Motuopuhi Island (Bay of Plenty) Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand
By Lion Fish on 27-Jan-13. Waypoint GC44ZVV

Still having no luck with the Council, and we're not going to be able to do anything towards getting this resolved for at least another 6 weeks or so, ... therefore have decided to archive.

Visited the island today ... the campers have now moved on and are no longer living there. Sadly though, the Council now has some more work to do, cleaning up the rubbish the campers have left behind. We will continue to monitor the situation.

Have made contact again with Tauranga City Council ... who have said that the island will be fully vacated around the beginning of March.

Visited the island this weekend at low tide ... people are still in residence, plus a wandering dog / unable to replace cache at this stage. Will check the island again in a few weeks.

We have been in contact with Tauranga City Council. They were already aware that homeless squatters had set up camp on the island. The council is currently working with the people to find them more suitable accommodation. Will replace the cache, once this has taken place.

Someone has set up camp on the island ... not a suitable area at present for searching for geocaches.

Out on an epic caching adventure with HKCB, iammrwalker and 11hpg11 as an honourary guest and the 'K' in signature 1HIK or HIK1 to make a dent in the caches of Tauranga.

A bit reluctant to get feet wet but we timed this perfectly for a walk across the bay. iammrwalker and 11hpg11 applied a stealth tactic to make this find. So creepy!! Was very cool to work out to an island however. Trackables were rescued.

This geocache was found on my third trip to Tauranga/ The Mount/ Papamoa in the company of HKCB and 11hpg11 with a plan to clear out the area. We were joined today by Kyb3r another Hamilton Geocacher who was keen to be part of an infamous ‘mad mission’. We signed the logs with an anachronism of our Geocaching handles, usually ‘1HIK’ or ‘HIK1’. There were plenty of memorable moments and a lot of laughs as well. It was another long day; I got up at 4am and didn’t get to bed until midnight. We were a little disappointed not to meet our goal only getting about half way through our list of unfound caches. However we did tackle a number of difficult and complicated hides. We found some great and memorable caches and of course now have a great excuse to organise another trip to the area. Thanks to all the CO’s who provided us with such a great day out.

This was certainly a memorable find. Having got the other cache on the island we proceeded to this one and spotted a trail up from the mud flats that lead straight to a small domed tent. We decided it must be kids having an adventure or a young couple looking for some privacy and decided to head further along and find another way to GZ. Thankfully a fallen tree provided a great way up and we popped up to discover another far more elaborate camp set up. Someone had used large green tarps to create a sizable barrier fence that resembled a paa. We were in two minds as to whether to proceed or not in fear of who we might encounter and what they might think of our intrusion but decided on a two person quick stealthy search as we were sure we could see the hint item only about 5m from the 'fence'. On tippy toes we crept forward and thankfully almost immediately found the cache which amazingly hadn't been found even though someone had been cutting up the log that the container was sitting under. We quickly signed, grabbed the TB's and made a hasty retreat.

Another big mission for our little Hamilton team. Maybe this time we can clean out Tauranga and the surrounding areas. Our team consisted of HKCB, Iammrwalker, Kyb3r and myself. We signed the logs as HIK1 (or 1HIK as the day went on!) Another 4am wakeup and we were on the road by 5am. Back home by 11pm I think it was, it was all kind of a blur by then! We were fueled by Sour Patch Kids, B.K., Caffeine and quite a few painkillers. We had a great day with a large variety of cache types, sizes and difficulty! Thanks to all the cache owners for their hard work on giving us some great quality caches to find. We had a few milestones hit today and I think we all had a great time. Looks like we might be back again some time in the future!

We walked around the island from the south beach, glad of the low tide. We soon spotted a tent up were we wanted to go so carried on to try and go around and loop back to the cache. We climbed up the convenient log up to the island itself and soon discovered someone has made themselves at home on the island. Great setup, looks like a bit of a small city up there. We looked about and didn't spot anyone. They have built some fences but had not fenced off GZ thankfully. A little worried and a little nervous of who we might encounter we ummed and ahhed about if we should try and grab the cache. We decided to go for it and luckily soon spotted GZ. The inhabitants have been cutting up the logs for wood, and were half way through the hint item so we thought it would have been gone but we decided to check just incase. Iammrwalker lifted the remaining piece of wood and the cache was there! YES! I grabbed the TBs and we got out of there as fast as we safely could. A memorable one that is for sure!

This is the 3rd mission over to Tauranga in recent months with 11HPG11 and iammrwalker to turn the place into a bunch of similes, but this time Kyb3r joined in on the fun also. An early start from Hamilton meant we were greeted by a fantastic sunrise of Tauranga as we made our way down from the Kaimai's, and by the time we had decided we had had enough the sun had well and truly gone to bed, but we did see it disappear while halfway up the Mount.

We found some great caches throughout the day and had some very memorable moments, and I even hit a major milestone, my 5000th cache find. We signed the logs 1HIK (an acronym of our caching names) or some combination of these letters to save room on the logs. A big thanks to everyone for all of the great cache hides.

After a short wander around the island we neared GZ and spotted a camp set up nearby. Mrwalker and HPG volunteered to loop around and see if they could reach the cache while me and Kyb3r hung back. Luck was on our side as the cache was found, so the TB's were rescued before the cache was muggled and we made a quick retreat. Thanks for the adventure.

Good trek to an easy find. Clear clue.

Easier going on the island than I had expected. Some activity for firewood collection meant that the cache was firmly jammed in place and it took two of us to retrieve. Would have been a shame to have touched it and not signed. We got there in the end. Tftc.

So cool to do caching on a little island while on a mini break in Tauranga !
Islands always appeal to me !Was pretty tricky to access the cache out from under the fallen tree . Luckily there were two of us ....
A bit spooky as there were two inhabited tents very close by....
The person with their washing on the line has more socks than ric1942 by far !!!

Can't believe how big the island is wow! Tftc

Found cache. Really surprised at how big the island is have seen it for years and never being on it thanks for the cache. Travel bug dropped

Awesome spot, want to come camping here.

Arrived by kayak, was disappointed not to find a harem of secluded attention starved princesses living in isolation just wating for a brave young commoner to corrupt their virtues. But finding the cach was a nice consolation prize.

Stopped to pick up 'The lost boys' and noticed it was low tide so popped on the waders and hiked over to the Island. I enjoyed the hike to GZ around the shore. Met a local council ranger checking out the shore after the recent oil spill, He pointed out the local sea grass and asked for cachers to please avoid walking on it as it is becoming a rare habitat in the harbour. Maybe a note on the cache page about the sea grass???

The island was alive with wild flowers today so a fave from me for a pretty walk. TFTC

Yay found it lovely walk at low tide though miss 11 showed us how to scream and dance away from a friendly crab. T4tc

I have this cache on my to do list for a long time, but every time the tide wasn't in our favour. Yesterday we visited the site with high tide and after a walk on the mount we wanted to visit some friends....but first look on the tide and yes.....it was low....perfect.
Doggies loved the walk and the running.
We left a golfbal for next cacher to play with. We do think this cache deserves a higher rating. (certainly after done some mount caches) hahaha.
Great location and happy to tick this one of my to do list

Great place to hide found with granny and umpa and Liz and the twins

This island rocks my world. Reminds me of Blair witch project. Great spot. Left a triceratops. TFTC.

Found on a beautiful Sunday after a Facebook invitation. Thanks Matt and Dave

The second cache on an arduous journey across the badlands of Tauranga's Turret Road wasteland.

After knocking the South Beach cache on the head, the posse of TNXPro, Rickamortis, myself and our two trusty mutts, Mosh and Max headed north towards the big arrow on our handheld GPS'.

Arriving some 17 metres from GZ we were confronted with cliff of un-scalable proportions. Not phased, a climb up a fallen tree had us back up on the island, leaving the dog patrol on point duty below.

Once again, accurate coordinates AND an all too perfect clue had us at GZ, to retrieve the cache and it's swag, all in good condition.

Us weary adventurers made our way back across the channel, fighting off predators the whole way. Or not.

TFTC

After the first find I was going to be prepared for this one, so had the page ready in the GPS. As we rounded the island I was reminded of the access in to the area, so quickly scaled the well placed tree ladder and had the cache in hand pretty quickly once the others had joined me. The dogs mucked around at the base of the bank, but I'm sure max tried climbing the tree. The cache is in good order and we all agreed that the coords were bang on. Thanks Lion Fish. A great place to bring people. I cant believe I have ignored these two for so long.

TFTC

Finding the caches on this little island was lots of fun. It was high tide so took kayaks along with my 5yr old and a 25kg puppy. It was puppy's first kayak experience. He almost capsized us twice. But he loved the island and chasing bunnies. Left two crayon cars behind TFTC.

Really enjoyed the 2 on this island awesome caches TY

A lovely adventure was had crossing the water to the island. A quick retrieval and we were on our way back to beat the incoming tide. Tftc

Yay!! On a roll. Left a token from our journey out here. Log book is gone.

Sorry log book found

Walking along the coast from the south end I came across lots of grapes, a pity they are not yet ripe. Heading inland I soon discovered the cache location. TFTC.

Out for some caching on a beautiful summer evening. Very cool location. Tftc

Took us awhile to find this one, was super fun having to walk in the knee deep water on the way back

Fun to find, not to hard and not to easy

Continuing my walk around the island after finding the cache at the southern end. A convienant log provided access up on to the island and the GZ was quickly identified. Cache soon in hand thereafter. Nice size. Thanks for the cache page information and for putting the caches out here on the island. If the tides right, everybody should do these caches!

2nd of 2, on our short, but fun trip around a place I have definitely never been before. Great fun and beaut weather for water walking. TFTC

Part 2 of island cashes found. Now to get back before the tide comes in.

Carried on from the last island cache out to this one as the tide was still way out. Clambered up a fallen tree onto the top of the island and quickly spotted the hint items. Cache in hand and log signed. An awesome spot for a cache, favourite added and TFTC!

Ventured forth to this cache after being distracted by the Fig tree and a vine close by which wasnt yet ripe
Climbed up to go inland for this cache & was soon in hand. Went back down ever so un-elegantly to the shoreline so as to navigate right around the Island. Still heaps of sea lettuce - eeeuuuwww
TFTC

We have been looking for it for a while!
Well hidden but the Hint is good!

This entry was edited by testrunnz on Tuesday, 23 December 2014 at 10:44:38 UTC.

cache now all good

Thanks for getting this cache back in working order. Was an enjoyable expedition getting up to the cache.

Decided to give this a favourite.

Checked today all good chanced hint to reflect the altered surroundings

This cache needs checking, may have been removed or destroyed.

Tree fallen, had a good look around, but couldn't really see much therr

I think this cache has gone and needs checking, large section of the rough barked tree in on ground.

Nice stroll across the mudflats for our second visit to Motuopuhi Island since we started caching, many thanks for the cache placement.

It always helps if you write down the correct co-ordinates ,Mine had further north and off the edge of the island by about 5mts. Thank goodness for a very good clue which had me checking out a likely spot which was the correct way point. Mean while I had a great explore of the island, this would have been a terrific play /adventure area for me if I had lived here as a kid. Gets a favorite from me.

Pick up a couple of caches on a nice evening, TFTC.

Waked right passed this one by the time the GPS caught up. This island turned out to be quite a bit bigger than it looked from the shore. TFTC

A nice wee hide, enjoying today and this area

TFTC

I haven't had a run around on this Island for maybe 12 years. Its just as I remember it, except there seemed to be a lot more fallen trees. Cache found, no problems

Had luck with the tides as we were driving by today and took the opportunity to knock these 3 off. Heard super freaky ghost stories about this place as a child so wanted to be in and our as fast as poss !!! After a quick balancing act to get up to GZ quickly searched for cache signed and hot footed it out of there before the kehua's could get me ! :-0

Even freakier was someone (alive, not dead !) lurking in the bushes nearby eeeeeek....

Quick find, TFTC

When the Good Dragon Lady suggested that we head over to Tauranga early (meeting friends for lunch) well I could hardly protest when she suggested a spot of caching before we met them, especially when she said I could collect these two before we headed back..

The tides were in alignment and the conditions were good. Bashed my way across from South Beach and soon had this in hand. I wouldn't know how many time I have passed this Island by but yet never noticed it. Thanks for brining me here
TFTC

Went in search of this one and think we found the right trees (from limited GPS) and there was nothing there, not sure if we had the right spot or not?? But will try again another day.

Popped over in darkness, to suit the tides of course, but no problems to find the cache.

TFTC

This was an easy find of the rejuvenated cache. I love this peaceful spot so close to the civilisation and yet so far. Took the TB. TFTC

Cache maintenance completed today. Left trackable... "Schaapje linde"

The cache is missing its logbook... will visit soon to replace and check things out...

Looks like the cache has been muggled. We started searching around GZ and it should have been an easy find because of the size. We started to walk away from GZ to the end of the island and had a quick search. On the way back to GZ we spied something on a tree stump, we walked over to it and sure enough it was the cache. We knew it was the cache because of the sticker. It had no lid on, and no log book. It looks like kids have found it and stole some of the things in it. There are still a few things in the cache but a few things are broken. We knew there was a travel bug in there looking at the logs. It was meant to be the orca whale but it had no bead chain and TB tag and parts of the orca toy have been broken off like the tail and the fins. We put the cache back at it's original location and the lid and the bottom part of the container are clipped back together. We have covered it back up at the base of the tree closest to the end of the island (smoothest tree). You will need to come and look at this cache as soon as possible and bring a new log book.

this was uncanny! we walked along the beach instead of inland, and saw fallen tree that made a great ladder. just up from the ladder was GZ! what luck!

IN: SHamu travel bug. hes a killer whale, that we picked up by mt ruapehu. deserved a seaview home.

OUT: 5 year old wanted the Harmonica.

Day six of the July school holidays, what better way to spend the Winter Holiday then driving to the BOP via the East Coast, looking for interesting caches, climbing hills and walking on beaches.
Last cache as we leave town and start heading back to Wellington. Great spot for a cache, and great description in listing. Still some spring daffodils about (took some back for Mrs Banian). SL TFTC.

After finding ‘South Beach’, this cache was a must. (Well, we won’t be around here again anytime soon!) We went down onto the beach, and then were faced by a major problem when trying to get back onto the island- the steep sides. We climbed up on a fallen tree, carefully, and went to the cache. Nice sized container, great location, TFTC

The caches on the Tauranga tropical island were not on our must find today list but when we were passing we noticed the tides were in our favour for an estuary stroll. Lucky the gumboots are always handy so off we went to look for the island's hidden treasure. Caches both located after a brief search and on the return, ROS picked MAR some spring flowers from the abundance located around the island. Always fun to complete these types of adventures TFTC.

This entry was edited by rosmar on Sunday, 07 July 2013 at 06:53:17 UTC.

"Super-moon night" finding our first in the bright moon light was awesome

Been out to this island so many times before I heard about geocaching! Can't believe this was hidden there all along

11:40
This was the first of todays cache hunt. I was here yesterday, but I was here too late, so the water level was high. Today it was easy to go to the island with dry shoes. There were too many people with kids on the island. After founding the cache I met a papamoabikers, he prepare a special cache for the kids on the island. It was nice to meet him. Thank you for your help in the next cache on the island.
This island is a really very nice place.

TFTC

Found this. 4th for the day. No pencil, so couldn't write in the log. Took several items and left several. Took travel bug.

Still fumbling after the Optician. How does it go? "Stagger, stagger, weave, fall, stagger, fall. But found it and dropped off a pirate TB, to be sure. Thanks Lion Fish. Again.

Returned to find after running out of time this morning. Grandad and I enjoyed this nice easy find. Thanks

Today was about hunting out some newish cache placements. Just trying to stay ahead... The niece, nephew, and dog came along for the ride.

Carried on from South Beach and came in behind a young couple and a child in a pram... Busy out on the island today. Climbed the bank with the kids and dog in tow. Headed to ground zone, and the nephew made a quick find. Was just returning the cache, when we were joined by the young family. To divert attention, we moved further down the island toward the couple.

What an awesome setting for caches... On our way out, we passed an older sunbather. He had never seen the island so busy. If only he knew the reason why. TFTC.

A quick find as I had been in with 4CJ some weeks earlier. Had to wait for a couple to move through before I could retrieve the cache. Everything in order. Tide was well out and access was easy. The sneakers were in pristine condition when I returned to the car. TFTC

This entry was edited by tparty on Wednesday, 27 February 2013 at 07:40:02 UTC.

TFTC

quick find concise clue

Lovely evening to walk out to the island. Good cache and location.

Pleasant walk back to the car. SL TFTC

A nice walk over to this cache.TFTC

Very enjoyable cache - got alittle muddy on the way out but enjoyed a beautiful Tauranga evening

The kids really enjoyed exploring 'Treasure Island' - pity we couldn't stay longer. The tides were right this morning to walk across 30 mins before low tide and we came back 30 mins after low tide. (The window for walking across with little or no water is probably 1.5 hrs before and 1.5 hrs after low tide.) Another great camo container. The kids swapped a couple of treasures and we dropped of a GeoCoin. TFTC. #103

Followed on around from South Beach & climbed up the very handy access tree. Spot on hint made the find fairly easy.Thanks you guys,really enjoyed the cache & the hot water supply near the parking area to clean up the grubby footwear. Cheers.

Really enjoyed treasure hunting on a pirate island with nana and geega. Loved getting wet and muddy and splashing in the pools on the way over. Found the cache all by myself. Thank u you so much for all the wonderful little treasures inside. I chose the kinder suprise egg toy and my brother flynn chose a car. Replaced with two other treasures. Great cache for kids.

FTFFTFThis cache couldn't have come out at a better time! - I have today off, it is a beautiful day and I have just up a blow up kayak which I was wondering whether to keep or not. Still needed a pump! Went and had a look at the island and the tide was coming in - Shall I swim or get a pump???? Off to Repco - half an hour later I am trying to work out how to use the pump and blow up my kayak, but I did it and got to the island on this glorious day Love the story about the island - we always called it Rat Island and played over here for many hours as young kids - exploring and making huts. Lots of good memories. Thanks Lionfish for bringing me back and making me buy the pump!!!!! Thanks fot the card and Togs lol

This is our second second-to-find on the island. We scrambled up the bank and soon had the cache in hand. Thank you so much for placing these caches Lionfish!

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