Gerrin Bouddi, New South Wales, Australia
By Geocaching Australia on 28-Apr-11. Waypoint TP5755

Today, Lady novo and I went for a walk along the Maitland Bay to Putty Beach coastal walk. It was packed with Easter weekend traffic but still better than the traffic we'd be sitting in on Monday if we'd have gone away. We went down to the (Bullimah) beach but it was not pleasant with all the wash up since the Hawkesbury floods. I decided to climb the rocks to find what's left of this trig. Yup not much left of it lol. Brass plate still in tact. I don't recall seeing a plaque in the base foundation with a steel pedestal like this very often. The only other trig I've found along the coastline here is Bombi ~3km to the ENE where once again the standard concrete pedestal type was ironically overlooked. Awesome views from anywhere along here. Great morning, TFTC.

Rated: for Overall Experience

I bush bashed in from the track to Gerrin Point lookout i headed off track just passed the creek above Bullimah Beach, 150 meters to the headland i asked how hard can it be? Answer this trig death by misadventure written all over it, there were tracks everywhere that went nowhere, dead trees brambles thick scratchy grass you name it was like the Day of the Triffids. when i got to the headland i scrambled down two rock steps and there was the trig and nameplate on its own little ledge with concrete footing rusting away. took some photos and returned via a similar route to the one i came in on.

Rated: for Overall Experience

Years ago, there was a position in the Lands Dept tasked with determining where to place trigs. It was officially classified as the Chief Bastard and was held, for many years, by a Spanish gentleman, Sr Satan Diablo. Sr Diablo liked to choose locations that would be particularly challenging to the Dept's surveyors. In a fit of devilish brilliance, he chose Cliff trig, but the surveyors outsmarted him and travelled by boat. Not to be outdone, he hit upon Gerrin, not approachable by sea and with no clear, level route from any known civilisations, just dense scratchy heath interspersed with endless fallen, dead trees.
I was wondering why this trig had only one visit before. I wonder no more.
The walk from Putty Beach is easy enough, quite picturesque, with some fascinating geological features. It's that last 130m that seemingly defy any obvious approach. There are tracks, many tracks, many many tracks; but they all peter out in dense scratchy undergrowth. The trick is to stay at the right level. I have no idea what level that is, but if you're too low, you'll tumble to certain death on the loose, steep rubble slopes and too high will defeat you from beating an exhausting path through the thick heath and debris, especially on a hot, summer day.
Having beaten all odds you're rewarded at the headland with stunning views, pounding ocean and a cool sea breeze. As Yurt noted in 2011, there's not much trig left, now only about 8" of well-rusted post and a rust-covered nameplate, all set in a concrete square.
A highly-recommended trek for anyone wanting a small dose of exhaustion.

Rated: for Overall Experience

We walked from Killcare beach along a fabulous boardwalk picking up the GC cache Scott's Boot on the way. This is one of the best coast walks in the region. Fantastic rock formations, vegetation and parts of the track look like they belong in a desert as well. At one point there's a branch in the track, one goes to a beach (beginning with B) - we took the track to "Gerrin Lookout" obviously - big mistake, huge mistake! While it was a great view up there after a serious climb, we were still 250 metres away through thick scrub and 30 metres too high.
We managed to find a way there which I wouldn't recommend, the barest trace of a track, which led us to the end of the point and down the last 30 metres of elevation where we spotted the remains of Gerrin trig.

What a sad sight it was, a metal post set in concrete, rusting away. No vanes or anything else but the good news is that the brass plaque set in the concrete base, is intact and reads simply "Gerrin T.S."
We took the photos and enjoyed the views right down to the eastern suburbs before finding the easy way back. We follow the rocks back to the beach. There were a few tricky bits getting down to the next level but it was much easier than our approach. We soon found ourselves on the lovely beach and walked across to the steps to rejoin the trail.

This is a great spot and at least there's a plaque to photograph, pity about the condition of the rest but that's the sea air for you.

Rated: for Overall Experience

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