This is a pleasant public bushland loop of around 6 km from the suggested parking spot, so conservatively allow around 2-2.5 hours on foot, or less by bike. There are 12 caches in this series, and you may also wish to incorporate the two other traditional caches which are in the area. The series is probably best attempted outside normal business hours, when parking can be a challenge and the trails busy with lunchtime walkers.
Native animals abound: kangaroos, birds and lizards are especially common, but as with most ACT bush areas, please keep a lookout for snakes in the warmer months. Although there are a number of posted warnings about the possibility of UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) these trails are open and in regular use by foot, cycle and equestrian traffic.
The caches are generally located in open areas a short distance from the trail, and there is no need to climb any fences. Two types of common cache containers are used which should be familiar to the majority of cachers. The hides are not intended to be tricky - this loop’s goal is to provide a family- and dog-friendly walk along easy trails with the opportunity to find lots of caches!
This series of 12 caches represents the 9 original planets plus the Sun, Moon and Ceres – also formerly classified as a planet. There is no particular reason for choosing the planets as a theme, other than ease in selecting 12 names.
The names of planets, as well as their natural satellites, or moons are a topic governed by an institution known as the IAU, or International Astronomical Union. This organisation was established in 1919. Since that time it has been recognised globally as the overall authority for assigning names to celestial objects, as well as the names of any significant surface features on them, such as the Valles Marineris, an enormous canyon/rift system that is one of the largest in the Solar System and the Olympus Mons, the tallest mountain on Mars reaching heights of 14 miles.
Until recently our Solar System was thought to have 9 planets; however Pluto has been downgraded to a “dwarf planet”, leaving us with 8. Of the 8 planets we have left 7 of them were named after figures in Greek and Roman Mythology, Earth being the only exception, its name being Germanic in origin. We still use the ancient naming system today.