1 DAY TO GO!

That’s right, tomorrow is MEGA day!

So, what should you do to make your MEGA experience worthwhile?  Well that depends on what things you like.  There is plenty of actual caching to be done in the area with multitudes of puzzles, trads, multis, letterboxes, wherigos and earthcaches.  But, if you want a unique experience, then there are some things that you’re only going to find when there is a MEGA going on.

Firstly, there is the information sessions.  So many different topics will be covered by experts in the area.  From hiding your first cache, to playing wherigos, building challenge caches, using the cachly app, using cachetur, designing pathtags, using GSAK, project-gc or creating earthcaches its all there.  Check out the schedule and if any of these topics interest you, make sure you go along to the information session to learn more.

Also, only available at MEGAs are the LAB caches.  LAB caches are experimental style geocaches that have no rules or guidelines.  It allows the creators of these special geocaches to really think outside the box and build some genuinely inspired creations.  These are always a not to be missed experience at the Victorian MEGA and Parkville will be no different.  Please note however, that because of the large costs incurred by the creators of many of these works of art, the LAB caches will not be available after dark as they will be removed and locked inside during night time hours for their safety.  All LAB caches will be easily accessible by foot or by bike from the MEGA location, so no need to go anywhere in the car.

Finally, an announcement about food over the weekend.  There will be a coffee van and a water trailer on-site all-day Saturday and Sunday.  The Rotary Club of North Melbourne will be running a sausage sizzle all day on the Saturday. On the Saturday night there will be a free feed, courtesy of Geocaching Victoria which will be some beef, gravy and coleslaw rolls. This will be cooked by the wonderful Geocaching Victoria Oxfam crew, so any donations on the night will be gratefully accepted.  Also, on Saturday, if the beef roll doesn’t fill you up, there will be additional sausages available to purchase as well as drinks too.  On the Sunday the Geocaching Victoria Oxfam Crew are back out doing the hard work and looking after the sausage sizzle.  Make sure you grab a snag off them and help support the wonderful charity work that they do through the Oxfam Trailwalker 100km event.

We are all sincerely looking forward to putting on an amazing MEGA event and can not wait to see you all there.

Thank You

As per usual, we would like to thank our Major Sponsors. Without their ongoing support, big events like this would not be able to take place.

Our 2018 sponsors include Geocaching.com, Cachly, Pathtags.com, Caching Supplies, Clear Waters Event Queanbean Easter 2019, City of Melbourne, Bunnings, McDonalds, Freddy’s Bike Tours, City West Waters, Sssafe and of course it goes without saying, The future attendees of The Parkville Event.

Two Days to Go!

OMG, the MEGA is getting close. 

Did you know that if you have any questions that there is an entire Facebook group dedicated to just that?  That’s right, the Parkville Pow Wow, Facebook group is solely dedicated for any questions that you might have on this MEGA event and general chit chat about the MEGA.  The organizers are all moderators, so they will see any posts that you put up and can answer them as quickly as possible.  You can follow this link to join the group!

One question that we get asked a lot is where to stay for the weekend?  Well, where else would you want to stay other than right at the MEGA site?  That’s right, there are still beds available at the MEGA site, so for just $130 you can book yourself a bed at Urban Camp and enjoy a non-stop, full weekend of caching.  $130 gets you a bed for both the Friday and the Saturday night (so just $65 a night) and the whole MEGA experience is literally on your doorstep!  How much fun does that sound?  To book your accommodation for this weekend, follow this link.

And don’t forget the fabulous geocoins and pathtags that are still for sale.

There are very limited numbers of the special Limited Edition geocoin still available.  A shaped coin, measuring 2 inches in width, this coin has an amazing amount of detail and looks stunning.  And the way that the reverse side perfectly matches the front side is simply beautiful.  This is truly one very cool geocoin.

Also available is our standard edition geocoin which represents excellent value for money at only $16.  Depicting our mascot Fern as a tram driver, this is a great memento for anyone attending The Parkville Event, 2018.  You can purchase either of these coins for pick up at The Parkville Event 2018, right now by following this link.  Delivery options are also available.

And who could forget the beautiful pathtags, designed of course by ozglory, this is an attractive set of pathtags, depicting iconic Melbourne landmarks.  You can purchase the whole set for $25, or for just $15 you can purchase a trading set where you get 5 of one pathtag and then you trade with the others at the MEGA to make up your full set.  This year we have made trading a bit easier too.  Everyone who buys a trading set will get a special trading sticker/badge which you can wear whilst at the MEGA.  It has each of the pathtags on it and you simply can just cross off the ones that you already have as you collect them.  This way, others who are trading can instantly recognise each other and what trades want to be made.  Grab your pathtag set now, by following this link.

Thank You

As per usual, we would like to thank our Major Sponsors. Without their ongoing support, big events like this would not be able to take place.

Our 2018 sponsors include Geocaching.com, Cachly, Pathtags.com, Caching Supplies, Clear Waters Event Queanbean Easter 2019, City of Melbourne, Bunnings, McDonalds, Freddy’s Bike Tours, City West Waters, Sssafe and of course it goes without saying, The future attendees of The Parkville Event.

Three days to go.

So, what do you need to know?

Well, the MEGA isn’t the only event happening over the weekend.  Make sure you don’t miss out on the following geocaching events nearby…

GC7WZXT – The Parkville Friday Night Bowls event is being held at The Flemington and Kensington Bowls club on the Friday night before the MEGA.  This is a chance for a meal, a social drink and catch up and maybe some barefoot bowls.  There are a couple of rinks booked so this is a great chance to catch up with others who are in town.  Already has 82 Will Attends so it promises to be a descent sized gathering!

GC7Z3FG – Vision 2020 is a gathering organized by the GeoVenture2020 crew in nearby Brunswick.  Come along and find out about their exciting plans!

GC7QBMC – The Parkville Saturday Night BBQ – This is the big one (well except for the MEGA of course).  A free feed of beef rolls is available to all those who have logged their Will Attend for this one (i.e. you need to log your Will Attend to this event, not just the MEGA to get the free food).  The Saturday night BBQ is a great tradition that we have had at our MEGAs and this will be no different.  With some prizes, awards and milestones to be read out and other speeches, this is always an entertaining event.  Don’t forget to bring a chair!

GA13128 – Parkville GA Clans Catch Up – For the Geocaching Australia players out there, this ones for you!  Organized by Kittykatch during the Saturday night BBQ festivities.

GC7XY22 – GIFF and Farewell to Parkville Event.  This is the final event for the weekend and this is where many of the prizes won over the weekend will be awarded including the coveted FTF prize.  Yes, that’s right you could be the FTF for the whole 2018 MEGA event!  All you need to do is go into the raffle for your chance to win.  Tickets for the FTF raffle are available from the registration area and all proceeds are being donated to our charity this year which is Ronald McDonald House in Parkville, so it’s a worthwhile cause too.  At this event, you can hear some presentations from representatives of the next major geocaching events to be held in Australia as well as the announcement of the location of the 2019 Victorian MEGA.  Followed by a GIFF showing, this is a great event to attend also.

Please note, we did have a CITO published, but due to circumstances beyond our control, this had to be cancelled.

Thank You

As per usual, we would like to thank our Major Sponsors. Without their ongoing support, big events like this would not be able to take place.

Our 2018 sponsors include Geocaching.com, Cachly, Pathtags.com, Caching Supplies, Clear Waters Event Queanbean Easter 2019, City of Melbourne, Bunnings, McDonalds, Freddy’s Bike Tours, City West Waters, Sssafe and of course it goes without saying, The future attendees of The Parkville Event.

Emails have gone out today to all volunteers who have put their hand up for the Parkville Event. It contains a link to a google doc showing all tasks and assigned times.
If you don’t get that email (and it hasn’t gone to your ‘spam’ folder) then email me at stevecody@gmail.com, and we’ll sort something out.

If you want to help, but don’t want to go through formally volunteering, we would still be happy for any spare hands – especially for the Friday evening set-up, and the Sunday afternoon pack-up.

Either email stevecody@gmail.com, or just drop by the Registration desk, introduce yourself and ask if help is needed anywhere.