Wainamu wandering #2 (Auckland) Bethells Beach, North Island, New Zealand
By alligatorsnz on 30-Nov-12. Waypoint GC42BFC

Detour from walking in the stream for thus QEF en route to the lake. SL TNLN TFTC

A morning spent learning to fly a drone on a deserted beach followed by a bit of geocaching. It's been a good Monday off work. Thanks for the cache! It's in good shape and dry.

Found it! Good way to spend a day off work around the beach and a nice walk finding caches. Thank you

Nice easy find. TFTC.

A lovely walk around the lake. Nice quick find here.

First up an easy starter for 10, at about 100 metres to go I put the phone away and headed to the hint area - gotcha.

This weekends second day was planned to be a trip out to Lake Wainamu and those huge sand dunes - wow. I've been meaning to come here for a while but the last couple of times it seemed too busy and/or too hot. Today seemed a better option and we got a nice car park in the main place. Headed around the stream bed on the way and back up over the top on the way back. Only did one of the 2 Earthcaches available and will need to return for the unsolved (as yet) Wilderpeople puzzle anyway. A great walk around here and our sedate pace meant a good few hours in the area, followed by a trip to the beach for a Christmas cracker. I even managed to get the last wonder of the universe thingy as well, so that's been achieved without any real change of caching planning. T F T C all COs.

Easy find

Out for a walk around the lake while son is running the Te Henga Walkway. This was a quick find right where I thought it would be. TFTC

Wainamu wandering #2 (Auckland) was transferred from alligatorsnz to user rustynz

Thanks alligatorsnz for hiding these caches all those years ago, and the adoption

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After all our years living in Auckland and all our visits to Bethells Beach we can't believe this is the first time we have been here. What an amazing place. And it seems that many others think it is amazing too because even though we arrived early there were no carparks available and we had to leave the car close to Bethells Beach and walk back.
It was a pleasant yet challenging walk along the dunes towards GZ. We could have taken the route along the stream but wanted to experience the magnificence of these huge piles of sand.
Once at GZ we made a nice quick find. Now off to the lake. TFTC.

A quick find while the rest of the wandered up the stream. TFTC

Return visit to the lake and finding some we missed last time. thx

Another one

Hiking in the dunes and around the lake. Morning is very quiet.
Nice place, thank you.

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Thanks alligatorsnz for the geocache [^]
Greetings from Belgium,
Frank et Muriel travelling in New Zealand

Happy geocaching

Someone had mugged it. Found 1m away on top of grass. Rehidden well

Nice and handy find on beautiful Sunday stroll in Wainamu area. TFTC

just before it decided to end our day with a nice winter downpour this one was found.

Found as a part of a previous group TanjackMüley, aka WanderingSparrow. Now I'm continuing on my own. TFTC

Took a detour from the sand dunes to quickly sign.tftc.

I've been wanting to visit this area for longer than I care to remember but have always put it off because we couldn't walk the dogs here. We'd already walked the dogs today so decided to hit this beautiful spot in the afternoon. Tftc

Looks like our last one today. Missed a couple on the far side but will be back. Wonderful place and wonderful series. TFTC

Wandering Wainamu to grab the earthcaches and a few trads on the way. This way back is a hell of a lot easier than the dunes. Starting to get hot now so time to head back for shade and breakfast. TFTC.

Boiling hot at GZ as no wind at all. Nice quick find inbetween gaps of muggles. TFTC

Found it. Back in place.

#258 having been overwhelmed by muggle photographers at the first cache of this series, I'm glad I picked up this nice easy cache. All in good condition, even left the native fauna stuck to the lid in place. TFTC

I walked along the prescribed path, then had to traverse through a wooded area only to come out right next to a road. I was trying to figure out why you didn't say anything about the road, but then maybe it is private and can't be accessed. TFTC.

I hitched down to the lake on my day off today. Walked around it and did a bit of Te Henga walkway.. I've already been here in summer, felt good to be back! The weather was on my side, so I could fully enjoy it:)
That was a quick find.
Thanks to the owner!

Nice quick find for this one on our way to the dunes and lake

Nice easy find on a easy track. Hot compared to the stream but wanted this cache and no other people where on the track. Easy find thank you

After a walk over the dunes to the lake, a walk to the waterfall and back and then then time for the kids to have a swim we headed back by the stream. Took a little detour from the stream to grab this and found an easy track to get back to the others. TFTC.

After relaxing in Piha for many many days, it was time to find some more caches. Started the day by walking up to the Kita Kita Falls with Hans Burger, Andy and Chilli, former muggles, but already very interested in geocaching. After lunch I did a roadtrip from Piha to Bethel beach, finding many good caches on the way and doing some very nice walks. I walked the very easy loop around Cascade Falls, and the longer loop around Lake Wainamu, just in time for catching the beautiful sunset at Bethels Beach. Both of the hikes were really good, but I really enjoyed the Lake Wainamu-loop, I have never hiked around a lake that has been dammed by sanddunes. I'm really happy with the day, 17 geocaches,one new d/t-combination for my matrix and lots of beautiful views. Thanks to all the CO's who's been hiding these great geocaches.

About this cache:
Quick and easy find, thanks to the good hint. Tftc, greetings from Norway

The family outing was laid to Lake Wainamu - the plan was to (at least) walk around the lake, but I ended up working through the nearby earthcache, and when I arrived at the lake finally, the rest of the family was very satisfied with the bathing/sunbathing spot they had found.

Lots of people!

Very interesting nature and great trip for us. Thanks for showing us this place!

Tftc!

It was easy!! TFTC!

The last one of a few we got on our walk. As always nice to see somewhere new and a few smilies along the way is a bonus. TFTC

This one was a fairly straight forward find - the only one - on our wet family walk to the waterfall today. Thanks!

stopped by to make some upgrades on the cache. cache in good order:-)

Lovely sunny walk led to an easy find

Aiden29 and I came out to walk around the lake, after dnf at the previous cache is was nice to make a nice quick find here

Out walking around the lake today with Merlot58. It was nice to make a find here after a dnf at the previous cache. Luckily for us the tide was out on our way around, as merlot was only in her sneakers .

This was a nice quick find, once I got the GPSr sorted (ie. I could not trust it for some reason). TFTC!

After starting with a DNF, it was nice to make a quick find here on my trip round the lake. TFTC

CZECH
jediný možný geoobjekt a byl to ten správný

CZECH
jediný možný geoobjekt a byl to ten správný

Quick find whilst returning via the stream. Needed to cut over some scrub to find the cache before returning to our watery path. We all enjoyed our visit to Lake Waimanu. Cache in excellent condition.

This cache may need to be checked. While out with the family (Not caching) I found a TB in Bethells Stream. I note that the last person says that they lost a TravelBug in the area but also logged that this particular TB was placed in this cache. So I'm unsure if it's the lost TB or if someone has tampered with the cache. I'm just going to message the TB owner now anyway.

Found while out getting my steps up for the day. Dropped a TB but have lost my GPS so not sure which one. Poor form I know.

The kids and I were walking down the stream track so I had to do a bit of bush bashing to get back to the proper track to retrieve this cache... not ideal when wearing shorts as I ended up with some nasty bramble cuts, oh well, no pain no gain in the world of geocaching . Nice quick find once I got to GZ, TFTC!

Out for a walk with friends. Been years since doing the walk.

Water proof log and info card installed, cache in correct position:-)

#1140. I have been working out at Bethell's Beach and today the weather packed in with light rain and low foggy cloud. Figured it would be a good opportunity to visit Lake Wainamu and pick up the caches without any muggles around. This plan worked with no one seen during my 3 hour sojourn. A lovely track to walk. Will definitely be back next summer to complete the caches missed this time. This cache was also a straightforward find. Nice to get a few easy ones from time to time. TFTC

Good day for Geocaching!
TFTC

It was a great day to be out and we were surprised by how many others had the same idea! Wandered around the dunes towards the lake and picked this one up on the way there. TFTC alligatorsnz

TFTC , found with annedt.

TFTC

Since the weather ended up being good I went to Lake Wainamu today to stretch the legs and have a look around. There were a few muggles about today but took my time and waited for them to move on before seeking caches around the lake. It looks like a great place to hang out in the Summer.

I headed straight for the lake via the dunes, after admiring the view I then made my way to the Lake Wainamu Loop Track. I decided to make things interesting and headed up the steep and muddy Houghton Track up to the Wainamu Junction which was a good workout. On the way up I located Light Craver and on the way back I paid a visit to the old house in the bush and found the cache there, it would be great to know the history of this house. Once back on the Houghton Track I really had to watch my footing on the way back down to the lake.

Once back on the lake track I made my way to Wainamu Falls and had a look around, the information sign and Pou were interesting. To finish up I walked back along the stream at the foot of the dunes, what a great place, will have to come back here again.

It was good to walk along the stream and admire the height of the dunes. The last cache for the day, I saw the spot that I thought had to be the spot and sure enough the cache was there. Have covered it back up. TFTC.

On our way in. Into the stream so wet feet,however, a quick find. Tftc.

No problem with this ! Stream quite low and had kind of water repellent shoes so my socks stayed dry !

Easy find as i headed out around the lake to grab a few chaches TFTC

Tftc

Coming to visit a friend so talking her for s walk while I'm here! Nice easy find and a lovely walk. TFTC

Out today with a Zorgon for a couple of caches nearby that I needed for my DT Grid challenge that I have set myself. So we were here to do another interesting FMZ earthcache nearby
We would have arrived here a lot earlier but I was distracted by a couple of other caches and so by the time we were here there were so many cars we parked further away and walked into the start of the track.

Not having been here previously we were both astounded at the scale of the Dunes we were observing and about to explore. As we made our way around the Earthcache Waypoints collecting the required information there were many people enjoying Sand Surfing and having black sand picnics. We were not quite sure how they were intending to keep the sand out of their food as it appeared to get everywhere.

the wind formed sand structures were quite incredible and so we spent some time looking at the wind/sand eroded rocks dotting the surface of the dune along with harder areas of formation that looked like they had been sculptured. THanks for getting us out here today and

We collected this and a couple of other traditionals on our way around the track as nearby muggles allowed

thanks for the placement

After exploring the dunes we walked back out along the stream and picked up this cache along the way. Had a great day!
Many thanks

Out with tracit for the day with a group of muggles from our tramping club our aim being to introduce them to the fun sport of geocaching. We had them searching in pairs for the 14 or so caches all around Lake Wainamou and quite clearly they had all thoroughly enjoyed themselves as well as mostly being very successful after we had showed them what geocaching was all about. Our pair of searchers found this cache fairly quickly. Thanks alligatorsnz for all the work you have put into hiding all these caches in this place.

all present and correct.. had a devious modification in the bag but sadly back to the drawing boards as GZ has changed in and unsuitable way... lol present and correct.

Out on a stroll with a friend, lovely spot to come to between work meetings..found cache with a gz 'renovation' having taken place...and the cache was still there! Thanks

A most enjoyable stream splash to GZ... managed to keep our socks nice and dry though, TFTC.

Found it. TFTC

Found this cache quite quickly after passing a very large group of school boys who had been boarding nearby on the dunes. TFTC.

Quite a rainy day. But still good fun

Last cache for me before returning to the carpark, such a gorgeous day, shame to end the walk really - so I won't! Onwards to find more caches heading back home for lunch then much later a FTF etc etc

all present and correct;-) out for a wander to day to fix one of the others up, great day .. heaps of cars but not many people - perhaps they are getting sucked in to the quick sand?

This entry was edited by alligatorsnz on Saturday, 03 May 2014 at 08:02:42 UTC.

Found originally as part of rebel98 team, now created own account, re-logging as rustynz

Every so often we have to stop, another cache GZ. Four adults all looking for the elusive treasure. Success, log signed, we are on our way. Thanks again for the cache.

Well it continues to live up to expectations. Have been here many times, the carpark is full, and many people are sliding down the dunes. We have walked up the stream, water is warm! The rain is staying away, and its a lovely autumn day. Luckily carrying lunch, which we plan to have at the waterfall. Thanks for the hide and bringing us here.

Blimey so many great caches can not remember which this on was, was having such a great day soaking up the surroundings, great scenery, great company, great caches = great day.

Enjoying the walk, TFTC!!

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Out with Hinemoana for some caching around the dunes and lake.
Easy find.
TFTC

All good

A nice little find on the way down the stream.

Just a short detour to pick up the cache while walking up the stream to avoid the hot sand. TFTC.

Nice quick find on our waitaingi day of caching TFTC

tftc and the nice round. looking forward for the others.....

it was to hot for more

Tftc a nice walk through the water a play on the dunes great cache

Clean dry easy find, Thank you. CBE

More muggles approaching so had to be quick logging the cache.

A nice easy find on the way back to the carpark

TFTC

Ended up at GZ the hard way as i missed the track turnoff from the last cache and came down from the top of the dunes. A nice quick find here with no muggles in sight early on this morning. TFTC!

Nice wee wander with Team Welsh around the lake. Stopped off for a nice quick find thanks.

Well we got there in the end, it all went wrong when we decided to head up the dune rather than following the path.....where did the path go?? So went off-piste and eventually found the path again and the cache, tftc

Me and a muggle colleague (she knows about the game ) came out today for some hiking and some caching. Additional to this original indented plan we had some great time playing on the dunes, in the mud, enjoying the great waterfall and best of all walking barefoot on the Wainamu Stream. Just a great day out....

Quich third find, left TB...TFTC

Great winter day lots of fun! TFTC

The water is not too cold for a barefoot stroll . T4TC - M@

Who knew there was a cache so close to home!

Carried along the track, and went the long way by heading up the dunes, and then having fun sliding back down towards the stream. Due to the weather we were pretty much by ourselves, so able to have a good hunt uninterrupted. Didn't take long to find what we were after, and we soon had the cache in hand. Really nice spot, TFTC

Carried on from the k9 cache and headed up the dunes for a bit before heading back down towards the stream to hone in on this one. Had a pretty good idea where we'd be looking once we hit the level and the cache was soon in hand. Another one down on this nice little stroll. TFTC

Enjoying the walk back down the stream, water nice and cool on tired feet. Earlier in the day down at Bethells beach we had seen some interesting bird foot prints and wondered what bird had made them. As we walked along a couple of Dunnocks ran about in front of us and up the dune (they had no trouble running up the slope). Seeing their tracks solved the earlier mystery. TFTC

Found on a very quiet walk, not a muggle in sight. The dunes are amazing.

We took a family friend on her first geocache for this one. We all enjoyed the walk up the trail, and then had quite the adventure, wading in the stream and wandering through the undergrowth, before a perfect finale, with the GPS taking us right to the cache (maybe off by 20-30 cm). Grandma and Michelle gave up at the start of the dunes, but enjoyed the stories afterward.

Picked my target from 30 metres out, so confident I put the GPS away. Yep, spot on! TFTC.