Ben Hall's Hideout Bogan Gate, New South Wales, Australia
By MSMACKA on 30-Mar-05. Waypoint GCN9DD

A reasonably walk up, not too taxing and slow and steady for me held the dizziness to a low level. Lots of wildflowers, quite nice. A search of the area was a good explore, cache missed on the way in but spotted while taking photos soon after.Heading North, taking our time exploring and caching as we go. It really windy today, and after the hot 30C days a bit cooler but still nice to get out. It's Ben Hall country, lots of caches of sites, caves and events. A few hikes, flowers are out, and nice locations. Thanks for your cache!

Finished another long trip around Australia. The 6th. Back to the east coast for an event in Orange (non caching) and then a great family dinner catchup. Now heading north to Townsville with Aquilus1 to get the Palm Island LGA.A nice hike up the hill. Started from down the road a bit so fairly gradual. Returned straight to the road. Great views.

Ljblazeit

We are on a ten-day road trip from Sydney around the Central West. We stayed in Parkes last night. We had targeted the local Ben Hall collection for our trip. We headed to GZ around 730 wanting to minimise the Joe Blake risk by keeping out of the heat of the day. Pulled over close to GZ (S 33 09.636 E 147 50.078). Got out of the car to an almighty stench. Confirming it wasnt the result of last nights special rissoles at the club, we soon spotted the still recognisable but rapidly deteriorating kangaroo carcass. Phew! We had planned well and wore long pants, long sleeves and hiking boots and brought our hiking poles. All helped us feel comfortable as we were not completely confident trekking with no path, a steep rocky terrain and only the GPS to guide us. Off we walked into the relatively open terrain. Slow but steady, we were able to wind our way along faint trails mostly marked by kangaroo poo and echidna nose conical holes. As we approached the rocks, we were still able to pick our way along still zig-zagging. Looking up, there was a formation that looked vaguely like one of the posted photos - but so did many of the others. The best land mark was a jutting overhang that was very flat on the bottom. We got up there clambering over only one or two smallish boulders and, sure, enough, Mrs Gaztek spotted the container almost right away. Mr Gs biggest fear beforehand was squiggly things. Mrs Gs first and Mr Gs second fear was getting up here and not finding the container. Problem solved!! We admired the view and took some photos then made our way back down as carefully as we had on the way up. That kangarooo still stunk but we were much happier! Thanks to MSMACKA for placing and maintaining this for such a long time. A definite favourite for us! SL TFTC Cheers Gaztek

#13248 14:20After a fantastic Elvis festival on Saturday, we had not much on during the day and decided to take a detour when driving from Forbes to Parkes. Having visited Ben Hall's grave for another cache, it was nice to continue with the other events of Ben Hall's short life.A scramble up the rock brought us to a nice lookout point. The cache was find nearby and was in excellent condition. No snakes were sighted in the long grass.TFTC

I found this cache as I headed home to Adelaide after the QOGM events around Longreach.The plan was to be away for about a month. I travelled up to Longreach via Broken Hill, Cunnamulla, Charleville and Barcaldine, camping and finding caches of interest along the way. I am heading back home via Brisbane and the NSW coast to Sydney, then across to Adelaide. However my plans are pretty loose and subject to change, often on a whim!The weather so far has been good, albeit a little warm at times. I am hoping it stays good for the rest of the trip.I have had to be quite selective with the caches I have found as there are so many that I am passing. As a result I have mostly targeted non-traditional cache types, although I have also grabbed a few Trads opportunistically here and there.Thanks MSMACKA for the cache, which has contributed to an interesting and enjoyable trip.

22/5/23

Found it

#3715 First of three finds today. Really enjoyed climbing up to the cache and the views are fantastic. Was extremely surprised to see that I was the FTF in my previous caching life as President & 1st Lady. First found almost 18 years ago to the day. Totally amazing. Thanks again for a great cache.

#5725

Day 2 of the Lake Cargelligo road trip. After an enjoyable night camping at Wolgan valley, made our way to Parkes via Bathurst and Orange. Wanted to visit the Ben Halls shooting site first, attempting an approach from the north. Got to within 2km but then got turned back by a raging creek that had over 1m of water flowing over the road.

Turned back and made our way to this one. With a break in the rain, we made our way up past plenty of rocky nooks. At GZ, I was easily distracted with some slots that only the bad man would appreciate. Have them a good search before paying attention to where the iPhone wanted me, just as the rain started tumbling down again. Climbed onto some precarious and slippery T4 shelves before checking some other possibilities. It was only on closer inspection that I uncovered the cache. Would have liked to spend more time exploring and seeing the views but today was not the day. Still loved the scramble and area. Well worth the detour

TFTC MSMACKA

Was in the first place I looked, but did not spot it initially. Not loving the burrs that split apart into 100's of tiny spiky brown bits of joy.

Through prickles and burs un-numbered, ever up the rocky incline, we have sweated our way to find the prize. Think I'll still be here in a week trying to pick all the prickles from my clothing and skin!
Views are fabulous!

Found this yesterday with Roomar_S while having a nice break. We almost gave up on it cause we’re covid unfit but decided to go for it and so glad we did! What a view!

Out for a little adventure with Irol22 around the area, and heard about this cache. We thought about skipping it because it was quite late in the day, but so glad we didn’t. Definitely a favourite for us. TFTC.

Don't know if I looked to hard or not hard enough looked for atleast an hour couldn't find it : (

We parked overnight in our camper at Bogan Gate. I was unsure how close to the cache we could drive, but it turned out to be fine (much better than the highway from Condobolin to Nynagee turned out to be later in the day!).

I assume Ben Hall was keen on good telecommunications, which is wht he jid out so close to phone towers?

Moving from Adelaide to Brisbane, [@jesswrigley](http://coord.info/PRNW59T) and I decided to drive the long distance to make the opportunity a holiday, taking 12 days and passing through Victoria, New South Wales, and then finally arriving in Queensland. We spent the first few days in SA's Riverland, visiting Morgan, Berri and Renmark; and then drove through Mildura in Victoria. In NSW, we stopped at Hay, Parkes, Merriwa, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, and Coffs Harbour, and then entered Qld to stop for a night in Robina in the Gold Coast.

Today, [@jesswrigley](http://coord.info/PRNW59T) and I based ourselves in Parkes and its surrounds. Following breakfast, our first stop was CSIRO Parkes Radio Telescope, which was our highlight. We then proceeded north via Alectown to Peak Hill, where we walked around the old mining area. We then returned back to Parkes driving a loop via Tullamore, Trundle, and Bogan Gate, and we used the afternoon remainder walking around Parkes and completing the *Welcome to Parkes!* Adventure Lab.

I had spotted this cache that was a little out from Bogan's Gate, and so I convinced [@jesswrigley](http://coord.info/PRNW59T) of this fun adventure with attractive D/T rating. We parked, and it took about 10 minutes in getting up to the rocky cliffs and cavey hideout spots. I found the hardest part was just avoiding the golden orb spider webs that lined the area, but otherwise, it wasn't a too difficult scramble up. We then started searching around, and it turned out to be a quick cache find, as the cache container was somewhat exposed, and so not the best hidden from the previous visitors. The cache container and logbook were in good shape. This was an awesome cache with terrific views from the top, so with the historical element as well as fun adventure, this gets a Favourite Point from me! Thanks MSMACKA for the cache placement and ongoing maintenance.
Note that this geocache was logged with the *Team Warren* Davidwazza/jesswrigley stamp.

A great day exploring Parkes and surrounding towns on Davidwazza and I's drive up to Brisbane! TFTC!

On our way from Hervey Bay to Melbourne and this one seemed like a nice challenge for the way through. Did not realise it was quite the detour it ended up being and the spiders had been busy. The path up was littered with webs which I found constantly along with the burs. The climb itself was not too difficult but the view from gz was worth it and I can see why it would have been a good lookout. Nice cache

Thanks MSMACKA for the cache.
Found at 6:05 pm on 30/1/21.
Find # 2233

A long weekend brings with it a weekend of camping and caching. fitzy_1965 and I decided to do a loop from Goulburn out to Naranderra, Griffith, Condoblin and back home so I could pick up the last few counties out that way.

Heading from Condoblin to home today. After a small sleep in, we headed out for a day of caching. Lots of scrambling was required and at one point I had a large rock dislodge from under my feet. Thankfully I was holding on to other rocks and didn't slide down like the rock. fitzy soon came up with the find and we could make our way back down. Gee wiz....glad I don't have to do that one again.

21,698. Found with minniek during our October Long Weekend Outback Adventure.

Day 4 of our October Long Weekend Outback NSW trip. After enjoying a night at the local Motel rather than camping, we headed out relaxed ready for a big day. This was the next one for the day, and boy was it a great cache to do ! Awesome views from up there. Took a while to scramble around and find the cache, but then it was nice to sit back and enjoy the views. Then for the careful climb back down to the car.

TFTC MSMACKA !!

As a member of TeamOZCAT logged in this cache, I am now logging as an individual predominantly to avoid any mistaken/unnecessary revisitation.
Under groundspeak guidelines, this logging is acceptable as I was indeed at Cache GZ in person in recent times. However, all cache owners have the right to delete logs as they see fit. Usually done to "Armchair loggers" or inappropriate texting.

If any cache Owner/s have questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact.

TeamOZCAT logged finds when both Karen and Reg logged as individuals. This logging is exactly the same, only in reverse. Again, groundspeak acceptable.
For an unspecified period of time TeamOZCAT are no longer cache searching but remain active in our cache management and maintenance.

I sincerely thank all CO's and wish you all the best in your endeavours. Cheers Karen

Another Fav. I forgot I had a write note for this. Edit date for that now.
Many cache owners are already aware: As per Groundspeak guidelines, I am claiming find because physically found under TeamOzcat. I undertake this not for disinterested statistical purposes, but because of inability to revisit this cache, and/or because it's so damn confusing when viewing the local district geocache maps. I sincerely thank all CO's for time and effort in placement of their caches. Cheers Reg.

We are so glad that we came here and got this cache. We were reluctant at first due to the terrain rating, but we thought, bugger it. Thank you for bringing us to this fantastic location. Cache found in good condition

For those interested. How many hides did Ben have?
At GC7846B
Ben Hall's Cave, reputed to be Ben’s hideout cave has been preserved by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Situated on the western side of the mountain the cave is a sprightly 30 minute walk with a great view of the surrounding farmland. The cave site has historical value as once the Bushranger Ben Hall camped and hid from authorities in the many caves that dot these ranges.
We are heading up this way soon. part of our itinerary.

What a great place and view. TFTC. I would never have found this place otherwise.

Backdating logs found on a trip out west to assist with ses training. Broke up a long drive from Wollongong with a few smiles along the way

TFTC

4149 24 July 2019
Staying in Parkes for a few days and grabbing some local caches.
Nice climb and a great view. Take care on the descent.
TNLNSL
TFTC MSMACKA

I've always had an interest in our bushranger history so we were looking forward to visiting some of the Ben Hall sites. A short climb up to this one for some great views and interesting rock formations. This was a fun cache which we enjoyed, TFTC.

Excellent find and fun

We'll, that was interesting. Especially the rock scrambling, but really worth it. Cache was easy to find once at the coordinates. Cache is in good condition. tftc.

Tftc

Tftc. Quite the climb and quite the view.

I was definitely not a mountain goat in a previous life!! Managed to climb (crawl) to the top after a massive weekend in Trundle, glad I did as it was very worth it once I got there. Only injury incurred on the climb down was when I accidentally sat on a prickle bush

TFTC

Great hide

Tftc, good excercise last 20m were the best, great lookout..

this is what caching is all about, was in the area so we thought we'd knock this one off, 190mts doesn't sound much , lol, but coming down is harder on the knees, so glad we did, many thanx

Nice spot TFTC

Came the back way from Lake View (sometimes) cache. Was very pleased to pull up at a comms tower and find that I had a very short walk to the cache. Managed it fairly easily with crutches (have some neat techniques with the dam things now) Absolutely loved finding the original logbook and container in perfect condition. There is a lot to be said for good placement!
Thank you MSMACKA for placing this cache [:)

Loved this cache and the view!!! Tftc

Took us a while to find because our app kept on mucking up but we found it in the end, great hide and an amazing view! Thanks for the cache!!

Very slow to post.... We found this back on the 5/7/2015. With our kids and some of their friends we loved it.

It's beautiful up here at 19:50.
The heat of the day is gone and a cool breeze is blowing.
All I can say is that Ben Hall must have been a fit dude if he walked up here all the time.

I've flown over here in the hang glider a number of times but never been here on foot.
The thermals brood in the rocks here and are collected by the upwind paddocks. I've had climbs up to 1500 feet per minute over these hills.

Glad I took the effort to get up here. Thanks MSMACKA.

Worked nearby.
Another 39c day... what better way to spend a hot day than to find a cache.

I parked near the repeater tower and started to find an easy way to GZ without being to distracted by how close I was.
Several wallabies bounding by startled me.

I soon had the cache and signed the log.
I removed my shirt and sat in the shade nearby to the cave, admiring the views.


TN, Left smiley badge
TFTC MSMACKA

Today we explored Forbes and surrounds using geocaching as a guide.

Great views, left pathtag.

Thanks for placing and maintaining this cache for our enjoyment.

Havin' visit Ben Halls Cave back in Weddin Mountains and watched the re-enactment of Ben Hall's fight back in Grenfell. Thought it was worth the drive up here to see another hideout of he's.

What a great little spot. Parked down below by the microwave relay station and just walked up the hill to it.
Not that bad of a climb and some great views to the East and West.

TFTC!

WOW!!!! After a bit of a hike and realizing I'm still scared of heights, we reached the cache after a little bit of searching. Appreciate the view but now to attempt the climb down TFTC!!

20.07.14 great views, tftc wonderful country

Tftc

Tftc

Seeing a rarer D/T combo that did not look too far from a road and given the name of the cache had us interested so we detoured over despite the heat. Found a little side track from the road and drove to within 150m of GZ. We saw what was ahead of us and headed straight up. Great district views as you start to get up and before long we where at the cave. Luckily we entered from the cache side as we spotted the hide almost immediately. We completed the signing duties and re hid. TFTC

This entry was edited by bella at waggy on Wednesday, 22 January 2014 at 06:26:41 UTC.

Found it. Really enjoyed the hike and was a good way to spend the morning.
Thank you

Wow, what a great spot! BatgirtlandCo and I made the detour on the way to Forbes to pick this one up. A fun little scramble up to the top of the ridge, and an easy find. Nice views over the surrounding countryside and fortunately the rain held off.

Nice one MSMACKA! TFTC

Wow - really liked this one! At first glance on the map this location seemed well out of our way - however we were heading towards Grenfell to take in a wander in the Weddin Mountains to Ben Halls Cave so really, how could we not take the detour to collect this on the way? So after a short-ish (by country travelling standards) drive we arrived very close to GZ. Ditched the gaiters as 'not required' and headed up the hill. After just a short wander the cache was located very quickly, coordinates we absolutely spot on.

Too nice a spot not to explore a little more so we headed up to the highest point we could get to and survey the local scenery. Was a bit more tentative on the way down given the limestone formations are covered in a fair amount of lichen and tend to be slippery. And easy wander providing you take care! Thanks for this on MSMACKA - gets a fav point from me.

Got to within 200 mts of GZ & surveyed situation from comfort of the car.
Drove off!!
My family would be proud xx

Quite the adventure!

Climbed to the top. Looked a bit and decided I'd come back in a couple of days with a mate to find it.

Saw a different way down. Turned a corner and Found It!

Read up about Geocoins and decided this would be my first. I was just trying to work out how to record it when

CRACK! Thunder!

A storm had formed on the hot plains. Decided that being on top of a mountain was not the smartest move. Plus worried lighting might start a bush fire.

Zipped down the mountain.

In the car and the storm has already broken up into a few drops that evaporate as they hit the ground.

TFTC!

Quite the adventure!

Climbed to the top. Looked a bit and decided I'd come back in a couple of days with a mate to find it.

Saw a different way down. Turned a corner and Found It!

Read up about Geocoins and decided this would be my first. I was just trying to work out how to record it when

CRACK! Thunder!

A storm had formed on the hot plains. Decided that being on top of a mountain was not the smartest move. Plus worried lighting might start a bush fire.

Zipped down the mountain.

In the car and the storm has already broken up into a few drops that evaporate as they hit the ground.

TFTC!

A stroll up a hill after work and dropped off a new coin PC10G8.

This was defiantly the most invigorating experience! We loved it, but of a climb but a beautiful view !!!

Found on our second attempt. View was worth a second look.

Found it on second visit.The view was still great.Care should be taken climbing up and down to this catch as there is a lot of lose rock on this steep hill but still a great catch.
TNLN

New to the game and couldn't believe my luck to have one so close to home, ( you can see our farm from here ) . Took the 4 yr old and a water bottle , looked in a lot of nooks and crannies before we found it . Young bloke had to take the shrek cards , left an Aus. Geog. patch and a sticker. Great time was had "treasure hunting" . Thanks MSMACKA
P.S. Long trousers or a pair of hiking gaiters would be a good idea due to our local burrs!
BGGR.

What a great climb, the kids were'nt that impressed though. That was until they realised there was a geocoin in the cach !!. Wow this is our first coin. Magnificent views and a real good work out.

Kate took the Uno cards and left a childs rubber bangle.
Pip seized the golden orb geocoin and also left a bangle.

Now all I need to do is log the coin and will be moving it on to another of Ben Halls haunts in a week or two.

Attended with GroovyDoo. TNLN. Thanx for the Cache. Many loose rocks and broken tree branches. Others proceed with caution. Great Views.

Was pretty hot climbing today, Found with SgtkennyKrash. Signed the log, TNLN

This entry was edited by groovydoo on Sunday, 23 October 2011 at 01:04:02 UTC.

I was cruising past Parkes today and found a few backroads to go chasing caches along

These out of the way spots are some of my favourite places
The climb was fun and the higher I got the steeper it got.
But the views were grand from up on high. It looks like a few animals hideout here during the hot days. A few kangaroos bounded away as I approached

Finding the cache's hideout took a bit of doing.
Climbing and crawling to look in all the nooks and crannies.
But in the end it was within easy reach. Just difficult to see

TFTC and views. I left my "Web With a View" geocoin to start it's journey.

Well, this is an interesting one! Recommendation to those who want to take on this climb, if you are over 60 and / or unfit (I am both), this is a bugger, so give yourself plenty of time, and take a camera to record the fabulous views from the top to make it all worthwhile. I forgot my camera, but I don't reckon I'll be going back. Searched for 15 minutes without success, but given the other comments here, I'm sure it is there somewhere. Not sure why it has been hidden so well, no muggles in their right mind would do this climb for nothing! None-the-less, now that I have recovered, I look back on the experience with some pride, albeit damaged. TFTC

Well it was worth the climb. A great hide and a great view
Thanx
TNLN

Enjoyed short climb and great views especially at sunset. Took travelbug. Pleased we were alerted to the fact that this cache was quite close to the final for a multi that starts in town and is definitely worth doing as well. Thanks MSMACKA

Sorry to hold you up for a cuppa. But that's what bushrangers (geo-hunters) do. MSMACKA

Although there were flies a plenty and it was turning into a warm one, this was well worth the effort and the major scrape mrs bloopy suffered from a misstep. The views were excellent and we could imagine mr hall and gang up here surveying who to rob next. Nice one! Left uno cards and TB, took tape measure.

What awesome views. Nice climb and well worth it. Thanks MSMACKA. Found pretty easily! We looked in the right place the first time but didn't quite look hard enough, so after looking up down and around we went back to where we started and there it was. Took TB as it had been there a while and will relocate soon.

now that was a climb and tremendous views thanks
Acko

Found Ok after much in and around rock searching picked a nice time of day to do this fantastic view and the fog was thick in the valley.
TFTC
Took Geocoin
Left Tb

Found today. Quick easy hike up the hill, was expecting more when I left home so when I parked "Steve" decided to join me. Difficulty of finding the cache is pretty right, it took me a fair while searching in the wrong spot. I turned the GPS off and on and then it traked straight in to a well hidden cache. Steve was having a ball (pun intended) and enjoyed the view (pics coming).

Great spot! Don't forget the camera.

Second time lucky. It's amazing how easy things are when you have the right coords! Thanks for this one. TN left a blank cartridge found nearby. Thanks for this one.

After visiting nearby Trundle for Bush Tucker Day we thought we would go get this one.

Down the slippery dirt track after the weekend rain made it interesting.

Great view for cache location, no swaps with us today.

Well isn't that a big climb. We needed the exercise we thought but our bodies didn't have the same idea! It was a nice easy find and nice view. There is a fossil of what looks like an arrow on one of the rocks could this be pointing to something of significance? We will never know I guess because the secret would have died with Ben Hall. Thanks for another great spot and lots of rocks!!!!
T. TB Ticket L.Batteries

dropped off a TB.
it's a hard climb, but i needed the excise anyway, puff puff

I searched high and low but to no avail. Has this one been moved on by Ben Hall's Buddy? Plenty of Wallaroos around to share the search, but no real help!

Hooray FTF!!!!! and...... our first terrian rating of 4 stars.

We really enjoyed climbing to this cache, even if what goes up must come back down!! The Pres found this in about one second for each difficulty star (that would be 3)! It's what you call being in the right place when GZ is called.

The view from the top is awesome - did we really go up that far? Wish I'd brought the camera - looks like we might have to return!

Took TB Madcow and will take him for a milkshake soon.
Took clog, left green buggy and hooks.

Thanx MSMACKA

[This entry was edited by president & 1st lady on Sunday, May 08, 2005 at 3:31:10 PM.]

A Mad Cow Travelbug was stolen from the owner by Ben Hall and taken to his hideout keep an eye for it.