Mangrove Maze Brighton Eventide, Queensland, Australia
By Xixau & Shenzi on 25-Jan-10. Waypoint GC23BWD

After grabbing the challenge this was my next. Cache was found. Then I headed back to boat ramp to get home for a shower then deliver my son to Tafe then the CITO. I had a fun paddle with little bit the wrong tide and bit of mud to play with. Xixau & Shenzi thank you for placing and maintaining this cache for enjoyment of the caching community.

Came in at high tide and parked the kayak right next to the cache. The container belongs to the tree now, but the lid could still be removed to read the message inside! TFTC

An early morning paddle saw us winding our way through the mangroves towards this one. We had managed to time our arrival on a tide that allowed us to paddle all the way to GZ and open the cache without leaving the kayak. Thanks to the beautifully accurate alternative coordinates offered by several previous finders, we had no trouble finding the cache. We were thankful that nature had swallowed just enough of the container to keep it in place but not enough that we couldnt open it. This was our last cache of the day as we discovered a crack in the hull when the kayak started filling with water. A bit of drama to spice up the mornings lovely calm exploration of the waterways. Thanks Xixau & Shenzi

Fun

** S 27° 16.374' E 153° 03.785'**

I think these were the coordinates we used to find the container.
They were out 18....or 26 metres or something.
Fairly typical for the time placed.

Enjoyed the adventure at dead low tide.
Wags and I walked from the 'young and keen' challenge and deviated on the way back hiding the 'old and grumpy' challenge.

Cheers

A call to The Bug. I was heading North and he was heading south so a bit of adjustment and 2 yaks later we were on the water heading from Brighton to Kippa-Ring and meeting Team ASD along the way. We started at low tide which may not have been the best for this cache so after some waist deep mud it was a mangrove bash.
We looked for a while before seeing older logs saying coords to the south and there it was.
We completed the signing duties and re hid. TFTC

A great day for a paddle out on the quiet waterways, Brisbane. We wondered how difficult this one may be to find, but with careful planning, and looking for the waterways that may lead us closer to GZ, we made the find and then turned the boat around before the tide became too low.
Thanks Xixau & Shenzi
Domsky

Came here with a previous finder and made it deep into the maze as we had a good tide assisting us

Thank you for this cache
R

What a gorgeous location. TFTC

Found on todays morning kayaking adventure with E_Smiley.

TFTC

georode

Please use S 27° 16.374' E 153° 03.785' otherwise you'll be searching forever like we did!

Great time with georode targeting his SE QLD Loop Support List. We paddled and hiked and laughed from beginning to end like there's no tomorrow.

Was here 30 Dec 2021. Forgot the coords were off. Much better access at high tide.

Thank you for taking us here Xixau & Shenzi.

1 March 2023 7:02 am

Great high tides & we are taking advantage of them. I’d like to say we swooped in to find it, but it’s a little more complex than that. But a find is worth the experience. Great cache

Muggle65 and l had the perfect tide for this one. Super high and peaking as we arrived near GZ. After 15 mins of unsuccessful looking, we read a couple of logs. We then found it 18m further on. Not as bad as the reported 26m. The tree sure has a firm grip on the container so we couldn't empty out the water that has leaked in. But it was a lot of fun paddling around the mangrove maze before we let the tide take us back to the car. Thank you for the fun

Found as per previous logs approximately 26m out tftc

Morning kayak trip with divehelen. Started just after low tide so the first few geos were walk ins. The last few were at high tide and we floated into. Wind was blowing up by the end, timed our trip perfectly. What a fantastic 20km kayak adventure. Thanks for putting these here for our enjoyment today.

This one has been on my radar for a long long time and it was tough. Parked the kayak and walked about 500m to the cache. Finally here! I wouldn’t have found it except for a past finder logging new coordinates S 27° 16.374' E 153° 03.785'.

Walked in circles for a while before reading past logs.

Logged as per instruction on the note.

I got muddy and wet but I’m glad I came.

I AM GUR

What started as a day out to grab the final for a Wherigo at Hayes Inlet, turned into a small flotilla of kayaks (and geocachers being Peppa, Davinells, Snickersallan, Beardman75, Davidwazza and ruzzelz) and a list of about 10 caches.

After making our way cross Hayes Inlet to this side, we ventured in to the mangrove to locate this cache. Lucky to have a guide otherwise I could be lost in here. Rising tide made it easier to paddle to GZ. Logging as per description.

TFTC Xixau & Shenzi

Came up early from the Gold Coast to join geo friends Davinells, Peppa, Davidwazza, patrol14, Beardman75 and ruzzelz for a paddle in and around Hays Inlet.
On arrival at the launch point, it was a mud flat, although it didn't take long to fill in enough for us to launch with the tide coming in fast. Our mission was to find what we could until the winds picked up and then head back to shore. It was a nice paddle to each cache with a few hairy moments, especially the last 200mtrs with the waves coming thick and fast, filling a few of our kayaks to the brim.
Overall, it was a fun, enjoyable morning out with like-minded friends.
This was the easiest cache to get to with the incoming tide definitely in our favour, thanks CO.

TFTC Xixau & Shenzi

A plan, or need, depending on who you talk to, involving Hays Inlet has been on the cards since late January when Davinells and I completed all the land based components of the nearby Wherigo…

Today, the plan came to fruition… our little group has grown into quite the floating armada made up of Davinells (our very own Captain Stubbing) Davidwazza(Julie McCoy), Patrol14 (Issac the bartender who today did her best work with water as the mixer), Ruzzelz (as Dr Bricker), Beardman75 (as Gopher) and Snickersallan (as Zsa Zsa Gabor - glamorous as always)…

We launched from Clontarf at about 7am, where I met someone calling themselves Jodi, who still elected to go shopping even after meeting us…

Having made our way across Hays Inlet,at times on foot, sometimes at quite the incline, this was a unique set up for a cache… but while in the area couldn’t pass up the opportunity…

According to the app on the phone, which I finally remembered to use, we paddled almost 11kms in just over four hours and I’m exhausted…

Tftc…

A paddle across Hays Inlet has been on the cards for a few months as the last time Peppa, Davidwazza and I tried the winds were much too strong. Whilst the winds weren’t ideal they were better than last time!

A group of 7 assembled (Peppa, Snickersallan, Davidwazza, Patrol14, ruzzelz and Beardman75) and formed a fabulous flotilla that provided great banter, singing and even some helpful puzzle solving.

Once across the inlet it was lovely paddling through the mangrove maze towards GZ. Logging online as per note in the cache. Tftc Xixau & Shenzi

Beautiful little paddle through the mangroves

Thank goodness for the alternate coords from a recent cache finder.


Nice to have this one off my map

Already having the kayak on board from a previous event and then coming down here for another cache gave me the perfect chance to race over and grab this one. with the high tide and the wind it was an easy paddle over however coming back was a little wet.

I found the cache and the note inside on the how to sign the log. I then high tailed out as I had other caches on my list today. This was one cache I was happy to finally get. Thanks for the placement a favourite point for this one.

With a CITO event planned at low tide today, E_Smiley suggested we go for a paddle to find some of the caches in the area. Perfect idea! After setting off around 6.15, we made our way to the other caches in the area and saved this one for last! By this stage the wind had picked up, our paddle across the front was slow going, and after a quick downpour, we made it around the point and into another inlet which was like glass. A great opportunity to slow things down a little and enjoy the surroundings. We wound our way through the maze, and what a maze it was! We parked our kayaks and headed over land to gz. We weren't quite close enough, and after spotting something 'over there' I headed over to investigate more. Of course as I crossed some water I fell in, twice - very funny. As others have noted, the cache is well and truly now part of the tree and cannot be removed You can take the lid off where you will see the note this cache has no log. Then I remembered reading this on the cache page.
After putting the lid back on, it was time to return across the channel to our cars, and get ready for the CITO. This was a very slow trip, with a lot of wind. E_Smiley made a new friend Wilson, we were not sure whether he would be a guest at the CITO or if he was attached to something in the murky depths. Turned out it was the latter, so we left him to his business.
Thanks Xixau & Shenzi for the great cache

Mangrove Maze
D 2.0 T 4.5 Small Traditional Cache

Fun day with willis007. We did 11 km in 4 hours today.

We found the cache near S 27° 16.374' E 153° 03.785'

Thanks for the cache and taking us here Xixau & Shenzi. Enjoyed the adventure.

Today, with my geocaching partner having a lunch appointment, I decided to take an afternoon for myself and kayak around Hays Inlet. I had the tide time right, but there were high winds about, and in the end, my plan for several river geocaches only resulted with one find, before making the sensible decision to cut my kayaking expedition short. I then took the bridge across to Clontarf and took a few walks around, before finalising my day visiting Deagon Wetlands and Sandgate Third Lagoon Reserve.

I ended up parking and launching from Brighton Park, and took the shortest route across the bay to this location. There were high winds forecast, and they were certainly felt, however with no white caps out on the water, I decided to continue with my plan in travelling to these mangroves spot. It was a bit choppy out in the bay, but I was comforted that it would be easier travelling back with the wind and current.

I managed to find the mouth of the inlet, where there was a group of pelicans enjoying the remoteness of their peninsula, and so after making a turn around them, it was just kayaking along the creek-river. I thought I may have needed to make a turn through the dense mangroves in order to get to GZ, but the creek weaved around and had me in a group of lightly spaced mangrove trees where GZ was found. It still took 10 minutes of searching around due to bouncing coordinates, and I needed to read hints and past logs to help to narrow down the right tree. I continued to expand my search, and in the end, I found the cache 10-15 m away from the posted coordinates. The cache container was interesting as the tree had grown completely around the container, but there was no logbook? The description and note to be found were clear to only log online, which somewhat goes against the geocaching guidelines and requirements, so I would suggest the CO visit this cache and add a logbook. For the interim, I've added a photo of myself with the found note. Thanks Xixau & Shenzi for the cache placement and ongoing maintenance.

A short paddle across to this one on high tide and making my way to GZ was very enjoyable. Very glad I chose a decent tide as it may have been a bit of a slog at low tide.

Once at GZ it was a short search and the cache was in hand and taking note of the instructions all was returned as found and I continued my journey back along the river.

TFTC Xixau & Shenzi

Out for a paddle today with a few muggles, introducing them to Geocaching. We timed this grab to perfection with the high tide and just managed to scrape ourselves up to GZ. I poked my head into the hole to see if the resident possum was there, but he must have moved house.


Thanks for the placement and up keep of this cache.

oz_bean_counter put the call out during the week for an exercise partner for a little kayaking adventure. Well I do love a little wet fun out on the water. Plan A involved launching for another cache but would have involved excessive exposure to fishy types at a boat ramp on another stream.

Plan B involving this cache was hatched ( again involving a launch from a fishy boat ramp). Meanwhile the home detention restrictions continued to increase. Out for a cycle during the week I realised that a launch from Brighton Park provided a good option to avoid fishy types and was relatively close to this cache.

With only a short paddle across the water OzBC powered ahead, me well i was just smelling and mangroves along the way. At GZ I was showing OzBC where my original GZ had focused almost one year back now, meanwhile she had ventured off to look at a possum in a hidey hole about 18 m away. Turning the kayak around to check out the commotion what do you know right beside the possum I could see the cache.

Thanks for the cache, it is places like this I'm almost glad that I had a DNF first time round.

Submitted via Garmin Live Geocaching

A beautiful and yet socially distant yak session was planned (and replanned!) with ruzzelz today. A great morning on the water, with great company, great weather, and a few belly laughs. I supervised ruzzelz while he avenged a prior DNF on this one. Beautiful spot - and right at GZ in the same tree was a possum! I had no idea they lived in mangrove areas, but you learn something every day. The poor thing was a bit frightened and tried to get as far away from us as possible. A lovely bonus for this great cache

TFTC - and TB visit while I am here.

Tftc. Hard work

Don't you love a pleasant walk along the beach, amongst mangroves, ankle deep in water, acting as magnet to midges and mozzies, brushing off spiders and other 4, 6 and 8 legged critters. Have had better days caching!! After reading this travel blog, I'm sure there will be visitors galore!! Thanks Xixau & Shenzi for a trip to remember . . .

We didn't find it because the boys got out of the dinghy and decided nah. Yep sure was a maze.

Saw high tide was at a convenient time today, so made my way to this. Got to the GZ easy enough, but could not locate the hide. Walked around a bit (tide was not too high today...), then decided to expand my search. Found the container ~18m from where my GPS was pointing. TFTC!

Seems this cache has defeated the best of the best in the geocaching world on first try. Seems I have to come back.

This was the only cache in this area that I hadn't found. So, I parked near the bridge and launched from there to head for this one first, just before the high tide. The paddle in was pleasant although I was never quite sure if I was heading the right way. I was a little surprised to open the caceh and find a note asking finders not to sign a log. I'm not sure of the reason for that but I have included a photo of the note instead. I was amused to note that someone has actually signed the back of the note.

Thanks for the cache Xixau & Shenzi. This was find #3981. Please discover my trackable: MMGJ6B

TFTC

After a DNF here last time, I decided to head in on a really high tide. Just missed hitting a large wasp nest above the channel on the way in with my paddle. GZ was easy to identify because someone had left a towel on a tree right next to the cache. Only trouble was, because the water was so high I couldn't dislodge the container, which was wedged in too tight. When I tried, my arm got stuck and the yak began drifting away - now that wasn't much fun. Still, I found it, and I enjoyed the paddle to this location again.

TFTC

Out doing some water caches today with Dora the Explorer! and Phil Serenity. Thankfully, we began our trip at high tide however a bit of wind and a swell made the paddle tough going until we got into the sheltered water on the channel.

We were able to paddle all the way to GZ however the water was shallow in parts.

At GZ we took note of the instructions then headed off to our next cache.

All is good with this cache.

Find #1412

TFTC ***Xixau & Shenzi***

With Dora the Explorer, CDAH55 we made our way across a windy choppy river. Found a inlet and very nice alonb waterway. Sheltered and calm.TFTC

Quick easy find and a nice paddle.

Out for a morning paddle with Raynersinoz to find a few caches.
This one was the third find of the day and I parked the kayak and soon found the cache.
Thanks for the cache.

Defeated by a dropping tide and nightfall, I reluctantly pulled the pin on this one after failing to find anything after a short, intense search. Can’t wait for another crack at it; the mangrove forest here is amazing. At least the sunset on the way back was really nice (although the photo looks even better than the real thing).

Found Ok

12/3/17, 10:47 am Find #637
So this cache has been on watchlist for Que Sera, NyssaFlutterby and I in the hopes we may be able to secure the smilie and the unloved on it (well two of us anyway), and this morning we each woke up to the joy of a notification from the CO to say the cache has been replaced. Yay!! Change of plans in order as we were planning to target elsewhere today, but this one was to take priority.

Que Sera and I had attempted this one a couple of weeks back but the mangroves have been affected around here and the cache was nowhere to be found.

Time to meet agreed upon, and it almost seemed like it didn't come soon enough. But finally we were off, and the tide was amazingly high today. The paddle through here was absolutely beautiful, and the company was terrific, and before we knew it we arrived at GZ.

Now to find the cache... hmm 30 metres from GZ could be anywhere, but what's that over there?! Yes I see it!
We made a beeline for said item and came up victorious! Lots of unlove for us today here. Photos were taken of Que Sera with the cache in case CO requires any evidence for find to be claimed (as we couldn't sign any actual logbook of course). And then the paddle back began.

Thanks for the cache Xixau & Shenzi.

found with 1minniemoo and nyssaflutterby and muggle friend. (lei) . after a dnf not long ago i put this on my watch list. 1minniemoo , lei and i had kayaking plans this morning for the south side of town .BUT i woke up ti notification that this cache was back in action. All plans changed and we headed to this one. The tide was super high and the paddle was nice. wow things look sooo different here at high tide. (no mud). 1minniemoo spotted this cache from 30 metres away. im sure she has some extra super human eyesight. we were able to paddle right up to the cache . read the info and enjoyed the paddle back to car. had great time and it was nice to meet nyssaflutterby. thanks for maintaining this cache here for us to enjoy.

Replaced container and moved cache location by approx 30m

well. this was an adventure. at lowish tide 1 minniemoo and i left our kayaks with my muggle friend and hot footed it to gz. it was hot. the water and mud were hot. its really creepy out here but after an hour i actually felt ok or i could have been disoriented with dehydration. we searched and searched and searched at gz but no luck today. i did really enjoy the adventure. going back to our cars was a challenge as the water was so shallow we walked nearly the whole way. except the last 200 metres we had to actually carry my 2 seater heavy kayak. still that is what makes geocaching a great adventure. hope to be back at high tide to make this a smilie

Pretty sure I found the spot, especially after looking at clue and photos. I think cache may not be where it is meant to be/lost. Enjoyed the paddle anyway!

Summer is nearly upon us, so with a dodgy ankle preventing a long walk, I thought it was time to break out the Crooked Yak and hit the water. I still had a few unfound caches around Hayes Inlet and on South Pine River to grab.

Arriving at Dohles Rocks, I realised I had forgot to pack some stuff - nothing important, just the bung for Yak and my paddling back support! Later in the morning I particularly regretting forgetting the latter. With a stiff north easterly blowing, I paddled hard and was soon in the lee of the shore.

I found the creek entrance easily enough and had timed my arrival for the top of the tide. No walking to GZ today! Container and logbook found in good condition. The return journey was pleasant - being all downwind!

Many thanks Xixau & Shenzi

Pete

#2,878

Geohubby and JaffaJ wanted to go for a paddle and knowing I'm a bit partial to kayak caches, they decided today's adventure would start at Brighton Park. I have wanted to find this one for awhile, but every time we go to head out either the tide or weather is not cooperating. Not so today though. We were 1 hour off the high tide and had a bright, sunny day. We launched the kayaks and paddled across the water. There was a bit of a breeze so we had some choppy water, but we had soon found the entrance to the creek that would take us through the mangrove maze. The paddling and caching gods were on our side and we could paddle right up to the cache. What a beautiful spot. JaffaJ and I signed the log and then we were off to find a boat with a slow puncture.TFTC Xixau & Shenzi

This is my fourth attempt on this one ... but I've never truly gotten close before, I have never seen the inlet. Ever. It's a big landmark, hard to miss really, but not where I was expecting it. Today though. Today was the day. We had in mind a few others, but time wasn't on our side, water disappears quickly around here. We chose to abandon the others and concentrate on this one, even though my companion Fangsoki had been here many years ago. I think in the end a wise choice.

With the tide rapidly disappearing, we searched and paddled around looking for the inlet entrance. It took a few false attempts, and at one point had to call in satellite support before it was finally located. Awesome. It truly is obvious once spotted. A slight falter on a rather muddy and unsafe sandbar - but we found water again ... and so in we went. Conscious of the tide dropping we motored along nicely, seeming to circle GZ, never really right at it - but steadily the distance to go got smaller. And then a fork in the water meant a choice. We took right, ended up being a valid choice ... and with 50m to go we ran out of passable water. So two feet and I hoofed it to 2m. Checked here. Checked there, nothing. nada. [:(!] what the? How can - and then I turned around and 2m from me was a rather decent sized container Okies, then, grabbed it - jumped ten metres from the fist sized spider that launched at me from it, sent it far farther than ten ... and a logbook to sign.[^]

All good here - returned safely as found, and after a challenging 99 point U-turn we headed out on the final waters - and all good we hit open water with time to spare - but sadly some 80+m or so from shore we ran out of water and had to carry the yak back. Oh well, things we do.

Thanks for placing this cache, Xixau & Shenzi. Found in good condition.
{Overall find #4151}
Check out [url=http://www.facebook.com/groups/303346609684914/]The online home of geocaching in South East Queensland on Facebook[/url]

Well the primary reason for this log is dip my trackable boat - but pardon me if I don't do a full log for the day's paddling with Mr Pprime.

Pprime and I parked up at Brighton Park with a view of doing a few caches on the southern part of the Inlet. We did not count on the tide however...

We kitted up and made our way toward this cache. Last time I got this one - all of 5 years ago - I didn't have a problem finding the entrance to this one. We decided to get a couple of the others first when we realised our faux pas - we'd missed the entrance. But alas. The tide was going out. I made the suggestion to Prime. Abort getting the others. Let's concentrate on Mangrove Maze so we won't have any unpleasantness involving us being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no water. The suggestion ended up being sound.

Google Maps showed where we had stuffed up and we made our way back around the land toward a nice wide opening that looked familiar. The tide was on the out - but we decided to keep going and we would leg it the rest of the way if we had to.

At one point, we had to get out of the boat as we hit a sandbar. Holy sinking mud, Batman! We hurried to where it was deeper and back into the safety of the boat and followed our nose into the inlet.

Pprime kept say which way he wanted the water to go. He can keep saying it all he wants. You follow the tributary till you get to it - you don't have much of a say, Mr Prime We finally slid into a small tributary and could go no further..... 40m from the cache

Now either I visited last time during a king tide.. or this area has REALLY changed. I stayed with the boat while Prime hoofed toward GZ. After a bit of a search, he found the beast. With log signing duties done, we had to do an interesting 7 point turn around manoeuvre to get back out. Thankfully we had enough tide to get back to the open water. We got most of the way back - until about 80m out or so from the car. Damned tide We were very happy lads to get back to the car.

So no - not a fully successful little trip. But - we did get Mr Pprime this cache - and he was as happy as a clam about that. It was great to go back again and visit it.. so TFTC again Xixau & Shenzi

Found it.Tftc Xixau & Shenzi

Slow Puncture was out with SS Orange Crew in his u-beaut boat.

This was spooky - we motored left and right and before long, if we did not have the direction of the sun (and our trusty captain's local knowledge) it's easy to see how someone could get lost in this sort of area.

We were a bit confused by the hint but in the end found our little tethered friend, signed and returned.

Thanks [Blue]Xixau & Shenzi[/Blue], for showing us this wet and muddy place.

Mum and Dad had to do a maintenance run on the water so I tagged along to grab a few smilies

Was nice to be out on the water today, grabbing some smilies in high terrain as well as getting my tan back

TFTC

out on a maintenance run on the SS Bowman stopping at all so geo-daughter can collect some smiles
we are armed with logs, bags and containers

I really love this spot

log container and tether all good

T-Tech and I hired the double Tidemark (our favourite kayak) today and joined Rainbow Flotilla 2015 so we could collect all the caches on the river in the company of other like-minded crazy people The group included our trusty captain ruzzelz, Pprime (P`), Crookedpete, bulldozer72, La Kedi, lost 2 found, JustATrifle, kaisho53, dahumbug, ScattsMadhouse, Linden/6, an old hag, the cache maker and Team__DNF. The Flotilla got underway about 6.45am from the boat ramp on Haysmouth Terrace at Clontarf, and together we visited these caches: Freshwater Creek, Aye Aye Captain Kieran, Swamp Dog, Fence Sitter, Adventure on Mangrove Island and Noah's Zoo. The logbooks were all signed "ruzzelz's Rainbow Flotilla 2015" to save space A most enjoyable few hours on the water, despite the rain and a plethora of blue jellyfish

T-Tech and I also took a lengthy diversion on the way back to grab this one, as we had a DNF last time we were here. (Only took us another 2 years, 4 months to get back here ) Pprime (P`) and ruzzelz set off with us, but the current and chop were too strong for them after many hours of paddling and they chose to abort It was a good thing to be in a double kayak as when one of us needed a break we were still able to fight the current!

We first made a landing at the western tip, and attempted to walk overland to the cache, but got thwarted by mozzies and a wide creek, so it was back to the kayak and paddle around to the southern side, where I was sure we had been last time. We found ourselves the right way in, and even though the tide was going out, we managed to paddle all the way to GZ, and this time the cache was an easy find [^]

The slog across the river back to the boat ramp was tough, and we were both pretty worn out when we made land again. After cleaning up and getting the boat back on the Suby, I took a quick walk around to grab Washed Up. Altogether 6 finds and 2 already done'ems over about 18kms in 5 and 1/2 hours for us two. A grand day out indeed!

TFTC, Xixau & Shenzi.

After nearly 15kms of paddling up the inlet, Iolanthek, T-Tech and I opted to head back on this side of the bay so as to attempt this cache. Against the current, bigger waves now (could surf some of them I think), against the wind, mozzies in lethal swarms (cannot train mozzies to all push in the same direction it seems). I got to perhaps 1km away and had to abort. It was a true struggle to return across the bay without being swamped. It seems I traveled over 20kms on water to fail (a second time) without entering the maze. Grrrrrrr

Out on the water today with ruzzelz, IolantheK, Pprime (P`), bulldozer72, La Kedi, lost 2 found, Linden/6, JustATrifle, Kaisho53, dahumbug, Team_DNF, ScattsMadhouse, CrookedPete, An Old Hag, and The Cachemaker, going by the group name "Rainbow Flotilla" 2015.
Set off from the end of Haysmouth Parade Clontarf about 6:45 and IolantheK and I finished up around 12:15. We had done some extra Km in completing Mangrove Maze, all up for us (IolantheK and T-Tech) about 21Km of paddling [^]
All caches were dry and in good condition [^]
They were all easy finds but their cache guardians just about drove us nuts (dam mozzies)
TFTC Xixau & Shenzi

I remember when this geocache was one of very few in the Pine Rivers. Now it was just another on the list for Net88 and my trip here today. But this geocache stood out as my favourite.

Net88 had been urging me to launch my canoe and take her around for the geocaches out here, so today w threw the Canoe in at Dohles Rocks with the outboard and were putting around the various icons. This was my third find for the day and I was looking forward to it.

The Mariner was at full throttle across the river and towards the creek. We had timed our visit at the top of a 2 metre tide (more good luck than good management though). All the same I was expecting it might be paddle o'clock eventually. We managed to leave the outboard running a long time, never running aground much farther than I expected. It was so peaceful up the creek, the only noise the 2 stroke gently tugging away. We passed 2 boats in the creek wetting a line. We passed them and made our way around the turns of the creek with no drama. Then the creek started running out, but we were close. I guided us towards the right tree with my finger at the ready to mash the engine stop button.

We were mere metres from the GZ when the outboard was cut and we glided across the surface to the find, spotted by Net. I reached and grabbed the container. I suspect it has been replaced since the description was written, but it is in good condition. With that all done, we turned around and headed back out the creek again. Little did we know we would be back a few hours later (and we'd be bloody thankful for it!). TFTC Xixau & Shenzi, you're getting a favourite point for this one

Will you be at the.. [url=http://coord.info/GC4X31B]GC4X31B[/url] [url=http://qldmega.com]Queensland Geocaching Mega-Event - Stanthorpe 2015![/url]

I have wanted to find the caches in this area for longer than I can remember. There was one day that I was even at the boat ramp with a canoe and two crazy friends but it was too choppy and we decided to be morally corrupt instead. Thankfully we didn't go that day because more and more caches have been popping up in the area. I had been bugging Captain Terror to take me out with his canoe for a few months now and finally this weekend everything was planned and we were packed and ready to go.

This was my favourite cache for this morning. It was such a pleasant little trip up the creek towards GZ. We passed two boats with fisherman trying to catch their lunch, and before long we had turned off the motor and were floating around the trees looking for the container. I spotted it before long and we headed over. The Captain has long arms and he was able to grab it. I signed the logbook and he popped it back in the cache and replaced as found. Then it was back along the creek to find the last one in the area. Thanks for the cache Xixau & Shenzi.

Out on the water with Orangecrew chasing some others and he added this to the list for us to get.

Plenty of water today and able to float right up.

TFTC

invited out on the water for the morning with Orangecrew ...

WOW
what a pretty little place
seems like we are in another world

arrived at GZ and all hopped out for a little wonder
fasted then spied the container
so back in the boat and over for the retrieval

Out for a morning of my 2 favourite things, caching and fishing. Luckily I'm able to do both while out in the boat. Pointed the mini tinnie into the mangroves and away we go. Seems plenty deep enough in the channel, so I was able to power along nicely until I came to the maze. Its a bit eerie under a canopy of mangroves, but I found a spot to beach the boat then legged it in my wellies mindful that if this takes too long I'm stuck in here till the tide turns. Lucky it was a quick find, though not quite what the hint suggested. Thank you very much to all who placed and replaced this one. All safe dry and tucked away here, nicely tethered too

Headed to GZ with the high tide although we were a bit late due to not actually having any kayak paddles....
Unless you like to wear muddy shoes high tide is a necessity for this one!
Coords where a good estimate of the cache, found it pretty easily with some good eyes, just look a bit above sea level.
TFTC! great day for a paddle

Started out from Dohles Rocks road boat ramp and paddled against the incoming tide to the cache. There is a fairly deep channel to about 20m away from the cache but high tide is definitely the time to find this one unless you have a particular liking for mud.
TFTC

Once again my choice of craft was not the best for this one. I weaved my way towards GZ and it was all pretty easy until the last 100m or so. An 18 foot long boat does not cope well with tight right angled turns.

I was very glad that it was shallow enough for me to use my feet to help turn the boat. I managed to paddle to within 30m of the cache, so that is not too bad. A nice quick find at GZ before the mozzies found me.

Now to turn my18 foot long boat around in a 6 foot wide channel

Nice excuse for a paddle. Cache is nice and dry. Well protected by little crabs.

Didn't think it would be so easy to get Ree Scatts in the kayaks, all you have to do is put a cache in a random creek that sane people wouldn't walk to. We were at Redcliff with the gremlins picking up a couple of easy ones when Ree pointed this one out on the map, I figured it wasn't a today job as I noticed the nearest bit of tar was about 2 k out. Went home, read about Nyssafutterby's epic journey with her valiant companions, and decided we had to do this one. Also decided we weren't walking. Thanks for the cache, the scenery and the fantastic story, we're very glad that one was replaced.

This entry was edited by ScattsMadhouse on Monday, 06 January 2014 at 21:16:25 UTC.

After a sad DNF so many moons ago, I have had this cache on watch. So when the notification came through that it had been replaced, it was only a matter of time until I could get out and about and find it. So today was the day, I rounded up a few crazy cachers that I knew would be up for the challenge. Always more fun with like minded souls to share the adventure

A short message to Lady membsec and the female half of Angela & Dave and I had my energetic team at the ready. We all sorted out whatever we had to for the morning and then met up at Dohles Rocks. I was hoping that we could take the Banana Boat, but with limited time and the tides not favouring our mission I came up with a plan B...... Walking to the cache! Da da dahhhhhh!!!!

We all met up and then prepared for what may lay before us. All I could think was MUD! Lots and lots of glorious mud! Apparently good for the complexion so I will never say no to sinking knee high into it Off we set and came upon our first obstacle.... a small creek. Hmmm, so no way around it, don't have my jet pack today.... let's just mosey on through it then. I had to take a phone call at this moment so while I was engaged in conversation I had the chance to watch both Lady membsec and Angela come up to their waists in the creek. Haha! Not even a short way into our adventure and they were already wet. Not sure how I convince some people that where we are going is ever a good idea? But I must do well as they keep coming out with me

I finished my phone call then tried to take the path without the giant pothole and failed miserably! Yep, I ended up just as wet as my companions. Hahahaha! Just part of the adventure So soggy pants and wet shoes off we trundled into the mangroves. We ducked and weaved our way, darted about the forest of mangroves and eventually found ourselves close to GZ. YAY! Only one tiny butt plant from Angela....

Arriving at GZ and I was certain that the cache had been taken again We hunted about however, just to make sure. I did not want to go through another DNF so I contacted the CO to see if I could replace the cache. While waiting to hear I set about MacGyvering up a replacement cache. I used this and that and found another spot a little higher up to tether the cache into. Wahla! New cache The journey out of the mangrove maze went well and all of us had a wash in the creek to get rid of the mud that we were covered in.

Thanks for the cache Xixau & Shenzi

Oh boy!! Sitting at my hairdressers house looking lovely in a blue paste and tinfoil, (that was in my hair peeps ), when I get a text from Nyssa. Wanna come cache hunting in the mangroves? Um, yeah, but after this gunk is off my hair!! Foregoing the blow dry and straightening, I leap from the wash bowl and race for the door 15 minutes later than I was hoping for! Race home to change out of my white shorts and heels!!

Old clothes and shoes on and warp 8 to the meet zone. Oops. Lynne and Nyssa look far more prepared than I, what have I gotten myself in for?!

The walk starts easily enough, over the sand amongst some trees, until the sky appears and we see the first water crossing... Oh bugger. I'm not sure how I'm going to do this! I'm not the best outdoors type person!

Pushing myself beyond my boundaries, I step into the water and allow my socks and shoes to fill. Gross. Ok, no turning back now!! Lynne starts wading through the water as it slowly deepens and I'm off after her. It's not so bad, she says... Just as she finds a hole and slips in up to her waist! Ok, I'm not going to step there, I call, confident my height will keep my shorts dry... Nope, ARGH!! Another hole! Oh Gross!! Now I'm all soggy too!

On the other side of the crossing, we encounter our first of the muddy mangroves. Slip, slide, slip, slide, I feel like i'm roller skating!! The foliage is getting thicker now and much more slippery! Ouch! Didn't see that broken branch! Big scratch down my right shin!! Can't stop for bleeding! Ok, must pay more attention... Especially after coping a branch to the face, let go by someone in front of me!! [xx(]

The foliage is getting thiner again and we see many little rivers winding their way through the land around us. Where can we cross? After a few attempts, getting stuck in the mud, slipping and sliding, we continue for a short distance until we find an area that looks easier to cross. Nyssa the brave goes first, then Lynne, then me. As I land on the other side of the muddy creek, my foot suddenly decides to go in a different direction to the rest of my body and straight onto my butt I go! Oh wow. Now I have mud in places I really didn't want to have mud and no clean water about to remove it...

Nearly at GZ!! Yeah!! Over another muddy creek and follow it until we are finally at GZ!! Hooray!! I've made it!!! . Lets get this cache! Maybe it's over here, nope. Over here? Nope.. hmmmm. Lets check for spoiler pics. Nyssa and Lynne have found a spot that looks exactly like the spoiler pic, but.... IT'S NOT THERE!!! ARGH!!! Onto the jungle drums goes Nyssa, to the CO, asking if we might could replace it for them with this excellent waterproof container Nyssa had brought along, to carry her mobile phone.

While we waited for the CO to reply, I found a great tree to lounge in and put my feet up, balancing my weight by putting my feet against the trunk. Sitting and enjoying the sun for a short time, I notice a long spider in the foliage between my knees! Hey spider, hate to tell you, this is now my tree and you need to move along!

I move my feet just to the side of the spider and lose my footing, falling out of the tree, onto my hands and knees.... IN THE MUD!! [xx(] Clean up in aisle 1! My water bottle is muddy, my hands are muddy, OH!! What isn't muddy!!!

Thank goodness for Lynne and her wipes! Still waiting for the CO to reply and now being helped by Lynne to remove the mud from my hands and belongings!

Nyssa has found the perfect location for a new cache and goes about fitting a short rope from her backpack, through a hole in the tree and through her waterproof cache, tying it off and securing the cache into position.

TBC

The new cache sits in the next closest tree and should be easy enough to see for those who are looking for it!

With nothing left to do, we set off once again, back through the mud on our slip and slide journey home! The tide is out now and the creeks have less water, but this provides another hazard... Mud. Where the water had been is now thick, deep, quicksand like mud, waiting to capture the shoes of anyone crazy enough to pass by! As we had qualified, the mud tried it's best to capture our shoes and there were a few close calls by all. The trek back was a little easier with the higher land areas drying out enough to allow us to keep our footing!

When we saw the last water crossing approaching, there was a whoop of joy from the team and in we went, scrubbing the mud (and blood) from our bodies.

Thanks to Xixau & Shenzi for the cache, the adventure and allowing us to log this cache!!

I've given it a favourite point!!

Oh what a venture! We can walk on water!!! Wishful thinking I think!

I received a text message early in the morning from Nyssaflutterby! 'Do you want to get a cache that hasn't been found for quite some time?' Did she have to ask, of course I would. 'Ok, just need to chase up the canoe, and I'll get back to you!' Wow, now I'm excited, row, row, row your boat!!!!

Oh, the next text stated that the canoe isn't available but who needs a boat, we are going to walk it! WALK IT!! What? Need shoes........quick trip to the shops and have some pretty purple shoes that I'm sure will allow me to walk on water. Got meeting time, packed my bag, made sure we had plastic bags for the phone and battery pack, food, water and a change of clothes.

We arrive at the meeting place and now just waiting on Angela, minus Dave and have a giggle when told sure was coming straight from the hairdressers!!! May look nice now but I'm too sure how it is going to look at the end of our journey.

With great excitement and enthusiasm we head that way........oh ok, oops, lets move up a bit higher, didn't want to get the pretty new shoes too dirty. We're going on a cache hunt, we're gong on a cache hunt, I'm not scared, oh no, it's a creek, we can't go over it we can't go under it, we can't go around it we have to go through it. Lady membsec went first while Nyssaflutterby was on the phone and Angela, being taller than me watched and then followed. Oh no it's getting deeper, oh that's ok, not too high, oh no a hole, oh dear undies wet!!!! But it didn't stop us!!!

We walked further, shoes are wet but so far not too dirty. Oh no, another crossing. We're going on a cache hunt, we're going on a cache hunt, I'm not scared......oh no MUD, queasy, oozy mud. We can't go over it we can't go under it we can't go around it we have to go through it. Squish, slosh, it's over my shoes, oh no, it up to my ankles, not half way up my leg, don't come this way ladies!!!

Eventually we cross two creeks, but unfortunately Angela in her beautiful white runners slips as she jumps across. Get the all clear and we proceed through the mangroves. Oh no forest, a deep dark forest! We can't go over it we can't go under it we can't go around it we have to go through it!!! Trip, trap, trip, trap, trip trap, oops not that way, better go this way, trip, trap, ouch, ouch, scratch, blood, oh another creek, what a surprise.

Lady membsec tried to go through it but mud comes up to her knee, not a good idea, we have to go further down where we can jump over, being careful not to slide into the creek. Yeah just over there says Nyssaflutterby, not far now!! Smiles on our faces, slip, sliding around we reach GZ! Wow, this is fantastic, now look for the cache. Mmmmmm......this is where it should be, great coords, but no cache. Get the iphone out and look at spoiler photo.....this is it!!!! Take photo of the cache site, compare with spoiler photo......exactly the same!!! Oh no, no cache. While out there we contact the CO to let them know of the situation. Nyssaflutterby has a great waterproof container with her so we await for confirmation with the CO, sending photos and asking if they would like us to replace the cache. We were able to place a new container which has been strapped to a tree higher than the original cache and hopefully more successful of staying when the area floods.

More to come!

Continue:

Oh my goodness we got here, now to get back to the car!! We followed mostly the way we came in, we knew that by the slip marks in the mud but because the tide was going out we were able to see different crab nets and slightly go a different way although the mud on the top level was drying the mud closer to the creeks were still wet.

So nice to reach the last creek crossing where we washed away any evident of an argument with mud.

Thanks for the cache Xixau & Shenzi, many people are going to enjoy this one.

PS. While waiting for the CO to respond, Angela found a lovely tree to rest her tired body. I could hear her talking to a spider, telling the spider that it could find another spot. The next minute we heard a thud and some legs in the air! Oh no, Angela moved slightly and ended up in the mud!! Wet ones come in handy, Angela cleaned herself up while we cleaned her, luckily bagged phone and drink bottle.

A favourite from us as this was so much fun!

Container replaced (about 2 months ago).

A few of us (IolantheK, T-Tech, geosapiens and myself) had this day marked down for a canoe caching day for quite some time. Closer to the date Mr_fy was also added to the list.
With three of us in one canoe and two in a double kayak we headed off from the southern end of the bridges to go for this one. After find another nearby we made our way around to the entry point for this one. What a great area and so quiet and serene...but no cache. Maybe the owners need to replace or archive as it has not been found by several people for over a year.

Attempted this one with IolantheK, Brother Colin, T-Tech and Mr_Fy

What a beautiful paddle in with the sun setting and the calm water. Unfortunately thoughwoth 5 sets of eyes looking high and low we were not able to grab this one.

With a few other DNFs previously I think this one may be gone,

Thanks for bringing me here all the same.

Out for a day of 'Canoe Caching' with the others below.
Beautiful day on the water but could not find this one

Today finally arrived for the "Epic Brother Colin Canoe Caching Day", and together with plan V3.5, Brother Colin, IolantheK, geosapiens, Stairman, Goldilover, Mr_fy and myself, headed off for a multi-launch (and for those that stayed to the end) 17KM voyage. Stairman & Goldilover left after the "Barungwarra Bushland Reserve" caches. With the "Deep Water Bend Reserve" area caches covered we moved on to "Brighton Park" to launch again.

After "Freshwater Creek" we headed south and around to the point and made our way up a fairly narrow passage and zeroed in on GZ. The hint was a bit confusing but after much searching by all we gave up and head back to the launch site.

Out and about today on the river with T-Tech, Brother Colin, mr_fy and (Mr) geo sapiens

We paddled down from Freshwater Creek, into this very peaceful area [^] I really enjoyed gliding along through the mangroves in the silence. GZ was soon reached, but even with 5 pairs of eyes searching, we couldn't find the cache Looks like it has gone missing.

I love these caches. Out and about in the canoe. Lizard81 and I found GZ, but no cache??? We looked high, then we looked high again. In this hole and in that hole. And then finally decided against staying any longer as the tide was going out. Not sure if it is there anymore?

Thanks Xixau & Shenzi for the adventure

With Surething - looked high and low. Try again another day.

Had a good look around here with Everywhere but no luck. The clue helped us narrow our look down but still no luck. It could be gone as there was a lot of debris around. I will keep an eye on this one and see if others have any luck. We did enjoy the paddle - it was a great little hidden spot.

Great day for a paddle. Off we go to tick off 4 caches that had been on the list for a while. This was #2. Took a little to find.
TFTC

Good tides for a 14k paddle & 4 caches in 2hr 20min.. This was Number 2. There was something thrashing around, looks like a wallaby was stuck on wrong side of channel. Photo taken.

Was out on the water today in Bedmaker's Bedboat so we made our way to this area.

Wow, the open waters here are certainly a little rougher than where we came from! We got soaked! I don't know about Bedmaker but I was having a ball!

Ah, we finally made it to the calmer waters of GZ. What a beautiful sheltered area this was. There were a lot of crab pots out, a few people will be having a nice dinner tonight I'm sure!

Once the cache was found and log signed we decided to stay in the area for a while and have some lunch. So peaceful! The spiders walking on water and in between the mangroves however were not.

Many thanks Xixau & Shenzi!

We had paddled over from Deep water bend - not a bad effort considering I haven't kayaked in about 10 years! I will be sore tomorrow I think. Had to fight the current up the channel but thankfully we approached from the right side (thank you google satellite view and iphone!). GZ spot on but container was full of water and only mushy paper left of the log. Signed a scrap of paper we had on us which will also be mush by the next time the cache is found I am sure!! That was enough kayaking for one day I think so we headed over to meet the 'ground crew' at Brighton Park. Saw an osprey, brahminy kite, pelicans and various other birdlife. Thanks Xixau & Shenzi

Our second "aquacache" for the day. Tide still nice and high and off we paddled. How many times I have paddled this area and had no idea this creek access was here. We both love the mangroves so this was brilliant. Up the creek we headed and wended our way slowly through the quiet afternoon. Again had a spot of bother getting the GPS to tell us the real way at the end so stopped under a break in the trees and patiently let it point us to it. Wasn't too bad as we were stopped about 5 metres away. Again. Pleased as to find this one. It was pretty wet inside and so I opened it up and wiped it out as best I could let it dry for a few minutes too before putting it back in it's home. As requested did not add log but have attached pic. Beautiful spot and after a quick drink of water to celebrate we headed off back with the outgoing tide.

The trip back over to Redcliffe side was a bit hard on the geomrs as we were runnig straight into a strong afternoon seabreeze headwind with quite a bit of chop. Mind you she sheltered me pretty well from most of the spray. Quick pack up of the kayak and off to do some dry land cahces around this side of the bridge before heading off to pick up daughter form work.

Great day and made spaecial with these two wet caches. TFTC

I was out doing another similar cache today - and I decided to go check in on this beast. Paddled my way to where I thought the entrance was - thankfully I was right. I am getting used to geocaching from the kayak these days. Thankfully I arrived about 30mins before hight tide. The water was eerily still - I could see the bottom but I was able to traverse easily. Located the cache after a bit of a hunt. The co-ords on this one are excellent considering one would have to take the reading while bobbing around in a boat.

The cache was a little damp inside - but not too much. I was going to dry it out a bit - but a cloud of mozzies found me so I sealed everything back up and paddled off quickly. Thankfully the waters were calm today - so getting back to Brighton Park wasn't so hard. TFTC Xixau & Shenzi - an enjoyable cache

Thought this one was going to be a no-go from the start as showers seemed fairly set in early. A silver cloud and tiny patch of blue sky peeking through in the general direction of Dohles Rocks was enough to call it a goer. It hardly rained at all after that.

Every time brother Rainman (not a card carrying cacher, yet) and I team up to do a couple of caches, it's pretty much guaranteed there will be precipitation of some type on the day. It's about 4 from 4 so far! Thanks to Rainman for use of his vessel and help to slowly and more quickly explore some nooks of the Pine River/s.

Have to agree that the cache is well named especially in one area. We arrived at GZ half an hour after a fairly high tide and finding the cache didn't cause too many dramas or wet feet or or even mozzie bites . Another half an hour I think would've been a different experience and not nearly as enjoyable. [8]

I know it says "no log book", but it just wouldn't 'feel' right somehow without leaving a mark, so I sort of broke the rules in that regard. Left GZ with a smile on the dial and the cache safe and sound. Thanks for the cache and an excellent visit to this area.

Continued up to this one after finding a Mangrove Jack earlier. Again the king tide made it easy to get in to where I had to go.
Almost had a moment when the GPS told me it's batteries where low and wouldn't you now it, spares where in the bed mobile (well it is the primary caching vehicle).
So to save power I turned it off and followed my nose in. I did have a bit of an idea where to go as I'd checked it out on Google earth a couple of days ago.
I motored along for a ways and when I thought I was in a likely spot I fired up the GPS again.
As soon as I turned it on it instantly beeped me I was at the cache location.
You could say that was good luck but I'm sticking to my story of I was at one with the water and could sense this was the spot.
I looked around the spot where I was and low and behold there was the cache.
Now I would have thought that this was a pretty quiet spot but you wouldn't beleive it.
Just as I was preparing to put the cache back a muggle turned up, obviously this wasn't the fishing spot he was looking for so he quickly did a turn around and was on his way.
TFTC and a very enjoyable trip around this little part of the world.

We planned last weekend on being out early this morning to take advantage of the high tide, and hopefully calm conditions in the early morning, to sign the log at another cache. What a bonus for us there was a *FTF* up for grabs. We puttered along quite nicely on an incoming 2.7m tide this morning and managed to pick a path to GZ without getting stuck. [^] The reflections in the water looked amazing but there wasn't too much activity from the wildlife today. TFTC Xixau & Shenzi

I noticed on Mrs Lat&Long Junkie’s facebook page that she was planning a trip to this cache this morning. We'd been having similar thoughts. So we met in Brighton Park with our watercraft. Ninasclan was perched precariously in a Canadian canoe whilst the LatLongJunkies’ looked very comfortable in their sleek fast kayak. The day looked calm and promising with an incoming 2.7m tide. The paddle to GZ was beautiful; the hunt - not that difficult; the disappointment on hearing Mr Lat&Long exclaim that the log book had been signed this morning .... Oh well. Congrats Just a Trifle. We had planned on paddling onwards to Freshwater Creek but the wind and swell had other ideas. The return journey to Brighton Park in our canoe was very scary. We thought any minute we would end up in the drink. But on the whole it was a very pleasant experience. TFTC.

Found this morning with Ninasclan. It was a lovely paddle into the cache and not too difficult to find. We will have to come back and spend some more time in and around these parts. The tide was huge as the others have mentioned but the eddies I saw in the mangroves were amazing Just goes to show the tide and currents are not for the faint hearted.
TFTC and the opportunity to see this part of the waterways. Shame we live so far south and couldn't get there s early and so missed the FTF. Good on you JAT . As we headed back out the weather had changed dramatically. The swell was rather large and the wind had whipped up some very choppy seas but we returned safe and sound . Thank you for the company, Ninasclan.

Arrived at Brighton Park to find three-fifths of Nina's Clan ready to go. Tossed the kayak in the water and off we went. Made the mangrove inlet without incident and absolutely loved the trip to GZ. With one of the biggest tides of the year almost in, we had an easy time, paddling, looking, listening and generally enjoying the sights. Mrs L&L was fascinated by the shell thingies that were adhered to a lot of the trees. We've only ever seen them in rock pools. Then again, we've never paddled around a mangrove area like this in a kayak before. Arrived in the vicinity of GZ and started checking hiding places. Found the cache in the third tree we tried. Mrs Lat&Long could reach the cache, sitting in our kayak. Yeah, there was plenty of water around. Ever so carefully, we passed the log and biro around - didn't want to drop this one. Decided to spray a bit more Aeroguard around before leaving and set off for Freshwater Creek. With the bridge in sight, we turned left and that's when the fun started ... (GC231KR)

*Classifieds*
Looking for friends with canoe/kayak for caches like this!
<3 La Kedi

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