REALLY SideTracked - Helensburg Helensburgh, New South Wales, Australia
By Aussiebrian on 08-Dec-19. Waypoint GC8GR5K

No problem at wpt 1. I've been here before. Stopped by after parkrun but didn't go in as not prepared with old shoes. Lots of orange mud very common around these tunnels. I found all the info. Off to GZ. I felt very uncomfortable here. While it is on the side of the road with no houses, the house are only 10 me across the street and in full view of GZ. With a gardener in the house opposite and people out in their yards.This location gave me the heebie jeebies and I left. Sorry not for me. I like my secret squirrel business to be out of sight of houses.

I really did get sidetracked going here, geowifey dragged me down from Sydneys Northwest to visit her best friend.Had a few hours in Helensburgh and just enough time to complete this multi and not the nearby trad.The neighbours dog really did give me a tough time but eventually had CIH, thanks Aussiebrian

Tftc. Quick find after doing the calculations down below.

Tftc

Such a magnificent location and sight to behold here! Scaphoid and myself were lucky enough to visit this cache after dark, so we got to experience the magic inside the tunnel nearby. After solving the multi and realising it was hidden elsewhere, we continued down the track and into the tunnel instead. We were able to step on the sleepers to keep our shoes out of the mud which was super lucky, otherwise we may not have soldiered on! It was so worth it as once we were inside the tunnel we marvelled at the glow worms. There were a couple other people checking them out tonight, but thankfully not a huge crowd so we were able to witness them in the darkness without any light pollution. We then headed to the final GZ afterwards and spent wayyyyyy too long search for the cache. We didnt really understand what high side of the street meant, and the coordinates seem to take you to the wrong side of the street. So we spent a long time looking & not really knowing what to look for. Eventually I managed to spy something elsewhere and we had the cache in hand! Phew, we were so close to giving up. Thanks for the cache

After finding Dark Side of the Moon with Toy Hunters, Loci612, baristayan and buckoraider, we split into smaller groups and Loci612 and I continued our caching adventure while the others retired to catch the AFL game on that night.The information for the multi presented itself very quickly, which was fortunate because we spent a lot of time in the tunnel marvelling at the beauty of nature. While it was slightly muddy getting into the tunnel, it was well worth it. Inside the tunnel, in the darkness and silence was one of the most beautiful sights. Glow worms truly are a marvel of nature, and they've turned this tunnel into one of the most magical locations. After marvelling at the glow worms, we spent a while searching for the cache and were close to giving up, but we soon had our hands on it. TFTC Aussiebrian, thank you for taking us to the tunnel, for that, you get a fav!!

Nibletricecakes and I were in the area today for the new(ish) parkrun at Rex Jackson Oval. I could not leave without getting a smiley on this SideTracked cache. We also did a short walk into the tunnel and enjoyed the glow worms. Thanks so much for bringing us here.

Up in the area with GLISS! For Helensburgh parkrun and couldnt leave without checking out this cache. The track was wet and muddy as expected and the glow worms very special! Then a short hike up to the GZ to grab the cache. A lovely way to spend a cold and blustery Saturday! Thanks for the cache.

I was in the Shire today (something that as a Central Coaster, I don't do very often), so decided it was the perfect opportunity to visit Helensburgh and more specifically, to add this cache to my tally of SideTacked finds.I was blown away by what I saw here ... SideTracked caches aren't supposed to take you to magical places, but this one certainly does! I took a good look around the site ... sadly, though, I wasn't equipped to venture past the tunnel entrance, so that means this place goes on to my list of places to come back to sometime.Thanks for bringing me here Aussiebrian ... and since it is a magical place, it gets a fave point from me.

Got the info quickly (very wet around). Then a quick drive to GZ.

I always enjoy exploring this area. A lot of history, and fun tunnels to walk through. A favourite point for sure. It had been a few years since I had dropped by, good to see no more fences!

Cheers

Wow. What a cool spot! Explored both tunnels but didn’t enter the second! TFTC!

Found this cache together with goingplaces2 after visiting Helensburg Station. All good with the container and contents. TFTC.

We went for a drive with ilook4geo and found a variety of hides today. This one was a nice easy find after working out the new numbers. The tunnel and track were wet, which looked to be normal and we did not investigate too far in. Thanks go to Aussiebrian for bringing us here.

#12382 16:10
After a visit to the Geocaching NSW Winter Walk at Sublime Point we descended down to Helensburgh for the caches around the station. What a great area this is, with stations, old and new, in the middle of lush green forests.
We wanted to take a look inside the tunnel, so navigated the sleepers as our stepping stones. While I was pointing the torch straight ahead I did not notice the missing sleepers and I tripped over. Luckily the rails slammed into my thigh bone to break my fall. So much for walking into the tunnel any further. We turned around and I limped back out.

Then it was time for GZ and as we were searching the neighbour took an interest. He was familiar with geocaching and also had a look. He actually found the cache! After logging we replaced it, and he mentioned he would not clean it up. We then chit-chatted about the tunnel, and how the rains from the past year flooded the tunnel, washing down most of the glow worms. Furthermore the tunnel featured in the latest instalment of Planet of the Apes.

It was then that Eagle Eyed Monkey Girl realised her reading glasses were no longer on her head and most likely they dropped as she tried to get me up when I tripped over in the tunnel. So back we went for a second walk into the tunnel where luckily the glasses were found undamaged.

Thanks for this great cache and adventure. FP!

I came down to Helensburg today with this SideTracked cache as my main target.
What a great historical find!

It was extremely wet along the track and in the tunnel today. I came prepared with gum boots but I met two other lots of muggles both lots wearing white sneakers.
The sleepers were just the right distance apart for my stride, which doesn't happen very often for my short legs! I walked some way down the tunnel and explored the tunnel across the road too.
Unfortunately the light wasn't very good for photos today as storm clouds were gathering overhead.

GZ was difficult to spot but persistence paid off! Hey I wasn't leaving without it!

A great expedition well worth a Favourite Point.

TFTC # 5340

Just a slight correction to my update - there actually was no fence or gate when I visited. It had been completely removed with hardly any sign there had ever been a fence

Decided to come up to Sydney with this as my main aim. Spent ages at the tunnel which has no gates at all so is freely accessible to explore any time. A family went in there while we were there with gumboots and torches so we’re there to see the glow worms. Another tunnel across the road is also completely accessible to walk through to the end though isn’t long. New station can be seen on other side of gate at the other end. Loved this one. GZ was easy though I overlooked it at first.

Found It!
Interesting spot with some interesting history. The gate was open today but I hadn't come prepared with the right footwear to go inside. I collected the required numbers then walked to GZ and soon spotted the cache.
TFTC

After a long time of no finds I checked the final location and it was replaced.

Slight detour into Helensburgh on my way home from Sydney but still closer than making a special trip another day. Posted co-ords are actually for the locked gate leading into the glow worm tunnel (which I’ve had the chance to explore in the past) but required clues are easy to find along the way. Luckily Helensburgh is a relatively quiet place as safe parking close to or walking/standing at GZ calls for caution, especially if kids in tow.

Took the opportunity to get a few semi-local caches before the expected wet weather rolls in for the weekend.
Managed to get good parking at GZ.
Thanks

Spent the day caching in the Sutherland and Helensburgh areas. Found a variety of caches despite the wet weather. Notably, I picked up lots of leeches along the way! Thanks to all Cache Owners for their contribution to this recreational activity.

An easy offset mutli here. It's a shame these tunnels are closed off for exploration. Thanks!

OCW Brewmaker & EverestHigh

Headed south today.

Very interesting story and discovery.

Quick maths and a short trot to GZ

Tftc

WP1 was picturesque, WP2 was too near a busy building site. OCW The Bebes. TFTC aussiebrian

#7257 (1 of 6 today)

Dinner with friends in the Shire today, so headed out early and targeted Helensburg for some finds.
Thought I'd start with a *sidetracked* cache, and take it from there.
Grabbed three of the four near the station, and then headed south for a few more. Went for seven but only found six. And managed to leave my pen at one of the caches - so went back for it after my last find.

And I should say the red wine with dinner was particularly nice.
###END OF CUT AND PASTE SECTION###
I noted that the gate here was unlocked (but closed), so access to the platform and tunnel was theoretically open. I also noted a home-made sign asking people to stay out because the floods earlier in the year had decimated the glow worms.
didn't enter, but I had left my torch in the car.
Arrived here and made my way to the information sign. Grabbed the information, made my calculations and headed to GZ.

Quick find in a somewhat soggy area.
Completed signing duties and replaced. Then off to my next target.

I note that GZ will be somewhat closer to muggles soon. Hopefully that won't cause issues.

SLTNLN
TFTC

TFTC nice little find. Love this spot

This place must be on the Instagram tour route or something as there seemed to be a lot of traffic coming and going for a spot that is a little out of the way. We gathered the information readily and then calculated and off to GZ which didn't take long. TFTC!

Been house bound all day so decided to go and pick this one up to get us out of the house. Also picked up a trackable. TFTC

Trackable drop

SideTracked find 63.
I caught the train here from Penrith Station; changing at Central Station. Just over two hours travel. Helensburg Station is a lovely old station, with today a small waterfall tumbling down the rock face under the metal stairs. I walked the short distance to the coordinates and had no trouble working out the straight forward multicache. Then it was off to GZ for a quick find. The tunnel is fenced off at present to protect the glow worms, so I couldn't get that close. A small waterfall was tumbling down to the right of the tunnel too. After this it was back on the train for the return journey...with a stop at Central for coffee. TFTC Aussiebrian.
Have a favourite tick.

A quick solve with the required info and a quick find nearby, thank you for the cache Tnln

A quick and straight forward multi. Have been in the tunnel beforen, long before the gate even existed.
TFTC Wilbert67

WP1 was an interesting spot. But, not sure what the coordinates are for!?! Found the sign a short distance away and got the information for the hide. Then it was off to GZ for a hide typical of the Sidetracked Series.

TFTC.

A nice multi. Obtained the data, had a quick look at the tunnel, then a short walk to GZ to find a nicely placed cache. Picked up the TB to move on. TFTC

TFTC

Quick multi on a steaming hot day, TFTC!

TFTC

TFTC. Geodog Atlas was not with us today.

A beautiful old railway tunnel. Even in the driest period of drought it is still wet down here. TFTC

TFTC,
I signed this with Nana nel 26.12.2019.
Looking at the map for a cache to do today and can see a corrected coordinates message.
Obviously, I failed to log the cache as found on the site.

Arrived got all information required, did our sums, then off to GZ , Wazza9 made a quick find, stamped the log and replaced. Thanks to Aussiebrian.

#4638:
Well here we are... My 200th SideTracked cache! I found my first in Hastings, England on 9th May 2011. They quickly grew to become a favourite of mine, and in total I've placed 49 of my own. Sadly my finds took a dive when I got to Australia, but I am blessed with quite a few SideTracked caches to find within the Sydney area.

For the record, I have found 176 in England, 3 in Scotland, 2 in Wales, 1 in Ireland, and 18 in Australia. Anyway, onto the cache...

I first visited the old train tunnel on 3rd November, and blow me down, a cache gets published here 5 weeks after. I ventured into the tunnel on that occasion, but didn't use a torch as this is killing the glow worms. Fascinating place.

It was surprisingly busy this evening, so I'm glad I had space to explore on my last visit. I've included some photos from that time.

I easily gathered the info (very much appreciated, as most of the multis in Sydney seem overly ambiguous), and headed to GZ. I struggled to find the cache on the layby side of the road, which is where the coordinates pointed to. I then crossed the road and swiftly found the cache tucked away. I took a couple photos and left a TB inside. Many thanks for the Aussiebrian. I believe this deserves a favourite point. I've been visiting many excellent caches recently so currently have a deficit on favourite points, but I promise I'll get one over to you ASAP! Cheers, TFTC.
___
200th SideTracked cache found, and 18th in New South Wales.

This is my 231st Jasmer Grid Filled - Dec 2019.

I was out grabbing a couple of caches in the area today. I had this in my sights as I like the Sidetracked Series of caches.
Arrived at WP1 and read about the station etc and also obtained the necessary information which the checker liked. As I was studying the sign a group of people emerged from the tunnel with very muddy feet. The gate was open today. I didn't have suitable shoes so I decided not to venture into the tunnel to look at the glow worms.
Back to the car and on to GZ where I located the cache. Did the signing and put back where found. Thanks for the cache Aussiebrian and everything worked as advertised. A F.P.

Back in action after checking.

The latest in the side-tracked series popped up while I was out chasing some new ones in the west. When I saw it was still unfound as I finished work, it was an easy decision to keep heading south instead of going home.

At WP1, I gathered the numbers, and did the calculations while a few tourists emerged from the tunnel wearing plastic bags over their shoes! I was surprised to find the gate open for inspection. Then off to what I thought was GZ. As I got to within 40m, I heard a voice ask "Are you looking for the cache?" and met mrwiskers76. We headed down the embankment, not feeling confident that this would be GZ. A message to the CO, and a very prompt reply, confirmed we were in the wrong spot. With new coords, we headed back to where we started. Here we had a run in with an angry local, who threatened to smash any cache that would be near the tunnel! Fortunately, with another set of new coords, we went quite away from the tunnel, so there should be no fear of this guy getting to it.

Finally we zoomed into the right spot and had CIH. At least we both got the [FTF] we were aiming for. With the CO informed of the now accurate coordinates, we signed and replaced as found. Nice to meet you mrwhiskers76, and thanks to Aussiebrian for placing the cache, and helping out with the hunt. TFTC

Need to verify the coordinates

I seen this one pop up over night and with the possibility of a ftf, I saved it for the morning. I came by this morning and got the numbers required but I ran out of time and had to go to work. After work I parked nearby and began my short walk to the cache, to my surprise I saw a guy standing near to the cache holding a phone, turns out it was brew maker! We began our search and came up empty. But after a couple messages to the cache owner, and a run in with a slightly irritated local, we came up with some good looking coordinates. We walked up and down back and forward while on the phone to the cache owner before the hide was spotted, finally! We both signed the log and parted ways, thanks for the hide!

Published