Water for a Railway Brinkworth, South Australia, Australia
By Tk2 on 02-Jul-12. Waypoint GC3PNVQ

Out on a scenic drive this morning and a few caches. TFTC

Heading out of town today to do a loop to the north and west and collect as many caches as possible, this one was on our target list, TFTC

On a crisp autumn morning, the soft light filtered through the canopy of ancient oaks lining the disused railway track. Martin, a seasoned geocacher with a knack for uncovering hidden histories, adjusted his backpack and set off down the path, guided by his GPS.Today's quest was unique: a geocache titled "Water for a Railway." The description hinted at an old water tower that once served steam locomotives, now forgotten by time and nature. The coordinates led him to a remote section of the railway, overgrown with brambles and ivy.As Martin navigated the underbrush, he couldn't help but imagine the bustling activity that once took place here. The hiss of steam, the clanging of metal, and the shouts of railway workers filled his mind. These tracks had been a lifeline, transporting goods and people across the countryside.After an hour of walking and following the beeping of his GPS, Martin spotted the silhouette of the water tower in the distance. It stood like a sentinel, weathered but resilient against the encroaching forest. He quickened his pace, eager to uncover the cache and learn more about this relic.Reaching the tower, he took a moment to admire its architecture. The cylindrical structure, built of red bricks and capped with a rusting metal roof, had a certain grandeur despite its dilapidation. A plaque near the base caught his eye. Brushing off the moss, he read:**"Erected in 1892, this water tower provided essential refills for the steam engines of the Great Northern Railway. Decommissioned in 1956."**With a sense of reverence, Martin began his search for the geocache. The clue mentioned a loose brick near the base of the tower. After a few minutes of careful inspection, he found it. Removing the brick, he revealed a small metal box, artfully concealed within the wall.Opening the box, Martin discovered the usual logbook, along with a laminated photograph. The picture showed the water tower in its heyday, steam billowing from a nearby locomotive, workers bustling around, and children waving from the carriages. It was a snapshot of history, a glimpse into a vibrant past.Martin signed the logbook and took a moment to reflect. He felt a deep connection to those who had labored here, their efforts now remembered through this simple geocache. As he replaced the box and brick, he whispered a silent thank you to the generations before him.He walked back along the track, feeling a profound sense of accomplishment. This was more than just a geocache; it was a journey through time, a rediscovery of stories that might otherwise have been lost.As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the railway, Martin knew he'd return someday. There were more stories to uncover, more histories to explore. For now, though, he was content, his heart and mind full of the echoes of the past.---That evening, as Martin logged his find online, he added a note of gratitude to the cache owner for preserving such a unique piece of history. The geocaching community, he realized, was not just about finding hidden treasures, but about connecting with the world and its rich tapestry of stories, one cache at a time.Come visit SA's longest running annual event -keep the Long weekend free- June 2025 Can't wait!!2558

Another random, interesting piece of historic information.Tftc

TFTC

Some interesting information here. That will explain that. TFTC

Short search. Quick find TFTC

Travelling with iluvtrekking up the WA coast to Darwin, down the Centre and in the Flinders. After spending some time in Peterbough and Minlaton we moved to Moonta to grab finds in Moonta and surrounds. Out on wet and misty day run to Clare and caching en route. Thanks Tk2

Travelling with richlink from Perth to Darwin up along the west coast and home again through the centre and the Nullarbor. We are on the home stretch now, just a few days in the Yorke to pick up a few caches. Thanks for the cache, we are enjoying the history in this area.

Day 3 of my short Geocaching weekend. Today I left White Cliffs Reserve zigzagging along the way finding what caches I had not found and ended up stopping in Yongala for the night.

Found the cache then had a quick read about the water supply.

TFTC Tk2

Read the plaque and made a quick find
TFTC

Very interesting reading on the sign. Cache was quickly found stamped and put back. TFTC

In all our travels we would not have even thought to travel to this location.
(HaHa). In your dreams, these cachers do.

[:(!] Thanks for an awesome effort.

Devilish

Brilliant and Clever

I like it

Another one off the list

TTBLNSL TFTC/TFTH/TFBUH - Tk2 [^]

hello

Trip to the Mid North with the geo-pup. Day 1 to Yacka.

Great history, thanks for highlighting it. Replaced container and log.

TFTC

Out for a quick wander up North today with Jack and Sebastbat.

Thanks Tk2 for putting this cache here

A lot of amazing engineering feats out in the country back then! No water now


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Be safe caching. Cover your cough. Wash your hands!!!

A quick find here cache and contents are all good

This at locus cache and I headed now towards Clare and beyond to find a few caches and with our main focus later in the day at Clare for a coffee event, such a great day weather wise, came away with 52 finds.

Thanks for the cache

Staying at the Beautiful Hummocks station at Snowtown (highly recommend it) we ducked out to find a few caches nearby again today. Loved all the history shared today with us by using Geocaching as our guide.

TFTC

Did a geo run with Desertfox41, 225ks on the bike, Cool, TNLNSL Thanks,

Found - signed - maintenance

??

A nice little hide here, found with HRH54 today on our way into Brinkworth TFTC

Quick find Interesting info Travelling with Juju54 TFTC

Easy find
Cache all good

Wow, only 2 finders last year, and mine is first this year!
Nice trip out here and some interesting history.
Harsh out here, water is scarce!
TNLNSL
Thanks

We are on a 10 day holiday from Bendigo to Whyalla to swim with the giant cuttlefish. We are now on our way home and staying at Brinkworth for a couple of nights. We have discovered we had no more caches in the GPSr and no cable to load them so we have been forced to join the 21st century and cache by phone.

Today we travelled from Brinkworth in a loop to Blythe and Clare caching along the way. Found on the loop back and our last for the day.

TFTC

Another quick found but it is a another logbook wet.... TFTC

Nice view over weir which is part of history now.

A nice piece of history

Out today with Magic [8] heading north from Adelaide towards the “Bridle Track” east of Port Germein.
Hoping to travel a few TB’s through the Southern Flinders Ranges and collect as many little Yellow smiling faces as we can on this rainy and showery day.
We thank you for placing this cache as we have had a ball. Have placed random Pathtags today for others to find, maybe this one is one that will have a little extra for the next finder.
TFTC Love coming to places with a story, Fav point coming your way

LOGBOOK IS VERY WET

Found while out with Team Holden.

Another great location for a history lesson (i love these type of caches)

Water from the railway has made it into the cache, and the log book was wet. Sorry I had run out of replacement.

TFTC [8]

Tftc

A quick find.

Found whilst driving home after attending my first June Long Weekend Event (JLWE) - Wacky Wirrabara Wonderland!!

I had a ball this weekend and I can't wait until next year's event [^] . I was invited to team up with the GOTHS, and due to their experience, strategy, creativity, hard work and energy we ended up coming joint 3rd! Woo Hoo!! SOOO AMAZING!!!!

Most of the attendees camped at the camping grounds, but there was a small group of Wacky Geocachers who stayed warm and dry at the local pub - Seascout78, Laighside Legends, Astro, four-fun and myself

We all had a blast - heaps of fun, laughter, fishnet stockings, deadlines, no door on the shower nor on the women's toilet area in the accommodation (OMG, totally crazy but true!!! [:(!]), great food, great company [:X], early starts, late nights, alcohol, shed parties , freezing temperatures, someone needing a 2 hour nap during competition day , clear skies, Mark's spectacular driving [:X][^], sliding down a hill , mud [:(!], a 350m walk down and up a steep difficult hill when we could have driven to 30m from the cache [:(!][xx(]! Haha and they are the things I am able to mention, the info that needs to stay in the memory bank would be a more interesting read I reckon!

Please note, the caches I found this weekend may be signed as "GoodLook", "GL" or "GOTHS" - as I was an honorary member of this wonderful team of people: Brisal5, Mogni, Aussie M&M and alternkia for this Queens birthday long weekend.

Thanks for the cache!

A quick find and some interesting history here

Found on a wet and windy day on our way to Clare. Thanks for the hide Tk2.

Delighted to see the history boards teaching of past activities. Thanks

TFTC

Staying a few days in Clare - heading to Brinkworth where my grandparents used to live ... My grandfather managed Eudunda Farmers many years back Found on a lovely day out with CAD
T4TC:)

Another late start looking for caches in and around the Clare Valley TFTC 5th

Another interesting piece of mid-north history.
Thanks for the cache Tk2

CPwanderer was Clare007 & my driver for the day as we ventured North for another caching experience...
We certainly getting our share of your local history...TFTC Tk2

TFTC Tk2

Found at 16:32 with Shonky, SXC, TWDG and Waldron
Thanks Tk2

Away for a weekend of caching with WhiteDog, Shonky, Uni, and Southern Cross

We started around Bowmans and finished the second day at Booleroo Centre.

TFTC

Found on a mid-north caching run with Uni & Medusa, Southern Cross Caching, Team Walrdron and TWDG. Thanks for the cache.

Out for a 2 day Mid-North cache run with Uni & Medusa, Southern Cross Caching, Team Walrdron & shonkylogic.
Hot weather & good fun made for an enjoyable couple of days.
This cache was one of many. Cool spot, great cache
Thanks for bringing us here
Tk2

Found on a New Year's trip up North with The White Dog Gang, Team Waldron, Uni & Medusa and shonkylogic. We had a fantastic time finding a lot of great caches along the way. While the weather was hot the company was great and we had fun times. All in all 150 finds and six DNFs for me over the two days.

TFTC and sorry about the generic log,
Cheers and Happy Hunting
Southern Cross Caching

Another fun day's caching in the sun, making a few finds to mark the end of another great year.

Many thanks for placing the cache for me to find.

Wow! An amazing piece of history we wouldn't have noticed without stopping for the cache [^].
All wonderfully green at the moment . TNLNSL.
Thanks for getting us to stop Tk2.

Another great find while in the area on holiday today.
Thanks for setting up this cache. SL

Nice display / Info board here.

??

Found on way home from a nice little footy game at Brinkworth! tftc

Friday evening and muggle partner and I made a mad dash to Bartagunyah to join a 4WD club for the weekend. No caches were attempted
Saturday, 1 cache was found and then Sunday as muggle partner and I leisurely headed home, 16 smilies were found

Very interesting history here for sure.
I enjoyed reading about the provision of water to the area.

TNLN. SL. TFTC Tk2

found it.
TFTC

Went to Brinkworth on a nostalgic visit with my son,wife and grandchildren. After visiting the graves of the geo-wife's parents at the Lutheran Cemetery moved on to this historic spot. This was new to the geo-wife who grew up in the district. What we found interesting that a weir was built. The dam was not just a hole in the ground but purpose built. Signed the log. TFTC Tk2

Tftc found with polkys quest

Touring around the area enjoying some sunny spells after the winds and rain. Another lovely spot with some interesting history. TFTC Tk2

Found by accident as we stopped to have a look at the plaque on the side of the road and spotted
the container.
Thanks TK2 for the find

Today we left Snowtown finding caches on the way to Orroroo.
We passed through small country towns of Spalding & Jamestown, mostly farming country side.
The caches we found were interesting & varied.
Thanks for placing this cache Tk2

Our Flinders Ranges adventure had come to an end..almost. Aussie M&M continued north to Alice Springs. Mogni and I returned to the hills, via Port Augusta and any caches we happened upon on the way.
This one stayed in place. Thanks Tk2

I am thinking that the railway theme is haunting us now.... Lucky I like trains.

replaced container, as it appears previous one has washed away

Sad to say a DNF for 3LG and myself today.
Looked in all the likely spots.
Will be back another day.

This entry was edited by earthlight on Wednesday, 26 March 2014 at 21:52:04 UTC.

The water has dried up and the train has left the station, no luck on this one today for us and there inst many places to hide it : (

Life's too short apparently, so I embarked on a cache run from Crystal Brook to Spalding. 3 roos, 5 rabbits, 24 finds and quite a few DNF's (though that's expected on an unexpected warm night in the country in December). Last one for the night was this one. TFTC

Nice interesting read about the railway history of Brinkworth. The community has invested time and resources to keep it alive . Took nothing but left whistles for a future railroad visitor and a new pencil!

This entry was edited by B1+B2 on Sunday, 12 January 2014 at 11:07:54 UTC.

Replaced log book and replaced in original location.

Log quite wet from being found out in the open.

Found out in the open and requiring some maintenance as the log is quite wet. Placed back in a good spot. TFTC

Quick find..! TFTC
happy easter

A quick find. No pricks so we came and we went.

Thanks to Tk2 and clear skies from TeamAstro.

Off to the Flinders Ranges for Easter Long Weekend with Miss GG,

Decided to make it a caching trip as well break up the drive

Love caches with a little bit of history, I know i have passed this spot many times... never knew this sign was here...

Thanks for the cache Tk2

We were headed to the Flinders for the long weekend and thought we would do some caches as well Thanks Tk2

Found It!
Nice plaque and story, shame its PM only
TFTC anyway

Quick find tftc

Found quickly. Interesting information. TFTC

Found whilst out with Polkys Quest TFTC

Nice spot for a cache tftc

Found quickly and read the information
Thanks for the history and the cache

A quick dash across the road to read the interpretive sign and find a cache.

One of 89 finds while riding the Bicycle SA 2012 Annual Tour.

Thanks for the cache Tk2

Nice easy cycle past. Tftc

found on the way home after a weekend in the clare c/park tnln thanks

Following a 4WD Club event at Melrose and driving out via the Bridle Track, it was time to head inland and grab a few caches on the way home.

Quick find and sign. TFTC.

Interesting location. I have been past here many times and never stopped. You learn something every day.

Heading back from a great couple of days caching in Whyalla we were taking our time coming down so as to be able to attend the "YP Cachers Get Together #3" event tonight and also grab some caches in areas we do not normally travel. This was a very interesting location although the parking was a bit scarce. We found the cache and added our name to the log first then headed off to read the information. the pictures taken in 1892 show the terrible hardships the men had to work under and we also wondered if the turkey nest dam was still holding water.
Thanks once more Tk2.

A neat spot of history, a quick find TFTC Tk2

Interesting spot and a quick find. Thanks Tk2!!

A quick find after netball nearby.
TNLNSL
Thanks for the history and the smilie!

Found as a part of TheKellyGang, writing this as a genaric log as I was a part of TheKellyGang and am now out on my own.
If you do not agree with this you are more than welcome to delete the log.

Had to meet our GeoDaughter from Crystal Brook at Brinkworth to do a pickup, after netball at Snowtown. Headed off on the way home discovered a new cache out there on the road on the way home. Little Geodaughter found this one quickly and surprised to get FTF on this one. TFTC

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