Rakaunui (West Coast) Hinau, South Island, New Zealand
By Sapherz on 29-Aug-04. Waypoint GCKDP4

I am regretfully archiving this cache since there's been no response from nor action by the cache owner within the time frame requested in the last reviewer note.

I made it to the site after bush bashing. I couldn’t see the track marker further up the river. And to stop myself from receiving wet shoes I walked over a fallen log. Was nice to be in nature. The tree was amazing. But it has been years since it was found. I took a new log book but not a container. It was on dusk so I couldn’t search as long as I wanted to. I will have to come back.

I did a quick recce for a future attempt at this cache. It doesn't look like the track is regularly used or maintained but it should still be accessible. The track crosses a landcorp farm. The sign is still there at the parking coordinates (see photo). I will be back.

Took ages to find just about gave up, nice forest walk though.

TFTC! paid my respects to Tane Rakaunui.

CAME TO A CLOSED GATE WITH PRIVATE WRITTEN SO CHOSE NOT TO TRESPASS

A really good cache, but a lot more work than I expected. There has been some serious water down the river but it had dropped enough to get across in my gumboots - just. Couldn't find the access track or rather I didn't know what to look for. It is definitely worth spending time to locate this across the river rather than doing a bush bash. Only found the cache by following directions in an earlier log. The GPS is usually spot on but was all over the place like a mad thing at this cache.

Was very tough. Recent flooding seems to have removed some of the track markers and left debris all over the place. When I crossed the quite fast flowing river couldn't find a trail. Bush bashed 200m to cache site then searched for a short while before finding the big cache. SL TFTC

Very happy to find this one.
Stunning tree. Huge.
Interesting river crossing.
Ms M didn't like the curious cows in the paddock!
As you arrive at the tree continue straight ahead about 15 to 20 paces between THE tree and the smaller marked tree on the right.
Don't curve left - the natural way to go.
The cache is in plain sight under the high arch of tree roots.
Rescued TB
Thanks for the magical cache.

Did the stream crossing etc and walked to the Rimu. Awesome!!! Found remnants of the cache but no cache log book so couldn't log. Even though the cache appears to be gone spend the time and visit the Rimu. The Italian Job was here......! Our blog www.motorhominginxs.blogspot.com

Well, this way our destination for the afternoon, but we got only as far as the river. Rather higher than our gumboots today - more like waders needed!! Plus it was going faster than we felt comfortable to cross. Maybe next time.

great walk, lucky i got a fireman lift across the creek. But sadly no find. Didnt want to walk on the tree roots for too long, but will be back

Bugger the river was way to high and ruggered for me to cross but I will be back next time in the area. Cheers Bo

We were surprised at the ease of finding. We thought that it could be a challenge, considering the forest cover. The track is clear and open through the bush. When you get to the river, cross it and walk down stream a bit, and the track goes into the bush, and is marked with white arrows and tags. took phots, left simba TB. TFTC

Track was cleared in the last week by West Coast Conservation Core, so are planning to go out and get cache at some stage. Thought I would post for anyone else interested. The track is all cut back and much easier than "bush bashing" through like previously.

thought i would go find this big tree. yes and big it is.198.8 cm through at 1.4m give or take a bit for the moss. 20.7m clearwood. cache still there. replaced log and bag as original very wet. track across paddocks is good. track along powerlines and across river good. (knee deep) last 40m in bush harder to follow. but big tree very easy to spot. tftc

[This entry was edited by ricklc on Monday, February 01, 2010 at 8:39:47 PM.]

This cache is no longer maintained. I do not know who is supposed to maintain the track, I would assume it would be the council (which explains why its not being done)

Impressive forest, track is severely overgrown, I felt uncomfortable without a compass (GPS wasn't getting a reading) in case I didn't find my way back! Thanks for the local knowledge anyway, great to know little places like this that are available to the public.

Nice walk but very wet due to all the rain in the night ended up soaked due to the long wet grass, some of the large trees have fallen down such a shame as they are big trees, managed to find the cache fter a bit of looking TFTC

Nice day for a stroll, had pop with us who is a local so didn't need a GPS, what a huge tree, cache was all wet, even inside the bag so couldn't sign log book. The track very overgrown and many big logs blocking our way. Wasps nest too, mum got stung three times! Track needs maintaining by DOC.

What a great cache! We came just before dusk, which was a magical time to do it. It would be interesting trying to find the tree without the GPS - as the track is extremely overgrown, and the track entrance is difficult to find. But that made it even more special - apparently untouched undergrowth. The cache was very easy to spot, as it was out in the open. It had incredibly been found by locals, who logged it. The box is a little damp, but the log is OK. TNLN, Thanks very much.

Please note: I have now moved to Wellington and therefore this cache is no longer maintained. The track is supposed to be maintained by someone but I do not know who or if they will with any regularity.

Found this one on a lovely sunny afternoon. River was easily crossed at this stage. Hunted for awhile but then found it sitting there looking at me with no coverage at all. Inside was very wet however cache contents were dry within bag. Emptied out the container. Seemed to have been found by a muggle who has signed the log. TNLN

Disappointed not to find the cache. A more specific clue would have been nice. A big tree has fallen close by. However beautiful bush and bird life well worth the wet feet. Thanks

Ah!!!! Native NZ at its best. What a lovely lovel place. Thank you so much for bringing us here. These wonderful places and suights we would no nothing about if it wasn't for caching. Thank you for keeping the track clear. We will be back for another visit and swim in the river as it truly was lovely.
Took nothing but lovely memories
Left spider to keep other goodies on thier toes
Cheers
Conton

Checked on cache, its still there, but track is getting a bit overgrown. Will come back and clear the track a bit, and spraypaint markers to show the way.

We noticed this cache site as we drove past - had no info sheet or clues but had a go. Found the "freezing" river, found the "tree", searched in a huge circle but with no luck. How could we have missed a 4½ litre cache????? Only wet shoes and frozen legs to show for our visit but the "tree" is stunning.

The river crossing was knee deep after recent rain. This is a great cache and an impressive tree. Make sure you knoew the way out - marking the car park would be a good idea - as the path is not clear and it would be possible to become confused.
+ lion - coloured ball
Thanks
Iris & Rodney

Wow - First to find.
My 7 year old son found this one. (After I missed it).

Awesome Rimu tree!

Brr - the river was cold. fresh snow on the hills behind the cache. The kids weren't keen on crossing it.

- Rubber Duck
- Bubble Mix
+ Button Doll
+ Toy Racing Cars

It's great to have someone else setting caches on the coast - bring on the next one!