Townsville Astronomical Trigonometrical Station North Ward, Queensland, Australia
By Geocaching Australia on 19-Sep-09. Waypoint TP4959

Cache Details

Difficulty:
Terrain:
Type:	TrigPoint
Container:	Other
Coordinates:	S19° 15.308' E146° 48.795' (WGS 84)
	55K 480374E 7870931N (UTM)
Elevation:	59 m
Local Government Area:	Townsville City

Map

Whodunit Geocache

Queensland Government Department of National Parks Park Alerts

Description

A Trig Point is a virtual cache which requires a cacher to locate the Trigonometric Station at GZ.

In 1891 an astronomical observatory and trig station were constructed on top of Stanton hill in Townsville. The observatory is long gone but the trig survives. The concrete pillar stands 1.5m tall by .3m in diameter and is located in a garden bed on the northern boundary of a block of units and is easily accessible from the car park. This trig is the only concrete trig on mainland Queensland from that period and is therefore heritage listed.(Added by big dazza 24/09/09).

A trig point (also known as a Trigonometric Station) typically consists of a black disc on top of four metal legs or concrete pillar, resembling a navigation beacon. It is also accompanied by a metal disc, which is located directly below the center point of the tripod or on top of the pillar itself.

Trig points are generally located at the top of hills or points of prominence in the landscape. Many provide unique views and challenges, with some being difficult to get to.

These points were regarded as valuable to surveyors, providing reference points for measuring distance and direction, and assisting in the creation of maps.

To log a find on the Geocaching Australia website, you will need to include a picture of the trig point, along with your GPS receiver and (preferably) yourself. Long distance / telephoto type pictures are against the spirit of this cache. You are encouraged to leave a description of your journey in your log to help others in finding the trig point.

The original collection of trig points has been sourced from Geoscience Australia and may contain inaccuracies.

Please respect local laws and regulations when searching for trig points. If you believe that a trig point is located on private property or in a dangerous location, you may archive the cache, by clicking on Log this Cache and place an "Archived" log on the Geocaching Australia website.

If you feel that you can add to the description of this trig point or adjust the difficulty / terrain ratings, please feel free to edit this cache and amend the information suitably. Vandalism of the cache description or other information will result in your account being terminated.

Logs

25-Jun-22

Goldenwattle

This took some driving about and looking at maps to find how to access this. It's in an apartment complex. Found it at last. TFTC.

Rated: for Overall Experience

26-Apr-22

Budgietas

Found this trig while in Queensland with Goose and Rat

16-Apr-22

stainless-steel-rat

very nice trig if a little bright in the photo

16-Apr-22

gooseandegg

quick find with stainless steel rat and budgietas

28-Aug-19

Tassie Trekkers

Staying in Townsville for a week and this was one of the trigs we found.
Many thanks Geocaching Australia for publishing this cache and adding to our geocaching experience.

Tassie Trekkers are now a locationless geocache we have published a 'Geocacher cache' - Travelling Trekkers GA10932 - so if you spot us in your area sign our log book and receive a code word to earn yourself a Very Happy

Have you joined a clan? Enhance your geocaching experienace by joining a clan and being a part of the Dragon Zone. Choose a team Clan Griffin

Gold - Griffin, Clan Phoenix

Green - Phoenix, Clan Cerberus

Blue - Cerberus or Clan Minotaur

Orange - Minotaur. Earn trophies and rise through the ranks from Dragon Fodder to Ruler of the Universe.
Clan Minotaur

Rated: for Overall Experience

08-Jan-19

geono.

We were keen to find this because of it's heritage listing but also for the views... anyone living here would have a magnificent outlook and we found when we sat on a seat in the shade, a lovely cool breeze. There's no problems with entering the property - the gardener invited us in to the 'thousands of parks further up' but we parked outside as it was only a short walk from there. This trig does a great job of hiding until you walk past it and look back. It would have been excellent placement for the original Astrological Observatory.

Rated: for Overall Experience

17-Oct-18

Whheels

Ahhh! There it is! It's a bit of a clamber to get up here, and you need to beware the prickly bushes, but great to stand by this obscure and unmarked piece of history.

TFTC GCA.

04-Sep-13

SeabreezeOZ

Found on the NQ leg of our Round Aust Trip, see blog - http://mrlocks.tumblr.com/
A bit of a struggle to find, maybe I should have read the description and I would have save myself a bit of time, lol.
Yes, did find, in the garden as should have
And........Wow, awesome views. Very Happy

Rated: for Overall Experience

26-Jul-13

albida33

North Qld 2013. One of several Trigs and CORS on my 5 week journey west and North.

24-Jul-13

beetles2

After we worked out how to get there a quick find was made. The trig is in a lovely garden setting and we didn't feel uncomfortable walking through here like some people have mentioned. Much preferable to us than a playground cache. Thanks.

02-Apr-12

Champs2Monkeys

Found this while capturing the waymark of the same location

Bit confused how GCA and GC work together, but not really?

Rated: for Overall Experience

23-Aug-11

Sol de lune

In Townsville for a few days and managed to get in to grab this trig. Snapped the photo and was off again.

No problems if parking, then quickly walking in to 'see' it.

Thanks for another trig.

Rated: for Overall Experience

16-Jul-11

Cunning Linguist

Ran into the complex to get a quick snap of this one. Interesting bit of history. TFTC Smile

Rated: for Overall Experience

17-Nov-10

Yurt

Followed my GPSr around to find this one in an unexpected place. It's not like it's in someone's backyard so no problem with this in my opinion. Nice bit of history.

28-Aug-10

big dazza

Thanks Cached, this one predates the "lolly Pop" type trigs and has great historical significance,hence the heritage listing(600926),and it is accessible,physically,ethically and legally,and should not have been archived.
Cheers,
Dazza.

18-Aug-10

Cached

This one was really prematurely archived. The cache, although technically on private land, is not behind gates, and is right next to the first visitors car park as you drive in. The trig station is in an easily accessible garden bed. There are no signs saying not to enter either.

18-Aug-10

Cached

Found this one today. I really don't see the hassle with this one. Yes, it is in an apartment complex, but it's about 6m from the first visitors parking spot. An easy find. If there had been a resident around, I would have asked permission.

That being said, not much left of the trig point - just the plinth.

Rated: for Overall Experience

02-Mar-10

fathrtime

This Trig Point should be archived as it is in the middle of an apartment complex which is very much private property. Unless invited on the property cachers should not be looking for this one.

19-Feb-10

The Johnos

A challenge to locate the actual trig in the garden.
TFTC and what a great idea as there will always be heaps of unfound caches for a very long time until some adventurous soul manage to visit the lot!!!

Rated: for Overall Experience

03-Mar-08

big dazza

Great idea! This my first Trig point.I found this one and Waymarked it on 3/3/08.I will also add some details to the cache description. Thanks Geocaching Australia, Caught@Work and everyone else involved in creating these caches.
Cheers,
big dazza.