The Secret Garden Parkville, Victoria, Australia
By Ketchthor on 24-Mar-17. Waypoint GC72M1M

Unfortunately the area has been totally renovated and the cache no longer exists.

I will attend to this cache by mid January. Apologies for the delay.

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### **OWNER MAINTENANCE REQUIRED PLEASE** ###

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Hi there Ketchthor,

This cache has been flagged by Geocaching HQ as a cache that **MAY** need some attention. You would have received an automated email from Geocaching HQ recently which explained what they need to do.

Unfortunately, nothing seems to have happened, so I am having to take the next step and temporarily disable the cache - see here: [**Geocache Health Score.**](https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=38&pgid=713) .

**Can you please respond to this situation (or indicated your intention) within 14 days,** so others know exactly what is happening with this cache?

You have lots of choices so pick the one that applies from this handy list:

- Check on the cache, repair and/or replace the cache or do whatever else is needed, post an [**Owner Maintenance log**](http://support.groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=404) indicating the cache has been checked and [**ENABLE your cache.**](https://support.groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=235 ) Then sit back and wait for the praises.

- If you really hope to get it fixed but there is some unusual reason why you can't do it soon, then at least post a Write Note log (within 14 days). Be sure to indicate the actual date that you expect to have it fixed so that everyone knows you are on top of it. For ongoing issues (where you don't have an actual date) please ensure you visit the page and post a note every 28 days so as to keep everyone up to speed.

- If you don't plan on fixing it then you could consider passing it on to another geocacher by asking them to [**Adopt it**](https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=38&pgid=54) or alternatively, you need to [**Archive it,**](https://www.geocaching.com/help/index.php?pg=kb.chapter&id=38&pgid=56) so it is removed from searches and someone else can have the spot. Don't forget to remove any remnants of your previously enjoyed cache too.

You might wonder what happens if you don't pick one of those. Well, if nothing happens, then a few weeks from today, when I next look at the cache page, it is likely that I will, unfortunately, have to de-list (Archive) it on the basis that it has been abandoned.

Honestly, I'd rather you decide, so please do something before then. Please don't send me an email but instead follow the information/advice posted above.

[3AS]

Has this gone missing??

Lots of dnfs, it may need a CO check

I came, I searched, and despite GZ being entirely muggle-student free, thanks to the near-constant freezing wind howling through, I utterly failed to locate the cache.

Might just watch this one and see if it gets found anytime soon before coming back to try again.

No luck for me either, despite a long search. Still, it was well worth the try to discover this beautiful little garden - looked great even in the middle of winter.

We were looking for quite a long time but couldn’t find it

Had a good look

Had a good look around so not disappointed. Not sure if you need to step on a garden bed for GZ?

I LOVED this garden, what an absolute ripper area! Unfortunately I couldnt find the cache despite having the place to myself. I will rethink and be back soon

Finally! I thought it was going to stump me again but just happened to look in the right place. The hint is accurate but really doesn’t help/ make sense until you actually find the cache!

Drat...up from Phillip Island for son's UniMelb stuff only to find construction work adjacent to gz. Not so serene today.

Too many muggles

I had just come from the RMH visiting a declining friend. This was the perfect place to be. What a find. Serene, peaceful green space and I had it all to myself till the security lady told me they were locking things up. Cache was in the first place I went to but did not look hard enough. Enjoyed exploring the garden till I went back to GZ. Made the PESTY find. Thanks SO much for bringing me to this special place Ketchthor. It gets a favorite from me

The Secret Garden revealed its secret to me today I have seen this type of hide before but the find still took quite a while. But it was a beautiful day to be in a garden....especially a secret one. Gets a favourite from me. TFTC

What an amazing garden!!! It took a while to get the cache..but suddenly Turquoise pepper spotted it! A cool container, first of this kind for me!! TFTC

Haha, strange habitat! Yes, so true. Only got the hint after finding the cache though. Tinycomma and I were a bit distracted by all the interesting things to see, so it took a while until we found the little one. The attributes helped finding the right location. But even without a find this garden is worth a visit. TFTC!

Beauuuutiful garden...amazingly tricky hide and fun container a fav

Out ‘n about with m4yb hoping to get a cache or two. But not this time, we were a bit concerned about getting locked in seeing we were there after 5:00pm and my co-ords were wavering a lot. Nice place though but no time to read up on any hints that may have been in the other logs. Thanks anyway.

It took me a wee while to find my way to the System Garden, and a wee bit longer to find the cache. I was excited to find a Cabbage Tree (Cordyline Australis) in the patch nearby and as it is a typical hide in New Zealand, I though the cache would be there, but no. Used the nearby seat and rethought GZ and had an epiphany, and there it was. FP from me. Thanks

Woohoo we are back in Melbourne and I decided to do a wee walk around some of the nearby trails. Ms KR spent 5 hours in the museum and I did about 25,000 steps.

Thanks to all CO's for placing and maintaining their caches. Cheers

Warmest day since May so why not spend the morning finding caches, and what a great Cache and location. Sl thanks for the cache.

Hmmmmm

Very cheeky hide

After landing via stargate from RMH decided to give this a go... thought I was going to have trouble but a search in the right direction was fruitful...now I have to get back for more blood tests but was a fun way to kill some time... TFTC

Suscoe enjoyed a pleasant walk into the garden.
We were expecting a prolonged search but we turned around and something caught our eye and there it was.
Well a sigh of relief went up and we smiled as the log was signed.
Thanks to Ketchthor for this clever and interesting hide.
A favourite from us.
Time to head off.

My first trip to Melbourne Uni was pretty fun. It took me a while to work my way in here but I got there at last.
Sadly, that’s where my fun ended as despite leaping into the bamboo and getting nice and dusty, I couldn’t find anything. I tried a bunch of other possibilities further afield, but nothing came to light for me. Oh well. I ran out of time so off to the airport. Til next time...

Find #920 in Australia. Very similar to a cache I found in New Caledonia, so I knew exactly what it was when I spotted it. At the same time I can see why there are so many DNFs

TFtc

Found on my third attempt with RiddleyWalker and JaciMarble. Bit confused by all the bamboo. Difficult hide, cool container! TFTC!

Finally! As i work at the Uni, I had searched for this one before with no luck. When Liam put out the call that he was going to attempt it today I joined in. It took us 45 minutes - 35 of them looking in the wrong place. After several clues and PAF we finally found the right place to look, and found the cache. Glad to have this one off the list! Thanks Liam and RW for the help.

There was a muggle reading near GZ so didn't want to look.

Mr and Mrs Parrots had to do a drive over to Melbourne to take Mrs Parrot Senior to visit her other daughter for Christmas over by Woodend.
Couldnt resist adding in another day so we could do some sightseeing and a little bit of caching in Melbourne before heading back home.
As usual we made our base in the Arden St Motel and had a great day exploring your vibrant city before heading home.

Rats or Asper I have dropped my pen and trapped in a secret garden.
Took a bit of searching
Tried making a mark in the log but it turned into a brown blob so that is me.

Had to do a James Bond and exit through a locked gate to head out the way I needed to go.

This is really clever. It took me quite a while to find the garden as there is a lot of construction happening. But I was surprised it did not take too long to recognise the cache

Not possible to find....this one has "visiting hours", hahaha

No luck today. Ran out of time and had to go to a seminar

You can still access this cache just find another way around! Having said that the hide was too tricky for me this time and I failed to find it.

This cache site is now a construction site with a very deep hole

Dnf number 2 today...

I visited early afternoon today. A lovely spring day and lots enjoying this lovely secret spot.
Pretty quickly latched onto where the cache was and the clue made perfect sense then
Thanks

I went on a Sunday, all locked up

Found it! Unconventional hide!

Lol nice

Great spot

Made the find on this one after my second attempt. I was cautious of poking around the garden bed too much on my first visit, but had a better idea of what I was looking for this time. Even though uni had gone back, there weren't too many people around to foil my plans. Nice little hide, but a better hint would be appreciated. Made sure I found this one before leaving the country for a few months, it would have annoyed me having one unfound cache at my own university! Thanks

Second visit here, and am glad to have found this sneaky cache. I love this garden, and have relaxed here often over the years. Thanks for this cache, Ketchthor.

Found with a hint. Turned out it was in the first place I looked. Beautiful cache!

**Find #1190**

Sneaky, Sneaky, Sneaky, Sneaky. After 3 failed attempts, it was time to PAF and send a call to the C.O. GZ was confirmed. After a 5min search the prize was in hand. I had searched Gz a few times, it just needed a Good look. A favourite point given. Thanks for the 4 visits to this garden with some weird and wonderful plants. My only hint for future finders is it has nothing to do with the sprinkler system.

Thanks **Ketchthor**

TFTC.

No joy for me. So many hiding spots. I went round and round looking for something to match the clue but all the plants are a tad strange...great place though!

Two attempts today divided by lunch. First visit had me biuncing from bamboo tree to palm tree while works around rumbled on. No other muggles visible fortunately. Getting a bit concerned I wss trampling the garden unnecessarily so time to PAF or rather EAF. Got the required lowdown and returned to the most viable location and with certainty found the hide. Quick log sitting on he nearby bench. How considerate. FP for the whole adventure and help. CIGC TNLN TFTC

No maintenance required. Happy hunting!

No maintenance required. The cache is hidden exactly in the right spot.

### **OWNER MAINTENANCE REQUIRED?** ###
This cache has been flagged by Geocaching HQ as one that may need attention. Perhaps it is time for the CO to check on this one please.

I am temporarily disabling it so as to stop it showing up on search lists and to give the owner an opportunity to check on the cache, and take whatever action is necessary.

Your prompt attention to logs that indicates things could be amiss will be greatly appreciated by all geocachers. It is generally accepted that 3 consecutive DNF's is reason enough to check, see here: [Owner is responsible for visits to the physical location,](http://www.geocaching.com/about/guidelines.aspx#cachemaintenance )
Please respond to this situation by ** 6th June** to prevent the cache from being archived for non-responsiveness. If you require more time, please be sure to post a "Write Note" log (not an email) explaining the situation and how much more time you require.

**And don't forget,** once you have addressed the issue, post both an "Owner Maintenance" log, see here; [Removing the Needs Maintenance Icon](http://support.groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=404) and an "Enable Listing" log, see here; [Temporarily Disable and Enable](https://support.groundspeak.com/index.php?pg=kb.page&id=235 ) to get your cache up and running again.

Not able to access this today being Anzac Day. Hopefully next time.

Wow, 3/3 DNFs so far today. Maybe time to go back to the hotel...

Dnf

Rats

This was the second attempt to find this one. The first attempt was aborted due to a couple of students having a deep and meaningful on the nearby chairs. The second attempt was much better as is was cold and therefore non one around. We we lucky with this one as the find was within 2 minutes but guess it could take sometime if you start in the wrong spot. Should I tell you where it is? Shall I? Off course not!

Found by Team Justice #1582 CDWAF#202

We were able to access the cache at 6:30pm on a weekday via a double gate on the east side of the garden, and the construction fences don't affect getting the cache. Good luck finding it!

I was in the area with Lost_and_Found_79 grabbing a few caches and we headed on to this as our final target for the night. We encountered some construction fencing, another locked gate (seeming only open 9 to 5) and despite circling around we couldn't find another way in so decided to leave this one for another day. Thanks anyway.

FTF @ 5.20pm
#759
When Mrs Welder and I decided a coffee was in order this afternoon, I thought that Lygon St was as good a place as any. Ooohhh, and it was just around the corner from this unfound cache. Okay, okay... I was thinking cache first then coffee, lol.
On arrival, we had an immediate challenge trying to find a way into the garden due to construction works sealing off part of the perimeter. It really WAS a 'secret garden'! But eventually we found a way in.
What an incredible setting!! Strange and unusual plants with gorgeous features throughout. And the best bit... not another soul about! We could freely search to our hearts content. But 10 minutes of fruitless searching left us scratching our heads. Then while I began to search further afield, Mrs Welder made the sneaky find. I don't think I would have found it without her.
Love the container.
Love the garden.
In fact, we couldn't leave without taking some photos here.
Thanks Ketchthor, for a nice challenge in an amazing location.
Well played.

Published