Author Archives: Geocaching Victoria

The St Arnaud Event – June update

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Welcome to The St Arnaud Event June update. The committee are working behind the scenes to bring you the best MEGA event we can – all for FREE! Remember to REGISTER HERE as this year we will be crossing off names at the event to ensure everyone who registered early gets their gift.

Exciting news is that we have registrations from every state and territory in Australia as well as some international caching friends who are joining us from the USA, Zimbabwe, Canada, Finland and Switzerland. Don’t you love how geocaching can bring us together globally?

The lead up events have continued and in May and June we’ve seen events in Portland (Vic) and Wangaratta (Vic). Thanks to our hosts for helping to spread the word about The St Arnaud Event 2019. June and July are packed full of events in Adelaide (SA), Appin (at The Gong MEGA – NSW), Hexham (NSW), Geraldton (WA) and Camperdown (Vic).

Portland & Wangaratta

Geocaching in St Arnaud – St Arnaud Ramble Series GEO ART

Those of you keeping an eye on the St Arnaud geocaching map may have noticed some new geo-art pop up earlier this month. 89 caches plus a pre-existing trad make up alpha crusis, beta crusis, gamma cusis, delta crusis, epsilon crusis and the northern star – otherwise known as the southern cross. With D2/T1.5’s the norm, this series is doable for all with each star giving you a new type of puzzle challenge to solve.

As the newest series in the area, the caches have just a handful of finds but we’ve no doubt those numbers will be bumped significantly throughout the year. Put together by geocaching stalwarts FUF009 & sharkiefan, the series will teach you all about our radiant southern cross and take you along some farmer tracks and back roads around the outskirts of St Arnaud. To get started head to StARS 01 – Delta Crusis GC85FK4.

geoart

Official Shirts now Available

Official St Arnaud Event shirts now available to order. Check out the Geocaching Victoria Store to pre-order yours now. Available in Men’s, Women’s and Kids sizes.

shirt

Lab Cache Builder Competition

We are looking for several keen Lab Caches Builders for St Arnaud. Do you have a great idea a little “left of field”? If so we would love to hear from you. Simply email gemmasiemensma@gmail.com.au and tell us your idea along with a simple sentence (or two) on how it would be “interactive and delight cachers”. Entries close on August 10th so get creating!

Pathtag Competition Winner

Congratulations to Victorians “chooknchunk” who designed and won our Pathtag Design Competition. They  will receive a full set of the 5 official St Arnaud Event 2019 pathtags. Now we don’t want to give away their special design so you’ll just have to come along to the event to discover it for yourself!

If you are designing your own pathtags for the event (or just in general) please consider using the GVI pathtag back. A small percentage of these sales go back to GVI to help run FREE events like the St Arnaud MEGA!

pathtag back

Sponsorship

It’s thanks to amazing supporters that make a MEGA event possible. This includes Caching Supplies AND GeoStuff who will both have their shop on site during the Mega. We’ve also had donations from our mates in South Australia who are organising a MEGA event there – GeoVenture2020,  Sssafe and Sistema so a big thanks to them too. It’s also important to note that this event isn’t possible without the support of the Northern Grampians Shire Council so thank you NGS – your support in invaluable! And we can’t forget the amazing support from PathTags and Geocaching HQ   who help to make this dream a reality! Thanks guys!

St Arnaud Geo Coins & Pathtags

The St Arnaud Event 2019 MEGA standard and limited edition geocoins are now for sale in the Geocaching Victoria store.

The Standard coin has been specifically designed for the event and features Fern the ledbeater possum as well as some stunning Australian flora including Victoria’s floral emblem – the Pink Heath. What sets this coin apart is that it is a 3D textured coin. If you’ve seen one before you know how magnificent they look – if not you will definitely want one for your collection! Coins are $16 each. Order here.

ST A standard coin

The Limited Edition coins come in three different colours and aims to depict the farming communities that are located within the St Arnaud district. Get in quick as these are limited in number! This coin is 3 inches in size so nice to add to the collection. Limited edition coins are $34 each. Order here.

LE tractor coins

And whilst in the store don’t forget to purchase your St Arnaud Pathtags too!

St A 5 set

First to Find (FTF) Raffle

We know people love chasing FTFs – how would you like a MEGA Event FTF? This raffle supports the amazing work done by The St Arnaud Agricultural Society (whose premises we are using and who do an amazing job of coordinating the St Arnaud Show). So if you are a FTF hound, or you just want to support a really great charity, then you can go in the draw to earn the right to call yourself the FTFer of The St Arnaud Event, 2019. Tickets are only $2 and you may win FTF and an unobtainium geocoin… You can purchase your tickets in this wonderful raffle by following this link!

St A Ag society

The St Arnaud Event – May update

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Welcome to The St Arnaud Event May update. The committee are working behind the scenes to bring you the best MEGA event we can – all for FREE! Remember to REGISTER HERE as this year we will be crossing off names at the event to ensure everyone who registered early gets their gift.

The lead up events have continued and in March, April and May we’ve seen events in Walhalla (Vic), Lismore (NSW), Cowes (Vic), Bradden (ACT) and Mt Gambier (Vic). Thanks to our hosts for helping to spread the word about The St Arnaud Event 2019.

Walhalla

walhalla

More lead up events are published so be sure to get along. The more you attend the more tickets you earn in the prize draw for an unobtainium geocoin…

GC83F95 Portland, Vic Saturday 18th of May, 2019, 10:00am
GC8505C Wangaratta, Vic Saturday 15th of June, 2019, 10:00am
GC869D14 Geraldton, WA Saturday 13th of July, 2019, 10:00am
GC85NAG Camperdown, Vic Sunday 21st of July, 2019, 10:00am

 

St Arnaud Geo Coins & Pathtags

The St Arnaud Event 2019 MEGA Committee is very excited to announce that the standard and limited edition geocoins are now for sale in the Geocaching Victoria store.

The Standard coin has been specifically designed for the event and features Fern the ledbeater possum as well as some stunning Australian flora including Victoria’s floral emblem – the Pink Heath. What sets this coin apart is that it is a 3D textured coin. If you’ve seen one before you know how magnificent they look – if not you will definitely want one for your collection! Coins are $16 each. Order here.

ST A standard coin

The Limited Edition coins come in three different colours and aims to depict the farming communities that are located within the St Arnaud district. Get in quick as these are limited in number! This coin is 3 inches in size so nice to add to the collection. Limited edition coins are $34 each. Order here.

LE tractor coins

And whilst in the store don’t forget to purchase your St Arnaud Pathtags too!

St A 5 set

Geocaching in St Arnaud – Bush Meander series (BM)

After the huge success of the Firebreak series in 2014, locals FUF009 and Tyred n Cranky teamed up to again create the Bush Meander series in 2015. For those who had found the earlier series, expectations were high and finders were not disappointed!

The BM series is 25 beautifully constructed caches comprising of 22 trads, a unique multi and 2 puzzles that require numbers to be collected along the way.

A total of 2,653* smilies have been earned on this series, #1 Queen Mary (GC617PX) tops the found list with a total of 120* found it logs. Over 680* favourite points have been awarded to the series overall with #21 Rocky Ridge Station (GC61JXD) taking out the honour of ‘most favourited’ cache of the series with 77% fave points*.

Be sure to put this series on your to-do list!

*Statistics current as of 27 April 2019

Sponsorship

It’s thanks to amazing supporters that make a MEGA event possible. This includes Caching Supplies AND GeoStuff who will both have their shop on site during the Mega. We’ve also had donations from Sssafe and Sistema so a big thanks to them too. It’s also important to note that this event isn’t possible without the support of the Northern Grampians Shire Council so thank you NGS – your support in invaluable! And we can’t forget the amazing support from PathTags and Geocaching HQ   who help to make this dream a reality! Thanks guys!

NGS logo

First to Find (FTF) Raffle

We know people love chasing FTFs – how would you like a MEGA Event FTF? This raffle supports the amazing work done by The St Arnaud Agricultural Society (whose premises we are using and who do an amazing job of coordinating the St Arnaud Show). So if you are a FTF hound, or you just want to support a really great charity, then you can go in the draw to earn the right to call yourself the FTFer of The St Arnaud Event, 2019. Tickets are only $2 and you may win FTF and an unobtainium geocoin… You can purchase your tickets in this wonderful raffle by following this link!

St A Ag society

The St Arnaud Event – geocoin update

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The St Arnaud Event 2019 MEGA Committee is very excited to announce that the standard and limited edition geocoins are now for sale in the Geocaching Victoria store.

The Standard coin has been specifically designed for the event and features Fern the ledbeater possum as well as some stunning Australian flora including Victoria’s floral emblem – the Pink Heath. What sets this coin apart is that it is a 3D textured coin. If you’ve seen one before you know how magnificent they look – if not you will definitely want one for your collection! Coins are $16 each. Order here.

ST A standard coin

 

The Limited Edition coins come in three different colours and aims to depict the farming communities that are located within the St Arnaud district. Get in quick as these are limited in number! This coin is 3 inches in size so nice to add to the collection. Limited edition coins are $34 each. Order here.

 

LE tractor coins

And whilst in the store don’t forget to purchase your St Arnaud Pathtags and other cool coins like the Oxfam Trailwalker Coin. Oxfam Trailwalker is happening this weekend so make a contribution by getting your coin before they sell out whilst supporting a good cause at the same time. Check out the full store here.

The St Arnaud Event – March Update

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Welcome to The St Arnaud Event March update. The committee are working behind the scenes to bring you the best MEGA event we can – all for FREE! Remember to REGISTER HERE as this year we will be crossing off names at the event to ensure everyone who registered early gets their gift.

The lead up events have continued and February saw events in Devonport (Tas) & Emerald (Vic). Thanks to our hosts for helping to spread the word about The St Arnaud Event.

Devonport

devonport

Emerald

created by dji camera

Pathtags

The official St Arnaud Event Pathtags are now available to pre-order. Don’t they look amazing? Visit the Geocaching Victoria store to purchase the below St Arnaud pathtags which can be collected at the MEGA event. Many thanks to Ozglory Designs for designing these tags for us. People have inquired about using the border on their own pathtags and we suggest you contact Ozglory Designs.

St A 5 set

Don’t forget if you are designing your own Pathtag remember to add the Geocaching Victoria tag back (which helps fund events like this Mega).

Lead Up Events

The Victorian MEGA lead up events are back! We know people like prizes so we encourage you to attend as many events as possible as each event you attend will give you up to 6 raffle tickets for a special prize that might just have your name on it? This special Lead Up raffle will be drawn on the Saturday night event of the Mega – so make sure you attend as you need to be there to claim your prize. And who knows… the prize might consist of an illusive “unobtainium”…
GZ Code Where When
GC82D87 Walhalla, Vic Saturday 16th of March, 2019, 11:00am (Note: roads are reopened so event will proceed).
GC844VD Lismore, NSW Monday 25th of March, 2019, 6:00pm
GC83F8E Cowes, Vic Saturday 13th of April, 2019, 10:00am
GC84161 Bradden, ACT Wednesday 17th of April, 2019, 7:30am
GC83F95 Portland, Vic Saturday 18th of May, 2019, 10:00am
Wangaratta, Vic Saturday 15th of June, 2019 10:00am
Camperdown, Vic July
Melbourne CBD, Vic August
Castlemaine, Vic September
Bacchus Marsh, Vic October

More lead up events releasing soon!

Geocaching in St Arnaud – ‘Oh when the Saints’ series

Oh when the Saints is “a series of caches taking a tour of the North Central Victorian town of St. Arnaud. Sporting, historically significant and let’s face it, places that I like in the town that I live”.  These are the words of local St Arnaud cache owner strangequark1 who put this series of caches out for our enjoyment.

The first few were released in October 2012 with more following over the next 18 months and strangequark1 is recently back at it, replacing one of the earlier archived caches in January this year. With a total of 14 caches currently active, the series will take you to some fantastic local places of interest – from the local pistol club to the oldest surviving house in St Arnaud, an 1868 cottage.

With a mix of trads & multi’s available, by the end of the series you will have learned all about the local CFA, paid your respects to a number of historic graves at the local cemetery and met Marshall St Arnaud, after whom the town was named (well met his statue anyway).

Oh when the saints 1

There are even a couple right by the MEGA location. Generally, you’d probably avoid searching for GC4QBJN with a crowd present but on November 16th & 17th this year, GZ will also be the heart of The St Arnaud Event 2019 so search away! Over 1900 smilies have been earned from this great local series with just short of 100 favourite points awarded*. Enjoy!

*Statistics current as of 3 March 2019

 

Sponsorship

It’s thanks to amazing supporters that make a MEGA event possible. This includes Caching Supplies AND GeoStuff who will both have their shop on site during the Mega. We’ve also had donations from Sssafe and Sistema so a big thanks to them too. It’s also important to note that this event isn’t possible without the support of the Northern Grampians Shire Council so thank you NGS! And we can’t forget the amazing support from PathTags and Geocaching HQ   who help to make this dream a reality! Thanks guys!

The St Arnaud Event – February Update

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Welcome to The St Arnaud Event February update. The committee are working behind the scenes to bring you the best MEGA event we can – all for FREE! Remember to REGISTER HERE as this year we will be crossing off names at the event to ensure everyone who registered early gets their gift.

And if the January lead-up event is anything to go by this event is going to be MEGA! Almost 50 teams attended the St Arnaud lead up event on Australia Day and enjoyed a taste of the amazing caches St Arnaud has on offer.

starnaudleadup

Accommodation – New Campsites Available

The Northern Grampians Shire have approved powered and unpowedered sites at the Mega Site at Lord Nelson Park.  The Caravan Park is taking bookings for these.  Please call 03 5495 1447 (we are led to believe only unpowered sites are left).

Pathtags

The official St Arnaud Event Pathtags are now available to pre-order. Don’t they look amazing? Visit the Geocaching Victoria store to purchase the below St Arnaud pathtags which can be collected at the MEGA event. Many thanks to Ozglory Designs for designing these tags for us. People have inquired about using the border on their own pathtags and we suggest you contact Ozglory Designs.

Don’t forget if you are designing your own Pathtag remember to add the Geocaching Victoria tag back (which helps fund events like this Mega).

St A 5 set

Pathtag Design Competition – Extended Deadline

Ok – so we know there are lots of budding Pathtag designers out there so we are asking for your help. At each Victorian Mega thus far participants have received a FREE event pathtag (different to those above). This year we are throwing it open to attendees to design this FREE event pathtag. The winner will receive a full set of the above 5 official St Arnaud Event 2019 pathtags.

The competition is now open and will close at midnight on Sunday February 24th (EXTENDED DEADLINE). That means you have a couple of weeks left to get designing. Send your “winning” design to gemmasiemensma@gmail.com with St Arnaud Event Pathtag Competition as the subject line.

Lead Up Events

The Victorian MEGA lead up events are back! We know people like prizes so we encourage you to attend as many events as possible as each event you attend will give you up to 6 raffle tickets for a special prize that might just have your name on it? This special Lead Up raffle will be drawn on the Saturday night event of the Mega – so make sure you attend as you need to be there to claim your prize. And who knows… the prize might consist of an illusive “unobtainium”…

GZ Code Where When
GC82GYW Devonport, Tas Sunday 10th of February, 2019, 12:00pm
GC81NXZ Emerald, Vic Saturday 16th of February, 2019, 10:00am
GC82D87 Walhalla, Vic Saturday 16th of March, 2019, 11:00am

More lead up events releasing soon!

Enticing Caches! The Fire Break Track Series

There is no doubt that St Arnaud is a high quality caching area. Within 30km of the township, you can find well over 300 active geocaches in a range of cache types.
If searching by top favourite points, you will be quickly directed to the Fire Break Track series.

Released in October 2014, the themed series is compiled by locals FUF009 and Tyred n Cranky. The series of 25 caches take you along the town’s Fire Break Track from Lock Road to Wycheproof Road, crossing in and out of the bush on a couple of occasions. The well-trodden series is broken in to 2 halves, with numbers to collect from the 23 trads which will lead you to two puzzle caches to mark half way and completion.

Each traditional cache in the series has over 150 individual logs while the series as a whole has a whopping 383* favourite points. Number Five in the series (FBT05 – Fire Truck GC5A533) has 87* favourite points alone, g​iving it the honour of the ‘most favourited’ cache within 30km of St Arnaud.  FBT?? – Hydrant GC5A4YV earned the title of 2014 Victorian cache of the Year in the Puzzle category.

To start the series, head to FBT01 = “000” GC5A524. It will be a few hours well spent!

*Statistics current as of 4 Feb 2019

Sponsorship

It’s thanks to amazing supporters that make a MEGA event possible. This includes Caching Supplies AND GeoStuff who will both have their shop on site during the Mega. It’s also important to note that this event isn’t possible without the support of the Northern Grampians Shire Council so a big thanks to them too! And we can’t forget the amazing support from PathTags and Geocaching HQ   who help to make this dream a reality! So thanks guys!