Those Magnificent Men (& Women) in the Top End Fannie Bay, Northern Territory, Australia
By Landlockedsailors on 04-Jul-10. Waypoint GC2ADGV

The data required to identify the intermediate stages and the final gz is -sadly - no longer available...

So pleased to finally finally get this one found. I started this many years ago and worked on it retracing my steps and findings on at least two other occasions. Making it to GZ but just quite getting the find. So I was pleasantly pleased to be able to crack the log tonight. Thank goodness hubby was with me for additional strength. Log paper is in great condition, the cache container is a cracker to be without a lick of moisture getting to it.

I am anticipating that this will be my second last visit for quite a few years so I am determined to knock off my DNF’s and can’t finds from previous visits. A FP for sure.

Arrived into Darwin today staying at a lovely farm stay.
We headed out to find a few local caches, revisiting areas we have been to before.
What a great way to tour the country following the geocaching trail.
Lots of great information in the description.
Thanks to the CO for placing this cache

Awesome hide. Really enjoyed the multi chase. Tftc

Wow.. that was a bit of an adventure. I like multis that teach you about history and this one certainly ticked that box. We managed quite well until we had to calculate WP4... the sign at wp3 would not give up any useful information. We even went as far as checking street view to see if we were missing something but even expanding our search to the concrete memorial was unhelpful.
We reached out to the previous finder today and was given some helpful information but still at a loss what the answers for wp4 actually were.
Made our way to GZ and made a quick find in a clever spot. Tftc.

#6960 @ 09:43:17 ACST on Sunday 23/7/2023

After an amazing few weeks exploring the NT and parts of WA, it’s time to head home, but we have a few days in Darwin beforehand, and of course we have to cache around in that time! We’ve had a great time this trip finding some amazing caches, and Darwin was no different!

Found after getting some help from a previous finder after some struggles at previous waypoints.

Thanks for placing and maintaining this cache LandlockedSailors!

#6960
Our last day in Darwin. We have the day free for caching, so are grabbing various challenges and puzzles mainly, with whatever else appears…
We started this yesterday when nearby, and went back to finish late in the day, but were confused by some strange coordinates we found at WP3? I asked the CO about it, but didn’t really get a helpful response, so we asked a previous finder who helped. We found the container quickly at GZ.

Finding the final for this one was 2 days in the making. We began yesterday afternoon, and despite not knowing Darwin terribly well, managed to use the information we found at WP2 to arrive in the correct area for WP3.
Despite this, we missed seeing exactly what we needed at WP3, and so a message to A fellow cacher, confirmed we were indeed in exactly the right place.
We just needed to look around a little further.
Back today, and with renewed energy, we made our way again to WP3, where we quickly found the information and did some big numbercrunching.
Aha! Then it was time to head to the final and find the container.
Log found and signed.
This was a challenging multi, which had us entertained and learning about Darwin and its history once more. Very well put together; and requires a little bit of lateral thinking. Nice!
A FP here.
Thanks Landlockedsailors
Domsky

This has been quite an epic to find over a few days. I found the first set of coordinates on a previous visit but didn’t have the time to continue. Back again this week, I was keen to finish. I got the correct information at WP2 and made my way to WP3. However, this is where I had trouble. I couldn’t work out how to find WP4 so I contacted the CO who gave me some cryptic information. I thought I understood what he meant and found a set of coordinates hidden at the back of the sign at WP3 which was for an airfield near Pine Creek. More cryptic messaging? As it turned out, those coordinates were nothing to do with this cache so must be for another one!
So I contacted the CO again who gave me a rough idea where WP4 was. So this morning we were driving past after walking the dog at Casuarina Beach and stopped to find WP4. Found the appropriate information, worked out the coordinates of the final which wasn’t too far away. Quick find at gz with luckily not many muggles about. Even though I’ve driven around these streets over many years on my visits here, I’ve never stopped at any of these locations so Tftc!
#1577

Up from Melbourne on holiday and met low1 at an event on Mindil Beach. Today we went out and spent some time caching. She thought this multi cache was a worthwhile cache to complete. And she was right! The information at the waypoints were well set out and interesting to read. A cache I would not have completed in the time had in Darwin. TFTC and a Fav point.

Found it. Z was bit confusing.but got there. Interesting. Thank you

After a massive fail at the whereigo nearby, we decided to do this one. Grabbed all info at Wp 1 and heading off to WP2. Thought we grabbed thr right info, but after a short drive we were back to recalculate. Found our mistake and off to WP3. This is where it all went wrong, could not find anything for Y at WP. Did the cal for Z But is useless without Y. After reading through past logs thought we might be on to something, but alas no good. 2 massive fails and 4hrs we will not get back. Heading home to lick our wounds.....

Tftc thanks that was lots fun.

Well I finally managed to tick this off...
I must say it’s been a great history lesson and some things I never knew.
Finally at GZ, I struggled to find the cache, but perseverance paid off and a little bit of ingenuity managed to get this one logged.
Visited 3 TB.
TFTC

I THINK I finally got it correct!
Good luck with this early Darwin and aviation history.

Search parameters updated

Tried four times to edit the story - spectacular fail! Will try again when I feel stronger!

What a cracker of a cache. There were many times on this search that I despaired of ever making it to the final waypoint. It took several failed attempts to crunch the info from WP1 into a set of coordinates that wasn't in the middle of Fannie Bay. Several weeks later, after finally making the numbers fit, I had difficulty exploring WP2 as some of the locals had taken up residence for the day. They were still there a few hours later and were very welcoming so I stayed and chatted for a while while looking for the info.

It wasn't long before I realised some ingenious council worker had replaced all the signboards as part of centanary celebrations, so had to let this one go again as the neeed info no longer remained. Luckily a few days later, Landlockedsailors came to the rescue and helped me on to WP3. But oh no, this was not the end of the trials and tribulations. Bamboozled again by revised signage I came home empty handed again for the umpteenth time.

CO again kept me on course and helped me navigate to WP4. With a few scribbled calculations and the possibility of a cache in hand spurring me on, I touched down on the old runway and coasted in to raptuous applause and adolation (internally at least) as the cache was finally conquerred and withdrawn from its niche.

This was a true month long epic in true Keith and Ross Smith fashion. Well worth the hurdles and multiple visits. Thanks for a fiendishly crafted multi that tested my stubborness and tenacity more that any cache to date!!!

Due to all the signage changes at WP2 and WP3, the cache is disabled until I can figure out how to incorporate the new info into the waypoint descriptions and locations.

New cache and log to replace the missing one.

In this year (2019) of the centenary of this great aviation feat, treat yourself to an increase of your knowledge of aviation in the Top End.

As we wander the great land
Thanks to LandlockedSailors for placing the cache for us to find.

Had absolutely no idea there was so much early aviation history in this area, which we've been to several times over the years. We are in awe of the research that has gone into this cache!

Today I took my doughters car to
finish 2 Multis and look at some other caches.
This Multi I began in 2015, found the next Station in 2016 and finished it today.
At WP3 I had to have a look second times.


Thank's for this really interesting story and the Cache!

Now visiting Darwin after the Red Centre Experience.

The plan today was to head out for a full day of caching but alas as so often happens we ended up doing jobs this morning and eventually left home, after 10am.

Was a tough day with humidiity and heat, green ants and DNF's but finally at home by 5pm with 25smiliies and 4 DNF's.

Was pretty sure this was going to be a DNF, we stuffed up wpt3 it seems as we had no idea what/where the info lead. But with some help we eventually got to the final, although not without some oops moments even.

Shame this was so hard for us.

TFTC Landlockedsailors

Horrendous weather today. I tried to cache for a few hours but gave up, drenched through. Thanks for the cache; clever hide.

What better way to celebrate Australia Day than with this great multi about aviation history. Had a bit of head scratching at both wp3 and wp4 but in the end it was all there before me. Thank you for a terrific multi landlocked sailors.

Today we explored Darwin and surrounds using geocaching as a guide. Well where do I start, this was a Mega effort, a 2 day trek to solve this multi. We gradually worked our way around the waypoints doing all the sums and re checking and then WP3, well scratched the heads, took a photo and left for home with our tails between our legs. Had another look at the caravan park and still no result, so back there again, and the penny dropped, oh you!!!!! so easy when you have a catnap, so off we went to WP4, did the sums and ended up finding GZ in its hidey hole. Adding to our favourites. Enjoyed the locations that the WPs took us to!!

Thanks for placing and maintaining this cache for our enjoyment.

Found today after getting a little lost between wp 3 and 4. With help from CO got there today and got the background info for wp3 and all clues at wp4. Great hide and a great interesting Multi. A couple of themed parks I have never explored before. This was the first of 5 we tried today. Only one we found with missing waypoints, DNF clues and unreadable clues at the others. Hopefully better luck with some more multi's tomorrow. TFTC and help to find Landlockedsailors.

Checked all the data - still all OK.

On a sadder note, Mary, the little old lady who took it upon herself to welcome so many cachers to "her" park at WP3 and enlighten them , passed away earlier this year. Requiescat in Pace.

As we head from town to town as part of our "Purposeful Meander around Oz" the Rats and the Mini Rats found this cache.
This had been a work in progress since we arrived in town. We have been trying to get our multi souvenir for this month.
Having got all the info from the various wp's we were sure we had the right GZ and were about to give up when the mini rats looked here.

Thanks for being part of our great adventure.

[Pink]As we head from town to town as part of our "Purposeful Meander around Oz" the Rats and the Mini Rats found this cache. Dad did most of the hard work here, the detail of our find can be found in the Rats log. Sorry for the duplicate log but it takes nothing away from the find.

Thanks for being part of our great adventure.
TFTC[/Pink]

Wow! Who knew there was so much aviation history in Darwin and that most if it could be found in suburban parks! After a couple of months of working my way through the clues and the waypoints - some by working it out, some by sheer luck and guesswork - and carefully reading the previous logs, I found the final spot and the cache!
Managed to talk to lots of interesting people on the way, including the sweet little old lady at WP3 and see lots of Darwin's backstreets.
TFTC - very interesting

Have been working on this Multi-cache slowly for awhile.
Today was the day to test out our final GZ coordinates.
Luckily a quick find - nice work Landlockedsailors!

- eventually. I had trouble at some of the waypoints. The cache was guarded by an army of ants which had made a home just above the cache, but I resorted to a squirt of insect spray.
Thanks for the very interesting multi. I had driven past many times, without observing the changes that had occurred.

This was found today in the good company of CO

CO have had some fun watching me gathering the relevant info over a couple of days, and the final info this morning. I was not quite clear then, if I had it right, so we decided, I could think about it back home.

So I did, and all of a sudden, I knew I had it right. This afternoon when the rain had stopped (at least for a while) we went out again to the spot I was sure the cache was at. The biggest challenge was not to get eaten by little ants.

This is a nice multi cache with a nice theme - and my very first in Australia [^].

Thanks a lot for the cache

We really enjoyed this multi, visiting the waypoints and reading the history to collect the required information. It took us a little longer than it should to find the cache itself as our GPS was indicating and area some 7mtrs from where we eventually found the clever hide. Thanks Landlockedsailors. A favourite point from us.

Enjoyed doing the rounds of the waypoints and collecting the info. After completing we collated the numbers and came up with gz. Took us longer than it should have to locate the cache but it was 7 mts from our calculated finals. Thanks Landlockedsailors for the history lesson.

Awesome cache. Great theme & great to see a bit of interesting history. My grandfather told me, as a kid he helped refuel the Vimy in Adelaide when it landed there (up near the now prison).
TFTC!

Yo diggity, at the end of a big long journey with the mangomail mad doggies, we were v-air-y relieved to find this one. Clear skies prevailed and we came in for a smooth landing.

Came back later on and looked where I first started - just needed a bit more Weetbix this time. I must say I had not seen the wind sock before, and learned a lot about the early aviation history of Darwin. TFTC

Got to final GZ but after scrabbling about amongst sharp spines had to call it a day as some young muggles arrived!

This entry was edited by mangomail on Sunday, 30 June 2013 at 04:19:21 UTC.

I started chasing this cache a couple of days ago
Aviation is an industry close to If's heart
Hey !! I have spent the last 30 years working at and hanging around airports
So how could I resist this cache chase and the fabulous history scattered along the trail

I made my way by bicycle to the takeoff coords (yes !! note the Wright Brothers connection there dear reader)
Gawd, so many things to count [:o]
And so at the end of day 1 I had made it as far as waypoint 2
Waypoint 3 eluded me due to a slight typo when I entered the coords

Day 2 of the flight and I finally found waypoint 3
Oh dear !! The flight plan went 'orribly wrong !!
A navigational error meant that I thought I was at waypoint 4 and while one half of the questions made sense, the other half did not

Day 3 and I had made sense of the cache notes after reading them several times last night.
I had taken a photo of the clue and finally realised what it had been trying to tell me
I gave meself a good kick for not seeing the obvious yesterday
And so today, bright and early, I made a beeline for waypoint 4.
More fabulous aviation history to soak up.

With the final waypoint worked out at last I wandered over
Great !!! I was between a playground and a funny farm [:o]

But the cache was indeed there in the second place I looked

Well that was fun !!! [^]

TFTC, it deserves a few more faves than the single one I can give it

# 3641. Like many before us this took a few goes to complete. We gained information from WP1 whilst on the bikes last week and then decided to get more information yesterday after meeting corunnaroad and doodbug oz for coffee nearby. After gathering the information it took a couple of visits to GZ to locate the cache. It certainly is a long and complicated multi and we are glad to cross this one off the list. TFTC

Checked out the Big Smoke today, a stroll down the mall, and a few caches with Bettyboo3747.
We started this multi a few days ago when on bikes we passed WP1 and collected the required information.
We met some locals for coffee near WP2, and just before collected the information there, and calculated WP3.
I think we are finding out more that one should know about aviation around here!
The final even gave us a bit of a problem, some help from Corunnaroad, and the cache was in hand.
Thanks, Robmc.
PS: we visited the Aviation Museum today, so now we know even more!

Very happy to finally have this epic multi ticked off my list - it has been on my ignore list for quite awhile until I found the time and patience to complete it! Thanks Landlockedsailor 4 TC

A very pleasant Sunday afternoon stroll, and drive, to find this one. An interesting tale well pulled together by the various stages of this multi.
A fave point well earnt.
TFTC Landlockedsailors

Quite a long saga on this cache having started it months ago on a ride along the beach. Then had a few minor dramas along the way at the other WPs.
At WP3, we had similar issues to other loggers of this cache. We were there at dusk and started to read the sign when the old lady over the road came over (with history book under her arm) and proudly started to give us grand tour of info. Couldn't shake her off (cute though she was) so had the brainwave of taking a picture of the sign making our escape, and checking it out at home to work out the next WP. Took a hurried happy snap, then went off home. After looking at our rushed picture at home and not figuring it out, we slowly realised that our picture angle wasn't good enough to fully capture the required info. Went back another time (this time later at night and parking up the road and more or less sneaking up to the sign) and acquired the coords for the next WP quickly.
On yet another day we attempted to finish this off. Found the rest and went to final GZ but no joy for us. Were totally fooled by another object that looked very cachey but no cache for us. Visited one more time and found gardening work had totally changed the area so tried again but still no luck.
Having been reassured that our GZ was indeed correct, we returned again today and this time found the cache immediately. We had actually looked at where it was found on our first visit but only half heartedly as we thought the cache was larger and didn't put in the effort required.
Can now tick off our longest running cache in Darwin.

TFTC

OMG found it
WP1 easy peasy to find, thought I was off to a great start. Went off in what I had determined was the right way even though geo hubby kept saying the gps was pointing in the direction of the middle of the bay, what would he know hey! Well after walking the track for nearly 2 hours it was decided to go back and check the co-ord and clues from WP1.....grrrr dam acronyms! Geo hubby had great delight telling me it was in the other direction which is where the bike was parked!
Well what do you know, found WP2 and all the clues for WP3 were all there! Off we went to WP3. A really lovely old lady came over from across the road to excitedly tell us about the re-development of the park so that all plaques were able to be seen. She was very proud of 'her' park Still didn't have the co-ords for WP4 until geo hubby once again came up with the goods. OMG it was so simple in the end!
Worked out GZ co-ords pretty quickly and thought we had it in the bag! But oh no that would end the day all to easily, we searched and searched until finally after about 3 hours on this hunt geo hubby decided it would have to be for another day. Just as I was getting to put my helmet back on geo hubby decided to have another look from the other side of the fence and what do you know he found it . My geo hubby is the hero of the day [:X]

Even though this took us so long on a really hot day, I really enjoyed learning this history that I did not know before.
TFTC
T- Santa
L - Horse

WanderingAus wandered by on day 24 of our annual Climatic Refugee trip, after dropping the WanderingMrs (aka SWMBO) at Coconut Grove Senior Cits for another couple of hours of line dancing, stopped at WP1 on the way back to Coconut Grove, and started to work it out. Unfortunately the Explorist 610 had the description looking like this:
At WP1 check the two information
panels on this monument. On the
“Erected By” panel, Total the
number of words in line 2 A Total
number of words in line 1 B Total
number of letters in line 2 C
Total number of letters in line 3 D

With no proper line breaks it was not easy to work out the requirements, and I thoroughly confused myself. Time was running out, I had 9 minutes left to get to Coconut Grove, so I took a photo of each side.

I returned to the hunt on day 27, but first I loaded the cache into the iPaq PDA, which gave me a bigger screen and a properly formatted GSAK html rendition of the page. That allowed me to easily work out the waypoints, as well as a very tricky one.

Unfortunately I didn't find the cache on the day. I worked out the coords but due to my bad writing I had a 0.001 minute error, but that would only be about a 3 metre error.

I checked every possible hiding spot, and might easily have found it, but the spirit and the wrist was weak. A muggle presence cut my search short at that point.

I had intended to go back within a day or two, but I noticed in GSAK that the "Last Found" was 14 Jul 2010. I decided to save it until it hadn't been found for 12 months.

That allowed me to claim GA2699 Unloved Caches - 12 Months Unfound by Cached, which I hadn't yet claimed.

If I found it before 14 July 2011 I could only claim a second find of GA2689 Unloved Caches - 6 Months Unfound by Cached.

Of course if someone else had found it before me I wouldn't have been able to claim either of the Unloved Caches. Decisions, decisions - which way to go? :-\ I decided to run the risk, and it paid off.

I finally wandered by on day 52 of our annual Climatic Refugee trip, after dropping the WanderingMrs (aka SWMBO) at Coconut Grove Senior Cits for another couple of hours of line dancing. I'd already done all the hard work, all I had to do now was find the prize. I was fortunate to find it in the third place I checked, but I needed more muscle than I used on my first look. The cache owner confirmed my suspicions by email weeks earlier, so I can only claim a GAFF 4 find.

My find No 3751, TNLNSL, and a Fourth To Find to boot.

Thanks for all the interesting history along the way, and the path from the penultimate waypoint to GZ was particularly interesting.

*Recommended* *Overall Experience: 3*

T4TH thelandlockedsailor
Keith

Rated: for Overall Experience

a good find in a beautiful park. loved the history.

Found after going around and around for quite some tiime and my maths wasn't quite up to the challenge. Enjoyed the park at the end with all the history. I think this will be as close as I get to a ftf.TFTC

This entry was edited by corunnaroad on Saturday, 13 November 2010 at 22:12:46.

corrected a typo!

oops... got a bit wrong. Sorry.

Yay, a first to find. It's been a while. 3 sets of eyes could not locate the "Celebratory Tour panel" at WP2 and we had to leave without obtaining the required information for the E coords. Decided to navigate in a straight line along the S coords and we eventually stumbled accross WP3. A quick check of the background at WP3 and we had the coords for WP4. After an hour and a half of trial and error (mainly due to only having half the coords for WP3) we finally had the cache in hand for a well deserved FTF. TFTC

T - keyring and FTF certificate
L- Coin

SL

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