Gilligans Island Minnamurra, New South Wales, Australia
By The Rats on 14-Feb-03. Waypoint GCD463

Low tide and definitely deserves the difficulty level... Not quite in our league. Maybe one day when we have a kayak with us

Requirements...
MACHETE (seriously), Shoes, Long Clothing, Determination.

Today was the day.
Clear sky, no wind, beautiful.
We paddled our kayaks over to "Gilligans" at high tide, nice and easy. Pulled them up on the rocks on the western side and started the climb up.
We were stopped half way by some nesting Sooty Oystercatchers wanting to kill us! Quickly scrambled up the rocks flapping our arms about, we must have looked hilarious from the shore!
Then we spotted it.
The 2 metre high wall of prickles!
It took us about half an hour to get 12 metres with a machete.
Found cache. Cool container but everything inside is a bit soggy.
By the time we got back past the angry birds and down to the kayaks the wind had picked up, a lot!
The journey back was very different. Big waves and a westerly pushing us back to the island.
Anyway, WE MADE IT!
Thanks for the adventure!

Met up with 154Crows and Bonfire7 for another adventurous day outdoors. Today we were aiming to complete the 2 island-based caches, followed by picking off remaining caches in the area. It was a great day! Thanks to the various Cache Owners for their hides.

Gilligans Island was first on the list.
We arrived well before low tide. Bonfire7 soon joined us and we were planning our path across to Stack Island. We opted for crossing over to the sandbar and heading more-or-less down the centre line, where the waves were meeting and cancelling out. Quick change of clothes and we set out across the water.

The waves were up to our necks as we followed the submerged sandbar across to the island. There were a few times we were nearly swept off our feet, but we trekked onward. Then it was a matter of cautiously navigating the large underwater rocks. Eventually we had made it across to the island! From there it was a quick walk up to the cache. We were able to follow what vaguely looked like a trail up to the cache. I still managed to come away with plenty of scratches across my legs. Cache found, TNLN SL.

The trip down was faster, and the trip across was much easier. Then it was off to Monkey See, Monkey Do. Thanks for a fun challenge! Well worth the D/T rating! TFTC The Rats.

This is another cache thats been on the radar for quite a while now so it was time to team up and take it on.When I arrived the other where already out at the point having a good look at the situation,from where I was standing it didnt look good at all.The waves were bouncing back,it was just like a big washing machine out there.We all met up said gday,a few comments thrown around about the conditions but our mind was set and we were getting that cache !! We walked back to the cars and suited up.
By now the surf had dropped off some as we had arrived about 1 hour before the low.
We took it on straight ahead with two short swims before getting to the surf,here we could walk most the way only tripping over the odd rock but it really wasnt to bad except Muppet got a blow out in his sneaker that worked against him but we got there.
Once up on top of the island I couldnt beleive the amount of rabbiit holes scattered around....what on earth are rabbits doin out here !?!?!? hahahaha
It was then a short stroll and crawl and we had CIH Woo-Hoo
After the signing duties it was time to return,now the tide had really dropped off and it looked nothing like it did on the way over.
From here it was like a walk in the park compared to earlier, we just casually chatted away through the surf,grabbed a few pics and before long we were back across the inlet and back to the cars,mission complete
What an awesome adventure !!
We were all pretty pumped with our efforts and since we were all dressed for the occasion we are now off to hunt down Monkey See Monkey Do
Thanks Rats for the cache

I won't repeat what has been aptly said by Muppet95 and Bonfire7 except to say the water was colder (and deeper) than expected. Still a good day, though. TFTC. Glub glub glub.

Found on the 07/10/2017 at 4:09:00 PM.

This cache was my goal for the day. My little brothers begged to go caching with me (to get out of cleaning their rooms) but when I showed them pictures of where I was going they quickly changed their minds! While I found the crossing relatively easy, it was the thorns that gave the most problems.
Low tide was due at 4pm today, so I arrived at 3:30 and checked out the area. For some reason I decided to swim across the river first. Even near low tide the water was flowing fast! so while I paddled across, I travelled much further downstream before I could stand.
Hard part over I had crossing waves cancelling on the submerged rocks so most of the way across was very calm.
The scramble up the side of the island was easy. The grassy patch was overgrown with more thorns so I got the spikes anyway.I dumpud my bag under a tree and started searching.
I eventually found it. Slightly damp inside, but the new logbook in good condition. But where"s my pen? Back inthe pocket of my shorts in the car where I changed into my wetsuit! No pen in the cache, I only had a pencil in my first aid kit!
So back to my bag to sign the log, then return to the cache and put back in place, then back to the tree and I could finally leave the thorny place.
A fun adventure.

Thanks for the cache.

Been meaning to grab this guy for a while!
Very happy to nab it today.
Perfect conditions small swim in the heat but it was much appreciated!!
Lantana was brutal for 11 year geoson and I in boardies and bare foot.
Love you work Rats yet another cache in an awesome place that we may not have visited otherwise!
Tftc
Boom
Favorite point!!

7.50pm of streak day #40

We are camping in Kiama this weekend and have been all psyched to do this one for tomorrow morning for weeks now. But I've come out to the boat ramp near the river mouth this evening to observe evening low tide for a quick recce and I must concede that even tonite's 0.4 low tide doesn't look enough, and yet tomorrow am is just 0.6 so the planets literally don't quite align for us this w/e with a waning gibbous- frustrated by missing what was the "super moon" 0.15 low tide of just 5 days ago. We'll deffo be back to try another time though!

We have been planning this one for a while. I needed a cache today, it would fill another hole in my grid and the tide was going to be pretty low. We parked at Mystics and walked the 1.5 km along the beach armed with a change of clothes, machete, secateurs and my trusty RFS gloves and started our crossing about an hour before the low tide. What we hadn't planned on was the strong NE gale. The crossing was tricky being pounded on both side but we only ever got wet to the hips. Then came the rock hopping while being buffeted by the strong winds. We chose the route up the western side and followed Jackpot31's advice and ventured a little further to find a track without a wall of briars and lantana in front of us. By now it was dead low tide time and we had to hurry to allow plenty of time to get back across the open water. Geohubby got down low and then I heard the words I love . . "Found it !" The return trip was uneventful as we knew which route to take. I replaced the log and have brought the soggy smelly old one home if you want it Mr Rats. SL TFTC. Favourite Point for sure

Came with the GeoSon ready for adventure. Tide was as low as it was going to get, had gloves and some cutters for the lantana

But, it was obvious that full body immersion was going to be required - and despite it being an unusually hot day for July - we weren't prepared for that.

Left defeated ....

Will add to my 'caches to be done down south on a hot summer day' list

Very excited to find this one with Chloeboyd8. Board shorts are nothing. We found it in bikinis! Wasnt planned obviously but the conditions were perfect for the walk over. Please note that you dint need to climb through the lantan track when you get to the top. If you travel a bit further around the edge of the island you will find a grassy patch which takes you around 10m from gz. Here is where the Lantana starts. We learnt the hard way on the way there. Also log is drenched. Couldn't actually write on it so i took a photo to send to the rats

Found! Massive swell.

Well today the weather, sea and tides were in my favour as was the time of year with little growth after winter making it easier to get to GZ.
My last part was wrong it was still a 25 metre hack with the machete through the lantana to get to GZ. This time I went in a different direction and again got dawn low to look further under the weeds and low and behold is that a rock, it can't be.
Another 8 or so metres of chopping and there it was, the prize. It was a holy grail moment.
Must have been so close last time. I had questioned myself as to how the last few finders had got there in board shorts but upon opening there was their signature, it must have been absolutely hell in board shorts.
I was fully covered and still copped a bit of blood.
The cache is moist inside with most items a bit rusty, no way I would use the pack of tooth picks in there and the log book moist. Dried as best I could and put log book in clip lock bag and left the container standing upright rather than on its side.
For those who want to find this cache now is the time as there is a great track through the lantana right to GZ.
Thanks Rats for a now very difficult cache, really worked for this one but it felt good to get it.

TFTC

Ironbark.

Found it!!

OK today I set forth with great anticipation and renewed enthusiasm. Boots, long pants, long shirt, gloves and machete for the lantana. The bar crossing was a bit more rugged than I expected with 2 waves coming in over the canoe in the 100 meter dash through the surf zone.
At the island the dry boots were put on and it was game on for an easy find.
Eventually got down to GZ at 1 metre with 2 metre accuracy after hacking and cutting my way through metres of lantana. On hands and knees hacked some more and checked every inch of ground in a 20 metre radius except over the cliff. When down low I could see at least 5 metres in each direction and worked my way outwards.
Eventually took to looking in possible obvious spots in a 50 metre radius but all to no avail.
Those thorny bushes are hell and have taken a savage toll on the mutton birds that use this island to nest, and I don't know how the last lot did this in board shorts and thongs as it is hell in the right gear.
The cache is large and as of now I have no idea.
It has been on my to do list for ages but now is on the not to do until someone finds it. One thing for sure they have a path to GZ now.
Good luck.

Ironbark.

Found it, it is the hardest thing ever to find. Defiently wear shoes and a jumper and jeans. but I didnt wear jeans I wore bordies and my legs are just shredded up to peices!!!

Hardest thing to find me and my friend had a great time walking through hell! Haha but it was hidden really well and lots of treasures were inside well done!!

Great hide

After doing Wodi Wodi and Boom today I swapped the bike for the kayak and headed for Gilligans with all my home work done and container sussed out knew exactly what I was looking for.
Paddled out and climbed the rocks and was confronted with almost impenatrable lantana.
The Island has been taken over.
Bashed my way to GZ and crunched down the lany in a 10 m radius and crawled on hands and knees all around and under to no avail.
After an hour and a half of clearing the place and checking in all directions I gave up due to loss of blood. This is definatly more than a 4x4 now.
For future cachers DO NOT wear shorts and thongs or you will be punished. No you will not get there.
Proper attire would be overalls, tough ones at that and boots as there is no way to GZ without being cut to pieces.
I wore solid shoes, long pants but short leaves and I was hammerd.
DNF and cut to pieces to boot.
On a good note I gave as good as I got and cleared a sustantial area of lantana around GZ but could not touch those needle bushes, keep well away from these as they are very dangerous.
No smell and no nesting birds as there is nowhere for them to land any longer.

Maybe next time. Maybe.

This was certainly a challenge, challenge 1 fight off string rays, while trying to stay up right in the current. Challenge 2 steep climb then been greeted by thorns and prickles. Challenge 3 find over grown cache. Very rewarding to achieve all of these , big smiles.. Off success, sign log too GC. TFTC. P.S found this one more challenging than TDC.

This was the right day I mean find no 500, first person to find in 2011 on offer perfect weather and low tide,but this turned to be a DNA( did not attempt). This crossing is not meant to be done solo the white water coming off those breakers looked like to much for oneself to take on alone and looks like a tough
climb up.I will return with some Geo reinforcements and take this on.

Found while on a family picnic with the boys of the batch pad. Dud not have appropriate shoes but had to suck it up as the chance to grab this cache was too great. Thanks to blue_mars for the water proof GPS, and to Gribbly for venturing out a second time.

Nice one Rats. TNKN SL

Cheers
AH

Rats - you're evil! So much prickly stuff grown around GZ - just perfect for those unsuspecting newbs wearing boardies!

Gribbly supervised the adventure, and little blue splashed along for the ride. Low tide was definitely the right call. Cool container - everything in order. Left GC took nothing. TFTC

It's nice to do a memorable cache for a milestone so I headed off to find this one for my 300th find with Spindoc Bob for his 1500th. We had stopped to pick up a few enroute so arrived a bit after low tide and headed for the island.
Both of us got a bit wet on the way and we ended up on the island without a functional GPSr!
We spent some time searching around some likely spots along the rock platform while circumnavigation the island before managing to arrive in the right place and finally found the cache. Heading back we avoid the rocks and just swam. Thanks for a very enjoyable and memorable cache.

Rated: for Overall Experience

After seeing Alpini, Tronador and Altaire doing this cache two years ago, it has been on my to do list. With a milestone in the offing, and a friend keen to tackle it, I headed down the highway.

Despite checking the tide charts beforehand, we arrivde to find more water than expected. I had also forgotten my reef booties, so I only had a pair of flip-flops to protect my feet on the rocks. Near the island, I discovered my 'new' GPSr was not as waterproof as it was meant to be. Dead GPSr. This put us in a quandry: Go back to the car and get another GPSr or search for the cache without a GPSr, phone or notes. We chose the later.

We had general idea as to the location of the geocache, but not quite the elevation. After an hour of wandering around the base and then making it to the top, we searched a number of likely hiding spots. I was starting to become disheartened, but finally there I found the cache sitting proudly at the base of a well defended tree. Ouch!

It was with great relief that Damo. and I signed the log and relaced the cache.

We decided it was safer to swim from the edge of the island to the sand bar, rather than negoitiate the rock bar. On the way back to the car, we stopped by another nearby cache. A memorable experience for cache find #1500 - much better than a hundred drive-bys. Now to get the GPSr working again.

Wal wanted to do some caching while he was in Kiama. I suggested this one.
I didn't actually think he would take up my offer but as I have had it on my to do list forever I am glad he did.
It was a bit of a deep wade through the channel (Deep as in armpits).
lots of fun although Wal kept a tight hold on Bethany when the tide was strong.
Then a surprisingly much easier wade out to the island despite the waves.
Found the way up the cliffs without too much trouble.
After Bethany braved the spikey bush the cache was in hand!
Thanks Rats for a great cache. Took Australia coin.

I had to go to Kiama to drop off one of the kids at a Cub Scout camp. To make the drive seem less painful I planned a couple of caches along the way, with this as the last one. Gribbly was free today so came along for the trip to cross this off his list as well. I also had another of my kids, Bethany, along for the trip.

We parked on the Minnamurra side, relatively close to low tide. The outgoing water flow made life interesting for Bethany (11 yo) as we waded through the chest deep water to get across the first bit. Well, it was chest deep for me anyway.

Once there, we picked a line for the island and walked. This ended up being the easier, though more exciting part of the trip. We soon ended up at the top and were relieved the cache was easy to find once there.

I grabbed a GC and TB as they'd been there a few months, and then we headed back. Crossing the river was easier, BEthany swam while Gribbly and I opted for the walk in deep water option.

Thanks for an excellent cache Rats!
best wishes,
Wal

dropped off coin and t bug cheers

What a great cache! As we where camped near by at Killalea state park we had to do this cache, so we set off on the walk up the beach to Gilligans Island & crossed over to the island with not much trouble at all as it was low tide except for Frippy's Misses stepping on a sting ray lucky she had her modified gum boots on. So on we went in search of the goods, searching all over the place for it but then they where spotted and retrieved with out to much pain or injury to the body, after doing our duties it was back off to the main land and on to camp where the cold ones awaited Thanks to The Rats for a great afternoon that was had by all Cheers. PS dropped off a coin and TBug

Awesome! Perfect cache. After reading all the cache logs what more can I say?
We stayed at Killalea for the weekend so this cache was high on the list, actually the only one really. We waited all day for the low to come and this worked out to be perfect, I cant imagine why anybody would attempt this cache at high tide?
Once we worked out the correct route around the island, up over and around, through the darn grass, over the cliff, Bushy found the goods. What a great view thanks.

very hard, had to swim out and it was high tide but no water was going to stop seedy stuart and i great hide very cold

WOW! Great Cache!!! I don't understand it when you get a great cache like this & all someone can say in their log is "Great Hide" as their complete log! This cache deserves so much better than that.
We set out for this cache with The Hancock Clan whilst camping at nearby Killalea for the weekend. Mr H arrived & stated that there was a good low tide in a couple of hours & did we feel like a walk along the beach & cache hunt if the surf was OK. Sure enough - the tide was good & the conditions perfect.
Mr Us & Mr H made the trek across the very small breakers with huge smiles on our faces. Some extra followers came halfway across but they didn't have shoes on so stayed on the sand bar. The 2 Mr's tracked around the island before heading up to find the cache. A great island with some fantastic oysters on the far side as well.
We had read some previous logs & were ready to encounter all sorts of beautiful wildlife, but we weren't quite prepared for what we got! First a ferocious Crab tried to attack Mr H, but he soon had it under control as the photos will show. After this, we made the ascent to find the cache. With only the Hancock’s GPSr (the Usat one won’t withstand water any more), Mr H guided the party & the cache was quickly found, and a good sized container it was, with lots of good looking swaps as well.
The caching duties were quickly done & a wander was had to take a photo of the Mainland Party, before starting to head back home before the tide came back in too far.
On the way back down, Mr H found himself face to face with a totally unexpected visitor - we had heard his cousins frequent the area, but not this fella! How cool! Anyway, Mr H quickly transformed into a Penguin Whisperer & the couple were soon quite good friends. Alas, all good things must come to an end & then we headed off back to camp for Happy Hour.
Great Cache Rats – definitely one of the best we have ever done – thoroughly enjoyed it, as I think you can tell. No swaps were made, but a hell of a lot of fun was had!
Cheers.

This was a super cache! We've had our eye on this one for ages now & we were camping nearby at Killalea with the Usat31 team. We approached from Minnamurra beach and the conditions were just perfect; low tide, no swell, and a beautiful warm sunny afternoon. It made the crossing a piece of cake. However, once we returned, the team members that stayed behind told us that we just missed stepping on a stingray - that would have hurt! Then there was the aggressive crab that chased us, and that's not to mention the friendly penguin (as seen in Mr Usat31's log!).
All in all, this was a great experience and the tide was low enough that we managed to walk around the whole island before finding the cache.
Thanks Rats, top cache!
The Hancock Clan

great hide

Yes well this is what caching is all about. Adventure, Great Outdoors, Treasure, FUN. Had a great time finding this one with Woody Figtree. The sea was not as flat as we would have liked considering our mode of transport was a Canadian Canoe, but once we let the tide run out a bit (time to complete 3 other caches) we decided to go. Timed going out through the waves to perfection and once on the Island took a little while to find our way up. Once we found our way around and through all the spikey bushes and lantana the cache was in hand. The trip back was great once we got safely away from the island (and the rocks) and kept the canoe afloat while riding a wave sideways. Thanks Rats for the great experience and for the chance to find out what our little Blue Canoe is capable of.

Well what an adventure with Goonieroos. Came early in the morning at high tide with our borrowed Geo-canadian-canoe only to be scared off by the washing machine of the crossing. Worked out where to cross but decided to wait a few hours doing other caches to let the tide go out a bit. That done we reappeared with out much enthusiasm (on my behalf). Off we set. Timing is important here in an open water holding container with two paddles. The set broke and off we set and were through in no time wondering why all the worry. made it to the island only to find not many good landing places. Forgot my shoes (what was I thinking???) so had to kick G out of the boat to land us. He did so but on the ebb. The next wave landed me high and dry at a 45 degree angle only to slide back in. G soon had us dragged up the rocky inlet to be faced with the cliffs of doom.
Which way to go left or right. tried left but the cliff only got higher. Then we must climb the lowest point. Sounds easy except for the shoes bit.
Climbed easily to get the cache then return to the mainland only to be nearly tipped out on the way in through the huge breakers. (18") But that is more than the freeboard of the canoe. Not too much water in there. All the way in I was giving commentary to G who said can't you be more positive and I called out that we are definitely going to tip. Well we didn't and G was right. Thanks to the Rats for a great adventure and to G who said we could do it. It was my idea in the first place but I must admit I was reasonably usure it was a wise decision. All turned out well in the end.

we moved to Australia just a few weeks ago. As as new before we went we would go to this area I checked out the near caches. This one immediatly aroused my attention!!
After passing by on many occasions (bringing the kids to school) and lots of preparation, you really should check the tide, today I spontaniously decided to go. After a short swim across Minnamurra River, the rest was easy (never was further then my knees).
Arriving at the island after 10 minutes I realised I didn't study the island. So I walked around the complete island thinking there is no way getting up the cliffs, but yes there is. Once you are on top finding the cache is easy!
What a great view and what a great feeling it was. Going back only took me 10 minutes total.
No wildlife seen on my way a also not on the island (no sign of pinguins??) only a couple of small fishes.
Thanks Rats for this fantastic expierience!!
Wilbert67

We had been building up to this one for the past couple of days, plenty of preperation and tide checks as well as weather observations, had been noted. Though in the end it really was no more than a pleasant beach walk with a bit of wading and finally a tiny chest height dunking over several metres. I saw penguins!!! really I did but by the time homedg and I arrived a little closer for that all important photo, theyed all jumped in the water so I have no proof. Though there is an awful lot of fresh poop around the place.
We also encountered a stingray on our crossing but gave it a wide berth just incase!
Cache was found without too much difficulty though the prickles kept us at bay a bit.
No need for trousers here but one must have shoes at the very least.
No swaps no trackables either. A very enjoyable cache and that comes with a high recommendation on my part Thanks for bringing us here Rats

Once again RATS, what can I say but YOWZA. (That's 2 YOWZA's in 1 day on Rat Caches).
Tackled this one today while while spending a couple of days camping at Killea. RAG's shared the experience and will probably log many of the adventures that we endured which are similar to those that came before us. There was also a "CRIKEY!" moment when Ruffas nearly copped a stingray spine through the chest. Well, a stingray swam in front of us but hey, why let the truth muddy a good story huh?
This is a great:
i) Cache
ii) Experience
iii) Adventure
iv) and Kodak opportunity.

Will post a heap of above and below ground pics once rescued from the island.

Oh, I also searched everywhere for evidence of the Harlem Globe Trotters and Russian Cosmonauts but to no avail.

I guess our little buddy tidied up all of that mess as well.
Thank You For The Cache, and items ii to iv listed above

Rated: for Overall Experience

Wow, great idea! Last night i heard we were invited to go canoeing in minnamurra with some friends. Luckily I remembered to check for caches because this one popped up, which required us to cross water. How convenient! After we got passed the waves hitting us from 2 directions and dad almost getting attacked by crabs it was a quick (lucky) find, especially considering my lack of GPS.
Thanks Rats!
took viking coin and gross apple drink
left pebble magnets

The things you do in the name of caching. Altaire, alpini and I tackled this one together after a bit of planning. We decided today was the day. I had checked the tides, the swell and the wind conditions. So it was on a bright winters day, the city folk and the mountain folk took a drive to the sea. After parking the car we went through an assortment of gear which we'd brought in preparation. Hmm, wetsuit, definitely, fins, yep, dry bag, yep. Body board, hmm, well the swell is big but it looks OK, nup, leave it in the car. So geared up, we took the beach approach. What a lovely stroll along the sand, until we reached the tip of the spit. And there before us lay Gilligan's Island. We each looked at each other in amazement. We have to go across that??!!!!!.. to get there????!!!!! But the photos depicted a serene, almost waterless expanse of golden sand, on which to doddle across. Rewind images....... get all thoughts of "easy walk/ wade" out of brain. Thoughts of lunch before the assault on Gilligan flew out the window. We summed up the situation, the adrenalin flowing. Go now, time is crucial.
It was 1:27pm, dead on low tide. Today's low was 0.43 but there was a 3 meter swell and gusty winds out at sea.
What we saw was anything but serene. Yes it was low tide, waves were breaking over the rocks in the distance, waves were rolling in from the north and south, albeit small ones. A rip was definitely running from the river mouth.
Walking along the beach we had thought we might get water knee deep. Now we conceded that we would get wet up to the thighs. Unanimous decision, wetsuits on!Ok everyone ready, yep, let's go! We waded into the water and headed for a barely visible sand bank. Ankle deep....knee deep...thigh deep, waves rolling in from each side...waist deep... bigger waves...jump...chest deep...jump...lookout big wave...strong current....jump.....big wave...big big wave...oh damn, my hair got wet...oh no... rip...swim....stand...big wave...rocks...stumble....waves...stumble...waist deep...thigh deep...calm water...knee deep...surge...fall...ouch...damn those rocks...laugh...ankle deep...Yeah we made it...high five!
We waddled out of the water into a very serene pool, like the penguins and turned to look what we had just "waded through". Unbelievable. We had decided to have lunch on the island but decided that it would be best to do the caching business and get out of here. It was crucial that we didn't get caught on an incoming surging tide. We stashed our dry bags on the rocks and climbed the giants staircase.
the views from up above we stupendous and we could see the angry sea for miles crashing onto the coastline. We didn't see any birds, they must have all been out to lunch.
After a brief search for the cache, being attacked by some very nasty thorny bushes , the cache was soon spied. What a great container. Quickly completing the signing of the log book we played around taking many photos and videoing the surrounding scenery. Soon it was time to return to the angry sea. We retraced our steps and retrieved our belongings. The tide was now on it's return journey and we braved the boiling water. It was no deeper than before but the surge and wave action was every bit as fierce. When alpini was almost swept out to sea, we all joined hands and completed the journey in a raft style fashion. We still stumbled and fell, got swished around like a washing machine, surfed part of the way in until we finally reached the sandbank, all the while very aware of the very strong rip on the other side. So the sea gently lifted us onto higher ground and the water became knee deep. We emerged from the ocean, triumphant that we had been relinquished from it's strangle hold. Thanking King Neptune for allowing us safe passage so that we could continue caching, I acknowledged my respect of the sea.
This was an absolutely brilliant adventure,)Scary no... exhilarating yes! Thanks to my caching buddies for the moral support.

Rated: for Overall Experience

During the week Tronador had “floated†the idea of a tilt at this watery windmill. We read the notes, studied Google Earth, perused all the logs and photos and checked out the weather and tide forecasts. Yes – you’ve surmised correctly dear reader – this is no some simple wind down the window park & grab. So it was that this glorious sunny winter’s day found Tronador, Alpini and us wending our way down the track to the beach. There were numerous surfers heading the same way with disconcerting keenness. Mmmmmmmmmm………. we thought. Our hopes for an ankle deep splash across a mill pond began to fade somewhat.

The magnificent beach ran south towards our destination and we followed it eagerly, doing our best to ignore the crashing waves to our left. We were soon opposite the island, gazing askance at the criss crossing waves sweeping across the passage between us and our goal, despite it being very close to low tide. Nevertheless after a careful study of the conditions we deemed it would be an exciting but quite safe venture to undertake. And so it transpired. We crossed cautiously, the water getting to about chest deep with the chaotic waves at times lifting us off our feet. It was fabulous fun with our wet suits easily keeping the chill at distant arm’s length.

Splashing up onto the rocky shore, the way to the top was obvious and after a short spiky search the cache rites were being conducted. Knowing the tide had turned, we tarried not ‘ere we re-entered the briny for out return. This was equally as turbulent a crossing as the outward bound journey and it was an exhilarated group of cachers who made their way up out of the waves onto the mainland.

At any time this would be an excellent cache. In today’s conditions it was an outstanding adventure. A great cache Rats! We made no swaps however dropped off a coin.

PS: No penguins were even seen, dead or alive, let alone disturbed, distressed or discomfited by our visit.

Plans for this one started last weekend.
After checking the tides it was clear there will be no better conditions than on this weekend for quite a long time.
As the fnal weather check was also OK, we headed off. A little bit concerned about that statement dangerous surf I thought have a careful look on the spot before deciding that it will not be dangerous.
So doing two caches north and southwards before this one to fill in the time until low tide, I was rather suspicious if that would allow us a fair trip to the island of desire.
At bushranger there were already some big waves, and at the bomb view, I was thinking, no let's do some abseiling or climbing or drive byes but do not enter this washing machine of white capped sea with waves spoiling the rocks up to 5 meters of height.
Then we decided to have a closer look at the spot.
It seemed possible although not an easy wading.
However it started like that, than the water reached the chest and soon after that the neck and then the first clashing waves from the right and left lifted us from the ground for about an meter, swim you bloody land rat!
After several of those wave jumps the water got shallow again and soon the island was reached with beautiful shells on the coastline.
Heading up to GZ saw a different function of the wet suit.
They protected the skin from the thorns and spikes of the plants around GZ. The only penguin to be seen was the guards skeleton.
All other where on holiday, probably in calmer waters.
Once the cache stuff was done, we headed down to the end of the first passage to cross the ditch again.
It did not look that different, but actually it was only five minutes later than I realised that a big wave lifted me off and I found myself in a rip and was spoiled away from the others quickly. I think I was waving good bye when I got grounded and could start my work against that strong current. Soon we were reunited and could finish the last part of the crossing.
However it took its time to get to the shallow sands of the tip of the peninsula where a pleasant swim could be done.
I think today was mere the day of my star sign aquarius rather than a day of my nick name.
TFT specatular adventurous C. Actually the c stands more for crossing rather than cache, although a box was involved in the whole adventure...
TNLN
And thanks heaps to the team mates who made it happen today, there are not much with whom you can do this sort of caching..
Alpini
proud PLG member

The tide was right, the sun was shining it was a weekend day- all perfect for the big attempt, we had been planning for it for months!The XX part of Jamouts was itching at the bit for this one but when it came to wading through the waves and rocks she stood and watched as one half of the Jamout Y's made the treacherous journey. His comment on returning "Next time you want to do a difficult one - YOU do it!"

Three wet suits, three boogie boards, three adventurers. We swam, we walked - we conquered. TFTC

We were not sure whether it was up or down. Chose to attack this site initially from the north but because it was mid afternoon, we would not have made it back by the time the gates in the state park closed so we then attacked it from the south. Chose the last hour of the run out...a bit tricky crossing the river becasue it was not a low, low tide. Found the cache and returned to cross the river, still running out and a strong current. Need to plan well before you do this one, should have brought my rock shoes to get over the rocks!.IN: playing cards & ring; OUT T-shirt. TYFTC

Hay.

great hide in a great container.
did the cache in the wee hours of the morning and had the police call us over and ask what we were doing. after a few minutes of carefull conversation i think i had bought two members of our Wollongong's finest to the wonderful world that is geocaching.

cheers...Artfull Dodger

It seems that the every time in the last few years that I've planned to give this one a go the weather or tides haven,t been good. Today they were all fine so we went out right on low tide and walked out to the island found the cache and were back on the beach all up in about an hour. Loved the spot, wouldn't expect anything less from the rats. Thanks greg. TNLN (i did take the coin to be moved onto another spot.)

good swim, good walk,great location
nice hide
found with YoungGregB

finally made it- awesome spot... pity about the birds...
dropped in geocoin

got to the bottom then ran out of time, had to be back for dinner guests... will return soon- excellent spot!

What a way to end an afternoon of caching. I'd timed it right with a very low tide, a splash through the water, a bit of clambering and the cache! Left a keyring, took the koala pen. I then had a lovely swim on the way back just to cool off, and enjoyed the scenery on the beach - got to love summer! Thanks Rats, I certainly would never ever have come here otherwise.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Had been looking at this for a few weeks and based on the logs had decided this would be an epic.

Tide was quite low so decided to have a go. Plenty of people out soaking up the sun at such a great spot to spend some time.

Ventured around the S side of the river then crossed near the mouth. Was lucky to get the top of the thighs wet both out and back. Quickly up the island and past the dead birds- not sure what caused all this and although they don't smell now there are plenty of them.

Took a snap, grabbed Janeway TB and left Horse Meister TB.

Really good afternoon out.

The tide was low the weather great so what better place to spend the afternon than another visit to see how the castaway's are doing.
Took Horse Meister TB

This one has been on my to-do list for quite some time. And with the aligning of tides and free time, Daaaave and I headed out here at 1400 today, 60 minutes before low tide.

We swam across the river, and then prepared ourselves for what we had assumed would be a wade and swim to the island. Actually, it was just a wade! How convenient... Although it did mean that we had brought our fins along for nothing

Once on the island we cracked open the dry bag, donned our shoes and powered up the Gizmo. After a quick circumnavigation (just to say we did) we climbed to the cache.

There are LOTS of smelly dead birds up top! LOTS! But the cache was easily acquired, and we took our photo as requested.

Thanks for a fantastic cache Rats!

Cheers!

ps. I left an appropriate TB for the next cacher!

Pps. Return time is less than an hour for those interested in finding this cache.

This is definatly one of my favourite caches to date!

As W-L said, we were really expecting a solid battle with the ocean before getting to the island. We were relieved to find that nothing more than a wade was required.

Once at GZ its an excellent view of the coast both up and down!

This made it 7 from 7 for the day!

TNLNSL

Thanks!

I was in the area with Daave, so we did a walk-by, however as suspected the tide was too high. We'll certainly be back over the summer...

We have been waiting for conditions to be suitable for some time now and today was the day. We had not expected the vegitation on the island to be like this. Found no evidence of the S.S.Minnow but did find the cache which was so full we had issues geting it all back in again but managed to do so in the end. Thanks for giving us a reason to venture out here Rats.

By Mr Cached & his Kiama based brother.

Got very wet. After looking at a 20ft cliff, decided to walk around the other side of the island. After looking at a sort of a way up, totally unsuitable for thongs, decided to see if we could get a shorter way back without walking back around the full island, and found some natural steps sort of suitable for thongs. Climbed up and found the cache.
Took some piccies of ourselves with the camera (still has film left), admired the view and left.

Well worth the effort! TFTC

Returned to island today
Rosco and Nugget were onto the cache in no time
Left key ring took nothing
Thanks rats
(see you have a new island cache) many thanks

Gilligan's Island or Dead Bird Island, conquered the tides, thank for the cache TNLNSL

Dernel

A good adventure through some very hairy terrain. I don't know how many times I feared for the saftey of my presious GPS but we made it in the end. The title, "Island of Dead Birds" is a very fitting one. Didn't take anything.

How come I'm always last to log whenever I join forces with Dernel. Enjoyed doing this one with him and Finch Bros during a wonderful wekend at Kilalea state park camping.


Re secured the lid well after evicting the nests of spiders

Loosey Goosey looked too healthy compared to the other Bird "life" so he was put in my bag for a move to less morbid places.

Lots of dead birds/fly's and bad smell on island
But could'nt locate the cache
No logs since last January ?

Well what a social event this cache was, spotted Mr and Mrs McPodie on our way to the cache, and met fleacircus on our completion. Did this one with cheekyfrogs, I took nothing and left nothing, but had a fantastic afternoon with cheekyfrogs and the McPodies swimming and splashing around and talking about caching.
Thanks Rats
jamss

This was our goal cache for the day. King low, body boards, nice weather and good friends. What else could you need.... A strong current. Too strong for cheekygeokids to brave. So once again cheeky stayed on shore while frogs and Jamss had lots of laughs and stumbled their way across, meeting many friends along the way, old and new. Finally put TB Loosy Goosy to nest in a place she might be comfortable (for a while). Thanx Rats

Wade, Wade, stumble, wade - Everyone else had surfboards but we wern't that prepared.
The channel was running hard but it was only a splash over to the island. Took a friend on his first cachehunt and left most of the circus on the beach. Met Odie Mcpodie, Cheekyfrogs and Jamss today in various stages of descent so it was a satisfying cache to log.
Cool container and great challenge.
For anyone attempting it, the tide is at a super-low around the 4 pm mark for the next couple of days.
Took a glowstick and touchabubbles and left a leak alarm and some sea shape thingys.
Wish we had more time to chat with the others but a BBQ beckoned. Have to plan a local event cache so the rest of the circus can meet everyone.
Thanks Rats,
Fleacircus

Well we braved the extremely low tide today and went to find the treasure. Found it without too many problems, besides the strong current that tried to drown Mrs McPodie (not a strong swimmer), and the thorns that scratched up her legs. TNLN. Spotted the Cheekyfrogs & jamss from up high and descended for a chat. Then met fleacircus for the first time. It was like an unplanned event cache!!
Thanks Rats we had a great afternoon out.

Well, not sufficiently planned for this one but as we were only staying at the nearby camp site, we werent too worried. Gave up when suddenly, tide began wooshing past in one direction and we realised that it was rising sufficiently high so as to make the return journey less comfortable. We will be back with tide tables and swimmers....soon.

High tide, waves, rocks and an inflatable canoe. Long rough paddle not for the faint harted cheeky stayed on the spit while frogs took on the surf after being laughed at by the locals for being in a blow up canoe and takeing on the churning cold waters. Note to self next time wear shoes a shirt and plenty of sun screen. Got a few scratches and very Lobby (sun burnt) also not to pull thorns out with your teeth as you might get one in your tounge. Great place Cheeky will take it on with Jamss at low tide i think.Took a water proof case and left some frogs. Thanx for the adventure Rats... CHEEKYFROGS.

The adventure was fun, however I did feel like a vandal tramping through the nesting ground. I found it impossible to negotiate to GZ without unintentionally collapsing some burrows. I'm no birdo so I don't know who they belong to or if the damage I caused was significant. The residents were out at sea, if they'd been home I would have had to turn around.

This cache has been reactivated. Enjoy the hunt

I've temporarily archived this cache due to a malfunction with the locking device..... Stay tuned.
I've also taken the opportunity to delete all logs pertaining to the lifestyle of penguins.... We have a caching forum where penguin lifestyles can be discussed, not on cache reports.

Their tiny ship was tossed..
Ship?! We don't need no steenkin' ship!
It was only 400m of whitecapped water, so we walked across!
To avert Tangles' wrath, I'm allowed to reveal why Rat didn't know about the penguin colony: the cache's coord might be very close to the colony's, but it's still 20m+ away. Straight up. So, don't go searching at sea level, get some altitude!
We splashed and clambered (Mama Bear really was rock hopping, having lost a shoe on the way out to the island) and cursed the thorny problem of finding the treasure. Then we cursed the thorny problem of the puzzle as the obvious answer didn't yield our prize! Before seeing if we could manage to throw the container down the cliff without endangering the birdlife, we called DaveRat and he confirmed that we were doing the right things, but without the right results. As he was in the area, he met us as we strolled out with the cache and he used his locksmith's skills (and my pliers!) to open the cache.

We took a funny-looking hat with an emphatic self-image (i!, it proclaimed) and the Surf Seeking Rubber Ducky to send on his way, and left a drybag for the return trip if your arm was getting tired holding yur GPSr out of the water...

This was a real buzz and something quite different. A well-sealed container (we used our usual clip-lock 2.6l cache container with a drybag inside (for insurance)) for your electronics, a look at the tides and you can be away.
(Check that the Rats have had a chance to fix the puzzle and replace the cache first, though!)
(http://www.ntf.flinders.edu.au/TEXT/TIDES/nsw.html)



[last edit: 4/28/2003 1:56:46 AM PST]

Got there at low tide, but with fairly high surf and no flotation devices or double-sealed bags for the electronics, decided that the water didn't look _quite_ shallow enough to wade across.
I'm glad now, seeing Tangles' comments, and we'll give the penguins several weeks to get new feathers before heading back.
Had good fish'n'chips nearby, but!


[last edit: 3/9/2003 6:10:40 PM PST]

Lacking the ability to walk on water we decided to paddle across (not enough wind for the wave board) and after finding a suitable landing site set off for the cache. Now we understand a lot of people don’t care much for wildlife and some people would not know a rookery if they walked through one. But as we approached ground zero we got that familiar smell and spotted the signs and sure enough there where Little Penguins in the process of their moult. So we immediately stopped our search for the cache and moved away from ground zero to avoid stressing the birds. Penguins forced to swim at this time can drown. On further investigation we found the island full of nests and burrows. The island also appears to be a rookery for Short Tailed Shearwaters when they are breeding. After leaving the island we caught some truly excellent waves all the way back to shore.
It would be really nice if the cache could be moved from such a sensitive area and the birds left in peace.
http://www.npws.nsw.gov.au/wildlife/factsheets/penguin.html

[last edit: 3/9/2003 12:47:56 AM PST]

Note: Dont be put off by your mapping software. This is not a 400 mtr swim, nor is it a necessity to own a boat.... BUT IT IS AN ISLAND..... Its rated as a 5 (difficulty) because there is an element of risk involved. Happy hunting fellow geocachers.

Passing TB through the cache

Nobody ever believed Gilligan, but we did, so we jumped in the i! CacheRacer and sped to his assistance. The surf was massive, but luckily we had the Surf Seeking Rubbery Ducky to keep us afloat as we made our way through the crashing waves out to Gilligan's Island. We arrived, unpacked our quadruple-sealed GPS and swaps, and promptly followed our GPS to ground zero. We opened the cache in a snap, took the video (not because we wanted it, but to make some room!) added the travel bug, and, being a virgin cache, added an exclusive item of IdeoGear. For those cachers put off by the ratings, don't worry: difficulty rating is nowhere near a 5... it's about 3 tops; Terrain is about a 3.5. Fun cache!