Big Bend Bearded Victorian Nildottie, South Australia, Australia
By Quasar and Quartz on 17-Nov-01. Waypoint GC292D

Big Bend Bearded Victorian was transferred from Quasar to user Hurtle

Unfortunately I don't live nearby nor do I have access to a houseboat which was how it was originally placed. It does seem like it's gone missing, but I'm not going to be able to get there in the forseeable future so it looks like this historic cache from 2001 will be gone for good.

----------### **OWNER MAINTENANCE REQUESTED PLEASE** ###----------Hi there Quasar,It looks like this cache might need some attention, as one or more seekers have indicated there is some sort of issue. The recent logs may contain more details about what sort of issues are evident.The cache has been [**temporarily disabled**](https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=38&pgid=235), so as to remove it from search listings and discourage people from visiting this location, until the issues/s can be addressed.**You do need to respond in some way within 14 days,** so others know you are on top of it, as well as indicating exactly what is happening with this placement - please don't let a lack of communication scuttle this listing.#What you need to do:-#You have a number of choices so pick the one that applies from this handy list:-- **Check On The Cache** - once checked, place an Owner Maintenance log and then enable the cache.- **Place A Write Note Log** - indicating a date when you expect it will be restored. - **Adopt Out or Archive** - depending on whether you want it kept or for it to disappear.Full details for each of the above choices can be found at [**GEOCACHE MAINTENANCE**]( https://wiki.groundspeak.com/display/GEO/Victoria) on the Regional Policies page.You might wonder what happens if you don't pick one of the above. Well, when the cache is next checked by a Reviewer, if the issue has not been addressed, or there is no acknowledgment as requested above, it will be assumed the cache has been abandoned. It would be far better if you decide, so please do something before then. Please don't send an email but instead follow the information/advice posted above.Thanks for your cooperation,Bunjil (Pete & Helen)Volunteer Reviewers - Australia[3B]

Not able to find after spending ~45 mins looking. Hasn't been logged since 2021, so suspect it may have gone missing in the 2023 floods. Shame, was super keen on finding this one on our houseboat trip!

This geocacher reported that there is a problem with this cache.

About 18 months ago we were in the area and would have liked to have done this cache, but alas, we had no watercraft. We are camped up at Big Bend and have our tinny with us, so this afternoon we set out to tackle this one. So after finding a suitable tree to tie up to, it was a quick scramble up the cliff and cache was shortly in hand and log signed. Thanks for this cache

With plans to come for a drive out here today I put the blow up kayak in the car for this one, off I set with only 1.2 km return. As I got to the cache I discovered the kayak was loosing air and I was going to have to be fast to make it back. Up I climbed found the cache nicely hidden and paddled quickly back returning with very limited air. Otherwise a nice paddle on the river. Cache and contents are all good

Today I headed to the Murray flats to collect a few caches around the place, including the remains of the fruit trail and an FTF at swan reach. All up 31 finds for the day.

Thanks for the cache

Insufficient experience and skill to attempt landing from a tinnie.

Up the river on a winter houseboat holiday with the family and happened to park across the river from this one! Silly us didn’t sting for the additional canoe hire so the next day after pulling out from our spot we carefully maneuvered the houseboat itself in front of this bearded rock, and a quick find was had thanks a bunch! Was fun to find a cache that hasn’t been found in so long!

Found

Found it with many thanks to the others on our houseboat. Not sure we recognise the beard but as I'm not Australian I may not be to familiar with them. One of the most difficult I have found. Tftc and greetings from NZ

sir_spectre invited me to join him on a short holiday up the murray river stopping at the kayak caches along the route then camping up in the murray river national park near berri.

found with jacknor. Planned short holiday using kayaks. 4th kayak cache for the day. Due to the housing nearby we had to port the kayaks 250 meters through the reverse to the river and then launch off the bank. A quick paddle down the river. I tied the kayak up and made the short climb up to gz. Great views from here and always good to get a old cache. Need this one for my jasper grid too. fav point.

This is what caching is all about. A few pics added.

I've been looking at this cache on my list since I started caching.way back in 2003. Just how do you get this [?] Well it's taken me until today to score a find on this one.

Absolutely fantastic spot and now I can say I was here too.

Found this cache with weredunn4, Hurtle, and Four-Fun.

Thanks to Quasar and **clear skies** from TeamAstro. [^] Cache the planet!

Found this cache on an awesome boating/caching weekend at Younghusband with Hurtle, Astro, Cache_Or_Check, Malco and Four-Fun.
Jumped in the tinny with Astro, Hurtle and Four-Fun and motored around to GZ. Astro and Hurtle went onshore to find this and Hurtle came up with the goods. Four-Fun stayed on the boat with me and described his successful efforts in abseiling to the cache in 2005 - amazing!
A challenging cache to get to, and nice to get such an old one, plus one that hasnt been touched for a year too. Log signed.

A bunch of blokes consisting of ‘*Cache or Check*, weredunn4, four-fun, Astro, Hurtle and myself joined forces and combined skill, experience, common-sense, equipment, humour and courage to journey along a short section of the Murray. The aim was to scoop up as many water-themed caches as we could and to use yet another great weekend finding Tupperware using a multi-million dollar satellite system. Mission achieved.

Thanks for the cache, Quasar

Finally got to this one... it has been popping up on my radar ever since I started geocaching 12 years ago!
This is a BC (before caching) cache for me, so am glad we made the effort to get here today.
The last of our boating finds this weekend. Thanks for the boat Mike.
A little scramble off the boat and the cache was soon in hand, complete with the Victorian 2000 almanac still insitu despite the new container being too small for it now.
TNLNSL
Thanks

We were camping at Roonka Scout Camp for an event: Lets Camp and Kayak 2 when Moneydork arrived and encouraged, coaxed, coerced or even maybe dragged some of the relaxed campers out to find his nearest unfound kayak cache.... this cache
Well, I had been relaxed until I raced to leave to drive to this cache and found the tent peg.... which led to a hard fall onto the ground
Despite my soreness, I had fun doing the short paddle. Made shorter by a kind property owner who allowed us to launch from the boat ramp that serves the properties [:X][^]
Loved the 2 Groenendaels who supervised us and I think the lady of the property was surprised that someone knew what breed they were
The cache was found easily although I think mention was made of a snake.... I missed the fun by seconds as I'd had to stop and rearrange my kayak seat One day I'll get those bloody straps on right way around the first time
So cool to find an old cache and made even better by using the fun transport option on a glorious day [^]

TNLN. SL. TFTC Quasar

Found It!
A nice little paddle to GZ with a few others. While walking up to the cache I saw a small snake which brings the tally to 2 snakes seen in 7 years of caching. Quickly spotted the cache, signed it and then paddled back...
TFTC

We are spending the weekend at Roonka with LC200 and house-on-wheels Moneydork wanted to grab this as his closest unfound to home. He was keen on company. That plus a 2001 cache and an uncommon DT combination was enough.
So a 50km drive was followed by a just over 1km kayak with a flotilla of four. Locus cache, moneydork, laighside legends, and me. Janet elected to wait at Roonka.
LL arrived at GZ first and exited his kayak when I arrived to steady it.
After looking in the wrong spot, then disturbing a snake, he found the correct spot. A 15year plus old Vic almanac was in surprisingly good condition.
The log was duly signed/stamped by all and the return trip was begun.
TFTC Quasar

Finally got to this one.
A group of us did it together (Laighside Legends, Brad and Janet, Locus cache and myself), kayaking from the big bend shacks. It was a lovely day for a kayak - lovely clear skys but not too hot. TFTC

After realising our route to a group of river caches had become blocked we looked around and relaised this was a 2001 cache so headed over. We found a reasonable entry point as the sun was starting to dip. No problem spotting GZ and a quick find followed along with signing the log. The sun light on the cliffs was worth seeing. Great to grab another 2001 cache. Thanks for keeping it going. TFTC. A favourite point from us

Thanks to GentryAlveston - Switched on Ado's geocaching ability and allowed him to drive the boat - Gotta Love It !

Wowww!!!
I have to thank a lot of people for this cache.
Lyn and Rob for inviting us to Australia from England
Keith and Becky for inviting us to Big Bend
Aiden and Sasha for helping us and then Aiden and Keith for bringing us by boat to the cache
Oh I forgot Fudge the chocolate labrador for jumping into the river from the boat and then soaking me when he got back on board
Oh I guess I should also thank the cache owner for placing this super cache in such a divine location
A favorite point as well
TFTC
GentryAlveston and my 1600th cache

Beautiful day for a kayak so we headed out and paddled amongst the pelicans from Big Bend campsite to find this cache. It was a challenging getting ashore from the kayak but with determination and some careful foot placements it was achievable. The red cliffs are stunning to paddle next to and as it is one of our favourite kayaking spots this is now a favourite cache. Tftc. We loved it!

Still leisurely touring South Australia after the Mega

Camped currently at Big Bend, with a beautiful day forecast we had dragged out the inflatable 2man (yeah right, make that 1 if your lucky) boat and pumped her up. Then out with the paddles and 12volt motor. All set for a water cache.

We so wish that was the end of the story but no.

Up earlyish and all the bits and bobs were put in the car to travel from the campsite to the closest launch point. Mobile phone in the aquapac, gpsr into a snaplock bag, 2way radio into snaplock bag.

On arrival at the launch point, there was a boat full of school kids

Finally they pushed off as Mr Felix need a calm river to set off in his raft. Mrs Felix made him test the motor as soon as he launched to make sure he could get back upstream .... all good. An idyllic paddle or float to GZ and all was well.

Arrival was a bit tricky with all those rocks but soon enough tied off and searching for the cache.... Radio silence a this point... shhhh [:o)]

Phew all successful, log signed and now back to the raft. OMG how do I get back in without tipping over [?]

Well lot's of energy expended and all fingers and toes crossed and thankfully safely back into the raft and off back to wifie. Wrong! [:(!] The motor would not work! Try try as I might but it had failed and now it was paddle power upstream[xx(] So I rowed across the current (going backwards a bit) then once in the calmer flow it took me only 20mins to row the nearly 700mts back to safety.

What a great adventure and fabulous feeling. Very very pleased to log our smilie for this cache. Will load some photo's to amuse you all.

Seems that someone has found the cache after Geardo's Geckos but not logged it? Hard to believe they were muggles but seems odd none the less [?]

TFTC Quasar and a definite fave point from us.

Found easily. Can do with houseboat, but be careful of rocks. Better with dingy though. Left one of my pathtags for someone to take and log. TN. TFTC!

This entry was edited by Geardos Geckos on Monday, 24 December 2012 at 04:35:41 UTC.

This entry was edited by Geardos Geckos on Monday, 24 December 2012 at 05:04:38 UTC.

Spent the night opposite in a houseboat identifying where it might be. Took the dinghy out the next morning. I would've said it was Merve or Boonie. SLTN

Held the houseboat against the cliff while the retrieval team leapt ashore. Great cache.

Came in by boat with DMC and wolvo. TFTC

What a great day to get this one, loaded up the Kayak and away I went.
Drove in to Big Bend and followed the road past all the shacks to the walking path.
Kayak weighs in at 30 kg and 4m long, a little awkward to launch from here.
Cruised back slowly looking for a gap between the shacks, thought I might get lucky...Nope

Parked a one of the little camping spots at the end of the shacks, really noticed the heat today when you get out of the car.
Had a great paddle met an English tourist & paddled past a couple of nude sunbathers on the way...I think I was more embarassed than them. I just admired the view on the other side of the river, Had they been 20 year old girls I would have sneaked a quick look...No such luck Im afraid.

This was awesome thanks for a very entertaining cache. TNSL - L Australian Penny 1956

What a trek, 4wd with tinny in tow made it possible to get to this one Geokids very excited. Lovely day to be on the mighty murry, pity the water level just keeps on getting lower. Fairly easy find once there. Took TB, SL TFTC. [^]

This cache has been on our radar for a long time. It was one of four SA caches that are BC. Before Caching. Today was the day to take two caches off this list. Strapped a kayak to the trailer and headed for the river. Yes Hurtle and Nibs there is still water in the river.

Our first approach was from Big Bend East. Tried several tracks however we could not find the river from this side. I know the river is there because it is on the map but we were not getting a sighter. Either that or there were private KEEP OUT signs.

So we drove around to Big Bend West. 18kms to get 200m closer to the cache!!

Wonderful paddle down stream to the cache. So much fun we cruised past and had to double back.

Freddo climbed up to THAT rock. The climb is 2m higher at the moment. The cache container was falling apart and there was no pad. Strange but true. So I climbed down to the kayak and got the spare cache. Filled in the new log and replaced the cache. The new cache does not fit the Vic book. So it is sitting on top.

Heading that way soon. Would we be able to walk across now that all the water is sucked up? [:o)][:o)][:o)]

On our river cruise. Parked the boat and used the canoe to retieve this one.
Took TB One Ring
Swapped some stuff in the cache
TFTC

Quick find from the boat. On our way up the river in the "Deckadance" river boat, had a wonderful time, lovely spot.TFHC

I have been wanting to do this one for a long time an the Australia Day long weekend seemed the perfect opportunity.
Camped at Big Bend on the Thursday night and then paddled down to the cache on Australia Day.
I was heading for a tree with a sign on it when I caught a sight of a bearded Victorian as I was paddling by. Checked the GPS and yes I had arrived at GZ.
Clambered and when I set my sights a bit higher I soon had the cache in hand.
Just love a caching challenge like this one and it lived up to all my expectation.
Then it was an enjoyable paddle along the cliffs back to the camp.
Thank you

Found at 9:00am (Day 6) after a short kayak paddle 1.24km downstream from our Night 5 mooring of our houseboat ("Deckadance") trip. Great spot with heaps of fossils in the cliff and loose in rocks around GZ. Took badge & hair clip and left Yellow footy & Kellogs Bike Computer, with TB HIKER MACSMURF coming for a paddle too.
Cheers 'scargoes (Paul) & Phil (my kayaking buddy)

Went for a cruise in the ski boat with the biscuit ont the back. Easy find. TNLNSL Thanks

Found at 12:45. Paddled the kayaks from 1.5km upstream with the dog on my lap. On the way back saw a very long ladder down the cliff-face about 200m from the cache - it wouldn't have been any help though. A great place to visit, might even come camping here sometime. Lots of cockatoos nesting in the cliff-face. No swap, but saw the bearded rock. Thanks Q&Q.

I was in the area but didnt have enough time left in the day to do this one.
I got a good look at how to approach so I will be back.

An easy find if you have something that floats!
Wouldn't like to have been the last fella that found this who abseiled down the cliff and climbed back out again!!
Nice spot for the cache, out of the weather and definitely high enough should the mighty Murray flood again! Found by gumb and "The Joker", as logged in the book. Well worth the effort if in the neighbourhood.

I took the abseil alternative. Despite having a kayak on the roof it seemed easier in the gale force winds to approach from above (& you did say it was feasible!)
Took a while to find an entry that didn't have a locked gate or a no tresspasing sign, but I did eventually then only had a 300m walk and a 35m abseil to the cache.
Cache is in excellent condition, no signs of deterioration of container and contents all good.
Took an easy listening CD to calm my nerves on the way home and left a singing fish in its place.
Then it was time for the hard part - prussik back up the 35m cliff. Was a great experience climbing with pelicans soaring/gliding within meters of me and I'm sure the people on the 'B Tempted' Houseboat, that passed while I was half way up, were surprised to see me there!
Cheers for an extremely fun not to mention challenging cache Quasar & Quartz.

Drove past on the other side of the river and took notes on a plan of action for the retieval in the future.

Found it with the crew of the Clearwater - second for the day. Took CD and fishing lure and left another CD and and a $US 10 cents (Dime).

I was after the music as we forgot to pack ours. Unfortunately it had been claimed earlier. Swapped West End stubbie holder for a Virgin Blue.
I wonder what the other people thought the houseboat was trying to do against the base of the cliff?

Another one we'd been trying to get organized to do for ages but needed the help of our friends Trev and Heather and their tinny and Trevor and Carolyn. We parked as close as we could to where the cache was but what looked like a new barricade had been erected which prevented us from getting too close. It was about a 600 metre walk to opposite where the cache was and carrying the tinny and then rowing across the river was not looking especially inviting. We decided to survey the situation before taking the tinny anywhere. Good move as it turned out because sometimes you can get real lucky. There in all its glory was the beautiful houseboat Mystique conveniently moored very close to where we had to go. Our luck also held up because the owners of the houseboat were really nice people who were more than willing to help after informing them about Geocaching and GPS etc. So the boys went across the river in style in the ski boat then back for photos in front of Mystique and then back again. Thanks Roybyn and John for your friendliness and willingness to help. Their houseboat Mystique is gorgeous and can be hired (moored at Mannum) if you are in the market for a houseboat holiday [email protected]. We took the Victorian maps and left a West End Draft Stubby holder.

[last edit: 1/29/2003 8:49:39 PM PST]

Found with the help of Liz and Bruce, and also Trev and Heather who brought their tinny. As it turned out we didn't need to use the tinny as we were helped by Robyn and John who were moored nearby in their houseboat Mystique.
We took the Victorian tram tickets and left the miners' pick.
Thanks to Bruce for his negotiation skills and to Robyn and John for their cooperation in retrieving the cache. Hopefully we may be able to holiday on Mystique one day!

Rather than trying to walk on water the boat came in very handy.Found this cache without too much trouble,it was hard to decide what to take as they were all very interesting,in the end I took the mouse mat it will be usefull as Iam still on my Ls with computer work.In place Ileft a tennis ball.well placed enjoyed the Murray Princess steaming past.

Found with John, nice little cruise down the river (into the strong winds). Found the cache without a problem. Hope you enjoyed the River Boat experience - see you next year when you holiday in our great state - thanks guys

Kevin