Around about here... (Rotorua) Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand
By GenCuster on 18-Aug-16. Waypoint GC6QAPA

On the right spot. We ha the code, but nothing here anymore.

Well there was no puzzle about the final coordinates but the GZ was quite a different matter. This is either a supreme-level urban hide or not what it once was. Thanks opted-out user#0Found using Cachlymsc_20, formerly caching as msebn

As previously stated looks like post was removed possibly along with cache so could not be located

Hmmm cache no where to be seen. I'm sure I was in the right spot. Something like a post seems to have been removed and concreted over. Not sure if that's the gz.

Quick find but as previous logs it's stuck.

Solved and located the cache but as with others the lock is not opening on us. Tftc

found it like everybody else. But DO NOT COME, THE LOCK DOES NOT WORK. 0/10 NEEDS FIXING.

Im presuming we found the correct lock, but like everyone the lock wont open.

Altho unable to sign the log, we did find the cache and solve the correct code. Unable to get the lock box open.

Lock wont open even with correct code. Based on previous logs it has been pretty rough for quite a while.

Have solved, verified and located the cache but as with others the lock is not opening on us, tried our best and had paparazzi approaching us. Suggest this needs a bit of TLC

We travelled near and far, Were on a short holiday with Wilbert67, grabbing caches along the way, seeing sites that we havent been to before.Thanks to all the COs for their placements.Greeting from Australia

Second day in New Zealand and it's a wet one. Only having 5 days means we have to go caching hail rain or shine. Very hard to open, even with the right numbers.TFTC Wilbert67

managed to solve the code and verify it, however when reaching the gz, cache was nowhere in sight. hasnt been found in a while so perhaps it has disappeared.

It was probably our most difficult cache if I’m being honest, however we managed to crack the puzzle and decoded the lock! Thanks for the challenge

Like a previous cache finder, our pen knife helped ease this stiff little lock open. A good soak in some CRC would work wonders here. Tftpc

Found it with ItchyFeet22 doing the hard work

Puzzle solved last night in preparation for a family visit to Rotorua. Nice little trick on the puzzle - fun to solve. Turned out we parked very close as part of our iternary. Wasn't sure what I would need to get access if Yeti had to turn around and come back! Yes the access is very tight and a brother with brute strength and father with a pocket knife for leverage is what was needed. TFTC. Luv the final spot.

As the summer months come to an end, and with daylight savings ending for us real soon, it's time for an extended weekend trip to Rotorua (from Wellington). Lots of activities are on the agenda, and geocaching is one of them. I had several specific caches marked to find on this trip, some to meet specific requirements, some were such fun puzzle solves that I just had to come and sign the log, and are some just because. This cache is one of them.



Having failed to get the cache container open last time, today I came prepared. Finally able to add my name to the log paper



Thanks to opted-out user for placing this cache here.



Saturday - 26/03/2022 4:13 pm

mystery cache other 2.0/1.0

Find #4,116

*Found with [Geooh GO](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobiltal.geoohGO)*

Managed to find the combo. Went after everyone finished work to not look sus.
I think it could definately so with a bit of crc as the door was a bit stuck
Tftc

Knowing that I was gonna be in Rotorua from Wellington) for a few days this week, I spent the last couple of weeks working on some of the mystery cache puzzles in the area. This was one of them.

Somewhat confused here. Had a verified key, found the place to dial it in, but it didn't seem to work. Had to leave as I was attracting some attention. May try again if I get time, otherwise it will remain unfound by me.

Did with Crystal Fairy.

Solved this puzzle a while ago. The final took us almost as long as the puzzle solving to get the cache out. It took a while and looking at it from different angles to figure out what we should have done. Once we had that the rest was easy. Glad we did it after hours. Thanks for the cache and puzzle.

Slowly working our way up to Auckland and had a night in Rotorua. Fortunate enough to get a space near the Polynesian Spa for the night. This morning headed out on the bike and enjoyed some of the cycle paths around. Good to stretch the legs and pick up some caches on the way. Remember enjoying solving this puzzle several years ago! Got to GZ and initially fooled but with a bit more persistence retrieved the log for signing. Happy to add to the favourites. Thanks for the smiley.

It was around about here that my mother in law used to like to visit, they're stuck in England ow so no more, alas. It was also around about here that GZ was indicated and I spotted the container as I got close. Using the detail required I tried in vain to open at the top but eventually noticed 'that', ah there's the log. Nice placement here.

We're off on a mini-break to the Bay of Plenty, specifically Rotorua and a visit that we had to cancel due to the last Auckland lock-down trapping us in the region. Away Friday morning and a weekend in 'Vegas' before heading back home on Monday. Nothing massive caching-wise, a few PWGTs, some Virtuals and a couple for solved puzzles was on the list and that was about it for finds really. As they say, quality over quantity (sometimes). The weather played ball and was generally good and it was good to be back in Sulphur-town after about 6 years since last visit. Thanks to all COs for their contributions.

Solved this one a while ago. Was in town so decided to grab this one. Took a little while to see how to open the logbook access.

#8970. I was up in Auckland for a week and yesterday did some caching in Tauranga. Stayed overnight in Rotorua with family and time to do some geocaches this morning before I drive back to Wellington. This one I solved a few month ago. A cleverly constructed puzzle. Almost got sucked in and wasted my time. But then a second read of the page had me on the right track and soon had the number and certitude tick. Today I parked very close by and soon had the lock in hand. Put in the combo but where is the log? Played around for a few goes and finally spied the cunningly concealed door. Signed the logbook and put it all back together again as found. Changed the combo. All good. Thank GenCuster for another memorable Rotorua cache. I am old enough to remember trains coming into the central station past the high school I attended some years later. Plus the old railway sheds in this area of town. Funny how things change over time.

Cracked it after a while

Found. Cool puzzle

Loved solving this one, but once at GZ should have paid more attention, as I tried to undo the lock. I had not seen this type before, but eventually moved open the compartment, and was signing the log.

Thanks for the history GenCuster, difficult to see where the trains used to be, that is progress for you. But this cache keeps the memory alive

Out and about in Rotorua after a chilly frosty start on the X marks the spot series. Solved the puzzle awhile back and was pleased to make a find today. After finding this interesting container Tufty managed to open and expose the log for signing.. tftc

I was out with Butchie bum today and we were off to do the X Marks the Spot caches over Rottenrua way.

Finally found the door to move.

Cheers for the cache.

I was heading down to Rotorua for the plaque unveiling for GC45 - the first geocache placed outside of the US. After attending the event and plaque unveiling I joined up with tramyard and we headed further south to find a couple of earthcaches and high fav caches.

After completing the earthcaches down South we decided to head back into the town centre and target the caches around the Gardens and then onto some high fav caches around the main town centre before meeting up for a spot of night caching.

tramyard and I parked by the i-Site and went on a lovely afternoon stroll around the pretty deserted streets. We were heading to the Warehouse to buy some togs to enjoy the hot pools at our accommodation. Was wondering just where this could be hidden based on its location but once we got close I realised where it was hidden. I had figured out the combination ages ago, but the trouble we had was with the lock, having never seen one like this before. Didn't read the notes I had made, but a little googling and we figured out how to open this one.

after a failed attempt yesterday, agazo and i were back again today, this time we weren't so perfect and soon had the log in hand, tftc

After being unsuccessful yesterday, we got some hints from the CO at the event and figured everything out. TFTC.

Team work with Aiden29 after Community Celebration Event near GC45 stash. Many thanks to Aiden29 for solving this puzzle. We had to use uncle Google for extra help how to open such an amazing lock T4tC!

It took us longer than I'd like to admit to solve this! Just ended up following the wrong tangent for too long! Persistence paid off though and we whipped out to grab it while the area was deserted. Tftc!

Worked this out at home with Isla asleep on my feet. Had a walk up to it with relevant info but could not get in. Went back to motel and checked my workings all good. Drove back in car and parked very close, and after a few minutes gained entry. Not sure if it was me not knowing how this type of lock worked or if it was iffy. TFTC

Finally in the area to collect this one, final was a bit sticky but managed in the end. TFTC

Probably the worst weather so far on our holiday - not that it has been overly good, but we had many pleasant/reasonable patches. Consistent rain this morning, but we were determined to get this one. We positioned ourselves nearby, got the number, but the opening was difficult to move! Got there eventually to sign the log. Off for coffee now to meet a friend - inside!! TFTC!!

Found during trip across Australia and New Zealand. ´´First whole morning without no rain!
Thank you for this cache:-)

Solved today comming to get tomorrow.

Enjoyed solving the puzzle and the cache. Thank you!

Solved and found on a relatively quiet Sunday arvo...

As instructed (which is somewhat unusual for me according to the missus) I stared at the various pieces of the puzzle for a bit and the answer slowly came into view...

Once at GZ, the cache was an easy find... Only to discover I had left my pen at home. Thankfully the shop assistant at the nearby store was most accommodating and let me borrow hers

TFTP!

In Rotorua with Merlot58 for Easter. Sunday morning and the car park was deserted. We spotted the cache on our approach. It didn’t take long to work out what was required to open this cache.

In Rotorua for Easter with Jag50 with the aim to put a smiley face on as many caches as we can. Had no problems with the puzzle and we had the engineer with us to access the log

Abends im Hotel, dass fast gegenüber von dem Mystery liegt, Langeweile gehabt. Da die Koordinaten schon richtig waren, wurden wir von dem Fragezeichen nahezu angezogen. Das Rätsel war dann relativ schnell klar. Wir haben es mit Nachdenken und trial and error versucht. Irgendwann gab der Checker dann sein okay und wir konnten flugs die 5 Minuten zum Cache laufen, und können nunmehr mit einem weiteren Lächeln auf der Karte entspannt morgen abreisen. Muggels waren um die Zeit natürlich nicht vor Ort.
18. April 2019, 20:55 Uhr

Heute Abend haben fazzyOne und ich noch diesen Mystery bearbeitet, da wir morgen ja schon weiter reisen. Wenn man genau nachdenkt, kommt man auf die Lösung, dann nur noch etwas probieren und zack war alles gelöst.

Find number 5491. I had got the necessary numbers some time ago and had called before but too many people around. Back today for a second go. I had tried for some time but had no success. I had resigned to discussing it with the CO at the event later when I finally spotted something. Then I soon had the log in hand. Thank you for the placement.

Visiting from Canada for a few days. Grabbing some caches. Fun puzzle. Came with solved combination. Interesting lock. TFTC

Interesting and challenging Sudoku, as is the cache container. Definitely no signs of a train anymore.

Arrived early morning as it can fill quickly with muggles. Had difficulty with opening it but quite sure I had the answer. Contacted the CO who quickly responded so I was able to visit the next morning and quickly sort it. It pays to look at the container more carefully to access it. Duh. A favourite for the info and puzzle shortly. Tftc.

On our 34th day in New Zealand we went on from Rotorua to Whakatane. Happy New Year and all the best to all the cache owners! It was a short trip and therefore we had time to enjoy the scenery and search some geocaches. Not all of them were easy because sometimes there was no place to stop or too dangerous to cross the road. But there were so many caches that we were still able to get some.
This first one was a left over from yesterday. We were there but didn't manage to open the box. We were so sure to have the right code but no chance to open. So we checked it in internet this morning and now it was clear what the mistake was. So off once more and this time it worked.
TFTC and greetings from Switzerland

Heute führte unsere Tour von Rotorua weiter nach Wakatane.
Dieser war ein Überbleibsel vom alten Jahr 2018. So begannen wir diesem ? das Neue (Cacher) Jahr 2019. Die Lösung wie auch das Schloss waren rasch gefunden. TFTC

This cache was on the list to find as it was the closest cache to our accommodation. Took a bit to solve this cache until a nudge by the co pointed out the obviously solution. No problems finding and accessing the cache today. Thanks for the cache

Cache number 3740

Just solved for the Key. Will be in Rotorua next Feb. Will stop by and SL and log find then.

Today we had our second day in Rotorua and made a trip around the wonderful Hobbiton area in Matamata. Special emphasis had we on a visit in Hobbiton. On this trip we searched, found and logged many caches, too. The weather was bad in the morning, not sunny, but it got better and worse all day long, including raining from time to time. Only sometimes then there was some sun to be seen.
Almost no muggels observed us as they had better things to do than observing two geocachers.

This puzzle, too, had already been solved at home. Thanks to GenCuster for showing us this location and for the fun we had at Around about here... (Rotorua). The search we had here today didn't take too much time.

Greetings from Germany and hope to see you soon in the forest.

TFTC says H_M_A @ 1. November 2018 @ 15:21 Uhr @ [#12287](https://coord.info/GC6QAPA)

On a lil mish from Tauranga today with PP to clear some of the Rotorua spots. A bit overcast and showery, still it’s only water. I am logging these with a generic template on Cachly. Many Thanks to all cache owners for the placements. Solved a while ago and great to finally get over to the GZs cheers.

Today we're heading down to Rotorua to support my son's Tai Mitchell Rugby Team as they've made it into the semi finals and I've found some time to geocache afterwards

This was a tricky one where I found the numbers I'd need pretty quickly but wasn't sure of the order. Eventually I got there and today I'm here to tick it off. GZ was straight forward but I did struggle a little with opening the container. I wasn't sure how it was gonna open until I started hearing a little clicking sound everytime I shook it. Ah Ha! Perfect, cheers GenCuster, TFTC

***

**What are you doing Labour Weekend 2018? Wellington is set to host New Zealands largest Geocaching Event of the year! Check out the details on the [WENZ Website](https://sites.google.com/site/wenzgeo2018/home) or visit the event's [Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/groups/590545297801072/). Once you're registered and have logged your attendance on the [WENZ Event Page](https://www.geocaching.com/…/GC78NMQ_wenz-event-2018-wellin…) you're all set, see you there.**

***

**Early 2015 a group of Tauranga based cachers started a [BOP Geocaching Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/groups/GeocachingBOP/).
189 cachers currently make up this [Closed](https://www.facebook.com/help/220336891328465#What-are-the-privacy-options-for-groups) group where we organise various geocaching events and excursions as well as share information and friendly banter. Please check us out if you're interested.**

Solved by fanfan-77 and grabed together on a town day... car WOFs etc. TFTC

Well, I know, I took my time! Sveppi and I are in town on a week day for a change, taking 1 car for a WOF and another for a service. Quite a bit of time to kill in the mean time, so I thought this was my chance to finally grab this cache, before we move away. Was pretty sure I knew what I was looking for and I was right so it was a quick find, not too many muggles about today. Thanks GC for an easy fun puzzle and good cache with interesting historical content.

In Rotorua for the Div II Swimming Championships with one of the Jr. Cachers and a great opportunity to grab some caches. Had quite a few minutes to spare before the race this morning and so decided to get some more finds. With the Planetary Pursuit souvenirs on offer at the moment it was well worth grabbing as many of the solved puzzle caches as possible while here and this was first on the list.

No problems with the puzzle or extracting the log but wonder if the mechanism might need some attention - noted how metal seems to corrode very quickly around here. Thanks for the puzzle GenCuster.

Found this cache together with my family (Sibuk and Finn). For details see the log of Sibuk.

Thanks for the cache, Lupid

As Lupid and I were staying for some nights near this cache I had look at this mystery. As I was refusing to do what was written in the listing, I didn't find the solution (surprise, surprise - although I had a quite a promising idea.
Therefore I contacted the owner, who very quickly answered and set me on the right track. So before leaving Rotorua (having spent a really nice time here) we solved the riddle and retrieved the log without any serious problems (apart from my clumsy fingers, that made it take it little longer than necessary

Thanks for the cache and the quick response to my mail / Greetings from Germany

Sibuk

Found with trayc.g..Logging now as I now have my own account. TFTC Really liked this one! Especially opening it.

Visiting from Taranaki, heading home today and took some time to look at this puzzle. Loved working it out! Only took a few minutes and I had it sorted. A quick stop here this morning before we head off. Neat container that my lil minion loved opening. TFTM

Yay! First Mystery cache solved... so much fun!

TFTC my very first mystery cache, loved learning about some local history and getting to solve a puzzle.

after a nudge and some playing around I finally got the correct code, we had been here twice to just try our luck while in the area, but today I was able to open the door and sign the log, gets a fav from us thanks for the placement

Solved in a few minutes, on 1st Attempt. Guess we'll have to do a run into town to collect solved puzzles...

Very nice nice,had this one on our List,so today was the day

Tftc for the nice wee hide found with abcdf4

I enjoyed solving this puzzle in the days prior to today's trip so I was keen to make the find. I spotted the hide as I drove up, but I found the mechanism a bit stiff so it took a while to get to the log. TFTC, +FP

On the night this cache was published we had a good read of the cache page, and all the possible ways of getting the key. Fortunately we quickly hit upon the right way, which was also by far the easiest, and got the first green tick on our first try of Certitude.
Tonight, almost a year later, we arrived in Rotorua after dark and decided it would be a good time to sign off on this cache. We pulled up at the deserted GZ and soon spotted the cache. Armed with the key we had no problem extracting the log. Very pleased to have ticked this one off. Thanks for an interesting puzzle cache. Now off to the Ngongotaha NZMCA site to overnight in our camper.

We gauged this being a relatively straight forward cache, but we were obviously a bit rusty with our mystery caches. This one had us puzzled for a while as we got the wheels moving, but we always felt we were slightly off track. After almost being derailed at the last station we changed our train of thought and finally shunted ourselves across the line. TFTC and a nice reminder of the history of this area.

Looked at this one a few times and tried to over complicate solving the code. Mrs B had a look at it and the code was sorted in a coupled of minutes.
Stopped in to get it while on the way to the store; the girls and I spent several minutes trying to get the lock undone when Mrs B once again came to the rescue and all was sorted. TFTC.

Locomotives are in my blood so I really enjoyed this puzzle. A little difficulty extracting the log but all good. TFTC.

New waterproof log sheet added.

*** Please shut the sliding side door before resetting the lock combination when you have finished. Thank you. ***

The combination is what is needed to solve the puzzle and open the sliding door on the lock. It's a tad pointless if the door is left unlocked. Cheers, GC.

Staying close by during my trip to Rotorua, I couldn't pass this one up. I had the numbers picked quickly, but took a few tries to get the order right. There was no log in the cache when I got there, so I signed the only piece of paper I had on me and added it.
I liked the story behind the cache and the interesting container. I haven't come across one of these before. TFTC!

On a 10 day holiday of the North Island of NZ visiting from Australia sl thanks for the cache.

I joined HKCB and Kiwi69 on a road trip from the Tron to Rotorua, primarily to attend a local event but to also spend a couple of hours geocaching before heading home. We managed to get away just after 5 and I was tucked up in bed by midnight. Unfortunately for us it bucketed down most of the time and we got absolutely saturated, it didn’t dampen our spirits however (ok maybe that’s not entirely true) and we had a fun time exploring the area. Thanks to all the CO’s for the well-maintained and interesting hides.

I've not seen a container like this one before which I thought was pretty cool. Access was easier than I think it was supposed to be.

Down from Hamilton to attend the nearby event with HKCB and Iammrwalker. We wanted to find a few local caches before heading home after the event despite it being dark & very VERY wet. At least we could be confident we were unlikely to get muggled!

It took a few minutes to work out the lock here, so just as well it was dark & very wet - not sure how this would go in the middle of a muggle-busy day. thanks for the hide

Came down from Hamilton to attend the nearby event with Kiwis69, and Iammrwalker. A decided to spend a few more hours down this way finding a few caches before heading home after the event.

Struggled a bit with this puzzle, but a bit of preservence and the green tick was finally found. Nice and quite here at 9.30pm, so no trouble finding the cache. For some reason I don't think the lock was working quite how it is meant to, but it did make getting to the logbook that much easier. Thanks for the puzzle and hide.

Neat cache and good idea.
TNLNSL. TFTC.

Out caching with TeamTalog during our visit to NZ when we decided to give this one a try. Opening the container was a bit of a challenge, but we preserved and it paid off. A nice cache. SL.

We took the long way around to this one but the walk was probably good for us. Have been eating way too much on this visit to New Zealand from Michigan. Also took a blind squirrel to open it. TFTC!

I had solved this puzzle several weeks ago in anticipation of our visit to Rotorua, so I had forgotten the significance of the solution. When I got to GZ, however, I quickly discovered that I now needed to look at my notes on this cache. With that, I was able to make the find and sign the log. Nice idea! TFTP!

After my experience yesterday, I drove to the area this morning. I found my notes after several minutes searching since my memory had a digit off. Fortunately I saved the info in cgeo and had the cache
log in hand a moment later. Drove by the fire area on the way out. TFTC.

I was walking down the street on the way to this cache just before 1600. The church nearby was fully engulfed in flames, police and fire arriving and needless to say, I didn't make it to the cache site. Maybe tomorrow?

**11025**
In Rotorua to pick up a rabbit hutch and while here we'd thought we'd pick up some solved puzzle caches and the odd Trad, right, now back home to finish off the long list of jobs.....
An awesome cache idea, have been thinking of a cache using a similar container.......
TNLN TFTC

We enjoyed the puzzle immensely - though have to confess to failing to keep on track at times. Great set up at GZ - thank you for all the hard work GenCuster [^] [^] [^] .

I had some puzzle caches solved for our New Zealand holiday trip but somehow ended up finding only this one. But at least we got that one No problems with the mystery nor the cache. TFTC

We are in rotorua for the holidays and this was out last geocaches for 2016, log was signed at 11-30pm,on arrival we checked out some of the caches around this area to come up with some kind of plan,so this one was solved early in our stay and was saved until tonight so here we are,cool bit of history even with a video link,once cache was opened it was a quick sign,thanks for the placement and the smiley here.tftc
Happy 2017.

Changed some formatting on the web page to assist eagle eyed viewers.

This is only a D2 cache - don't overthink it... *Look at* the sudoku, to obtain the required digits. Then *view* the relevant bit of the web page to obtain the sequence.

Cheers, GC.

#8747. A good visit to Rotorua this Sunday. Enjoyed solving the interesting puzzle, and proceeded to GZ after dinner. The place was all quiet when we visited. Quick find. Took slightly longer to get to the log book. The cache was in excellent condition, all nice and dry inside. Took nothing, left nothing, signed log.

Thanks for the interesting field puzzle and for bringing us to the site, and …

.T h a n k s. .f o r. .t h e. .c a c h e.
.M a u r u u r u. .k o e. .n u i. .a t u. .h o k i. .t e. .k e t e r o k i.

What a beauty. This had me going for a while untill I found the final solution. Certainly enjoyed this and a favourite from me. Tftc

Solved with combination of determination and brute force, then a bit of fiddling at GZ! TFTC, cool puzzle & hide.

An interesting history. I always enjoy a bit of sudoku, so I thought that I would give the puzzle a go.
After quite a lot of thinking and puzzling I finally thought that I had the key worked out.
As we pulled up at GZ, I was wondering where on earth the cache could be. Then we saw it. I have never seen a cache like this before. Quite a bold hide.
Unfortunately we didn't get into the cache because I was focused on the wrong bits. Thankfully the CO was kind and helped us out and we returned later on to make the find.
Great cache.
Found with W.E.K.A. and hayleyhnz.
Thanks.

Well this was fun.
Markhnz has told the story and like him I love sudoku.
Found with markhnz and hayleyhnz on our way home from the NZ Mountain Bike Orienteering Champs.
What an interesting place for a cache. Luckily deserted today.
TFTC

Found with markhnz and W.E.K.A.
TFTC