Land of Contrasts Werribee, Victoria, Australia
By chewinprickles on 08-Apr-05. Waypoint GCNCZW

Called in on this one today hoping to fix it up but the area has been changed so much that it's not really practical to keep it going. Bluestone ford is nearby so the area is still represented by that cache therefore I'm reluctantly closing this one down.

Searched at 6am for this one while staying at the Mansion overnight.
Found the area and the stump but no cache. Looked around in all the likely places,widening my search and avoiding the bird droppings and snakes but still could not find the elusive cache. Even though the area is out of the way, I think this one has been muggled. Thanks for bringing me to such a nice area, shame I can't log a find.
Cheers.

This entry was edited by Spinmeout on Sunday, 20 November 2011 at 00:28:42 UTC.

Loved the walk around this area. Last time around here was watching horses competing cross country through this terrain many years ago. Nice hide except for the bird droppings. TFTC.

Great spot. The air is so fresh and the area is so natural. The gps was spot on. Good hide, no muggles around! We took the moose toy and left a Spongebob toy.
We came all the way from WA to get this cache. We ducked over from the adjoining equestrian centre where geobrother is competing at the nationals.
Tftc: this is our 20th cache.

Found while on conference at nearby Mansion. TFTC

No luck for Suscoe today.
Searched everywhere we could, no cache at all to be found today.
Great walk though.
We will make our way back here one day.
Thanks to chewinprickles for a bit of cache frustration.

Having visited the Zoo my wife and kids visited the Rose Garden (very cool BTW), and I headed off cross-country to find the cache.

Great spot on the river. On the way saw the "talking" sculptures (well they did make weird sounds) on the way.

On way back walked through BIG old building that had been turned into a trendy hotel.

Cool spot

TFTC

BTW: nothing posted at time because using my iphone!

This entry was edited by angrykoala on Wednesday, 15 June 2011 at 02:30:27 UTC.

With the recent floods and all the new growth, this was always going to be tricky, but when I nearly stepped on a very large snake, I decided it was time to call DNF!

Nice spot on the last days of winter TFTC

After a little bit of trouble finding the correct parking/starting point, we were off on our trek across the lovely grounds in search for the cache. With the sun quickly disappearing behind a huge black cloud we knew we were in for a wet search. Enjoyed the views over the river of the wild animals and could have easily thought we were in Africa on a wild hunting trip.

Unfortunately our pen died after the 2nd stroke and there was no pencil in the container. We will return soon to place our mark (and provide a new pencil).
TFTC enjoyed the experience.

The recommended parking spot is in front of a locked fence, even though entry is now free. I think they've left it that way to force people to park near the gatehouse. You need to leave the path eventually to get to the cache, it's exposed but still pretty well hidden, don't go poking down any holes you find as it's a real possibility that a snake will jump out.

This entry was edited by danozz on Saturday, 10 July 2010 at 21:44:46.

I was having a terrific day plodding about the Chirnside Mansion and its Gardens - those Sculptures en-route to the cache certainly provoked mixed feelings but I thought the creativity was wonderful and in contrast to stately Buildings - and nearly forgot it was Geocaching that promoted me to walk up from Werribee in the first place. For a time, I was wondering where this one was hidden as the GPSr was have a 'bad pointing needle' day (always blame the GPSr as it saves 'lengthy' excuses for its ineffective owner). It was a bit of scrub bashing and a few trip overs in the undergrowth before I actually thought to look at the clue and save myself some 'grief'. Even then, it was a process of 'elimination' before the well hidden cache was to hand. This'd be a good spot to hide any ill-gotten 'precious jewels or proceeds from plods' that's for sure. Like other Cachers, after finding this one, it was R&R at a nearby Picnic Table via a Coffee from the Plod-Thermos, before a scramble back to the Mansion and its photographic delights. The not to much further along, Bluestone Ford cache, will have to wait another day - that'll give me an excuse for coming back to this lovely part of the World again. Thank you 'chewinprickles' for another enjoyable caching journey. I'd never been to the Mansion before let alone its Grounds and Surronds and it's now on the regular to return to list. TNLN. TQP

Not the easiest cache to get. Bit prickly and the stink from the bird droppings, hold thy breath and wash hands when done.

TNLN TFTC in a lovely location

Took a bit of effort to find, but we soon had the cache in hand.
A nice area with some interesting sights on the way.
TFTC

Took a while to figure out how to get there, but it was a nice walk with some intersting "stuff" dotted around the park
A good hide TFTC!

Well this was an adventure. We went further trying to find an entrance for this and the nearby one but missed the right place. After reading the cache notes for this we went back. Had a hard time finding a place to access the cache. Went to the main entrance but didn't have time for a long visit and didn't want to pay the entrance fee for a quick stop. Eventually found a parking spot within 250 mtr of the cache. Don't know if it was the right place or not. There was an open gate that said no entry to the park. Figured we weren't going to the park so went through. Went past the sign that said stay on the path as there are snakes around! Made LOTS of noise as we went off the path heading for GZ!! Found the oft-mentioned thorny bushes and LOTS of undergrowth maybe even the place referred to in the clue but so much undergrowth we couldn't access. Sadly decided to leave it for the day and...the adventure continued. Got to said gate and it was now shut and locked!! Car on the other side. Choices - go through the hotel or back to main gate through park we had not paid to visit... Found a Parks person and he said we shouldn't be where we were (we'd worked that out already!). He suggested we make a quick trip through the hotel (we were definitely not dressed appropriately!) and come back another day and come through the main gate! The sculptures look well worth a visit sometime and I'd love to know if there is another access point that doesn't require such an adventure (or an entrance fee!)

I continued on up the river from Bluestone Ford and found this great little park and view across the river. Locating the cache was a little more difficult because of the thick and spikey shrubs, but some careful foot work enabled me to nab it.

Many thanks for highlighting this spot,

R - B

careful of the stinging nettles and thorns but once again a great location, thanks chewinprickles sl

I was lucky to be staying at the Mansion. As I arrived I checked Beeline to find a few caches near by. After getting my card to access my room I immediately asked how to access the back fenced off area and got some simple directions (out that back door). Dropped my bag of my room and headed out with my GPS. It was a bad day for GPS start up for some reason. Sky's where rather clear but the GPS took time to work itself out. Even my Garmen High sensitivity took 10 minutes. A conversation later than night confirmed it was not just me and my 2 GPS but a friend also had trouble with there tomtom. The walk to GZ was simply amazing. The most enjoyable cache I have been to for a long time. Easily be in my top 5. Even dropped of the Garmin coin I have been so attached to and waiting for the right place. This was it. Thanks for the terrific cache in this wonderful "back yard"

Tristan has come for a flying visit back in time.

Found with Larny&Rupes at 2.10pm. 3rd find of the day.

I've never visited the park before. Very pretty and interesting! Had lunch at a nearby picnic table.

TNSL. L: wooden keyring
TFTC!

Found with PrincessDiala at 2:10pm.

Was stung by nettle so be careful. We had lunch with the cache on a nearby picnic table. Saw some great animals on the way.

Great Cache.

Took: Highlighter
Left: Ball Puzzle

TFTC

Find #39 @ 15:00 on a nice sunny afternoon. Hardly a sole about so it gave me a great opportunity to look around and reflect without muggle intervention. Managed to get some great pics of the buildings and local bird life. TNLNSL TFTC

Found with Speedy Stamps,VKC1SR and Bushfire
TFTC
TNLN

Went for a days caching with Bushfire, VKC1SR and Geewok, to find some western suburbs caches. This was the second for the day - a nice walk too. TNLN, TFTC.

Speedy Stamps,Geewok,VKC1SR and Bushfire decided that today we would like to put smiley faces on all caches between Werribee South and the West Gate Bridge. We didn’t quite make it but got very close.

This was a milestone as it was my 500th find in a lovely part of the Werribee river at 09.40 and very peaceful. NI-NO Thanks chewinprickles for the cache.

Never knew this place is here -good spot for a picnic

Found 1408hrs with geoson nice area
never knew about this place
took badge left highlighter
TFTC SL

Another find close to the other one. The two trees look very interesting and we wondered how they started like out. Took coin, left nothing. Thanks chewinprickles for the cache.

Found with The Lone Random. Had given this one a try a couple of weeks ago but was rained out when we got to the car park. TFTC

Found w Kiwi Friend. Good find ... quite nice bushland out this way!
As far as bushland goes ...
Cache is quite damaged, didn't have anything to fix it with.
Next cacher please take a new plastic bag and even a new small sized cache to change with. Container is quite damaged!
Left GeoCoin anyway ... Hehe. Had it longer then wanted

TFTC, The Lone Random

Something we spotted as we rolled up was a request for payment to access the grounds. There was a function on nearby; not sure if payment is the norm here or not, as the sign looked somewhat temporary.

We managed to approach the cache from a different direction, and found ourselves wondering how polo fields could be so well maintained when they've got bloody great horses stomping all over them. I managed to cop an education for myself, reading all the signs, while the less-informed members of our group bolted on ahead. At least *I* know why the stone wall was constructed in that fashion...

No problem finding the cache, although it took a bit of climbing to actually extract it. No snaky things about, which was a relief for the Steve Irwin-like amongst us, who choose to wear shorts.

TNLN TFTC

A very pleasant spot here. The quince trees evoked memories of some quince jam made once, that had proved to be inedible and would've made a very good glue substitute!
We were alert to snakes here, but saw nothing, probably a bit paranoid after an earlier incident in the day. We heard some muggles nearby, but when we eventually saw them they were some distance away and didn't see us. Thanks chewinprickles for another great cache.

Our first for this Walkabout in Oz. Nice place.

No Trade / Thanks for the cache.

Greetings from Holland

RedPaw64 found this cache at 1015. Nice little stroll, saw a wallaby on our travels.

NINO TFTC Chewinprickles

Attempted approach route was blocked due to an upcoming Polo Tournament.
Maybe next time I'm down this way I'll do a bit more planning and try again.

#9 10:56 - Wife and I staying at Werribee mansion. Looking around the grounds before leaving. Plenty of signs warning about snakes so location of this one worried me a bit but found it fairly easily after a bit of cautious poking around.

TNLN TFTC

Found @ 4:05pm with PocketRocket&Friends!

Awesome day caching with PR&F, thanks heaps. One of the best caches all day due to the fantastic views of the Open Range Park.

TFTC chewinprickles!

Found by PR&F on 9/11/08 @4.05pm in company with M+MEmpire.
Made the find and logged the cache then we were on our way.
We were lucky enough to see some sights from the Open Range Zoo- Rhino's, Antelopes, Zebras and even a Giraffe! We are going to re-visit this attraction!
TFTC chewinprickles

Second of two on the day. We've been to the park dozens of times but never went behind the house.

Found today by Mud Rat & Fred (new to geocaching) @ 5.20pm. Lovely area. Well hidden. Took Car left Indian. TFTC

Nice hiding spot, took us a little while to find it. Found with team jandj01 and the flyman.

2nd for the day walked around it 3-4 times before we found it. With janj01 and redorca

Took a while, but we persisted and found it, together with the flyman and redorca.

Found with Sam Carter - I think Sam Carter was responsible for the smell... refer Log.

Found in the company of Chickstas and the strong smell of guano (I don't think the latter was Chickstas fault! ). A very interesting spot; land of contrasts indeed. Unfortunately I left my swaps bag in the car (we only realised after we'd meandered on to the sculpture walk that there were caches so close by), so we swapped no cache swaps, but we did grab the Spock Unite for Diabetes TB to keep him moving.

TeamJEKL battled the bird poo and prickly weeds on a beautiful sunny day to find this one and finally release our TB.

Took - Nothing

Left - U4Diabetes TB with Spock hitchhiker (Dunderstadt, Germany) and Little blue car.

[This entry was edited by TeamJEKL on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at 5:45:44 AM.]

amazing place ... shame about all the bird poo though.

TFTC

4th of 9 at 12.45. A nice easy find, just watch for the boxthorns
TNLN, sharpened the pencil
TFTC

I was in the area to place a new cache, so I visited this one in its new location, and grabbed the Geocoin.

Pleasant walk in a nice quiet area, easy find. Pencil needs sharpening please.
+ Geocoin
- smiley face

Found this one whilst having a look at the Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award. Used the hint... Took Fish and Left Hot Wheels car.

Helped by B, L, and K

I think I logged this one in the book as the 17th by mistake.

chewinprickles TFTC

Found after a visit to the wildlife park (Phil-Fro.Nick's favorite). It's not often around here that you locate a cache within sight of a Rhino! TFTC

Went to this one after Bluestone Ford. Did this one with Kamagong Jr. Good location to watch the "foreign" animals on the other side. Left a racing card and took a 50c coin.

Found @ 4.00 p.m. today by Mr Emu & Son. No. 13 of 15 on our "Big Day Out In Werribee". GAFF3.

What a lovely area. It was great to have my helper along, and he really enjoyed looking at all the sculptures. I was here only a week ago looking for Bluestone Ford. Unfortunately I had to run to pick up & Son from school, so couldn't stop for this one. I didn't realise how close it was. No problems coming back for a more leisurely look though. A very pleasant day in the orchard and by the water. Thanks for the cache chewinprickles.

Took: Nil; Left: Nil.

Found by Bevfre 4.00pm, With Kate & Ben Long walk to cache left coin Took Loin Cub.Thank You chewinpickles.

Found easily once the gps decided that it wasn't in the river! T tape, L fish. thanks again chewingprickles.

What a great spot for a picnic and cache hide.Had the challenge to ourselves -well 11 anyway between "chefs" and farmers .Grabbed the tricky hide just after lunch today in its clever hide spot and logged the paperwork over the great views .We had just finished a picnic lunch up near the rose garden ,but around the art sculptures would have even been better !Loved the giant frame nearby placed just right for the distance picture frame photos with roaming hippos in the background !Thanks to chewinprickles for the great location,tricky challenge and hidden gem of a location.TNLN.

Found this one today, the 7th of 11 on the fathers day of caching with the Farmers 5, took bottle top, left tape.
Loved the location and the animals in the background

Thanks Chewinpickles for the cache

Lovely walk down by the river on a perfect day. Almost had the place to myself. TNLN

Found 11.00am
The morning fog was still around as we found our way to GZ, what a great area. Saw lots of wallabies and had one bound pased within a few feet as we filled in the log.

Took Lace Hanky
Left A "Keeper of Time"

TFTC chewinprickles

Found @ 12.15pm after doing a nearby cache (also by C'P).
Geochats accompanied me as we searched this really nice area for the cache.
2nd find of 3 for this Easter Sunday!!
TNLFCSL. Thanks Chewinprickles!!
I have a few more of yours that I want to do yet!!!

Found at 6.40pm GAFF1. What a great spot here especially on a clear evening just on sun-set. We have been to the Werribee Mansion many times, but never to this spot - just loved it. Thanks Chewinprickles. tn/ln

Found at 2010. Night caching through the area so decided to have another crack after an earlier no find from the wrong side of the fence... TNLN.

J found this one. An interesting walk throught the park. Not sure if we went the right way but we made it out alive. TNLN. Thanks for the history tour. I will have to go back again one day

Our last cache in a busy day. A great place with some excellent art work.
TNLNSL
Thanks

Found 13:25, a great location that we enjoyed exploring on this beautiful day

TNLN, thanks chewinprickles.

Found by 4 Men and a Lady at 1645 on 11 January 2006.

Great little walk through interesting parkland with some edgy sculpture

TNLNSL

Many Thanks Chewinprickles

Well this cache was quite a challenge, as we had to avoid a large brown snake at GZ.

Our journey started from the furthest carpark & our walk took us past A cache by any other name, then past some very interesting works of art & on to confront the snake.

We took a very different way out again, and somehow managed to gain admission to the mansion grounds without going through the gatehouse.

We left a hankie and a brooch to restock the cache.

Found at 7:25pm. Fourteenth of eighteen on our Western Suburbs Ramble. As per most others, we had trouble recognising the way to the car park but once we had realised the access point, there was no problem. Only one bee near GZ at this time of day. A quick find but the best was yet to come.

On the way back to the car we saw Zebras. Yay for Zebras. In the cool of the evening it was a fantastic experience to watch the herd from the vantage of the picture frame.

Thanks Chewinprickles from D & H B-A.

found it with Team WGR
TFTC

the second for the day,we drove around for a long time trying to find the park,in the end we made our own,driving straight through the building walkways,a few people looked at us but we found it in the end...there is a bee's nest in the area,so be very careful,took a bubbles bottle,and left a flintstone car, Steve & Tena


MCCA.

Found this one with GeoJnr Jono (our son) and MCCA (Steve and Tena). Even though we "created" our own car park and went for a lovely scenic walk we still managed to find this one (beware of the bees). We took the little elephant and left the little shark head thingy.

Found this using my Patented 'Attack the Cache from completly the wrong direction" strategy. Had similar car park issues to some other people but improvised and after a lovely stroll across a golf course, which incidently is the only golf course I've ever seen with graveyard in it (near the 18th tee) I managed to find a back way into the cache area, after scaring a couple of Kangas eventually made it there and had what was an easy find.

Took geojacques along because I am still a beginner at this,ended up at the wrong car park and had to walk 600 Meters, it turns out geojacques has been to this cache before after a lot of clues and hints from from him I found it.

found with oenze and geojack.
TNLNSL

Fifth of fourteen cache finds to the west of Melbourne, in company with acts2youthgroup. We parked at the appointed place and set off. There sure are a lot of artworks about, but Acts2's favourite was the bird in the cage in the tree. I think I'll take GeoJo's advice and create a YBIAA multi-cache here.

We found GZ, avoided the apiarian hazard, and found the cache at 1005. The sight of two trees whose branches have grown together is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen! It looks like one tree with two trunks! We also saw giraffes, rhinos, and antelope on the way to and from this cache. All in all, a great caching experience! Thanks to chewinprickles for the cache.

IN: Elephant
OUT: Toy car

Excellent cache, this is one you should be proud of. We had no trouble finding a free parking spot and we were soon on our way down a track to the cache location. The art work was fantastic; I loved the bird in a cage and the large frame. We followed the hose and soon arrived at the cache location.
The hide reminded me of one of Daks caches; he felt in the spot but missed it. That was the only spot I was game to look and soon had it in hand. I was nervous of the bees, due to the fact that one sting could have resulted in a trip to the hospital. I must put my adrenaline inhaler in my cache bag. Dak pointed something out to me about the object that the cache was hidden on, most unusual the way it has formed, I have never seen anything like it in my life and am kicking myself for not having the camera. It is not every day you see African animals while out caching, we were sure a hippo was going to come out of the river. I am sure Dak will be back to plan a yes but is it art cache. I took a mondo and left a lion. Thanks for a cache that will go on my top ten list.

Tried two different ways to access this cache. Recommended parking area was shut by a gate and had a sign saying we had to buy an entry ticket from the nearby winery. The other entrance near my own cache was also only accessible by buying a ticket. Not sure how the other teams were able to sneak in without paying...

Returned July 3 after a parking hint from maccamob. Found the correct spot this time and enjoyed the wander around the paths - would make a good edition to the "Yes, but is it art?" cache series!! Found GZ this time, but was wary of the bees that are still present in large numbers. Circled the area and explored all the options within range, but with the decrypted clue I think I'll have to return with some assistance. Hopefully it will be 3rd time lucky!

[This entry was edited by GeoJo on Saturday, July 02, 2005 at 7:14:46 PM.]

Driving around we tried a few entrances to see if we could get closer but the stated car park was behind a closed gate which stated basically not to go past without paying an entry fee which seemed a little high for running in for a cache...
Not wanting to disobey the rules we left the area in the hope the area is opened up at another time for the greater GC community...

Found by Maya and Ray at 3:40PM on the 10th of June. After skirting around a Ranger sitting in his truck, working hard, no doubt, we located GZ and after a short search, we found the cache. We took a smiley face and left a figurine. Thanks from The Nomads.

1.30pm
Found by Roma and Max.
Interesting surroundings from bygone days.
Took: Panda Bear.
Left: Smiley Face.
Thanks Chewinprickles.
from Romax.

After parking as close as possible we were unsure if we were allowed to be in this area, so like all good geocachers we proceeded on without further ado.
Once we got close to the GZ we were guided to the cache by a group of happy bees and I was careful to grab the cache without making mister bees unhappy.
Many thanks Chewinprickles for the cache, it really is an area of contrasts, but much enjoyed.
TNLN
Regards Mr.Coffee and the “sneak in and sneak out without paying†Clan.

We have conducted fireworks at the nearby Mansion numerous times and have explored many parts of the gardens while waiting to set up but we have never come to this very interesting area.
Took TB Austin Powers and Budda
Left Eraser
Thanks chewinprickles for the opportunity to come back here.

I had been several times to the main grounds to see the annual exhibition, but I had not realised that there were some permanent ones nearby. Great view across the Savannah. Pleasant walk and not a muggle to be seen, until I tried to return the cache! Working my way up the river today.
Took: Dinosaur, Left: Panda.
Thanks, Robmc.

After a short photographic opportunity, I headed out to GZ. After a pleasant walk, I neared the area, only to discover two rangers heading my way. I kept going for a while, visited the ford, then doubled back to GZ.

Once the cache was found, I took one dinosaur, and left another in its place. The area near GZ is so lovely. The river front here is such a contrast to downstream near the 'Red Cliffs' cache. Thanks for the cache, and for showing me this part of the world.

Found by caughtatwork at 10:30
Gabrielle and I had a look for a cache to do this morning while Mummy was busy. This one was nice and close so we took off to the cache site. Other information we gathered before we left implied that this was a 'pay to enter' area so we took some extra change, but it appears that that info is not correct and we were free to enter and park as recommended.
We strolled along the pathways taking note of the fascinating art works that were strewn around. Another stroll through the cloying sweetness of the fruit in the orchards and we were upon GZ.
Immediately we heard the buzzing of bees and took note of their hive (from a distance). It appears that they have taken up residence not that far from GZ, so please be extremely careful as you approach the area.
With Gabrielle standing a safe distance away I grabbed the cache and we did the swapping out of buzzing range.
Took bouncy ball, left bubblemix.
Walking back to the car we noticed more artworks and then we noticed the picturesque view across the zoo. We stopped to take a couple of pictures of the animals that we could see. The best one is attached.
Thanks to chewinprickles for a great cache location. The artwork, the bees, the orchard and the animals in the distance. An excellent cache that would be a sure delight to the young and old amongst us.

Found by Mary & David at 1200. After yesterday's puzzlefest, this one was a breeze. Even though we've lived locally for 24 years we haven't fully explored this area. Thoroughly enjoyed the sunshine, the artworks, the old orchard and glimpses of rhinos, zebras, giraffe and eland in the distance. Took small aeroplane toy, left Buddha. Also left TB 'Austin Powers' for a wild adventure. Our thanks to chewinprickles. We look forward to more of these.