Box Forest O'Reilly, Queensland, Australia
By stairman1 and goldielover on 06-Dec-21. Waypoint GC9K3FT

Hey Kelvin and Karen can not believe i didn't log this great walk. Did it back in July 22, mnance101 and lisylou best describe our expedition. Was an absolute top weekend with amazing friends

Nope....... too many rocks.

Very glad to have found this after doing the beautiful walk 2 days ago! The container is very good and will keep the log nice and dry Im sure. Good effort to my dad who pulled over to the cache. TFTC!

My latest health kick is in full swing, so I was keen for a long walk to clear the cobwebs. No better place for it than Lamington National Park. My usual walking buddies were all getting their hair and makeup done, or washing their silk pj 's or some such rubbish, so it was a solo adventure today. I had planned on hiking to Forgotten Falls. However when I arrived at the carpark it was 8 degrees and raining and I suddenly didn't feel like 26k's with a good portion off track in the rain on my own. So I switched and decided to tackle the Box Forest circuit. Whilst not as long, there is a lot more vertical climbing back up to the Border Track from Canungra Creek. I was on the trail before 7 am and took my time. Having done this track before, I knew it was an easier climb if completed clockwise, so that is what I did. Under the rainforest the rain didn't afffect me too much. There was plenty of water in all the creeks and the waterfalls were flowing nicely. On the descent, I did manage to spot the missing "post". It is still in place off to the side of the track, though not longer straight,. Soon enough I reached the bottom and crossed Canungra Creek and started the slow ascent back . I had not seen a soul all morning but I interrupted a rather 'friendly' couple, who were out of sight from the main track in the canyon right at Box Falls. Not certain who got a bigger fright.On the return journey, I made a few detours and collected some Adlabs along the way. At the coffee shop, I warmed up and sat down to work out the final. Hmmm. I was getting a wrong check sum , despite checking over my photos. After a while, I realised that the problem was the minutes and review them. Turns out the "World Heritage" square at the first waypoint might not be considered an attribute. This single change made the checksum work and gave a good looking final location. At GZ, it was a quick find. On the way up the hill this morning, I had even pondered this location as a potential GZ for a multi - given it is a safe spot to stop (and there aren't many along this road) I was surprised to see someone had already signed the logbook today. They must have set out super early! Enjoyed my walk here today, so have crooked favourite point. TFTC stairman1 and goldielover.Pete#7,454

Submitted via Garmin Live Geocaching

Stairman, Goldielover, 1MinnieMoo, KbreeAHH, T4mmmy, Pprime, and I all met up to tackle this cache. Well Stairman and Goldielover came for the walk - on account they own it [:p]

It had been a long time between drinks for a 10km+ walk for me. We set off along the "all too familiar" path before veering at the right time. I enjoyed this walk. It was gentle down and gentle up. Goldielover and I walked together for most of the way - and it was wonderful to catch up with her.

On the way down, we were treated to a lyrebird. This lyrebird - unlike every other lyrebird I have encountered - did not seem shy at all. We could soon hear waterfalls and then finally arrived at them.

Our water crossings were thankfully easy. Pprime had the camera out in the vain hope that I might slip and fall. Yes - it has happened before - but not today, Pprime

At one point a third party hiker, Goldielover, and I somehow made a very wrong turn. I tried to yell out to Pprime who was ahead. A few seconds later, Stairman appeared. He had been exploring another track. Seems the three of us missed the switchback. Stairman and Goldielover walked with me at my slow pace - which I was very grateful for. As we talked among ourselves, I realised how much I missed my hiking friends.

We soon arrived at the target falls.. and how beautiful they were. We had some lunch and took some photos and then moved on to Elabana Falls - which were also picturesque. We had a bit of a clamber there and then moved on for the final leg.

I managed to roll my foot and end up causing my knee a mischief. It's just not a hike if there is not some kind of injury somewhere

I have always been the slower one in the group - but I was even slower this time. But I appreciate Goldielover and Stairman walking with me - and I was very reminded of why our little hiking group got on so very well together - despite our different abilities and speeds.

Oh yeah - we did collect the clues and found a cache at some stage

A fantastic little walk and cache. It may be 10km but it is not terribly taxing (though my unused bones and muscles thought otherwise afterward). My stats tell me this is my 20th Stairman cache! TFTC Stairman1 and Goldielover

19/8/2023 Find #6412
Today was a day for a stunning walk with great people. Fangsoki, Pprime, T4mmmy and I headed south and collected KBreeAHH before continuing on our way to O’Reilly’s where we met up with the COs of this cache by chance on the drive up. (We had planned to meet up with them, it just so happened to be before we got to the car park).
With everyone having made our quick toilet stop we were ready to embark on our journey. However at this point we said a momentary farewell to stairman1, who had some other business to attend to first before meeting us along the way later.
The rest of us began the Box Forest journey, and although there was one small detour that did cause issues with one waypoint clue, and an evil lyrebird who has now been renamed the murder bird for trying to cause a landslide of rocks to hit KBreeAHH and me, we had a lovely walk down to the falls. Only moments after arriving at the falls stairman1 caught up with us and we all sat and enjoyed the location with some yummy brownies supplied by goldielover.
Then it was on to the rest of the loop before we headed off to the final and then continued down to Canungra for a bite of lunch.
I absolutely loved the Box Forest walk today - rainforests and waterfalls are my happy place, and I certainly got plenty of fill of that today. I could’ve stayed there for much longer and bathed in the beauty of it all here.
Which is why this cache gets a favourite point from me without any hesitation.
Thanks for the cache stairman1 and goldielover.

What an awesome hike today - great friends, a lovely forest walk and such a beautiful creek, with massive waterfalls. Loved it, thankyou.

Accio 13:38:27
Part of a committed effort to get a few hikes done this winter, and after a very very delayed start this is now my third this month! Woohoo. Put a posse together consisting of: Fangsoki, 1MiniMoo, T4mmmy, KbreeAHH and Stairman1 and Goldlover themselves - and we all arrived a tthe Guesthouse cafe at the same time - ready to rumble! Weather report says to expect a lovely sunny day, mid-20s and no clouds. It fogot to mention the negative 100 wind chill factor. Wowsers was shorts a questionable choice to get started with. We didn't muck about and set off pretty quickly to get under tree cover and some wind protection.

Down along the border track that's somewhat familiar to me now a days, and then drop down onto the Box Forest circuit. Clockwise as suggested (yeah reckon that makes sense), and lreally just lots of zaggy and ziggy down. A bit of a track detour at one point (one of the waypoints needed to be estimated), and some more down. Passed a couple of "warmup" waterfalls as we went, which this place is somewhat famous for ... and yes it did slowly start to warm up for us as the wind eased a fraction and the moments of sunshine were very welcomed. Not a huge lot of anything to see on this section, the glorious trees of Lamington NP of course, a few birds scrubbing away, not much else. A few waypoints to note to entertain us. Till we dropped down to creek level and the views started to stack up.

What a gorgeous creek. Yes all creeks in this place are gorgeous, but this one - the Canungra Creek West branch apparently - is as pretty as any. The play of light, the burble of rapids amongst the rocks and the quiet thunder of little falls here and there. A couple of enticing (no, not enticing enough) swimming pools. Probably some creek wildlife on other days to check out - but none I noted today. We traced the creek upstream, crossing a couple of times (nothing challenging) snapping some lovely photos, capturing memories. Until the sheer power of Box Log falls was before us. Actually, from the main track it looks interesting, but no more so then much else we'd been seeing already, but take that 70m or so side track because that is the spot to visit. I love how geocaching makes me hike to places like this - FP for this spot, as well as everything else.

Photos will never do it justice. I have some little videos as well - but no! Go here and see it, feel it, absorb it yourself.

After a suitable break we trundled on and also visited Elebana Falls. To me the 2nd best falls today - but still awesome. Different being more open, with the upper and lower falls and pools playing their part. Water levels at a great level today to give us the majesty of a waterfall, but allowing access up close and personal.

From here we trundled up the hill, back onto the Border track and back to the coffee awaiting us in the cafe. Calculations done we sorted out the geocache container on the way before enjoying a nice group lunch. So much laughter, fellowship and memories, such a great group.

Thanks stairman1 and goldielover for entertaining me at this location.
*{Overall find #11461}*

Confirming the cache had somehow gone missing. A new one is back in place. Between the second and third one.

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade". Never a truer word has been spoken. 5 of us, chachers and non cachers alike, arrived after hours of planning and travel to enter the forest, only to be greeted by a park ranger checking off the list of bookings (never seen that before - must be an easter thing), only to find out that our name was not on the list. O....M....G, and a few other internal expletives. Unable to find a confirmation email, I realised I had somehow stuffed up our booking. After a few attempts to gain access to a campsite elsewhere we realised this was just not going to be an overnight hike anymore.

While we had some lunch we whittled down the options given the time we had left. We settled on Box Forest circuit, and what a lovely option it was. Surprisingly not as muddy as expected, however the number of people on the trail was more than I have ever seen in Lamington. Just extraordinary!

We made our way around in the opposite way to suggested, and enjoyed water crossing, waypoints, waterfalls and walking. We missed one waypoint due to a treefall/erosion, and tried to work out the final once we made it back to the cars. Without much luck, we called on the CO who assisted in finding the location of the final, but not a cache. With permission to log the find we sat and watched the sunset as we were joined by a few locals for a nice chat.

A great way to end a day, and then head down to Canungra for dinner. Thanks for the fun Stairman!

After a mishap with book a camp site and a "do not pass go, do not go to camp site" attitude from certain forest rangers (who could be doing real work like fixing trails) the group re-conven/ re-route and did the circuit instead. Not what any wanted, but try to do the best.

I got to try out my back pack and carry 20 kg to prepare for Barney. I certainly need a better pack back, as it was a struggle (especially muddy up hill).

Sadly cache is not at gz but owner says we can log a find.

Nice photo opportunity here on sunset.

Tftc and the training (of carrying said back pack.

We had a lovely walk around the circuit. Tollerigumai Falls were our favourite and a special treat of glimpsing a lyrebird wandering along the track. Back at the picnic grounds we had lunch where I plugged in our numbers which fit the checksum. When we arrived at our calculated GZ it all looked very promising with a perfect parking spot and rocks. But with three of us poking in between and around every rock multiple times with hiking poles we could not find ourselves a cache.

Found with bennyboppers, mnance101 and Mrs Herbz. After a change of plans we decided to do this cache. It was a cold brisk morning but the sun was out unlike the prior couple of days. I was a little apprehensive due to an issue with my foot, but we set out and I was doing really well. On the way down to the creek, I almost stepped on a snake and jumped back. We quickly got past the snake except Mrs Herbz who couldn't and found an alternative route around.
The waterfalls due to the rain were all so stunning. The first creek crossing was ok. The second one however I came a little unstuck. We all took our shoes off and the others waded across. I was a little nervous. One of the others yelled out throw your shows over. Unfortunately I listened and also unfortunately I don't have the best throw as I hoisted my shoes , they went up and back down in the water. Instantly as I tried and failed to fish my shoes out of the water, dread set in as I realised I had no shoes and had to walk back to camp barefoot.
We did manage to spot one of my shoes and got it out before making our way back.
I put one sock on my bare foot and found a bag in my pack as well to tape around my foot.
We continued to make our way back very slowly. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy the walk back but was surprised that my painful foot which was the bare one was ok. It was more painful on the bottom of my foot from stepping on rocks and rough ground that hurt more than anything.
But I made it back safely in one piece and that's the most important thing. The shoes are easily replaceable.
The numbers were found and we made a quick find at gz.
Thanks a memorable cache find. It was a great walk apart from my little mishap.

Despite the wind, rain and cold weather, Bennyboppers, Lisylou, Mr and Mrs Herbz and myself had a great time at O’Reilly’s. We were supposed to do an overnight hike today and tomorrow but cancelled due to the weather. Instead we stayed in a safari tent last night and last minute booked a tent site for tonight. Today Bennyboppers, Lisylou, Mrs Herbz and myself walked the Box Forest Circuit. The rain made the paths muddy but made the waterfalls amazing. We came across a carpet python on the track which Mrs Herbz had trouble passing. We got across the first main creek crossing, helping each other due to the slippery rocks. At the second creek crossing the water was over the rocks and the creek was flowing fast. We all took our shoes off. Mrs Herbz and myself helped each other across. Bennyboppers got across and suggested to Lisylou to throw her shoes across before coming over. That wasn’t a good idea! The shoes went up in the air and into the creek. With the help of some other hikers, we managed to rescue one shoe that got stuck in some branches. The other one was nowhere to be found. Lisylou had to walk back with one shoe and one bag on her feet! Such an adventure . We gathered all of the information for the waypoints except we couldn’t find one of them. Mr and Mrs Herbz helped us with the answer for that one. Later we went to GZ and made the easy find. TFTC and for bringing us to this amazing place! Today was also the last day I needed in order to complete the 365 day challenge cache! Woohoo!!

Came out for a massive hike today to pick up a FTF and explore this part of the world for an adventure. With davinells, Davewazza, beardman75, wayne0 and karicka.

Between the muddy tracks, flooded creek crossings, off track hiking and leeches (of course) we had a lot of fun.

Smiles all round at the end of the day.

I AM GUR

Today, a plan was arranged by karicka for a hike, but park closures required a change in plan to Lamington National Park. A hidden and lost waterfall was the target and excuse to visit today. I joined Beardman75, Davinells, GurTheWanderer, karicka, and wayn0 on today's expedition. It was a full day walking around the Green Mountains section, and we returned back to grab a drink and hot chips at the restaurant. The weather had been miserable, with a constant rain drizzle the whole day, and constant checking of leeches. We then returned back to Brisbane via a Duck Creek Road detour and a couple of multi-cache finals along the way.

In terms of our hike, we departed from O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat at 08:00 hr, then took the Toolana Creek circuit (via Box Forest circuit) along the Border Track to [Forgotten Falls](https://coord.info/GC9TR63), and then returned back along the Border Track at around 16:30 hr. I can't be sure of the exact distance as my watch stopped tracking for a few kilometres returning back along the Border Track, but my [Strava Activity](https://www.strava.com/activities/7283362040) noted 26.9 km, so it was probably around the 29-30 km range. Unfortunately, the rain wreaked havoc on others' phones and tracking devices today.

Our trip around the Toolana Creek circuit had us cross several creeks, and we started out attempting to stay dry and using ropes, but the constant river crossings meant it was always a futile exercise, and we all accepted the inevitability of our shoes and socks getting wet, so we just marched through each time. At least it meant it was probably safer than trying to jump and step along slippery rocks. One highlight of all of the rain and high rivers was the phenomenal waterfalls, making them highly photogenic. During one of our creek crossings, we spotted a blue yabbie, i.e. Lamington spiny cray, and that was pretty cool. Unfortunately, there were plenty of leeches that made their presence known whenever we stopped, including a rather scary incident on of our party's eyes. All in all, today's hike was an adventure that I won't forget anytime soon.

We hadn't planned on taking the Box Forest circuit today, so this cache was a bonus. The metal tag had initially tricked me whilst searching for that at Waypoint 3, so that was an interesting twist. A great little circuit that doesn't require as much of a walk when compared to Toolana Creek circuit.

We were at the restaurant when we had a final crunch of this multi-cache's final coordinates, and it wasn't long until we had something that looked ok, and the checksum agreed with our efforts. Upon arrival at GZ, it was the combination of Beardman75 and karicka who found the cache. The cache container and logbook were in good shape. Thanks stairman1 and goldielover for the cache placement and ongoing maintenance.

A bonus to an awesome wet, muddy, leechy day out in the rainforest! I’m looking forward to my next visit out here. There’s lots more I need to explore. Thanks for the cache.
Cheers

Out on the tracks today chasing a FTF with a like-minded, crazy group: karicka, Beardman75, wayn0, Davidwazza and GurTheWanderer.

It was super wet and muddy and the leeches very much enjoyed our company. Despite the weather we had a great day out and covered a lot of km’s and picked up a few multi’s for our efforts.

This one was an added bonus, which wasn’t on our original target list but very happy to get.
Tftc goldielover and stairman1

A long day doing a few multi caches in the rainforest.
This was a bit of a bonus at the end of our day.
Thank you for hiding this geocache stairman1 and goldielover
Find number 26002
R

It was a very soggy and muddy day out on the trails today but we had a lot of fun. This one was a bonus we weren't expecting. Thanks for the cache

Found today out and about with Slow Puncture.
TFTC

6658

Friday. Out today with 4Ando! It’s felt like years since we’ve caught up with this amazing duo. We got up at sparrow’s f@rt with the goal of getting this cache as our priority. Upon arrival, we found it was such a weather change up in this part of the world! The temperature was dropping by degrees and getting out of the car was a shock. It was still really early in the morning though. It was definitely cold, wet, windy, oh, and the road is atrocious still! Last time I was up here back in January, the weather was also cold, wet and windy (only worse). We gathered all the info we needed and after some other walks in the day, we headed off to GZ for this one. Took us a few minutes to locate the wee beastie, but thankfully, Mrs 4Ando made the call and we popped our names in the log. We were feeling quite tired by now and couldn’t wait to head to Canungra to get some food into us. It was a long day but well worth it. Really enjoyed this walk. A little bit mushy in places along the track, but this area is prone to lots of rain, so I would think it would be in a constant state of muddy paths in this part of the world.

This was the 1st of 2 caches found on this outing.

Thanks ***stairman1*** for showing us this place

We decided that this Australia Day we would go for a hike. As it turned out the COs were up for a hike too so we met in Canungra for a coffee and car pooled up the mountain.

Setting off it was quite overcast and a little cool but we soon got into the rhythm of the hike. We totally forgot about the first waypoint until the CO mentioned it,so Mr Herbz quickly retraced his steps to find the answers. Continuing on we got another waypoint and we carried on further down and suddenly discovered that we had walked past yet another waypoint.Oh dear, we're not doing very well are we? Too much talking and not enough navigating. We retraced our steps and we thought it was only going to be about 80m or so but it turned out to be a lot further. In fact so much further we gave up, except for one member of our party who continued back up round the bends and zig zags eventually finding the missing waypoint.

It was roughly at this point we came across a red bellied black snake lazing beside the path. Not only did we have to walk past it once but we also had to walk past it on the return and it took a little coaxing from Mr Herbz to move out of the way with his stick, much to the snake's disgust. Anyway, back on track we continued on through lots of mud and squelchy bits, fighting off leeches but enjoying lots of wonderful waterfalls and cascades.

Boxlog Falls and Elabana falls were spectacular. We also took a little side trip up to view Sunshine Falls which certainly didn't disappoint either. Once we had left picnic rock it was up and out back to the car.

We were exceedingly muddy and damp however, a quick change saw us soon enjoying a coffee at the local cafe. We crunched the numbers as we were sipping our hot beveridges. Mr Herbz popped out of the car in the pouring rain to sign the log. A great day out with the COs. TFTC stairman1 and goldielover, oh and an FP from us.

Stopped to pick up this cache on the way home to Brisbane after a short stay at O’Reilly’s TFTC

Found. Excellent days hike with Stairman1 and Goldielover, I was pushed today but absolutely did not regret this adventure. This cache truely show cases some breath taking scenery and well worth the day to explore this entire track. As always, thanks Stairman1 and Goldielover for taking us here and showing our stunning backyard. TFTC

I had decided to pay a visit to O'Reillys today, but the original intention was to do an earthcache and adventure lab. Perusing the map the night before I spied this little orange dot and changed my plans. I had a very quick look at the cache page and noted the length of the walk.

Arriving at the first waypoint this morning I realised I had a problem. How to work out the finals. I sent a message to the CO and continued on. I had a few hours before I needed to work with the numbers.

It was nice and cool in the shady jungle and the creeks were flowing well. I stopped for my cuppa and choc-ginger muffin at the first major creek crossing. A couple of families wandered by me as I was enjoying the sound of the rushing water.

Onwards and upwards from here. Lots more people on this section heading to the bigger falls. Great to see so many people out walking.

Back along the border track with a slight detour to collect some WPs for the AL. As I was packing up the car I got a message back form the CO with the information I needed. Perfect timing to head to GZ.

Thanks for the hint to help find the container in the long grass. Thanks for a lovely walk too. Thanks for the *FTF* too.

Can a shoe box?
A tin can!