Ice House Ruins: Lowest Wellington Park, Tasmania, Australia
By Dippedidooda on 18-Nov-06. Waypoint GCZDF8

Land owner (HCC) was understandably concerned about the sensitivity of the site- and took away the container before any discussions about an altered placement further away. A new cache attracts so many more visitors than just altering cache placement. Regardless, you only have to read the logs to see how people have appreciated it. Oh well, I gave up.

Logging per discussion with the CO
TFTC Dippedidooda

OK, so it turns out that the kerfuffle has originated from HCC and i have now been contacted by a Wellington Parks officer who is liaising with the Heritage Officer who has some concerns about caches that are placed close to some of the more sensitive locations of historical significance around Wellington Park. So I am currently in discussions with them about the placement of these caches and disabling them while this is occurring. I was talking with Ranger Ben who can be contacted at [email protected]

Dont know why it was just disabled...

disabling

6th for the day. Great exploring the trails on the beautiful mountain TFTC

Thoroughly enjoyed our walk at Mt Wellington today. Thanks for placing the cache here and telling us a bit about the location.

The last cache of the day before catching the bus back up to the top from the Springs. It was a beautiful day and very warm for this time of year. Plenty of lizards out and about but nothing legless was seen! Thanks to the detailed hint and good coords this cache was a nice and easy find. An interesting spot, TFTC!
Cheers,
The Hancock Clan

Our first for the day. We are planning on Walking to Smith's Monument. Thanks. I love ruins.

Not much left of the ruin but it is still pretty cool. Many thanks.

Lovely spot! I had been misled by the "track" overlay but the satellite view got me there. TFTC!

What a great walk and interesting sight. Tftc fraenkies

Quick find with the instructions just off the trail. Made it about halfway up the ice house track and grabbed it on the way down. Not fun taking off the gloves to cache. TFTC

Walked past this one intending to collect on the way back and then turned around almost at the point of the upper cache without realising it was there. At least we did manage to do this one as intended.

Again another cool spot with interesting history. Love the mountain! TFTC

We are almost out of the woods as it were, a great walk with some cracking company today and it was nice to get to this one and have the younger members of the team search this one out with our instructions.

we were all adding our names to the log in a couple minutes thanks to the very clear hint.

Almost done just a bit more onwards and downwards to go now.

Found at 16:14 on 31/12/2017

The best caches I have found so far by type are:-

Traditional [Moorgreen P3:1, Penny Pincher](http://coord.info/GC32Z5B) By [Sven&Cup](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=6596795)
Multi [CoaledHearted](http://coord.info/GCKGZ5) By [CraigRat](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=256663) 
Unknown [Men In Black Holes](http://coord.info/GC1DVB0)  By [SG-3](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=918045) 
Letterbox [Rolf's Letterbox](http://coord.info/GC5NCYM)  By [membsec](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=5318842) 

I really enjoyed the walk, especially with the great company but I was glad we were near the end of the downhill slog as my feet were sore in my old boots. I have a new pair but I don't want to part with these old faithfuls. I bought them to walk the Milford Track in December 1997 and they have served me well, many I could get new inner soles [?]
The 'young ones' arrived first at GZ but needed the hint so waited until we arrived but they did all the work! The found it and replaced it for us. All we did was sign the log and provide the hint.
Looking at GZ, it would be easy to walk past here and not really notice it. In a way its a shame but it also keeps it safe from human damage.
Thanks Dippy for your 4 caches today. This is an area I've wanted to do for ages.

G'day dippedidooda, thanks for the cache, and all the best for 2018.
This was the 3rd and last ice house ruins one; and the 5th one of yours today. Thanks for placing and maintaining them in this wonderful park in Hobart's backyard.
jnrEP had the GPSr by this stage and arrived at GZ with Lil Rafa's geoSon first, but needed to wait for the peloton to arrive to receive the hint, and then he quickly had the cache in hand.
Found today on a cracking downhill walk with members from fellow geocachers stainless-steel-rat, gooseandegg, membsec and Lil Rafa.
A great day out; with excellent company.
#839 @ c1620hrs New Years Eve, Sunday 31st December 2017.

Found on a great walk on New Years Eve with fellow geocachers stainless-steel-rat, gooseandegg, membsec and EeePees. Dragged one of my adult sons along for the day as well. A bit windy and chilly on top, but once we started walking we soon warmed up, and the day got better as we headed towards the Springs. This was the third of the Ice house caches that we visited today. Thanks for putting this and the other Ice house caches here for us to visit Dippedidooda. A great area to visit and we are so lucky to have this so close to the centre of Hobart.

A nice cache in an interesting spot! Always good to learn a bit more about our mountains past whilst out for a Sunday stroll

thanks for the cache

Checked on this one. Despite the snowy surrounds, all good here.

Took a bit of time finding this one as it was getting dark.TFTC

Last night we decided that we needed to find some caches and thought the mountain might be a good place to start before the cold weather begins. When we began this walk the weather looked great, very little wind and the sun was shining but not too hot. This cache was our 2nd find for the day and I don't think anyone could get this one wrong with a great description in the hint, and on the cache page, which we used as we over shot GZ!! Once again male membsec was on the ball as he quickly retrieved the cache from it's hide and left our mark on the log book, then replaced the cache back where we found it.

TFTC Dippedidooda and also for the great information about the Ice House Ruins, fascinating story.

Yesterday, I went to the springs to have a look at the different walking tracks up Mt. Wellington and decided on the Ice House Track (yes, also the geocaches made me choose this one...). Thanks to the clear description, this one was easily found without causing any damage to either building nor nature.
Thanks a lot Dippedidooda for luring me up this great track and showing me these pieces of local history

Nice hide very creative TFTC

Cache checked and all in perfect condition.

Beautiful day to be walking on the mountain.Had 3 children today because of the CPSU strike. When we were approaching GZ there was a metre long tiger snake just beside the track (snake #2 for us today).The hint made a quick find.Thanks for the cache.

Coordinates changed from:
S 42° 54.899 E 147° 14.539

Coordinates changed to:
S 42° 54.897 E 147° 14.541

Distance from original: 14.9 feet or 4.5 meters.
Once at the "entrance" down into the icehouse, please follow the cache description or hint to avoid any damage to the area.

I have replaced the container and put in a fresh log. I didn't mind the old container set up, but a waterproof log would have been needed as the log had gone to mush. I shall see how this one goes, it's a bigger container and I'm not sure if the hide is "sensitive" enough. Will be interested to hear finders' views.

Am going to replace the container this week.

Gotch Ya!!

Very wet inside.

Shark_bait33

Hi Dippy, while Mrs T from Tassie Trekkers and Mrs W were at a GCA event Mr T and Mr W were collecting caches on the mountain on a glorious day for a walk. TFTC

Out and about with whitewebbs targeting caches on the mountain.

Thanks to all cache owners for placing and maintaining these caches for our enjoyment.

Bonus trackable when we found this:) The log was water damaged though, so we didn't get to use the tiny pencil. Truly beautiful walk on a track we'd not trodden before. TFTC.

Nic little find, difficult with all the snow but very satisfying with.

Well hidden but unfortunately we found it soggy and the paper is wet and ripped. We replaced it for now, but will have to find out how to go about getting a new piece of paper.

Quick find TFTC

Lovely walk on a track we haven't been on for ages!

We hadn't realised that this cache, the "Ice House Ruins: Lower", "Milles Jewel" and "Richard's Monument" were so close together. So after having found the cache at "Richard's Monument" we decided to look for the other three caches. This was the first that we looked for. We quickly found the required track. Although steeper and rougher than the Pinnacle Track to "Richard's Monument", the track to this cache wasn't too demanding, especially after the short initial section. As we neared GZ we met a couple who were just completing the loop walk (from The Springs to the Pinnacle via the Pinnacle Track and return by the Ice House Track) - they looked rather tired. After talking to them for a few minutes, we continued on to look for this cache. We were quite surprised - despite the ruins being so close to the track, that it took us a few minutes to locate them. The vegetation has certainly closed in around the ruins making them difficult to see. However, once we discovered the moss covered wall, the hint resulted in a quick find. There was water in the outer container but the logbook and its contents were in good condition. After signing the log we drained and dried the outer container before rehiding. As we left this site to go to the next ice house, we contemplated the skill and endurance of the horses that used this very rough bridle track, presumably to carry the ice back into Hobart Town. Thanks Dippedidooda for making us aware of the existence of the ice houses and for bringing us here. A great location for a cache - certainly earns a favourite from us.

First time, was nice

Nearly walked past this one would never had noticed these ruins if this cache had not brought me here. Find itself was easy.

Nice hide. Thanks for giving me the excuse to come to such an interesting spot!

Thanks

First of the day on our Ice house - Zig Zag loop. Thnaks

Hi Dippy

Finally I have found this cache.

This was my Third visit to the site. The first time we bush bashed up the slope from the track below. It was a hard slog picking animal tracks and slight clearings. Eventually we found the old track and followed it up. Then we had no luck in finding the cache...... And we were so exhausted we didn't try for the next ice house.

Then the next time we walked the correct new track to the cache. Again my search was in vain and no cache was found. At least I had the energy to continue to the next cache and have some success for the day.

Today I returned with Oldsaint in tow. Oldsaint being a previous hider, I thought I would be certain to find it. But as we walked up to the site Oldsaint mentioned that the cache had been moved since he found it. Oh I thought ANOTHER DNF on this cache...

But I walked into the Icehouse and found the cache straight away behind the first rock I moved..... Yeah

I retreived the log - would you believe Dippy it showed signs of being wet, so I replaced the log book entirely and I will drop the old log book off to you next time I see you.

Icehouse - sitting typing this log I can only think of Electric Blue the Icehouse hit of the 80s or 90s. Given my joy in finally knocking this cache of my to do list I think I know deserve a little drink.

Looking at the lyrics of this song - it does remind me of the cache and my troubles finding it
If a boy had a chance
A chance with someone like you
Are you gonna break his heart?
Let him cry for the moon?
Are you hiding somewhere behind those eyes?

I just freeze
Every time you see through me
And it's all over you
Electric blue
On my knees
Help me, baby
Tell me, what can I do?
Electric blue

Oh, I had a dream
For a moment I believed it was true
Oh, I'd have given anything
Just to be there with you
Are you hiding
Somewhere behind those eyes?

I just freeze
Every time you see through me
And it's all over you
Electric blue
In too deep
Standing here waiting
As I'm breaking into
Electric blue
I can see
Can see that it may be just a vision for you
Electric blue
On my knees
Help me, baby
Tell me what can I do?
Electric blue

Thanks for the cache!

Before the current start to the Ice House track was put in this spot was rarely seen, but now everyone using the track walks over one wall of it. Hint was good so a find was made. Took car trackable. TFTC Dippedidooda

The caches on the Ice House Track put in by Dippedidooda were the objective behind this walk. As well we decided to place a cache ourselves on the nearby Milles track and also collect a few other caches on the Shoobridge and Jacksons track areas.

Great spot, thanks for all the ice house caches, excellent walk. Would have walked straight past the lower two ruin without even knowing they were there. Left TB

An invigorating walk to a great location. TFTC & hint.

The track was icyer than the house today. Last time I was here the cache was missing but no such problem today. It was a great afternoon for a walk up to the summit via the Ice House Track. Sunny and almost no wind on th etop of the mountain. I returned via the Panorama track and Organ Pipes track. I was well and truly dark for the last km or so it made for slow going down the icy track.

TNLN.
Thanks.

I walked past it on the way up and wondered what it was.
I needed the hint to find this neat hide.
TFTC

Great climb and interesting history and area. Took a while to find but worth the walk. TFTC

A quick find with the clue on my way back down this track.
I could easily walk past this spot, in fact I did, without realising a structure was once here.
Once in the hollow I had a good look around
Thanks for showing me these two sites Dippedidooda

Snow is on the Mountain so I decided to take a walk. I've never been to the icehouse before (my heaving lungs now know why) and it was a lovely, slippy, snowy and sunny day. The cache seemed SO close (350m) and I'm now regretting not switching MapmyRun on as I stair climbed up one and slid back half a step on too many occasions to count!

Many thanks for the cache Dippi an taking me where I might not have gone before

P

Great hide and took a while looking around the ruin. Found with GeoPhotoDad TiltonSpire.

TNLNSL TFTC

Another of these wonderful structures and quite a deep one. Great hide in the moss covered wonderland. Found with georacer Rexamite.

TNLNSL TFTC

Fourth of fifteen for day.Took a bit of searching but soon had cache.Now onward and up to next ice house.TFTC

Although the mountain was cloudy this time I went equipped with a weather forecast, magnifying glass and torch for another attempt. By the time I arrived at the site the forecast came true and the cloud had lifted so no need for the torch. I had also reread the cache description that had been recently updated. The effective cache size had been increased so no need for the magnifying glass either. Following the excellent location description the cache was soon uncovered and the tiny log signed. Many thanks Dippedidooda for being so quick and responsive to my failed find. (Having seen the original cache container and the general location it is understandable how I missed it and yes the changes were for the best.)

I went up this afternoon to find the cache snug its cosy hiding spot. Relieved, but felt bad that my clear instructions to ensure the find, apparently weren't! Have changed the description slightly and the hint. Sorry, Barad Bunch. Have also put the micro into a small clear container just so it's not such a tiny thing being searched for. But feel the screw top container is warranted as it's such a damp location.

Searched hard but found nothing. WIll try again when the vegetation is dry. Thanks

Cache replaced, listing updated, and name changed to "Lowest" which seems a bit more concise now. A very small cache (micro really) small screw top container, as the last sistema let water in.- so I'll try this and see how it goes. I'm very sorry, Razork, Budgietas and 47tuc that there was no cache to find.

OK, I'm back in Tassie, and I'm going to have to take a walk up here and sort this one out. Sorry about the lack of success.

I found a likely looking spot but unfortunately no cache.

Second visit to the site with no luck

It's always disappointing to work hard to get to Gz then come up with a DNF.

Got this cache on the way back down from a nice bushwalk in the snow.
Great hiding spot, and not just for caches.. realised we were hidden too after another bushwalker wandered past without seeing us!
Found with Ordex.
TFTC

Saw this spot as we were on the way up and thought it looked odd!
tftc and for the interesting series!

After a bit of a climb soon found the hide.

Note to all caches out there - make sure you have the elevation logged right or you will be like me and be 300m out compared to smarty pants Stumbleduponit who did the calculations earlier!

TNLN TFTC

Second find for the day after Norms Quest and I each had a GPS saying different ways. After a uphill walk in the rain, mine took us the right way and gave me a quick find once we made it to the ruins. TFTC TNLNSL.

This track must have been a horror to cut!
I had always assumed that the Ice House Track was out in the open.
A very quiet lunchtime find, with only a padamelon to share it with.
Thanks!

Hi Again Dippy, What a cold hole this could be!!! Got it at 1632hrs, 4th today; 469 overall. Two to go. TFTC, see ya soon. OldSaint.

Would have walked right past except the GPSr went "bing!"
Bit damp so we cleaned the seal and dried it out.
Thanks for this bit of history Dippy!
TFTC

Ta

Set off in fine conditions to walk up the Ice House Track. This was probably the hardest of the three caches on the track but with the clue it was okay. Thanks for the reason to walk this track again.

Thank you for introducing us to an historical and almost forgotten area. It is a shame that the council do not do anything to highlight these ruins, as most people would walk right past them and not notice. Found on a sunny, dry Sunday afternoon at 1415. Cache was a little damp. TNLN TFTC.

I'm really glad there are caches at the ice-house ruins because I'd never have found them again otherwise. I've visited them in my dim distant past and it was nice to get back this way today. I took advantage of the clue and eventually located the cache. Unfortunately water had entered the cache and the log book was a soaked and slightly gooey mess. I sat by the little creek nearby, dried out the container and contents as best I could, and cut down a spare notebook that I was carrying, so the cache is good to go again. I will attempt to dry out the logbook (with all its archival entries) and return it to Dippedidooda.

Thanks for bringing me here, Dippedidooda.

When we left the car the GPS told us that the cache was about 300 meters away. We had to read the hint to find the right path, and realised that it was more than 300 meters. We followed the GPS down to 10 meters, but then we lost it. We thought it was further up and went on, but after a long walk we realised that this was not correct. We went down again, but couldn't even find the ruins. Why is there no sign telling were the ice house is supposed to be?

We searched high,
We searched low.
Couldn't find the icehouse,
for the eskimo.

Quack, The Direction Finding Ducks (Samwise and Laura)

Took a long time to find, due mainly to the fact that we went up the wrong track (the OLD Ice House track!) Struggled up through the dense bush for quite awhile with the trail disappearing, then I started to get an inkling that something wasn't quite right here, even though the GPS was showing GZ not far away. Thought it was easier to go back down and see if there was a different path (which there was-- a MUCH better one).

That will teach me for being too lazy to write down the directions...

This provided a good strenuous walk to location but then I took too long to find it because I was looking at the wrong clues. When I realised my mistake it was easy. Thanks. Apologies for the late log.

I was on a roll as I closed in on this, then as I got to about 4 metres from GZ I noticed the birds were very agitated just in front of me. With some close inspection I saw the muggle in the brush just in front of me, black and about a metre and a half long. It slithered towards GZ and disappeared into the undergrowth leaving me to wonder if it had moved on or taken refuge in the rock pile. After an age of indecision I allowed prudence to prevail and departed a sadder but unbitten man.

First cache on my scramble up the mountain today. Took the hard way up the hill, starting from the stairs at the start of all the tracks, and losing any kind of human track around 100 m before GZ. Still, bashed on ahead on the animal runs and finally joined the track only metres from GZ.

Found the cache easily enough, a bit damp inside but did a bit of a drain out while I was writing.

Oh, and only 2 copies of the recipe left...

TFTC.



[This entry was edited by shirtybird on Saturday, September 06, 2008 at 8:02:13 AM.]

[This entry was edited by shirtybird on Saturday, September 06, 2008 at 8:02:59 AM.]

Last in the ICe House series and I was getting quite tired by now and we weren't even half way down the mountain, signed log quickly and moved on to a much needed refreshment stop and leech removal break at The Springs. . . . . . Thanks

Last of the series for us!

Cache was exposed, making the search easier!

Lhere was a little water in it, so I drained it out the best I could.

Thanks for the great series!

What more can I say? Except- Loved this series! And what an Odyssey it was! Thanks Dippy, and thanks Homer - er - Gorbak! It was a good start to a wonderful couple o' days!

Find #1 for SG-3 and I on our first Wellington Odyssey for 2008. It took us a while to stop looking for the turn off and to register that the ruin (and the cache) was indeed only metres from the track, owing to the relatively recent changes to the start of the track... but we were determined not to be beaten on our first cache of the day. Once in the ruin, we stumbled onto it pretty quickly. I think SG-3 must be shorter (or perhaps even much much taller) than I thought, because he just about tripped on the 'head level' cache!

Checked on it today. Added recipes for Dippy's Decorated (Vanilla) Bikkies.

Found after a nice cool walk on a hot day. Great location for a cache.

I flexed off and decided to go for a walk up the mountain. The weather was ideal, a light cloud cover and a gentle breeze, to start at this cache. Thanks Dippy for the cache.

Planned to head south today for a spot of fishing but a last minute decision this morning had me wanting to go up a mountain. Looked at the computer quickly before we left and saw what looked like a couple of caches close together and convinced Mr red tag that they were an easy short walk!! Wow thats what I call one of my slightly bigger miscalculations. The consolation was that we stuck at all of them and had the best day. Thanks Dippy TNLNSL

Drove up the hill to admire the snow, but got pulled up at gate #3 because of ice on road, so what else to do but walk up and do some caching on the way? Coords spot on. Found this in very good nick and tucked away snuggly in its cozy 'room', TNLNSL and continued on our way up. Conditions very wet, icy and slippery underfoot.
Thanks for a great series of caches, Dippedidooda.

Found quit by accident gps had no idea where it was so had a look down a little track and there it was in plain view. Looks like someone has tried to climb up the bank and dislodged the cache on the way back down. Put it back where I thought it should be. TNLN thanks Dippedooda

He who can't see the point of geocaching decided that today would be ideal for 'Traces of Nuts'. She who hasn't been uphill in donkey's thought Lower Ice Houses might be less strenuous.
Hahaha......Hell's Bells...what a mistake!
Anyway, we found it...TNLNSL....Logged TED TB in and out and continued up
Having trouble logging TED in!
[This entry was edited by el golco on Saturday, May 05, 2007 at 4:21:44 AM.]

[This entry was edited by el golco on Saturday, May 05, 2007 at 4:24:49 AM.]

[This entry was edited by el golco on Saturday, May 05, 2007 at 5:48:42 AM.]

Yes found it! In near dark on the way down having walke right past it on the way up. Thanks for the excellent hint. What amazing detective work Dippy! Truly something I would not have not seen except for geocaching. I had been to the Springs last year with my parents. Their last visit was with me in embryo. We were looking for the teahouse they remembered so well. We eventually found out it had burnt down sometime in the intervening 40+ years. This didn't stop a wedding party from setting up their reception in the teahouse ruins as I was leaving on the walk.

The 5th of 5 for the day. Got to the Springs at about 1:30 and headed up the mountain, planning to bag all 3 caches along the Ice House track, as well as “Smith’s Monument†and “South Wellingtonâ€. Got back to the car at 4:00pm (but I’d allow another hour because I hurried). I’d already passed this one before I got decent GPS coverage so decided to get it on the way down.
Found this one easily with the clue – didn't even notice this on the way up - too busy walking... Great day for a brisk walk and bagging caches was a real bonus! TNLNSL

Our first find up the Ice House trail - enphasis on the UP. First mate was poking around on one side of the trail at GZ when the second mate says, from the other side, "what about this spot over here?". Doh! Needed the clue for this one. TNLN Thanks!

I thought I'd tackle the mountain today, from the lower end.
Parked at the springs and worked my way up.
#1 of five for the day, I don't think this old body could cope with many more.
this is a fairly hard to spot ruin, i had overshot untill the gps pointed the way behind me, so back-tracked and found a small "cacher highway".
had no small swaps, TNLN.
TFTC
Thanks Dippy I enjoyed the trip.

I was thinking about running up to the summit along the Ice House track so thought I'd give myself a sneak preview by getting this lowest cache on the way back from 'Lookout Wildlife', hey, it's only 300m from the junction.
Considering how long it took just to get that 300m, I may rethink that idea. Very poor cache instincts on this one. I actually trod on the cache camo. Cache all OK, Sistema's brilliant. TNLNSL. Thanks Dippy, I will return for the other 2 soon!

Did this with Genii. Did them all on the one trip.Great track and great cache. Made the gingerbread biscuits which we enjoyed later at Smith's Monument. TFTC

Found thanks to beaglegirl's keen eyesight. Took tiny frog badge and left something that, with some lateral thinking, could be thought to be related to the original function of the site (make that extreme lateral thinking). Our first stop for the day - then it was onwards and upwards!

After almost losing the whole day to chores we finally got out and headed up the track. Up and up and up. Wow if it wasn't for a GPS and co-ordinates we would never have found this spot. Kept thinking about having to lugg down the iceblocks. yuk!

Cache found by Quilter, yay! Thanks for showing us some history we would never have known otherwise.

Cheers Quilter