{Nightcache} Wai Night (Whangarei) Onerahi, North Island, New Zealand
By Riser5 on 12-Apr-11. Waypoint GC2T1QY

I have only done a couple of night caches and was very keen to do another, but it wasn't to be.

The first fire tack was easily spotted at the head of the trail, and the description of a tack every 20m sounded great - but we failed to notice the trail had been laid 11 years earlier, and of course the trees and bushes have changed significantly in that time. We spent some time wondering if we were even on the right track or if we had taken the wrong direction from the trailhead? But wait, there's the second tack, at long last!

We ended up seeing only one tack every 50-100 metres. It's not too surprising - after 11 years, some tacks might have been absorbed into trees, or pushed out by them, or some trees might have come down in a storm, others may have grown so that the tack is facing the wrong direction or obscured by foliage or other plants.

So when we found two tacks in trees next to each other, it stood out. There wasn't a triangle of tacks, but GZ was the only place where the tracks were supposed to be less than 20m apart, so this had to be it.

Unfortunately, after searching twice (on first pass and on our way back from another cache) we couldn't find anything else. No other tacks on either side of the path, and no cache. We used the hint to look for likely places but both plants are common along the path, so it didn't narrow the options much.

This cache might need some maintenance (in the form of new tacks being placed) if it is to remain in action.

Located the initial reflector easily, and then eagerly continued up the track looking for the others. Unfortunately they were few and far between and all up we only saw a handful of them in the approx 500m walk. We then saw 2 pretty close together, and wondered if this was part of the triangle we were supposed to find? We tried following the rest of the description from there but weren't having any success. We widened our search a few times but still no luck. I'm unsure if we were even in the right spot. We continued walking further up to look for another cache and didn't see any more reflectors so thought that had to be the right location. We looked again on our way back but still nothing. Possibly the flora has changed quite a bit since the caches placement making the reflectors difficult to visualise?
Oh well, maybe next time.
Thanks.

I suggest using a torch bigger than a phone torch to make this a Lil easier.

Taking a meandering journey to Onerahi with rustynz and gorby.

We are here to do this night cache, so we have our torches for a bit of a night time adventure.

Once we got the first marker, we were off, and slowly made our way to GZ. The stars are amazing, but it is a little chilly out!

Eventually got to GZ, took a little searching, and re-reading the hint etc, but happy to hear that the cache had been found.

Thanks for the hide Riser5

Now we like a good night cache, so here we are; rebel98 and gorby looking for little white dots along a dark trail on a cold night

We had to re-read the cache page, but once we spotted the first dot off we went. Although suspect some are missing as we did not see one "every" 20m.

Got to the final, and once we realized it's the other side, gorby spotted the sneaky hide.

A fun find and adventure, thanjs for the hide

We've had a nice dinner at JImmy Jack;s rib place, now it's not time to head back to our motel, still much caching to be done, so me and Rebel and rusty are still on a mission, rusty had lined this night cache up for us, and who am I to disagree...lol.

Rusty managed to get her little red car in pretty close so we didn't need to walk too much, then the fun started (or carried on). We found the start sign straight away, but the fire tacks were few and far between, but that was alright, we soon spotted the 'triangle' and knew we had arrived at GZ, took a bit of looking but I found it as described and rusty spotted the fire tack, because I was on the other side, but could see it once around where she was.

Thanks again for another cache Riser5, great fun.

Kids loved looking for the reflectors leading us to this cache. Something a bit different for them while geocaching. TFTC

Paddle Chick and I both need night caches for our full license endorsement so we are taking the opportunity to complete them whenever we can. This was a nice easy trail to follow as promised. Another night cache in the bag thanks Riser5 however I really need to sort out my headlamp and torch because they were both a bit intermittent tonight. TFTC # 18,327

Isis58 and I are both working on the Geo License Challenges on Rangitoto Island and need 10 actual night caches along with 70 caches found at night. For that reason the route for this trip was dictated by this cache. It was already dark when we arrived in Whangarei so after checking into our accommodation we came straight here. Nice easy one to add to our total. Thanks for placing Riser5

#11983

Found this 1st Oct just logging now i have installed app. It was fun with the kids.

so cool si much fun to find

Great night walk accompanied by friends. Trail is wide and flat.
Kids loved spotting the reflecters and after a bit of hunting the cache was located. TFTC ! Whangarei needs more of these night caches...so much fun !!

A few reflectors were missing, but there were enough to be found.
Replaced all reflectors, replaced cache, log sheet still has space.

No longer a yellow cable tie.

I've been wanting to do this cache for ages. Living in the far north made it tricky time wise in the past. Now I'm a local again all my geocaching friends have done this one. My crew are not very keen geocachers so that doesn't help. I'd even thought about putting a post up on the cache page asking intending finders if I could join them.

However, a message went up on Facebook tonight which would solve my delema. I was very excited and quickly organised to join Nick on his maintenance run. Good company and a nice walk was had. There would have been enough tacks left to find the cache but we replaced them anyway as rust would soon have taken its toll. The tiny micro was easily spotted once a step was taken off the track. Yippee, one happy geocacher. This might now complete my target of 5 night caches for a challenge in Auckland. There are not many night caches around so thanks very much Nick for keeping this 10 year old cache going

Is this cache still here no activity since 2019

Spending the long weekend in the area with Jag50. A nice easy trail to follow but the cache was a bit of a meanie, trickle to spot but we eventually got there

Found with Merlot whole staying in whangarei over labour weekend. Enjoyable stroll along a wide gravelled track following the fire tacks. Once at the final gz it took a bit of searching to find this tiny cache.

Staying in Whangarei for the week as one of the Jr. Cachers is playing in the U15 hockey tournament here and trying to fit in a few caches too. Took some of the other Jr. Cachers out tonight to attempt this night cache as most of them haven't done one of these adventures in the dark before. Parked up at the road end and set out by the light of a very bright LED head torch that picked up the fire-tacks quite well. Wandered from tack to tack until the final location was reached and the cache located after a bit of a search. Thanks for the night cache and a FP from us.

Yay....put out a request on this page for company on the Wai night cache...
bobcat105 and his brother kindly replied....and I was out the door like a shot!
Was a lovely easy stroll....flat wide , gravel path.
The new light tacks showed up really well!.
Took longer than it should to locate final as it blended in really well!
Thanks guys...good to meet you...and when I get up to Paihia later in the year I will make that cache of yours my first priority!
Cheers for this cache Riser5 ....

Anyone want to do this night cache with me tonight....
Just passing through and not sure if my torch is good enough!

My first somewhat easy night cache after meeting up with Super Nanny. Nice walk along the path tftc

Fixed

My first night cache. Thanks for another caching adventure Riser5.

Well this had been a journey in the making for some time as for the past few weeks a group of us were working on puzzles in the area for a 24 hour mission (travel time included) to see what we could reasonably grab.

All caches were signed "HOAC" so as to save space in the logbook. So together with HKCB, 11HPG, kiwis69 & Alpenmilch83 we left Hamilton at 6.pm with the aim to do as many as possible before sleeping in the car, grabbing breakfast and continuing on. Plenty of laughs were had and stories told. Thanks to all the CO's for their efforts in keeping these going and taking the time and effort to place and maintain these caches.
As there was a big party down the road we left the car well locked and secure and headed for the trail, while the fireflys were intermitent with determination and thinking latterly we managed to find the final with a bit of lateral deduction. It was fun. From here we continued along the track to the end.

Thanks for the placement, Thanks for the cache

On another HOAC mission, this time with Cats&Dragons, Kiwis69, 11HPG11, and Alpenmilch80. The mission a 24 hour blitz on Whangarei puzzles, plus a certain multi to complete C&D's 5th loop around the D/T grid. Leaving Hamilton at 6pm, with a quick stop in Auckland to pick up A80, we were in Whangarei caching just after 10pm.

During the moonlight hours the plan was to focus on the puzzles around Onerahi, and the Pokemon series, while during the daylight the plan was to focus on thegreatauk puzzles plus a few others we had solved. The mission turned out to be fairly successful considering the level on difficultly of most of the hides we were targeting. The logs were signed as HOAC to save room on the logs, a big thanks must go out to all the CO's for their hides.

Again another cache which has beaten us in the past, but with many many more lumens this time around and a lot more experience we managed to follow the dots and find the cache. Though with a couple of tacks missing the extra lumens helped in spotting the hint.

A Friday night a bit different. I got picked up in AKL by a car loaded with Cats&Dragons, 11hpg11, kiwis69, HKCB & a trunk full of food, which could have lasted us for a week surviving in Whangarei. Started into the night with telling a lot of funny stories, enjoying laughter’s and geocaching, geocaching, geocaching.... this night cache was on the books to find tonight. We started easy finding the reflectors but started to struggle on the way further down. Backtracked to the area we found two close to each other and decided to divide & conquer the area. After a while we finally located the geocache. Enjoyed the trail at night but it does need some love from the CO.
I enjoyed the time out with the HOAC crew and must say when I arrived back home I felt broken, but very happy and accomplished. TFTC and TFTTrip

A trip to Whangarei for the night to collect a few caches is totally normal right? 2 hours sleep is also normal? Our group tonight consisted of Cats&Dragons, HKCB, Kiwis69, Alpenmilch80 and myself. We left Hamilton at 6pm on Friday and we were home by 6.30pm on Saturday. Some great caches were found and some laughs were had and a lot of sugar and caffeine consumed. A lot of planning and puzzle solving had gone into the prep work so we had a good plan of what caches to attack. Logs were signed as HOAC to save room

All started off well and we wandered, chatted and searched for glints in the night. Our trail came to an abrupt halt and we back tracked and noted 2 tacks closer than the others and read the hint and we thought this could be a possible Gz. Started searching and luckily HKCB came up with the goods.

Found during our 24-hr Whangarei caching mission. After a few weeks' planning and a lot of nights working our way through some of the more recently published puzzles, we (HKCB, 11HPG11, Alpenmilch83, C&D & myself) set off north on Friday evening with our caching wish-list. Great trip: really enjoyed exploring new areas, lots of laughs as always and good to find a few caches (although a bit more sleep would've been nice too!) before we headed back home on Saturday afternoon. All caches were signed "HOAC" so as to save space in the logbooks. First stop was Onerahi for the OC series and this night cache.

Started off well with the markers readily spotted but then they seemed to stop. Back-tracked after a while and realised there had been two single markers much closer together than all the previous markers and in an area that fitted with the hint, so decided to start searching. I was still trying to decide which side of the track the cache description was referring to when HKCB struck gold - that would've taken me a LOT longer on my own!!!! As others have logged, some markers must've disappeared but the cache is still there - suggest read the description carefully! TFTC

Refer previous 2 logs - a lot of reflectors missing and only 2 remaining at gz. Needs maintenance.

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

Found after a hunt with ashanator. Half the reflectors missing and only 2 remaining at gz. Had to guess it was actually gz. Reflectors need maintenance.

Got invited out to do this with nicholson_family, most of the reflectors are missing, needs maintenance

We enjoy doing night caches so wasn't going to pass up the chance of another one while in the area. Took the adventure with Tinytree and glad we put on the mosquito protection we proceeded along the track; think that a few of the markers have gone missing but final location was still okay. Cache is in good condition- TFTC.

Had to work late, but still needed a cache to keep the 2017 streak going, What better excuse for making an attempt on this one tonight. The weather was beautifully clear and cold....., did I mention cold..!!! Not to worry, with the good Swazi gear and a brisk walk along the trail, following the reflectors, I soon warmed up.

Once at the triangle, I turned and identified GZ, but despite looking high and low for a good 5 minutes, I couldn't spot the hint item or cache. It's quite surprising in pohutukawas just how many leaves and twigs take on a yellow hue at night. Then suddenly, right before my eyes and in a spot I'm sure I'd looked at more than once before, the cache materialised. Signed the log and then made tracks back to the car, accompanied by many strange sounds from the surrounding mangroves.

Thx for the great cache and the work put in maintaining it. It's been a year since found, but it really deserves more cachers to visit it. TFTC

Pretty foggy night. Got to coordinates and 1st reflectors easily but couldnt quite spot the other reflectors that easily so just walked until we made it to the triangle. Once at GZ cache was quickly in hand, signed and placed back. We basically ran back to the car as that path is good at making it feel like someone is following you!

#11072. We are not night owls, and find it easier getting to night caches outside summer months. This cache was not far from where we were staying, however, and despite having already found 50 caches today we summoned the energy to head out for a night time stroll. At least we didn't have to worry about baking in the hot sun. Getting to the final three fire tacks was easy, but finding the cache proved difficult (the lack of the marker fire tack was one problem, plus we found some of the info in the cache description difficult to interpret). TFTC.

After dinner, we decided to head out for one last cache - this one. We waited until about 8.30pm, so dusk was just starting to fall, before we set out. Think we spotted the CO walking home from work not long after we left. Tough to be working on such a lovely day!
Soon located the start of the trail, then found the occasional fire tack as we walked along the track. The trail was a wee bit different from others we have done, where the next fire tack was always visible from the last one. But it wasn't hard to stay on track with this trail as there was just one direction you could go!
Before long, we found the triple tacks. That's when everything unraveled. We were expecting to see a fire tack beside the cache and despite searching high and low, we couldn't find one.
In the end, I just got up close to the hint objects and shone the torch, next minute, I saw the cache cms from my nose. At last! No sign of the fire tack, though so either we are blind, or it has fallen off.
Thanks for the effort with this cache. TFTC.

Headed out and replace some and added more firetacs.

Such a cool trail even if PageHeart did accidentally shine the torch in my eyes a few times

Woo hoo! First night cache.... not going to lie its a bit scary at night. Unidentifiable things were making weird noises. Some of the tacks might be missing or obscured by branches but we continued on and found our way. Really exciting find

need to check on this

We never seem to be visiting GAR's dad when we can actually go out and try this cache out. My plan was to attempt it at Christmas as we'd be here more than one night. After driving out into town for pizzas (24 hours of leftovers was more than enough for everyone) we went back via this adventure. Not 100% dark when we started and hoping that is why we were so dismal in finding the reflectors. Did eventually find one and called the others back (GAR, me and our daughters all along for the adventure) to show them what we were looking for. Didn't end up finding too many (growing foliage?) but found the 3 in a triangle (not what we had thought we would find but found never-the-less) and not too long after I found the cache container. Unfortunately, in trying to unscrew it the metal ring that attached it to the cable tie broke (didn't know I was that strong!) - it was quite rusty. GAR managed to squeeze the two ends of the bit left over together enough to rehang the cache but you might want to get a new little ring before too much longer so the cache can stay in place Riser5/MiniMaxy. Awesome cache guys - haven't done a night cache before and it was enjoyed by all. This ended up being the last of the day (the family thinks caching at night is done by nutters although I'm willing to go out - makes me one too I guess) and the last for our trip up for Christmas (back home now).

Have been meaning to do this night cache for some time and having walked the trail earlier in the day we knew the terrain to be flat so made a plan to return tonight. Sunset was at 8:35 so did some earlier caches in Whangarei and then headed out here. Picked up a few glints/then none/then one more and then found the ones we sought. Followed the cache page instructions and spotted the nicely hidden cache. Thanks for the adventure.

Team Welsh and I had a blast completing this night cache... My dodgy torch performed as per usual and turned itself off in odd times. Man it was dark when the torch wasn't working. Thanks for the fun.

#248 We kept the kids up a bit later to do this night cache. We were worried that we missed the cache with the large gap after the first few reflectors, but after a while the reflectors became more frequent. I recommend getting right in and hug the tree to help find the cache. Older &Co loved it. Youngest &Co was asleep on BH back. Favourite point earned. TFT(nano night)C.

Stopped by and replaced the log book.

Night time find with Fox_369

First proper night cache!
Foxes in the dark

Log sheet is full.
New one required.
TFTC

I love night caches, and staying in Whangarei tonight we obviously had to do this one.
At the beginning of the track we had trouble to spot reflectors pay the first one, maybe overgrown, but since it was clear from the listing that we had to keep to the track that was no problem.
I have owned night caches myself, so I really appreciate the work that goes into maintaining it. Thanks for a good night out.

In Whangarei fir the night with Corikra and this one was on our hit list. It didn't disappoint. From the first reflector there was a large gap to the next one but we found the cache and all was good.
Thanks for placing this night cache.

This was a nice an short night cache.

Logged as RAD together with renelm and aedk.

TFTC

Difool - #1065 - 2013-10-23@20:32 NZDT

Found with renelm and Difool, logged as RAD to save log space, time and trees.

I am not much of a logwriter, so see renelms, and possibly Difools, log for details.

TFTC!

One of the few night caches we have been able to identify. And a very nice one too. A short walk, a few encounters with the local trees and the cache was in hand

Found at 20:33 - #4222 - together with aedk and Difool - logged as RAD to save space and time

TFTC

FP: I love night caches

Found this interesting little cache with KiwLeon and with Riser5's help while on the 14/08 CITO Waimahunga Track. Interesting idea these night caches. TFTC

Looks like I need a few more fire tacks out there.

Found during the CITO.
A few WP found missing but no problems finding the next ones.
Fun little cache to do.
Told the CO in person that the cache requires a little bit of maintenance.
TFTC

Found after a very pleasant walk this evening. Early reflectors were quite hard to spot, but the trail came right and before we knew it we had the cache in hand. TFTC !

A pleasant winters night wandering down the path with my new headlamp. With all the torches it was like daylight! Once that was sorted out & found reflectors we were on a roll. That was until the final when he in charge of the instructions only gave half the instructions. It always pays to read to the end of the page. Another regrouping & finally the cache was located. Thanks for the fun evening

Invited to find this as a group, brought along my new bright torch and found that there is a limit to brightness before the markers wash out and cant been seen, lucklly I can turn down the torch so preceded to locate gz and the cache.

out caching with friends.This was my first night cache and very different. thanks again.

Went and found this with a few friends, had trouble spotting the refelectors at the beginning, but had no trouble spotting them at the end.
Took a bit to find the final, didnt look from the correct angle.
TFTC

Had a hour to kill tonight, so decided to try this night cache. Lovely walk on a great evening. It only took a minute or so of hunting to spot our prize. TFTC

Found orginally as part of phasevisitor team, now created own account, re-logging as yorkshirekiwi83.

Whilst in Onerahi we decided to have a go at this night cache. Our little torch wasn’t powerful enough to spot the reflectors from a distance, but as we kept walking along the path, we were able to see the white spots as we got closer to them. We soon came across the tree with the 3 reflectors and commenced our hunt for the cache. This took a little while to find in the dark, until we spotted the tie holding the cache to the tree.

Thanks for the enjoyable night cache – a favourite!

Whilst in Onerahi we decided to have a go at this night cache. Our little torch wasn’t powerful enough to spot the reflectors from a distance, but as we kept walking along the path, we were able to see the white spots as we got closer to them. We soon came across the tree with the 3 reflectors and commenced our hunt for the cache. This took a little while to find in the dark, until we spotted the tie holding the cache to the tree.

Thanks for the enjoyable night cache – a favourite!

After a fun filled day caching with tikitour and flowernz we thought we were done, but later when night caching was mentioned, and we couldn't ignore the call! We gathered our night gear and headed out. Arrived at the parking area and started down the track. We soon found the reflector trail, some might be missing but most were still visible. Came across the triangle of three and then soon had the cache. Signed the log and headed back down the path. Stopping to see pools with eels - pointed out by mr.tikitour.
Thanks for the fun night time adventure.

9175... Finally ventured into Wai Night just on dusk, quickly located the glints and followed the trail to GZ, took a while but we eventually managed to spot the cable tie and then the nano and finally, the final glint, unscrewed the container and noticed there was no log, searched the ground but it was too dark to find anything. Returned to the car to make up a temporary replacement logsheet, then wandered back to GZ to replace the cache. May pay to check and replace temporary non-waterproof log. Wai... what a Night! Many thanks Riser5 & MiniMaxy for a cool night cache.

Out in the Geonut having a wee adventure with friend Rednumb6. I have been wanting to mark this off for some time. So most enjoyable and straight forward tonight thanks.Nice change alittle night caching.

Something different for us to do to cap of a day of caching with Butchie Bum! TFTC

Were doing the other couple of caches on the walk here and were already hot and sticky so thought we'd try this in daylight! It was an interesting challenge and would be great fun (and probably easier!) at night! Took a little while but mananged to follow the trail and make the grab. TFTC!

We've enjoyed a few of these night caches in other districts, so when Riser5 suggested a group visit of Wai Night we were keen to join in. Met up with Riser5, MiniMaxy and tikitour at dusk and followed the 'stars' to the cache. Thanks for your enjoyable company this evening.

# 3661

Great walk tonight. Cache still in place, had good fun watching fellow cachers hunt for the final

Great walk out tonight just on dusk. Met up with kiwicouple, Riser & MiniMaxy to do the find. TFTC

Pleasant evening walk. Took ages to find the little bugger! (Head height)

Great walk and the reflecters were easy to find but the triangle reflecters where hard to find but once that was found the rest seem real easy.I think its a two man find as one holds the torch to get micro of the tree without pulling the cable off.PEACEFUL OUTING

Just went and replaced a few reflectors and updated the cache page. Should be able to be found now if you have good eyesight. If any go missing please let me know.

Whopps, haven't been able to get down there. Will try when the weather is good. Raining a fair amount on and off. Will get out there when is dry.

Hi, just wondering if this is up any running again please?

DNF – Not sure if all the glints were there… gave up after walking a couple of hundred metres either side of the footbridge without spotting any more, we will be back

Walked the complete track with the dog today and noticed some muggle has ripped out some of the reflectors including the ones at GZ.Cache is still okay though.Was looking for a spot for a new puzzle cache, wink, wink ,nudge, nudge.

Will go out soon and replace a few reflectors.

Team of Four, Blue Heeler and arsenal of spotlights headed out for a bit of night caching tonight.Connected the dots and Cartman found the cache within 10 seconds as he usually does.Continued down to bridge and did some spotlighting for eels (of which there where heaps).
Dog at the start of track didn't make a sound. Very enjoyable cache thankyou.By the way this is a great track for your dogs.

Found with the crew, enjoyed the night time adventure.

Enjoyable find with cartman,butters,jack and kayla. had fun spotting eels,fish with the powerful spotlight.TFTC.

It was a perfect evening to do this cun cache; we went before the moon had risen so it was good & dark and a beautiful starry night. The twinkly trail was easy to follow & find GZ; finding the container proved a bit harder for these old eyes! and for one who thought they had nimble fingers, dropping the cache came as a surprise. OOPS. dared not move, and it still took a while to find as it dove right in through the leaves. Whew! that illegible scrawl (SCNZ)is ours. Thanks for the fun!

We rarely cache or walk where there are no lights after dark so this was a lot of fun. No problem following the reflectors (very well placed - lot of effort went into this!) but finding the cache proved much more frustrating but we did finally locate it and managed to sign the log. Dog as promised but oddly it only minded our arrival and not our departure. The stars were wonderful. Thanks for the experience. NINO TFTC

Had lots of fun navigating this cache at night, glad that there were four of us looking for it too, was very tiny ! Our favorite cache so far

Very cool

There on placement

Published

tb log