. I think the return journey was more enjoyable (easier) despite a snake sighting.
Thanks AB for the cache and a small taste of TNR. I'll be back!

Drove out here after purchasing my first pair of gaiters, and wanted a good long walk to see what they felt like in the middle of summer. Snakes have been part of most of my Tidbinbilla adventures, so it was a necessary purchase. Thanks Agent Basil for the push. They certainly do give some peace of mind when heading into long grass and dense bush.
I renewed my yearly membership at the Visitor Centre, picked up a new map, & then headed to this place. Storms and rain were predicted for the day, but all I could see was sunshine and blue sky. After figuring out how to wear said gaiters , I was off. Definitely not a sexy look with shorts, but hey, there was no one around to see! Loved the walk up. Heard many birds that I didn't recognise, and could hear a distant stream too. It was so peaceful there.....just what this introvert needed. Found the cache hiding safely in it's hiding place. The log book was a little damp so I added one of those moisture absorbing packets to the ziploc bag. I stopped for a snack and to look around a bit before heading back to my car. I'd love to know how this pretty area was named as I couldn't see a drop of water, let alone anywhere to fish!
Thanks for bringing me to yet another beautiful spot Agent Basil and thanks for the cache!

Didn't even get a nibble.

Found on second attempt. Plenty of water in the cache. Tipped it out. Log pad a little damp but usable.

Thought I would do a few caches around Tidbinbilla before my annual entry pass expires. A few easy ones and a few medium / tough ones. Walked about 20 kilometres for the day. Need to return to finish a few more at a future date. TFTCs.

Okay so this was one of two medium walks for today. A beautIful day, absolutely stunning in fact so I set off up the hill. Bout ten minutes in I realized I had left the GPS in the car. Never one for turning back I decided to carry on regardless. I remembered that the hint indicated that the GZ was going to be pretty easy to identify.
On reaching fishing gap I identified one very big boulder and half a dozen big ones. So set off for the obvious one and started a fairly close search all round. Virtually back round to where I started within and inch of lapping myself I saw something that looked like it could hide something and....yes! In hand. A little wet inside but a warm and windy day helped dry it out.
Thanks agent basil, nice one

4934 + 561 = 5495. A couple of nice walks and caches before the big Event today...

I have been waiting for an excuse to do this walk for ages. The Mars Lander Event this afternoon was it ! Took the day off to sort a few things and do this walk up. 1 hour walk up for the find. Photo. 50 minute walk down - and I didn't forget my GPS up there ! Very nice all around !! Thanks Agent Basil !!

TNLN - TFTC !!

Cheers....

It was a great walk with all the SamWalkers walking (less Sam). It got considerably hotter as we went.
The find was easily made.
The log book had become a little damp abut a few minutes in the sun and it was good to go back in the box.

We noticed that AN_Rastan had made scratchings in the log book with a dry pen - so we inked over their signature to make it permanent.

Back down the hill was much faster, then back to the BBQ area for the caching event.

That gives us 18 off the bookmark list (3 as FTF).

First for the day.

Was a pleasant walk up to the cache. Last section a little steep. But soon we were on top.

Found the cache pretty quickly after resting, went to sign the log with the pen in the cache. Not working ;(

No matter, I'll get the pen I had in my bag. Couldn't find it

So took a photo with my GPS and log book on top of the sign.

Found it easy enough. Log was a bit damp. Placed into new plastic bag as the one it was in was wet.

Nice early walk. TFTC

I finally managed to get some time to head out here and grab this cache. I'm so glad I did because the ride up and back was fantastic, the weather was great, and the peace and quiet (bush style) was just what I needed. The only things biting today were the march flies.

I managed to ride the pushbike most of the way up - had to push the last 600m but the return journey was so good. Smok'n...........

Took some happy snaps, found the cache and enjoyed the experience thanks Basil. One small problem though, the cache had about a quarter cup of water in it. I did my best to dry it out with some tissues and it went back in place fairly dry. But I suspect the lid may leak again where the insulation tape wraps around the lid.

Fish were not biting but there was a nip in the air, love these frosty mornings. An easy find after a pleasant morning stroll, the last time I did this walk was pre 2003 bushfires, looks like things are recovering well.
Took TB536009, he does not get many visitors, left nothing. TFTC

What better way to start off a day then taking a fun walk up a hill. This was the beginning of a long day caching with Mr_roo and Jusojara. Thanks.

3223.1 TNLN
Visited: World Traveling Gold GC A#6 & Tracks A#100

Albida

First of the day started walking from the carpark with Albida and Jusojara. Lovely stroll up the fire trail and made a easy find. Took a photo putting down my gps while taking the photo and had a look around the area. Walked back to the car with nice views of the valley. Once at the car I said oh no where is my gps. Oh no left it up there. Went to the friendly ranger who arranged another trip up there for me in the ranger car to go get my gps. Now I was that thankful, and can say I am the only cacher who has driven to this cache TFTC

This was the first cache for today with mr_roo and Albida and after the stroll up the hill we soon had the cache. After signing the log we had a look around before the obligatory photo. After this we headed down the hill and back to the Geomobile and it was then that mr_roo realised he left his GPSr back up the top[B)].

We headed off and found a Ranger who quickly organised for another Ranger to drive him back up and retrieve it. He was very relieved to not have to walk back up again.

Visited Ra's Gecko - SL TFTC

2633. [font=Trebuchet Ms][green]Like banging your head against a brick wall - it's so nice when you stop. Yep. top training value and a constant up. It was interesting to notice how wet we had all become when we reached the top. Mr Winglen had a very impressive design on his shirt, painted in perspiration. Hmmmm now there's a name for a cache.

The walk back was very pleasant and the great company made it even better.

TFTC and the angling breach[/green][font=Verdana]

Rated: for Overall Experience

I guess the gap is there's no fishing?

Scored on a McWin7 raid about the area.

Would have loved to see how far I could ride a bike up, but suspect it wouldn't have been all the way.

Cooler morning, mist about and even a few drops of rain. Humidity from McPhan and Winglen “Alpha†fogging my glasses. Sure it wasn’t me..

Thanks for the cache.

Found with McPhan and Zsazsa7 on a very pleasant morning of wandering around Tidbinbilla. Some bright spark earlier this week (Mr W) had suggested bringing our bikes up here. Mine is a pushbike - yes I would have been pushing it up here , so I'm glad McPhan and I talked him out of it. Quite steep in places and we all walked reasonably fast - for the training value - so we were all glowing at the top on a humid overcast morning. An easy find, then all of a sudden it was cool as a slight drizzle descended, very briefly after we had replaced the cache. Thanks Agent Basil.

Yet another Basil cache for the day......although this took a lot longer to get to.

Set off just on 11.25, and after a bit of riding, then a bit of pushing, then a little more riding, followed by a LOT more pushing, I finally arrive at GZ just on 12.30. Sat in the shade for good few minutes to recover while signing the log etc etc. Then took the standard photo, before heading off back down. Was planning on riding all the way, but an interesting slab of granite looked inviting, so stopped off to check it out. Hmmmmmm

From there, it was back on the bike and a non stop run to the bottom. Took around 10 minutes I'm guessing.

Thanks Basil....an interesting place. As tankengine would say (as per Emu Flats), the place must of been named by a bureaucrat........because I can see where you'd go fishing up there.

Left a coin to continue it's travels.

1687+53=1740

Time to use the daylight saving to get some pleasant bushwalking caches.

Thanks Agent Basil for the encouragement to walk up this pleasant easy firetrail - 1hr 35min return including 10min at the top. It was cool and shady in the early evening, and the birds were still singing.

Dropped in a TB

Cooeeeee, a *FTF* with TankEngine.

Went in Tidbinbilla gates as soon as they were opened with TE, as we were driving along to the carpark, a third car joined the procession - hmmm - interesting as we all pulled in to the Fishing Gap carpark. Why hello there OZ Lurker - nice to meet you.

TE and I unpacked our bikes, OZ Lurker & team set off on foot. Wasn't long till we were pushing up a bit steeper slope (Pushing in MBO terms = still riding just pushing a bit harder). A nice little ride it was, over all too soon having ridden all the way to Fishing Gap. TE found cache, took a photo shot of that sign again with a couple of bikes, then, Coooeeeeeeeee - what a ride back down - loved it. Stopped to say hello again to OZ Lurker and team trekking up just before the steep bit, then continued the great roll back to the cars. (Then we went off and laid a cache )
Thanks Agent Basil for a top cache and great location, Grabbed Geocoin. Thanks also TankEngine for the company on this and the following fun.

Chooo ooo *FTF* with MtbikerOz!
Met Ozlurker at the start, but they opted for legs instead of wheels! Took us around an hour return. And I am glad to say that I rode all the way! (OK, I need to clarify - I rode all the way, Back! - plently of pushing on the way up!) Lovely trip, was getting a little tired, and then decided to join MTBO on a Longer, Hillier, Wetter and higher adventure! Thanks for showing me this location Agent Basil!

Gorgeous day for caching - and at 0730, we fully expected to have the mountain to ourselves. Not so, but were happy to share with MTBikerOZ and TankEngine. Congrats to the lads on the FTF - you deserve it for the ride up that hill!!!

Thanks Agent Basil for a great caching location. TNLNSL.

Set out around 10am with geofamily and two first time cachers.
Every one had a great time on this one, what a great walk. Easy find at the top and a great view down the hill.
Took koala, left magnifying glass.

Thanks Agent Basil for this cache and showing us a great spot.

Published

TB drop