Welcome Mine Arkaroola Village, South Australia, Australia
By The Arkaroo + Suparki12 + Savoy Truffle on 02-Jan-11. Waypoint GC2MT1M

cool mines TFTC

I was staying in Arkaroola for 4 days with friends. Arkaroola & surrounding areas are certainly a geologists playground. I really enjoyed my stay, the 4WDing and learning a lot about this amazing place, including looking into the Cosmos.We stopped here on our way North to the Hot Springs. Walking to GZ I could see the area was fenced so I answered the questions as best I could being there was no way to enter the mine.The ground was coloured with a variety of rocks which was helpful.Thanks for setting up this Earthcache to learn so more about the mining history of the region.

Found while having a look around the area today, headed from the village to Paralana Springs and back. Stopped in to check out the mine, hard to see in with the fences but and interesting area. Lots of colourful rocks on the floor. Answers collected and sent to the CO, cheers.Find #7005 on 12 Jul 2024.TFTC The Arkaroo!

EC visited on 31.3.24We were back in Australia for a family visit and some outback exploring, a most interesting trip which started in Quorn, Leigh Creek, then 3 nights in Arkaroola and 6 ECs. Fantastic area.Arriving in Marree, we thought we would be struck there, as all the tracks were red/closed when we arrived for the night. We changed all our plans and an hour later we had to reinstate them as the dit.sa.gov.au site showed open again. We were then able to complete the Oodnadatta Track without being stranded after a lot of rain and the track stayed open all the way. Great fun passing a lot of flooded creeks on the way to Marla with a convoy of 5 other cars, we kept meeting at night or passing on the Track.From Marla, we headed on towards Coober Pedy and made a detour to the Breakaways, then along the Dog Fence. We arrived at Out of this world EC before reaching Coober Pedy, where we stayed a couple of days. We met a lot of different people, got talking about life of all sorts, met The Noodler in their home, chatted to golf players, and to lots of itinerant workers, French, Argentine, Italian, Chilean, met grey nomads, all very interesting encounters.We even crossed Curly running on the Stuart Highway, 110kms north of Cooper Pedy. He was harnessed to his trailer and waved cheerfully. We got to know who he was later, all because of geocaching and a log by Morgo the geo, his supporting team. Curly is running the whole length of Australia to Darwin after running the length of New Zealand. What an enterprise, fantastic and crazy, all while smiling.We had selected a few ECs on the way, our favourite pastime , in stunning colourful landscapes. Such a beautiful country!We made our way back after 2 weeks of fun & discovery, with the last night in Melrose, a nice oldish town.Thank you for bringing us to this earthcache, on our way to the Paralana Hot Springs.Interesting to imagine how the mine worked.Answers sent to the Cos.Greetings pilot03 EC # 968 of 4562 caches

The mine shafts are fenced off and no longer accessible.Why would anyone think to mine way out here???TFTC

Lovely autumn day. Blue skies. Plenty of flies. TFTC.

Did our best to answer the questions but alas there is no longer access to the mine. Still a very interesting place to visit, thanks for placing the cache.

Enjoyed the stay around Arkaroola and the Gammons. (Vulkathunha)

An interesting part of the world we could keep comikng back to.
The mine site may have changed over the years. No shaft access now. We did our best to answer with what we could see. Sent to CO. Appreciated the feedback.
Things are fenced now so hopefully it's safer around the shafts.

Thank you The Arkaroo for placing this earthcache on our outback geo-travel map
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We've been up in the donga again, searching, spotting and signing cache logs with Purrfect Di, Jack, and the Froghoppin Duo, using some or all of the resources of GSAK (Geocaching Swiss Army Knife), Whereyougo, Garmin Montana 750i, Montana 680t, Etrex 35, Samsung S21u, Samsung S9, with Geocaching App, c:Geo, or Geooh Go, and Android Auto and other maps... or often with just plain old dumb luck Plenty of that luck stuff actually !!!

*Logs are composed and published with love using GSAK of course.*


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Caching is a very hazardous activity!
Watch out for sand traps, snakes, surprise cliffs, boxing roos, wombats, things falling from trees, bulldust, and floods, and sharp rocks in your tyres
try not to get tetanus from rusty mint tins and don't fall off your ladder...
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- but especially lookout for germs and bugs !!! . [xx(]

Make Travel Bugs the Only bugs you share and pass on
Now that there are no real restrictions - even more important to sanitise and safely distance!!!


Heaps good of all those placing quality caches out and about around the countryside areas,
in sensible safe places especially! - it keeps our game safe, fun, and interesting

Thanks so much for reading all this extra addition to the log word count! There's a challenge somewhere out there, apparently! You win a virtual smiley for the effort and getting to the end of the log Maybe if I worked out where I could do it and go back to normal logs again !




C'est fini
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Today's track was exploring through to the radioactive hot springs with Mattycat and Perfect Di, unfortunately fencing and signage now prohibits entrance to the mine, using some knowledge and info we could gather the cat has sent some answers thriough to the CO, enjoyed our visit exploring another copper mine that is dotted around the area and so remote, took a few photos before heading north
TFTC The Arkaroo

found as part of our adventures. such amazing to see all the specs of ? and rock formations. really cool area. such an interesting place if you like rocks. fence limited our viewing access

Stopped here on our way out to Arkaroola Springs today .
Someone's been here with a Bobcat and moved the earth around (see pics), including fencing and signage blocking the way to the shafts . The nanny state has arrived at Arkaroola [B)]!
Not sure if this needs to be archived or the questions reviewed in light of these changes [?]. We'll leave that for the CO to decide .
Thanks anyway for getting us to stop The Arkaroo + Suparki12 + Savoy Truffle.

02/04/2021 3:56:00 PM
After a bit of a late start we set a course for the hot springs visiting caches along the route.
This was a fun EC and I loved the amazingly colourful rocks that looked like they were painted.
Found with scouter 101.
Thanks Arkaroo, Suparki12 & Savoy Truffle

Found it!

I started 2020 with some improbable caching goals that only lasted until mid February.
Then came Covid-19 and caching began to take a back seat.
But with restrictions easing and socially responsible caching again possible it is time to start filling the calendars again.

Seven cachers set off in Four 4WD vehicles using satellites to search for caches in and around Arkaroola and the Gammon Ranges. [^] The Six day Arkaroola Odyssey had begun.

Day 5: We visit a few mines!
The second mine that we visited today. Down into the shaft went the intrepid explorers. Not as big as the first mine but there was a task at hand. Answers collected and Featherwaite volunteered to send off the answers for the group. Logged in anticipation that the answers were correct.

***Thanks The Arkaroo for putting out this cache and maintaining it for our enjoyment. ***
Logs prepared and published through GSAK.

Found during a caching trip to Arkaroola and the Vulkathunna-Gammon Ranges National Park in the northern Flinders Ranges. Really enjoyed the spectacular landscapes, the 4WD tracks, and the walking and rock-climbing in the quest for some challenging caches in a remote region of the State. Much appreciated this Earthcache with its interesting colours and animal life, in a region that abounds with long-abandoned mines. Thanks for the cache Arkaroo + Suparki12 + Savoy Truffle!

Nomads travelling in their caravan around Australia. We have been on the road since July 2011 and discovered caching in August 2013. We travel with a bunch of travel bugs belonging to our sons and grand children. Where ever possible, we will maintain your cache as we travel.

Today, camped at Arkaroola, and went for a 4wd round the hills. Not many traditional caches here that are suitable for a couple of slightly older cachers, so it is "Arkaroola earthcache" day today.

There was no chance we were going down any of the holes. but we still had a good look around. Several muggles with children around, so we explained geocaching and this earthcache to them. Answers to be sent to Cache Owner. Thanks The Arkaroo etc. for the hide

Came by for a loo, and really enjoyed the green colour of the copper in the rocks. Great to be able to get so close to an old mine too. So much 'safety' precautions make it hard to get this close to reality. Thanks for bringing us here.

The mine certainly welcomed us here although we didn’t walk away with any riches. TFTC

Well this was a little interesting.

Not that I didn't want to explore the spot but glad I was with a fellow intrepid cacher. A welcome stop on the way and a chance to checkout the local green rocks. We pushed on up to the Uranium deposits and Uranus.

Found during an epic trip to 3 of SA state's corners - Haddon, Cameron and MacCabe. There was dust, eagles, a flat, video and lots of photography, mud and mostly more dust. An event in Innamincka broke up the dust and quenched the thirst.

Thanks to The Arkaroo and **clear skies** from TeamAstro. [^] Cache the planet! [:o)]

Found at 10:08 with Olga during a week looking around the Flinders Ranges. We were just starting the Bararranna Gorge Walk, which I highly recommend.
Message with answers sent.

found/solved with jacknor while doing the echo back track. Jacknor wanted to go back and get the ladder to go in to the mine but i just climbed down. Took some pics and back to the 4x4 drive along the track.

found with sir_spectre while we where camping at arkaroola. sir_spectre wanted to go " rock " 4x4 driving around all the trails up here and cache as we passed them. Took some photos of the mine ans sir_spectre climbed in to get the answers. answers sent to co.

Saw it
Found it
LochlanandElla

TFTC Thank you for going to the effort of hiding this cache. You have shown us a new place and have helped make geocaching an enjoyable activity.

Found the mine shafts but decided not to go down with the kids. Not sure we would have got out.

As our first cache of the day, we were very glad to get out of the chilly 8° and duck down into the warm mine conditions! Down here was a taste of what was yet to come the next day in Painter Gorge, but thats another story... We surveyed the multitude of colours and I clambered right down to the back of the dusty chamber. Disappointed that there was no more little off chutes, I returned back up to where the Geodad was studying the walls of the cave. Fascinating to see what measures man will go to just to make a few dollars! He will come all the way from his creature comforts, endure the bumpy ride of weeks of getting here, dig a hole in the ground, and take some dirt home with him!! TFTC!!!!

Logging with approval from the Arkaroo

After heading out to Stubbs waterhole for some FTF fun... we called in here on our way back to camp at Arkaroola. With brief hesitation, we thought... why not... "get in the hole!!" After all... it was relatively easy access. Out with the touch, note pad and camera... we proceeded to survey the mine shaft and corridors for the answers required to log the Earthcache This was our final find today, after a huge day of exploring around Arkaroola wilderness sanctuary. Thanks for another great adventure Arkaroo!!

Nice hide. Thank you for the fun from Sydney! We enjoyed finding this one (:

Our tour from Sydney to Ayers Rock took roughly two weeks. We can't reproduce which cache we've visited at what time any more. That's why we logged all of them at the same days, so don't be confused about that (:

*´¨) Thanks for the cache
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´¸.•*(¸.•' Jim&Marissa

[size=3]
[navy]
[red]Outback Tour on L-Plates[/red]

After relaxing breakfast and Doug's great induction to the area, which I always join, as every day is different, today's Arkaroola tour goes for cache maintenance at Welcome Mine, then Bararranna Gorge. Eventually, we've had a great bouldering at Stubb's Waterhole and lost a geocaching container, which you guys will help to find again, listing coming shortly.

Despite what some geocachers log on this, the status and the shape of the shaft is still exactly the same as when it was upon erection of the cache. No amendments to be done. For some blokes, it's just a hop into the hole, "a bit of a scramble to get down but not too bad really", for others it's a pretty "unsafe looking mine". This is fair enough and how you see it, really depends on where you are from. This is wilderness area and open adventure space, not the city bus-stop nano. Please, do your own risk assessment before you venture into the cave - not everyone is capable to do so! As always, wish you fun,

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[green]アルカルー - The Arkaroo - who loves the mountains and the waters.[/green]
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Caching Team:

* The Arkaroo

* RockSandra

Travel Bugs visiting:

* Arkaroo's Rumbling (TB4318V)

* Arkaroo's Treasure (TB38AN6)

* Blue Desert Drive (TB3ZQ7E)

* Tough Nut (TB6Q74W)

No cheating on this cache - Log deleted.

I quite enjoyed this hide. Thanks

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Found with cheats from gcpro.co.uk

I was passing by the cache on the 2015 SA Variety Bash. It was a bit of a scramble to get down but not too bad really. Questions were answered and approved. Nice little adventure, TFTC

We made the nice journey out to this cache only to discover a pretty unsafe looking mine. Squirrel (who is usually up for these things) even wouldn't go in, so we got the answers we could and sent them to the CO. Hopefully this cache can be rehashed so future visitors don't have to jump down into the mine entrance to answer questions. Thanks Arkaroo and co

[will change from a note to a 'found' log on confirmation from the CO]

Had a look into the top of this mine, but entry really does NOT look safe any more. We don't think entering this mine is to be encouraged or recommended.

Visited on another interesting side trip from Arkaroola. Thanks for the story about this site and the cache. Logged with owner's approval.

This entry was edited by 2rascals on Saturday, 10 November 2012 at 12:40:55 UTC.

Dropped in and had a look with Mrs 1SR but she would not let me enter the mine, thanks for the info, allowed us to understand what we were looking at.

Logged with permission from owner.

We took off from Arkaroola base camp for a few hours of scenery and caching and this was on the hit list. We arrived at GZ prepped with torches and ready to explore. We got to the entrance and geowife said noooooo we not going in there. Bit of a shame as we were really eager on this one.

Photos will be uploaded once we are back home in Melbourne. Thank for bringing us to this lovely historical spot.

Found 3:35pm , find # 1486
Logged with the CO's permission.
We are on a holiday touring the Flinders Ranges. After leaving Rawnsley Park Station just south of Wilpena Pound, we travelled north and then west through the Brachina Gorge and arrived at Parachina. After staying the night at the Prairie Hotel we drove north to Leigh Creek, and then east to to stay at the Arkaroola Wilderness Resort. After two days there we drove a short distance back towards Copley and stayed for two nights at the Iga Warta Aboriginal Cultural Centre. After that we drove up to Marree in order to take a flight over Lake Eyre and the suurounding district. We stayed the night at the Marree Hotel and then the next morning set off south on our return journey to Melbourne, with overnight stops at Peterborough and Ouyen. This cache was found during the trip.
While staying at Arkaroola, a prime objective was finding some Sturt Desert Pea.
WE asked at reception and received some vague instructions. Not only did we find the pea, but we also found the mine and this earthcache. Although things didn't quite go to plan due to some recent rain making the site a bit dodgy, I was able to get permission to log the cache and the visit was very interesting.
Thanks The Arkaroo,


This entry was edited by gmj3191 on Saturday, 01 September 2012 at 04:03:00 UTC.

Young crew (and older) enjoyed clambering around - comment was 'you wouldn't have let me do this if wasn't a cache'! Thanks

Interesting to see the mine.

An interesting member of the wildlife was watching me as I stumbled around counting various things. I am not sure where it will get water from when it gets thirsty. Thanks for a neat earthcache.

Visited this one on our trip to Arkaroola and the Flinders Ranges. I climbed down into the entrance to have a look and answer the questions, but there was no way that I was going to go further into the mine. This is a pretty cool area. This is my second Earthcache. Thanks The Arkaroo, Suparki12 and Savoy Truffle for the cache.

Logged with permission from owner.

I have been to this location a couple of times before, but never ventured into the shaft. As it turned out, it wasn't that difficult to get into the first part for a closer look (although we wouldn't venture any further) and to answer the questions. A really interesting earthcache and good fun. Thanks The Arkaroo and Savoy Truffle for the encouragement to explore this area a little further.

Logging with permission from the owner.

My favourite type of caches are earthaches as they always take you somewhere interesting AND you get to learn something too.
This one was no exception.

I had been down this 'road' a few years prior on the way out to Paralana Hot Springs but we never stopped here then.
This earthcache was the perfect reason to stop and explore and just take in the surroundings and realise how hard the old time miners had it.
To cut and chip away at all the rock with only a pick and shovel must have taken a hard breed of man, especially considering how far away from civilisation you are.

Thanks for a great earthcache.

Published

Passing with our Blue Desert Drive (TB3ZQ7E), The Arkaroo, Savoy Truffle and Suparki12 thought, it may be a good idea to set up an Earthcache here at this spot. If so, it would be our first such!

After a lazy morning at Arkaroola pool, it was a good idea to explore the eastern part of Arkaroola, in particular to wander bit into the Tillite Gorge and climb up the rocks; and subsequently to Arkaoola Springs. At this pretty hot day, we also stopped at Stubbs Waterhole, just to sit and relax in the cool.

Caching Team:

* The Arkaroo

* Savoy Truffle

* Suparki12

Travel Bugs involved:

* Blue Desert Drive (TB3ZQ7E)