Rata (Eastbourne) Days Bay, North Island, New Zealand
By Hurricane Luke on 08-May-11. Waypoint GC2G7Z0

Happy to leave this spot free for other cache hides.

Couldn't see any sign of the cache.

Great walk and fabulous trees... but no cache. Searched hard, and around, very damp underfoot, with lots of humus and forest litter. Could not find, might be gone. Pity... but we were coming up here anyways. TFT opportunity of finding a cache.

Searched for a while but couldn't find it!

We have not been able to look for this cache but just had to write a note! Having had an amazing holiday staying in Days bay with my sister and family, we regretfully did not get it together to do much caching in the area- so frustrating when I look back and see all the caches which were so near at the time!!

My sister took us on several walks along these tracks and it was one of the highlights of my trip- such beautiful, lush, native (I am presuming, mostly?) bush and right on the doorstep of local residents too. Also combined with the stunning views over the coast too, it was truly memorable.
Living ourselves in a far more populated area in the UK, there are hundreds of geocaches along walking trails in our local area (Warwickshire), most of which are visited a lot (several times a week quite often) so I was interested to see that so many of them here are very rarely visited- I guess the population is so much smaller for a start!

So although we have not visited your cache, I just wanted to say we probably walked right past it and we would have really loved the fun and thrill of trying to find it so I will still say thank you for placing it in this beautiful area.

My sister walks these hills most days with their dog so now I just have to get them to sign up and visit instead!!

We have not been able to look for this cache but just had to write a note! Having had an amazing holiday staying in Days bay with my sister and family, we regretfully did not get it together to do much caching in the area- so frustrating when I look back and see all the caches which were so near at the time!!

My sister took us on several walks along these tracks and it was one of the highlights of my trip- such beautiful, lush, native (I am presuming, mostly?) bush and right on the doorstep of local residents too. Also combined with the stunning views over the coast too, it was truly memorable.
Living ourselves in a far more populated area in the UK, there are hundreds of geocaches along walking trails in our local area (Warwickshire), most of which are visited a lot (several times a week quite often) so I was interested to see that so many of them here are very rarely visited- I guess the population is so much smaller for a start!

So although we have not visited your cache, I just wanted to say we probably walked right past it and we would have really loved the fun and thrill of trying to find it so I will still say thank you for placing it in this beautiful area.

My sister walks these hills most days with their dog so now I just have to get them to sign up and visit instead!!

Cache # 3,306 - A brilliant winter's morning, and I started up the hill in the dark with a relatively new cacher. The climb was a bit steep for her and she gave up on the climb 100metres from the ridge. I continued on and quickly found the cache - all damp but usable. TNLNSL. TFTC!

I had planned to continue on to Mt Hawtrey Views, but needed to head back to my companion, so that will wait for another day.

Consecutive caching day # 1,189

Comin to the end of my walk along the ridgeline. A quick find at GZ - TFTC !

Out in the bush today with my handy companion dobby saw this one and it is almost a year since it was logged so decided to come this way. I love this track fewer if any people. Picked up a travel tag that has been stranded for a long g time. We'll I think we will carry on to butterfly creek then a swim. Tftc

Rata (Eastbourne) was transferred from anzac61 to user Tramper Ted

This was also a cache that had been on my bucket list to collect this summer, and decided today was a good day to do it. Made my way up from Kereru Road along a track I hadn't been up before. Took 30 minutes to get to the junction and then straight on to the cache. Had never realised there were such fine specimens up here! TFTC anzac61, a fav, #7541

Lovely area - first time I have been up this way. Fairly quick find - tftc

Nice birthday find pencil bit wet but scrawled a blue log:-)

We took the conservative approach to the cache in that it took 45 minutes (and then some!) to get to the ridge line. It was a relief to tackle the relatively flat track to GZ and the cache was unearthed after a short search. TFTC.

Great

Nice climb with the family. 1st cache for the summer season.

Found with a group of friends while on a tramping club walk, Lowry Bay to the Eastbourne bus barns. TFTC

Toughest one yet!!

Mel0n wanted 'an adventure' and he got it. Parked on the Moana Rd entrance, and we headed in, and up..... do not be tempted to follow the 'ridge track' sign unless you are part mountain goat - it's little more than a trappers track (fun though if you have good footwear and like that sort of thing). The other track, although steep is much much more sensible. After the final ascent, the last 150m were definitely the easiest, and we managed to find the cache 2 mins before the time I'd promised Melon we'd turn around to make sure we could get back to the car before the light went (loads of time). TFTC - left a TB.

Dropped Unknown soldier geocoin - hope it's an ace sniper for Possums!

Walked up Kereru Track, very steep in places. I found the Hawtrey track very hard going in general, although the first bit to this cache was relatively painless.

The hint was most helpful, and i managed to find the cache without too much hunting around. TFTC!!

#7334. I'd sussed out the cache location at least once before, but hadn't logged it in case it was needed for a dot-dot day. Thought I'd feel a bit silly if I didn't find it before we left (along with the Mt Hawtrey Views cache), so went out for a "lunch time" walk (which took about 3 and a half hours in the end). Nice day to be in the hills. TFTC.

StreetWalker decided on a lunchtime walk up to Mt Hawtrey and asked if I wanted to come too. Two caches on offer, so I was keen. Usually his lunchtime walks take about 2 hours, but this was without the Troodles factor, as I found the slog up the hill via the (well maintained) Korimako track quite hard. The ridge track, though rougher, was easier to walk and we were lucky that there was very little mud.
The tree was easily spotted ("what a beauty!") and cache was already in SW's hands by the time I got to GZ. Thanks for the exercise and the cache.

Popped by again - refilled it a bit

Hooray! Good spot and stunning tree. Replaced two magic stones with small toy and pencil

Please excuse the late log - found 4 I'd forgotten to log after a lovely Xmas day bush walk! It took me a while to find this one, mainly because I didn't read the hint carefully enough. A fabulous day and a fabulous spot! TFTC!

A most outstanding example of the rare banded rata known to frequent the area . Carried on along the ridge track from "Mt Hawtrey Views" to this one and was quite surprised at the subtle change in the flora along the way, which included some very pretty looking Nikau palms. The track was surprisingly dry for this time of year, I'd worn my gumboots in preparation of an expected muddy walk but they proved unnecessary. Had to use the hint for this one, and a very appropriate hide as it turned out. It was really great to see this most impressive tree, and a very enjoyable walk as well.

Many thanks Hurricane Luke!

Was puzzled by the hint for a while but then realised that one place did match and soon had the cache in hand. The Ridge Track travels though a lovely piece of bush at an easy gradient. This cannot be said for the track up from "Sunny Days" which is a killer including huge "steps". That probably explains why this cache is less visited. Having said that, on the way we did meet two corgis coming down (they had to be lifted over the bigger tree roots).

#138. What better to do on a stunning weekend in Wellington than search for caches that haven't been found at all this year!
I tackled the Wairarapa yesterday, and had 3 DNFs vs 3 finds. Staying a bit closer to home today, I hope for a better run today, but given that this cache hasn't been found in over 13 months, I didn't have high hopes for my first cache of the day.
Took me an hour and five mins to get here from Kereru Road, but I've been sick recently and I think it's still affecting me - it shouldn't have taken that long.
Spent a while deciding what was a root and what was a fallen tree, because after 10 minutes I still hadn't found anything.
But then while standing in the trees, out of the corner of my eye I spotted a tiny bit of blue and sure enough there it was! And it's in perfect condition.
Despite the glorious weather, I didn't see a single person between Day's Bay and here.
Boy I'm looking forward to a coffee in that cafe by the car park. If it's not still open when I'm back down, there's going to be a riot.
Still can't for the life of me work out why this one hasn't been found in so long, when all the other ones around have been found this month. But never mind, that made it all the more satisfying!
TFTC!!

Todays tramp was in the Eastern Hills, Main Ridge track etc etc. All this interesting country to explore. What a great tree, just loved it. TFTC

An enjoyable afternoon walk with no wind and great sunshine. TFTC

One of those "you can't beat Wellington on a day like this" days, provided the excuse to attack the eastern hills. This was cache #2 on a romp around Keruru, Main Ridge and McKenzie.

Cache find was straightforward, true to description and clue, all in order, signed the log and rehidden safely as found.

TFTC found with team cacher Sweet P too

The Turtle strikes again!

Third find today. On a roll!

Headed up to this one via the Kereru Track and along to this cache on a perfect Wellington day. Is certainly a good grunt up from the bottom! Cache was in hand after a short search, TFTC!

Came up the Muritai track and came along the ridge to this one after finding Mt Hawtrey Views today signed log TFTC

While our hosts were keeping the economy going, Charlotte and I decided to do a walk that an ex-Wellingtonian friend had described to us. Bussed out to Days Bay and set off up the hill to see how far we could get before turning back to meet a friend for coffee. Investigated the path to the cache, decided against it, walked the other way, decided against that as it appeared that we would still be in bush and thus no views, checked my PQ, slapped head (d'uh) and returned to find these magnificent trees. Many thanks for getting us here This is what caching is all about, we would certainly have missed (out) without the extra kick.

Easy find once I had decoded what the hint was actually saying.

TNLN. TFTC.

Also found this cach on my afternoon walk in the EHR park. Impressive tree. TFTC. Sherlock Hood.

A very enjoyable (if energetic) walk up the Kereru Track and along to this cache. Loved the beech forest and these certainly are magnificent Rata here. As luck would have it (or otherwise), just as I identified the hint object of interest, a muggle walker happened along - turned out to be a chap I know so we had a quick chat before he was on his way. Then just as I pulled the cache out a group of runners rushed by. How come I didn't see anyone on the way up but they all arrive as soon as I want to log a cache!??

Carried on to Butterfly Creek from here, picked up several caches along the way.
TFTC.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that I made my way up the Kereru track to find a cache. Took advantage of a “one out of the box” day to head on up again today and enjoy the bush and surroundings. The second visitor today as well. Nice spot to place a box. Thanks Luke. A food excuse to get out and burn off a few calories after having an extra slice of Pav last night. TNLN SL TFTC

#2264. Took a long circuit walk from York Bay to Days Bay via the Main Ridge Track. A quick detour to find this cache. Such big trees round here. It was just before dusk when we started to descend, and was dark by the time we got back to the flat.
+ White Jeep Travel Bug "Ain"
TNSL. TFTC.

Found this afternoon on a walk with a friend + friendly dog from York Bay to Eastbourne along the ridgeline. Took a little while for the GPSr to settle down so tried several likely spots before locating the correct one which was really the only place that satisfied the hint properly. Some magnificent rata tree specimens, I remember stopping and admiring them on a previous walk up here several a month or so ago to place a nearby cache. Signed log, TFTC!

This was my last cache for the day, was lucky that I did some homework before doing these caches, was wrapped that I managed to bring the map that was on the Mt Hawtrey cache page as it gave me a good idea as to the route I was taking, I also checked the signs at entrance to these walkways as well. After taking the ridge track I finally came across this cache and was not surprised that was 2nd TF this cache as I spotted another name in the previous cache and was wondering to myself if there was another cacher was up here somewhere, might even had being the muggle that I saw on the track, Uhmm!!! not sure. This must be one of the least walked tracks up here, but I was so surprise how well it was marked so I think that it must have being used quite regularly. Found the cache in the first spot that I looked, I really love these bush walks and really enjoy exploring and studying the native bush and wildlife near GZ, thanks for bringing me to this lovely walkway and also for placing a cache up here, time to find my way back to the car, oh well, at least it is mostly down now, TFTC TNLNSL (3216)

Awesome!! Ny 2nd FTF of the day. On a roll! Definitely a hard slog coming up from Moana Rd entrance. I would call parts of that track a goat track at best. Really good bit of exercise though. TFTC!!!

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