Just Spike Me Flinders Ranges, South Australia, Australia
By Prof Freddo on 17-Jul-17. Waypoint GC791W2

Was looking at all the interesting places along the Brachina Gorge and when we stopped at the Golden Spike a keen eyed member of the family noticed this in plain sight. We signed the log and then hid it more appropriately.Only Geocache we found on the trip....but we were not really looking for geocaches!

Stopped by with O319. TFTC

Another great location in the Flinders ranges. Answers sent. TFTEC.

Thanks for the extra info in the cache

Thanks for placing this earth cache. Amazing. Will send answers soon.

After a night at Rawnsley we made our way to Hawker before heading north to the Brachina Gorge and back to Rawnsley as a loop drive, this was one of our must see stops, read the nearby signage and they went down to gather the information and see the plaque, just soaked in the age and the line drawn between prelife and where we have comeTFTC Freddo

TFTC Thank you for creating this cache. You have shown us a new place and have helped make geocaching an enjoyable activity.

TFTC, will send answers when back in a area with reception

It's fortunate I had the GC number for this, as this hides behind another cache on the map. Moving the coordinates a bit would make this easier to find. This was really interesting to be brought to. Favourite tick. TFTC Freddo.

This is really interesting place. I’m glad I came this way

I loved visiting the spike. Just amazing to know the history and see the layers. I think it would have been hard to find it without this cache to guide the way.
Thanks for bringing me here. Very special.

Last time we were nearby Janet suggested that we did not really have time to go here.

This time she said this is really cool. Why didn’t you tell me what the Golden Spike was last time?

Brad and Janet have finally got the new Big Landy and are on their way on their outback first trip. They have the small house on wheels as well. The itinerary will vary depending on the weather and the condition of the tracks. The planned trip will be Adelaide - Port Augusta - Coober Pedy - William Creek - Oodnadatta - Eringa Waters - My Dare - Old Andado - Madigan line through to Birdsville. Then ideally through to Inamincka via Cordillo Downs - Strezlecki Track - Farina and then south towards home. But only time will tell. And of course along the way there may be a few geocaches found

Answers have been sent

Love the geology trail along Brachina Gorge and the landscape here - and in awe of this ancient land.!l Day 10 in SA after numerous trips were sabotaged due to you know what and its a fab day. The Ikera- Flinders Ranges and it’s caches are high on the list along with several other random caches so hoping to tick all boxes before heading back to home base. I’ve learnt theRE are plenty of quality SA caches - plenty to pique the curiosity and anticipation of another surprise or fun cache. TFTC AND THE FUN and the effort to contribute to this fave game. Fave for a fab spot and enthusiasm generated for fascinating location of high interest

A very interesting question which prompted quite a lecture from civil engineer geo husband. TFthat

What a wonderful walk this is. So much geology, so many birds. A gem of a place

An amazing find for scientists a really interesting place to visit. Passed here on a loop walk from trezona camp site. Well worth the walk.

Great rock. Fascinating area - take the time to look at GZ. Beautiful river gums. TFTC.

Previously logged under team account BoogieRogue. Re-logging with my individual account. #Find#: 3362#

Found on: 14 May 2021 14:43

Buddies: none

Muggles: none

Weather: sunny

Cache condition: Earth



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Answers sent to CO. Great location.

**TFTC for the Earthcache Prof Freddo TNLNSL**

Discover my trackables: 654EMY, GSVG86, TAKM0W, GM5KY0

#Find#: 3362#
Found on: 14 May 2021 14:43
Buddies: none
Muggles: none
Weather: sunny
Cache condition: Earth

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Answers sent to CO. Great location.
**TFTC for the Earthcache Prof Freddo TNLNSL**
Discover my trackables: 654EMY, GSVG86, TAKM0W, GM5KY0

Found as we were visiting the Flinders & touring Brachina Gorge & surrounds
Touring the area with DJAJ & others
Cool spot, great cache, lotsa history here
TFTC Freddo

Found whilst touring the beautiful Flinders Ranges w TWDG and others
Great spot, beaut cache
TFTEC Freddo

Well isn't this a special spot!! WOW A definate fav from us.
After following the coast along during our lap year trip (so not going to be a year, more like 3!) it has taken us inland now.

The Flinders Ranges the first major stop, somewhere we had previously visited but not explored fully. This Geological drive something I have previously missed twice, I wasn't going past it again! Gosh I love the colours of the Landscape, beautiful contrasting colours and textures- Rocks and my favourite tree Eucalyptus camaldulensis all just looking beautiful The rains a few weeks ago have made hte landscape gnarly and rugged, super interesting to see the fresh erosion in the gorges and streams.

EarthCaches, Virtuals, Letterboxes and Old caches took priority on this trip ( we couldn't do them all of course) . Other caches along the way too of course. (Just enough so my family don’t get sick of caches) In an attempt to not get confuddled or fall behind I’m using a generic log (sorry) Thanks for being one of the caches we found along the way. TFTC

Day four of a camping trip testing out my new swag. I am slowly making my way up to the Flinders Ranges and taking my time exploring lots of little towns along the way.

After spending the night at Rawnsley Park Station, I was up early to make the most of the glorious weather.

Answers sent and I received a cheery message from CO with permission to log.

Thanks for the cache Prof Freddo.
# # #8212 # #

31/03/2021 11:03:00 AM
After camping nearby overnight we set off to see the golden spike and some stromatolites after breakfast.
After discovering the golden spike's existence some years ago I've been wanting to visit it since and finally had the opportunity to travel to the Flinders Ranges and check it out.
Found with scouter 101.
Thanks Freddo

Came and stayed in the campground at Willow Springs for 5 nights with friends...
Today we ventured into Brachina Gorge collecting a few caches along the way when I could...

The Flinders Ranges has great Geological significance...it was interesting reading about the Golden Spike and the why it was here...only one of it's kind in the Southern Hemisphere...impressive...
I studied the rocks above & below and forwarded my answers...

Thanks for setting up this Earthcache & the Geology lesson Freddo

Had to swing by and visit this special place while travelling through the area. After a DNF on the traditional here, we set about studying the geology, trying to ignore the horrid smell of a roo that unfortunately died in a very provocative pose inside the cave. Answers sent and happy we got to see this important geological point.

Found while we toured a circuit of the Flinders Ranges, Marree, Roxby Downs, Woomera and Port Augusta for the week, mostly touring the backroads and visiting many scenic and interesting locations. This was a highlight to visit the geological reference point for an entire geological period that spanned 620-542 mya and the oldest fossil evidence of life on earth! Thanks for the fantastic earthcache Prof Freddo!

Just walking Past. Thought we'd drop in.

Ediacaran Park is coming to a theatre near you!

Thanks for the cache, Prof Freddo.

Travelling with SupaTurtle and Csaba!in the middle of nowhere. Tra La Laaa

I'm in early life. Glad I'm not simple. Turtle Out

In and around the area with SupaOrange and SupaTurtle. Finding some Traditionals and collecting info for Earth caches. Thanks for making me stop here. Been here a few times before I started caching and an amazing opportunity to bring the Supa's. Thanks

Great to be here missed it the first day we drove past glad we came back to put our finger on the time when significant life started leaving traces on the planet.

While up in the Flinders doing a recci for the MLR Octoberfest we decided to check our caches so called in to Golden Spike, our traditional and the first cache in this location, so decided to complete Freddo’s Earth Cache.
This has now been done with answers submitted.
Thanks Freddo for the cache and the hint for that spawn of Satan nanno at Peterborough. Sadly that remains a DNF. Grrr
Lead ‘n Lace

Another hot day out here, and wanting to avoid a longer walk than necessary for another earthcache, made this one a park and answer. Answers have been confirmed by The CO as correct.
This was a really interesting bit of history. Quite amazing. Thanks for showing us this.

After the FTF at the Heart of the Diapir in Blinman, the rest of the day was dedicated to the Brachina Gorge while making our way towards Parachilna for the night.
Although probably not the best way to understand the ‘Corridor through time’ as the info boards were displayed on the West end of the gorge, we were glad to have approached it from the East, it was easier for the car and the Trezona & the Spike walk was at the start of the gorge. We had 2 GPS and printed detailed maps and lots of water (it started to be hot..)

Many thanks Freddo for the earthcache, quite a special spot in the Earth geology. Also glad to have visited the South Australian Museum to learn more about the Ediacaran in the Flinders Ranges National Park.
A favourite point for the discovery
EC # 608 of 3744

On our two month travelling trip through Austrialia, we are enjoying all the wonderful places and scenery. We will stop on the way to visit some nice caches as well. So interesting and makes you feel as a sand partical in history.

Prof Freddo TFTC !
GeoGroet uit Alphen aan den Rijn (NL)
GvdP's founds: 4041

The spike perhaps is a weapon used against local roos,
several dead ones in a small cave just behind GZ !!!
Interesting to see the line where it all began
Found along with Jack and Sebastbat.
Messaged CO.
Thanks for the cache Freddo

Found It!
I followed the CO into this earthcache. The spike was inspected. The questions were answered. The reason behind why so many kangaroos died nearby was discussed. Now onto the next earthcache!
TFTC

Spike me here, spike me there, you just never know where the golden spike might touch you or a nearby bear.

Wow. The things you learn by geocaching!
Apart feom the stinky roos in the cave, this was most enlighening!
The beginning of life, so to speak.
Email and fav point on the way!
Thanks for the EC.

Had walked through this area when walking the Heysen Trail. Following the trail brings you to the Spike. Doesn't look much does it. Rotting kangaroo in the small cave next to it. Another fossil?? TFTEC.

A strong dose of deja vu when visiting this spot - I remember keeping the spot in mind years ago when in the area, and actually meant to do an Earthcache here myself. Great to revisit, this time with brats and Mrs O in tow, and an unwelcome blister from yesterday's hike that made the experience memorable. TFTEC Your Professorship - answers sent.

(Logged with permission of owner).
Who would have thought the the Flinders would have such a rare geological wonder [?].
An interesting place we happened to be visiting when a tour bus stopped by .
So much for being in the outback .
Took photos. Left footprints. Submitted answers.
Thanks Prof. Freddo.

found with sir_spectre on route to arkaroola. i havent been to the flinders before so, we stopped at all the earth caches we passed. Things you learn while caching.

Visited this site with our company's Chief Geologist, who had done his PhD on the Flinders Ranges. Was fascinating to learn so much and go for daily hikes around the region.

I can remember a few stories around this spike - there is something like 4-5 locations where this formation (period) change occurs at surface, and the Flinders Ranges was selected due to its availability, accessibility, and a few other parameters. Another location was always in snow or something like that.

Our guide also joked and said that a kangaroo would always strategically choose the area just in front of the golden spike. Funnily enough, there indeed was one just nearby to this area.

I always thought for such a milestone location, it was well underplayed, and didn't seem to have the most information/directions, signage, and unless you knew about it, it was probably rarely visited. Hopefully this Earthcache seems to bring more attention to it, thanks Professor Freddo.

The Golden Spike is famous and has been on my to-do list for ages. And there are now two caches there, not one, so a bonus walk. I'm amazed that there hasn't been an EarthCache there before and I only just missed the opportunity for a FTF. Oh well, I got there though. Answers to follow soon but reception around here is iffy to say the least. TFTC Freddo. Found 23/9/17 3:46 pm. Cache 1306 for us.
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Found and logged using the brilliant Cachly app for iPhone. Easy to use and with many great features for cachers of all levels.

It's another day in what will be an almost three month journey for me and micaparamedic with new things to see along the way. We saw old trains and farming equipment. There was a Yacht Club which is active only when the area has had enough rain. I was pleased to see an inuksuk greeting us as we drove. There were touching cemeteries, an emu with 6 chicks, and the relics of Farina.

The afternoon was spent along the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail which was outstanding. In the late afternoon we had wonderful ice cream bars while I did an earthcache.

I started my travels with micaparamedic in Canada and the US in late July, seeing the Yukon and Northwest Territories, attending the Mega APE event, and camping in Oregon to be in the direct path of a total solar eclipse. There were other day trips to find special caches and see geologically related spots of interest.

Now he is showing me his country, and it's incredible. My bucket list had included walking around Uluru, and now I can cross that off. I also wanted to see some Australian outback, and now that is also crossed off. There are a few more things planned on this journey that will be crossed off as well. Dreams are coming true.

Thanks for an earthcache that was a highlight of my entire trip! I shared the information with my geology buddy once I got home, and the Ediacaran period was something new for him. How wonderful for me, the newbie to geology, to finally share something with a long time geology enthusiast as we traveled from home to the GSA lectures up in Seattle.

Definitely a favorite point for this one - in spite of the flies and dead kangaroos (wallabies?) in the cave above the cache.

found on a trip in the flinders rangers. Now i understand what the purpose of all those drill holes are. Last time i was here pre geocaching i was looking at them confused, to small for core sampling for mineral testing but they had to serve some purpose. Another interesting earth cache from the co.

I recall visiting this area a number of years ago before I discovered geocaching. Today I called by again while showing an interstate friend around some of the more remote treasures SA has to offer. The opportunity to find a couple of geocaches (including this FTF) was a bonus! As someone mentioned along the way, the Flinders Ranges is a 'geological Disneyland', and the story behind this particular site is a highlight. Thanks Prof Freddo for the Earthcache.

I think a lot of visited this one in 2006.

Published