Sawmillers Rest, Catlins (Otago) Ratanui, South Island, New Zealand
By Mcroni on 23-Dec-06. Waypoint GCZYPX

Found with Kiwimykl, refer to his log for details.TFTC Mcroni

Found with NZDi on our southern adventure, heading towards the Dunedin Mage while travelling through The Catlins.TFTC Mcroni

TFTC

Good find, been past here before and never seen the resting place!

Well hidden

Trouve ! / Found it ! Sur la route vers Dunedin 4806me cache trouve.Merci Mcroni pour la cache On the road to Dunedin 4806th cache found.Thank you Mcroni for the cache

Tftc!

Four of us came to Pounawea for a bat walk but arrived a few days before to do some walks and geocaching. Stopped at this cemetery, grabbed the cache on the way in (read the title if you are wondering where to look) and then spent some time wandering around.Logbook a tad damp and needs drying out.TNLN. TFTC.

Cache checked and all is well.

nice quiet cemetery

TFTC great spot on drive to invercargill through this lovely part of the country

16/9/2023 Find #6526Day 8 of the Fangsoki/1MinnieMoo New Zealand South Island adventure. We were on our way now from Dunedin to Invercargill, with a few stops in between. I had thrown this cache and one further up the road onto the list, which meant a mini detour from the main route. Pulling up here, Fangsoki was worried about the van getting stuck as it doesnt like loose or muddy surface. I hopped out and wandered over to begin the search. It took a little time before I finally noticed the hide. I swear I glimpsed there already!Then we took off, with the van having a little bit of a complaint as we left, but doing ok. Thanks for the cache Mcroni.

1MinnieMoo and I pulled for this cache next.The amount of slippery stuff - combined with the lack of room on the road had me a bit panicky about this one. Then van weights like 3-4 tonne and love to sink into anything.Thankfully, 1MinnieMoo found this one before any other traffic came along. A great place for a cache. TFTC Mcroni

A quick find. What a cool place this is, that most people would just drive past. Thank goodness for geocaching.

There were lots of potential hiding places here and we looked at a few of them without success, then reread the cache listing again and looked at a different angle, and there it was. All good with the cache, TFTC Mcroni, a fave for bringing us to this interesting spot.

One of 10 caches (not including a local Ad Lab) we located today in driving around The Catlins. Took a while to spot this one, searching on both sides of the fence. Had to enlist Mrs tbird’s help. She found it reasonably quickly in a spot where I thought I’d looked! #6058. TFTC.

Thanks for the box

It was a hard one

Sneaky;)

There are severzl places "behind"
I searched in a ciecle 18 meters, no cache found

Second time! I got it!@

Missed it first look so took a bit longer than it should have! Tftc

Took longer than it should have. Found with froggitt

An unusual name plaque here. One of those unique little places that geocaching brings us to. We soon found the cache, but our presence didn't go unnoticed by the cattle across the road who noisily objected to us being there. Thanks for placing this cache.

Cachendash after a hailstorm.
Nice palindromic date as well.
Thanks for the cache

A nice quick find. Thanks for placing your cache.

Ms_KR and I are off on a wee drive to Invercargill and back. Today we made it to Invercargill under overcast skies most of the day

Thanks to all CO's for publishing and maintaining their caches. Cheers.

On the way from Newhaven to Invercargill. Thanks Mcroni

Cool views and nice easy find

I was not expecting this worth a fav point. All good. Thanks.

It was absolutely freezing here today and the wind was howling. Great incentive to get the job done quickly!
Thanks for putting this here

Heading to school camp in the Catlins.
Grabbing a few caches on the way down...

TFTC

Found - Mrs McMike2012 & I now live full-time in our caravan & travel the country visiting places we want to visit … we are now parked up at Purakanui Bay for a couple of days, exploring in & around the area … we went for a bit of a drive today to check out some waterfalls, secluded bays & historical sites … my father was working in the sawmills around here 65 odd years ago … found cache with no issues, log completed & cache returned … pleased to add another 'smiley face' to the tally … TFTC ... TN:LN:SL ... #2,135 for us.

Found by Mr Kiwi while I was making it harder than it needed to be.

Visited nearby falls with reydudes. Reydudes found this cache quickly. TFTC!

Thanks for the cache!

Thanks found it!

Thanks found it!

Thanks found it!

Quaint wee place. Tftc.

Find number 7 for today. A nice quiet wee spot. A quick find due to the hint. No problems here, TFTC McRoni.

Day 7 of our South Island trip and today it’s all about the Catlins. Tomorrow will be too - but that will be a different story.
We started the day in Owaka and finished in Chaslands. In between we checked out Jack’s blowhole, the Purakaunui falls, Papatowai, Cathedral Caves and McLean falls amongst a few other minor stops. A fantastic day with excellent weather which really shows off this region. It’s fast becoming one of my favourite spots in the country and is nothing like I expected. Thanks all COs, 17 or so caches today as well.

Located with Ricardinho

Cool wee location & stop along our travels to Purakaunui Falls

Day 7 of our South Island trip and today it’s all about exploring The Catlins from Owaka to The Chaslands. We started with Jacks Blowhole, then Purakaunui falls, Papatowai, Cathedral Caves and finally McLean Falls, a fantastic day with excellent weather We have been so lucky & its quiet here too, so we are enjoying these stunning locations with just a handful of other people.

TFTC

Cache 718

Day12 of our SI roadtrip, park and grab, TFTC.

Back at work after a break for my Te Araroa adventure.
My work has me in the area today so after a day of hard graft I was on my way home and had time to stop here and nab this one before I head home .
Had this on on my must find list for a while and another one ticked off thanks.
Better get home as I'm supposed to be going out for tea it been a big day .
Loved the history behind this one a nice place to rest .
Must visit the museum next time I'm out this way .
Life is short. Live one foot step at a time.Never say" I'm gonna "- just do it!!
Thanks for the hide.
tftc

In the area today and had time to stop and grab this. Looks like a lot of history in this area. Tftc

Tftc,really different

TFTC! Found with josh

Left my calling card and then had a wander around here. Cheers.

Monday 9 November. Its Owaka, Papatowai loop we are exploring today. Lets go Toby! In gummies and dodging showers today. Cool overcast 9deg to start the day.

Toby, Zara and I are on a 3 week geo adventure of Cromwell, Southland, Catlins, Balclutha with a day in Dunedin and quick stop in Timaru. With Lenny, my trusty navigator and TBD my companion/mascot. we managed to visit lots of green boxes, now happy faces with the odd sad one. Did some LABs , earth caches, virtuals and wherigos, all chucked into the mix to rack up 500 odd caches. Lots of kilometers, lots of exploring and lots of fun. Thanks to all COs for our wonderful experience.

What a lovely, lovely place did these sawmillers choose to have a rest. Did you notice the more than appropriate object in the gate? Did you notice how there are two objects but really there is just one?

One of the few tombs which are still legible showed the name of Alexandrina. It captivated me, because I think that that is such a remarkably pretty name, and so uncommon (rare, even) in this day and age.

The tombstone also unveils a bit of a tragic tale. Born in 1854, she gave birth to a daughter in 1875 when she was 21 years old. The daughter, Elizabeth, died in 1888 at the age of 13, when Alexandrina was 34 years old. 12 Years later, in 1900, Alexandrina herself passed away aged 46.

To get a better feeling for this story, I looked up (*on Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900 - the last four digits are the year you want to look up*) what some of the major events were in those years.

**1854 (Alexandrina born)**
* Charles Dickens starts writing Hard Times;
* the character of Sherlock Holmes was created;
* Australia's first telegraph line, linking Melbourne and Williamstown, opens;
* an epidemic of cholera in London kills over 10,000.

**1875 (birth of Elizabeth)**
* Bizet’s Carmen is first performed at the Opéra-Comique, Paris;
* Captain Matthew Webb becomes the first person to swim the English Channel;
* the Ottoman state declares partial bankruptcy, and places its finances in the hands of European creditors;
* world's first electric tram line operated in Sestroretsk near Saint Petersburg, Russia.

**1888 (Elizabeth died)**
* the National Geographic Society is founded in Washington;
* Wilhelm I dies, Frederick III becomes German Emperor and King of Prussia;
* Handel's Israel in Egypt is recorded onto wax cylinder at The Crystal Palace in London, the earliest known recording of classical music;
* Jack the Ripper.

**1900 (Alexandrina died)**
* second Boer War;
* Queen Victoria gives her royal assent to the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act;
* Dr. Karl Landsteiner first reports his Nobel Prize-winning discovery of an accurate means for classifying a system of blood type;
* in France, the length of a legal workday for women and children is limited to 11 hours;
* the first Michelin Guide is published in France.


This is why I have a soft spot for visiting cemeteries: they are filled with stories; each tombstone offering a new story to explore and remember.

This is also why I believe that small, countryside cemeteries such as this need to be maintained and preserved. As fossils and rock-formations contain the story of the land, small town cemeteries contain the story of its soul: the people.

That is, of course, just my opinion.

Thank you for the cache.

On an adventure around kaka point. Catching some friends and caches on the way. Thanks to all the cache keepers.

Day 14 of my 2020 NZE (New Zealand Experience).
(My apologies for the delayed logging but I'm in catch-up mode)

Seeing as I can't be in America right now, I'm touring around the South Island instead. During my time here I am aiming to find as many of the TMGT caches as I can (preferably all 41) and also as many Virtuals, Earthcaches and Letterbox Hybrids as possible, plus any Trads or others that will fill a hole in my D/T grid, my Jasmer grid, or else the last 3 remaining Hidden Dates on that grid.

I haven't been this far south since my very first visit to NZ back in 1988, and have never visited the Catlins before but had heard so many good things about it that decided I would put that right this trip. Having spent last night near Ahuriri Flat, today's plan was to meander my way through loads of sightseeing (and caching) opportunities to end up in Invercargill by nightfall. For the first time on my whole trip, I wasn't to get brilliant sunshine all day long but considering the time of year I was still being very fortunate.

It was still early(ish) when I pulled up at this cache. This was effectively a quick park n grab for me and I was happy to see that there was no-one else around to bother me as I conducted my search. I found the cache with little fuss. There were no issues with the container or log, which was signed before everything was replaced exactly as found and I was back on my way towards some waterfalls

Thanks for placing this cache.

Easy find

In the area hunting caches with tmann421
Nice hide
TFTC

A interesting place to see.

TFTC M.o.E.

Zowaar! A scenic route especially designed for en route caching. Some views we would otherwise haven’t seen made it worthwhile. My husband driving, me searching for the caches, and finding them. Thanks to all CO’s for placing and maintaining these caches!

Nice spot. Simone

On our way home from the falls. Quick park and sign by Papa, Salamat!

A cool spot to visit. I initially drove past and had to turn back. So many people would miss this. Thanks for bringing me here.

Interesting spot

Interesting spot

Interesting spot

Loved this one.
Took a bit of searching but it is all in the name

What an unusual spot. Would never had noticed it without you placing the cache. Thank you.

#4744. 1 of 9 for today.
[Sincere apologies for the delayed logging. Life ... a global pandemic ... and life got in the way. Better late than never.]

**Cache Specific Log**
Today's objective: make it to Milford Sound. We've been watching the road all week and have been keeping our fingers crossed for good weather and the ability to make it out there. We have a reservation at Milford Lodge .. looking good!

We spent the night at the Purakaunui Bay campsite and wanted to get a cache close by to have as accurate of a trip (as reflected by caches) as possible. Quick PnG.

**Generic Trip Log**
A wedding anniversary to celebrate - provides a convenient excuse for a longer than usual vacation. So 3 weeks and travel to Australia and New Zealand sounds like an excellent plan. General itinerary is as follows:
2 October: Depart from home with a layover in Houston, TX
4 October (long flight + time zones = lost day): Arrive in Sydney
4-7 October: Sydney
7-15 October: New Zealand South Island
16-21 October: New Zealand North Island
21-23 October: Sydney
23 October: Fly home through Vancouver, Canada
Saw a ton and had an absolutely wonderful time. Can't wait to make it back here!

Logged from [cachetur.no](https://cachetur.no)
[cachetur.no](https://cachetur.no) Ambassador

Roadie trip thru the Catlins. The behind clue got me looking at the wrong behind, but found on the 2nd place searched tftc

Caching a new area with Ice Diva
TFTC

Lovely day out in the Catlins for my birthday. Found with Conbat. TFTC!

Quaint old cemetery. Love the rusty sign.

Great to see history like this. I was quite taken by the use of a saw blade. Just signed the log when neighbourhood watch turned up, after a quick explanation and reasurrance that I was not a rustler all was good.
Thanks
erninz

Day 2 of our Catlin's road trip with kjr
No drama with this one tftc

Ten days off in a row for the price of two leave days, how fabulous! Packed up the whanau for an adventure and headed south. Our original plans were slightly thwarted by water, but we made the trip into an adventure tikitour with a few caches along the way. Signing the logs as Team Polak or TP for brevity. Great fun, thanks to all the CO’s for the entertainment!!
Nice spot, TFTC!!

Have driven past without ever realising there was a cemetery here. GPS had me looking in the wrong place for a while but I eventually made the cut. TFTC

On holiday so packed a picnic and went out exploring. Stopped here and liked how they have put the names on a big saw blade. Found the cache and signed log. Thanks for this cache Mcroni.

The last one of the day. Mr Eve07 came up with the cache. Beautiful day to go caching today. TFTC Mcroni

Love how they have commemorated the people that lie within this small area of ground. You might not be able to see headstones or anything but their names are written up for all to see. Another place to check for family members maybe.

On our way after we grabbed a potential FTF and picked up a few caches before we sought somewhere to eat.
Parked up here and took the short stroll to GZ where a quick find was made.
A lovely location getting a fav from us.
TFTC
Tim and Viv - ddm

Thanks taking this road to Purakaunui Falls. A bonus cache. Travelling this way to Invercargill with my youngest son. He is enjoying taking photos while I am enjoying caching.

[#4488] Unlike the past few days it was warm and sunny on this Saturday which is of course what we desire while on holiday in New Zealand. Today we first went to see the lovely Parakaunui Falls and beautiful Parakaunui Bay. Next we went to Jack's Bay for a walk to the impressive Blowhole. At the old cache near the train tunnel in Owaka we met with klee_bär and had a nice chat at GZ and the parking. Last stop was at Nugget Point which was really amazing. A thrilling path and awesome place for the small lighthouse with a splendid view. We could not get enough of this site and the seals and spoonbills down below, but the approaching rain made us go to Kaka Point for the camping. Thanks to all cache owners for making our visit even more fun and interesting.

*Esse d'r niks te zeuke höbs kumpse d'r neet.*

An interesting spot. There was a list of names outside but I could only see one gravestone. Tftc

On our way to the waterfall and stopped at this remote cemetery. A quick find with chermione. Thanks.

Found with Ruth & Imogen!

Out exploring today. Tftc

Nice winding roads through the Catlins! Doing some caches along the way! Fantastic weather today! Beautiful landscapes!

Tftc Mcroni!
#4239

A challenge for myself to get to 3000 finds before the end of the year and being about 150 away I had a lot to find. This trip down here was to get as many as I can and to get the second last cache I need for the old school challenge. Nice and easy find TFTC

Nice quick find

Quick stop on a wet dreary day today. TFTC

I saw this today. Then rested in the dry and warmth of the car.

A nice find on our way home from Jack's Bay.

Den heutigen Tag verbrachten wir in der Region Catlins und fuhren dann nach D. zurück. Der zweite Blick brachte die Erlösung umd den Log. DFDC!

Another interesting cemetery full of history and stories. thanks for bringing me here Mcroni. TFTC # 11,967

Nice little find

During my travel month through New Zealand I could find this Cache.
Doesn't like cementary caches, but this one was really great.
TFTC

Found it during our holiday in NZ

14:11. A brief stop on the way to the Waterfall. Looked for family Names, but didn't spot any. Tftc

Missed stopping a few months ago and returned on passing to grab the little one. Cache and logs are in good condition. Returned to place and headed on our way to the Manuka cache. Long drive on Longpoint rd for a missing pillcan *(replaced)*. TFTC

I'm on a day mission to knock off a few of the Catlins caches I haven't yet gotten to. I managed to overshoot this one. Soon found a safe turning spot to head back and claim the cache. Just a few lonely tombstones standing.

Found with Dirtyhelmut on the way to the Nugget Point. TFTC

On our way to the Nugget Point we made several stops to take a view at very interesting sites ! This was one of them, thank you for the Cache !

CZECH
jen rychlá zastávka na takovém klidném místě

Visiting our old stomping ground on a mission to complete the final two months of our Jasmer grid.
Thanks for sharing the local history TFTC.

Quick find on my way to Purakaunui falls! TFTC