Great Qld Trail - Ruston 9XHR Brandon, Queensland, Australia
By BenM70 on 30-Apr-21. Waypoint GC9AFAA

Took notice of past activities and there it was. Nice hide. With Mobi792 and Terence TB. TFTC.

With Sillybugger. Stopped and had a longish search with no luck.Had a nice lunch , read previous activities for a few ideas. Searched again being revived and stepped up our game until Walla I felt the little sucker We dont find old machines easy although they are interesting TFTC. And your care

Had two shots here, one at night with a torch and one during the day. The little blighter eluded us and we came away with a blue frown! Well get you next time little buddy!!

Looked for quite a while with no Luck, then made some Lunch. Not sure if it cleared our minds or gave us strength to look higher but soon found it. Signed and Replaced. Now off to Proserpine!!!

This one was a must do stop on my way to Townsville today. I was prepared reading previous logs and thought it would be a one-minute gala... but no. The hints didn't help me much, so I had to use my phone to get a strong hint from the CO. Thanks for the fun and slightly extended fatigue break Fav point!Georode

Quick find but with a forgotten pen! Was hard to get back in place, but satisfying nonetheless

Stretch of legs. TFTC

Helaas, no find!

It was a tricky one to find but it was under my nose

Many a time we coyodbt find so quick message to owner and an extra clue meant success. Geo hubby swears he looked there EVERY time.....maybe needs new glasses???

2 DNFs so I popped down to check on the way through. All good here still.

No luck for me. Been searching so give up and DNF for me today .Thank you for placing the cache BenM70.

Did have a look earlier today and forgot to log so loging now couldn't find looked everywhere on the machine

No luck

Babllbag&Bumblebee left Possum&Bilby behind with Nan and Pop so they could go out for a solo hunt. Had to come back to this cache. It was bugging Bumblebee that she couldnt spot it earlier, and she wanted to add it to the previous Sandy Corner find made in B&Bs early caching days. After assessing previous logs, some hints were taken on board. The rise it viewpoint allowed the micro to be in hand quickly. Log signed and returned. TFTC

Found it!!! Took a while so had to look through previous logs to get a hint.

We spent a while looking for this one, the kids were climbing all over looking with no luck was about to give up but thought I would have another quick look and BANG found it
TFTC

Found by Mr CNQ on a morning trip to Alva Beach and Ayr, not too many people around so was able to get a feel for it, thanks for a break in the journey BenM70.

498 finds 9:48 am 3/6/2023

On a trip to Bowen for the night couldn’t go past these again. Wanting this 500 gonna need these. Thanks for the cache. Surprisingly a quick find.

TFTC Ben

An impromptu trip to Townsville gave me the opportunity to find a few caches.

Mum & I needed a trip back to Ayr for supplies, so when i said there was a cache here .. she was keen for me to stop and have a look .
When i saw the machine i didn't hold much hope, but thought 'what the hell' ...
We were both very surprised when i laid my hands on the container in the first place i touched . WOW!
I added our name to the log and returned as found. Probably the easiest four, one & a half i've ever found, but i'll take it

TFTC BenM70 [^]

Found this cache on a Mackay caching trip. TFTC SL

It’s good to find one of these type of caches I don’t have the best track record of finding them

We had to do an about turn at Home Hill on our way south as the road is closed. That gave us a opportunity to find this and do the stage of the Ad Lab which we missed on the way down. As visitors to the state we are a bit stymied now with no idea how or if we can get to our n ext destination
TFTC BenM70

That took a while! Read back over old logs and found a spoiler clue…bingo! Tftc

Found this one on our way to Townsville to catch up with family. Ended up chatting with the CO - always good to meet other COs A great cache and one I'd recommend attempting. TFTC.

After 2 previous DNF’s I was happy to make the find. I enlisted the help of my nephew Geoboy1 to try and up my odds on this find. However in the end I was the one that spotted it. We signed the log posed for a selfie and then replaced it as found. Turns out Geoboy1 isn’t a fan of green tree frogs so I had to move one out the way before he would help with the search. Thanks for placing this here for us to enjoy BenM70

Found it TYFTC

Saw some fellow hunters with the cache in hand. Thank you to them for allowing us to do a quick sign of the log before being placed back in its spot.

Konie and I were heading south today. We stopped off to find this cache. A quick find was made and the log signed. With everything returned as found, we continued on our way. TFTC

In the area with Selva Girls today as we head south and this was one of them. Once at GZ the cache was soon in hand and once the log was signed all was returned as found. Nice rest area to break up the trip home.

Thanks for placing and maintaining this cache for me and others to enjoy.

TFTC BenM70

Checked on this and found it higher than where I placed it. That meant it could have been viewed more easily as it could be seen from more angles than it could be where it is. It also put it up higher and maybe even further out of reach for a cache that is potentially one that could be getting out of reach for others. At least the little footstep is there. If you use this as a spoiler, all well and good.
Long story short, the cache is still there.

Didn’t find it but didn’t look for long as I was on a time schedule to get to my next destination

Found on 28/9/2022; find number 1565.
A late afternoon decision to go and play whack-a-mole, aka chasing cane fires for photography. Having some time to kill, and with an uncharacteristically empty car park, I jumped at the chance. I looked high and looked low and the expected places were empty. A quick read of past logs gave me some guidance and soon the little bugger was spotted. I made the first mark in a new log and replaced as found.

Then off to chase the moles. In that game, the mole certainly got a good slap, if not a full whack, I’ll be back !


Thanks for the hunt and the cache BenM70.

Second time here to hunt. Had a good focus on a certain area and eventually spotted and retrieved. TFTC

Sat down to have a breather and saw a sparkle. Tyftc

Thank you very much BenM70 for placing this geocache, giving me a reason to explore this area. I am currently traveling along the coast and try to get as many targeted caches as I can. The majority of them are either in an interesting location, have a great DT combination, a good set of attributes or work in other ways towards my stats. So it was great fun stopping here and getting this cache.
This is the last one for the day and the long holiday / caching trip before arriving back in Townsville following a starting in Rockhampton this morning.
The torch at the late hour certainly helped making it a quick find.

Another roadside stop slong the road. Thanks for placing. Standing on a plaque (I am a shorty) , soon had the log signed and replaced. Log is also FULL.

We pulled up to GZ and spotted the potentially evil hide location. GZ on the phone put us exactly where we needed to be but still we doubted ourselves and did a lap. Reached out the CO for a nudge as MrSimber had had a precursory look at an earlier opportunity. Found with some guidance!

Tft$

Tftc! Had to have a feel for this one!

Great Northern escape 2022 Day 97. Ayr Day 1. For my first day in Ayr, I set my eye on five cache to the north and in Ayr itself. I failed one, and I decided one was too far away, but the rest went well. I also did a tour of the Burdekin Machine preservation site in Brandon. A very impressive collection that would be great to see on a day everything is going on their show days.

I had a good look here over two visits. I sought some help from two previous finders, but still failed to find it. I do not know what I am missing ? It must be well hidden.

Thanks.
Albida

Heading out of Charters Towers, for Home hill for the night, picking up the ones that we can stop at with a caravan.

Thanks BenM70 for the caches.
Total Cache Finds 13042,

Sadly right when I started for looking for this cache a heap of muggles turned up for a feed. I could feel them watching me. They must have been thinking “gee that girls seemed mesmerised by that old motor”. In the end I decided to leave it for another time. I have attached a pic of a few frogs that were guarding the GZ.

Out around Townsville.

Thanks to CO’s for taking time to set out and maintain hides and for showing us your very special part of the world

Log signed in first open spot with stamp

TFTC BenM70

Find # 7769

On the hunting trail again with SeasonedBird. I’ll leave the more interesting & detailed log to Mrs Geo (aka: SeasonedBird, Salty Chook, the Old Boiler, Old Chook, Dirty Bird, Angry Bird & occasionally even Love Bird) because she writes so much more eloquently than I and usually has much more time to do so while I’m driving. It’s a great day for caching. TFTC BenM70
Find #10122

A long drawn out DNF last year, a two minute find today. What a difference a year makes.. TFTC BenM70.

The Mega has been and gone and we had a ball. We've decided to hang around for a while and find as many caches as we can before we turn south for home.

Took a fair while then after a hint from a friend found it right where we had looked previously.

Thanks BenM70 for placing this cache.
Cache number 7461 on 28 April 2022

We have started our return journey after the Mega event in Townsville.
Our 1st stop is at Home Hill just an overnighter here.
The trip today took us to 2 mountain tops, which had stunning views of the area.
A nice rest area with a sneaky nano hide. Hubby was pleased that he made the find.
Thankyou BenM70 for placing this cache.

Started at the top at that end and worked down, that way didn’t have to bend to many joints. Soon came up with the tiny hide. Then bolted off to the next cache to find.

**This Cache:**

With a new county / LGA entered I was keen for a cache find! A scan of the map produced this attractive traditional cache, even better it was at a rest stop!

So I pulled over and started my search. I think I earned the D/T rating as this took me a long time to find, I searched for longer than I expected but didn't want to give up.

Eventually I found the cache, and slapped myself silly. Not sure how I missed that, and it wasn't in a spot I would of expected it to be, but I guess that is why it is a D4!

Thanks BenM70

---

**Today:**

Day 17 of my road trip, now heading back to Canberra from the Townsville Mega Event!

I left Townsville this morning, didn't have a plan of how far I was going to go but I only made it to Mackay. This was mostly due to the rain, which meant camping was off the cards so I had to pull up shorter than expected. I also didn't get moving until about 8:30am, and wanted to pick up just a couple caches in the "Saint" series before I left, as I never had time to do it! I got soaked, but luckily the rain only started when I was halfway through the ones I had hand-picked from the bunch.

Despite the wet weather I managed to find all the caches along the route that I wanted, including some extra ones in Mackay that weren't even on my list but the rain slowed down and they looked like they could be fun, which they were!

Thanks to all the CO's! Ended my day with my final cache find a little after 8pm!

Searched around. Not sure about this. Have never had a lot of luck with these
Im heading home from MEGA today

Sent out an SOS, headed off to use the facilities.
My prayers were answered. I soon had the little one in hand and log signed. Not sure how I could have missed it but it was right there under my nose, just needed to look
TFTC

Found by Mary and David at 10:30. We looked and felt and looked and prodded, but no luck. After about 15 minutes, and with still a long way to drive, we reluctantly used a PAF. Thanks, you know who, for the hintette. Found it after another search. Do NQ cachers get discounts for nanos? Gets a FP. Our thanks to BenM70.

Took a while but rainforest cookie finally found it

After leaving Townsville Mega, wasn't looking forward to stopping for this one. We stopped started searching and searching, I was about to give up , when my hand touched something that moved. Signed the log and returned. Thanks to BenM70.

TFTC,
Heading south after attending the Townsville MEGA and gathering LGA's that we have not visited.
Not easy, Nana nel made a leap of faith and returned with the Nano. Visited trackables.

A pit stop on way home from Townsville, a quick find for me today, and all is good here, Thanks BenM70

Today’s plan was to make my way from Mackay and arrive in Townsville but nightfall. Caching along the way and grabbing a few important to me caches, lol. It is just a 3.5 hr drive normally however this drive will take me all day and some. I had to be ready for work in the morning so it was a day of find what I could. Some were stops to stretch the legs. I am sorry if I did not write a note below as some caches stood out and others I just do not remember. I signed the log and replaced the cache as I found it. Thanks for placing it here.

Needle in a hay stack, nano on a machine, same same but different. I polished this thing looking for the cache and then the simplest of places and it pops out, really, nice one.
So happy to grab this one.

Found on the way to the mega in Townsville

Took a little while but got to sign the log.

Good to get a smilie on this one tftc

Day 17 of my cycling trip from Toowoomba to the Townsville Mega event. Today I am cycling from Ayr to Nome approx 90km.
There is a good Easterly wind blowing today so I should be able to move along quicker than usual.
I spent some time here without success.

Called here yesterday, no luck.. Messaged Cache owner how said its there.. Called back to day. Gotcha. Not shore how we mist it the first time.. tftc and the challenge off to Townsville for the mega meet.

A great spot to stop this morning and top up the water bottles and get rid of the campsite rubbish
Not such a great spot to find me a cache !! [:o]
I reckon I poked every nook and crannie this morning !!
And no caches found

I'll add this to me nemesis list

?

29/12/21 After getting a hint from CO did another search. Found it. TFTC SL Heading back to back after a massive Townsville caching trip. Next sunshine coast.

23/12/21 Gave it 15minutes and on to the next one

Day one of our motor home long weekend. Finally had a chance to stop and look for this little nano!

Up and over, round and round, finally had the little sucker in my hand. The dogs loved the break out of the van
Thanks for the cache BenM70

Designated driver for burgo.
Thanks

On the way down to Mackay with BlackPearl26 to pick up some finds for the Reach the Peak souvenir.

This one took longer to re-roll the log than it did to find.

Thanks BenM70 for creating and placing this for us to enjoy.

Took a great friend Tayla with us and she found her second geocache. TFTC

Checked up on it just in case. All good here still

No luck on this one. Searched high/low, in/out

Stopped for a look here but other muggles also in park, so didn’t spend much time searching. Have to wait for another trip north.

An even number, that calls for a celebration!
A happy dance now and a pub dinner tonight will do.

Thank you for hiding this geocache BenM70
Find number 23000
R

Found on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Great hide was so happy to be so lucky.
TFTC.

TFTC. Lucky I had a premium member with me

Clever one! Great day for this trip! TFTC

Took a drive out to Giru and stopped on the way back to find this. Good find nicely hidden. Tftc

Found pretty good quickly bingo!!!!!!!

Checked up on because of the two DNF’s and i was passing through. All good still

No find cry cry

Oh yay... old machinery is where we have the most successful cache hunts... said geono. never. No find today.. [xx(]

Found on the way back from Townsville geoboy was most interested in the engine but also because it was a dreaded micro! -not a big fan TFTC

Bruce was onto this one quick smart. Thanks Ben M70

A great little bit of history and we knew exactly where to go for this cache because we had previously placed a cache there back in May of 2006 and it was active till 2012 and GCVX7K clocked up 110 finds during that time. Things haven't changed it can still be a busy little spot so we had to wait some time for chance to look but in the end it was a fairly easy find although we needed the aide of a stick to get it out. TFTC

Dugga dugga

[FTF] Woot Woot!! Lucky to us on the way home from work we noticed a new cache had been placed. Have stopped by here many times so had a fair idea of what is in the area. What we think is really interesting iis that Sandy Corner marks the location of the first general store in the region. It is also close to a couple of motor racing facilities if you ever happen to be in the region when an event is being held. Thanks BenM70. TFTC .