About the Geocache
Should be a trivial one to find, in a location with blessed
views.
Visit in good light to see the best of the Waipoua forest's
extent.
Whilst the cache itself is easily accessible and suitable for
wheelchair users (in all but very poor weather which may result in
muddy ground conditions around GZ), be aware that a steep climb is
needed to access the adjacent viewing platform.
About Waipoua Forest
Waipoua forest is in the Northland region of the North Island in
New Zealand.
It is a very naturally beautiful, fertile environment.
In total, the Waipoua reserve is 247 hectares large - greater
than the size of more than 600 football pitches.
In the forest is a plaque that reads:
"You are in the heart of a small remnant
of
one of Earth's most ancient ecosystems.
Breathe deeply and tread softly."
Waipoua forest is often thought of as a kauri
forest, but the giant kauri groves only make up a small part of the
whole. Kauris are large trees indigenous to New Zealand.
Look between the great trunks, look up into the canopy, look
between your feet. Take your time and you will begin to see a
forest of endless variety, complexity and diversity.
More than 300 species of trees, shrubs and ferns are found in
the forest.
Our knowledge of the native herbs, mosses and lichens barely
scratches the surface of Waipoua's genetic treasure house.
In its richness of species, Waipoua is more akin to the tropical
rainforests of the south west Pacific than it is to the temperate
forests of the rest of New Zealand.
All these species are arranged into a complex mosaic of
vegetation patterns, shaped by geology, climate and evolution over
millions of years.
Please ensure that you respect the plants and animals here at
all times.
This area is threatened by kauri dieback, so please:
- Make sure shoes, tyres and equipment are clean of dirt before
and after visiting kauri forest.
- Clean shoes and any other equipment that comes into contact
with soil after every visit, especially if moving between bush
areas.
- Keep to defined tracks at all times. Any movement of soil
around the roots of a tree has the potential to spread the
disease.
- Dogs can inadvertently spread the disease if they disturb the
soil around the trees and are not permitted in Waipoua
Forest.
For more information about kauri dieback, please see this page:
Kauri dieback: how you can help.
When in the forest:
| DO NOT LEAVE
THE WALKWAYS |
The boardwalks and paths have been carefully placed to protect
the fragile roots of these awesome trees, whose health is
threatened by even the lightest foot fall. STAY ON THE
BOARDWALKS/PATHS AT ALL TIMES.
About the Cache
A 200ml Sistema container with dark camo.
Pretty much a log book only cache, but feel free to use for
geocoinage as well.
Some stealth may be required at GZ due to spot's public
popularity.
Please ensure that you replace carefully so as it remains not
obvious!
Contents at Placement
- Stash note, log book, pencil, sharpener and silica gel
Follow the
FaberOptimé Waipoua Forest Geocache Power Trail, south
to north along SH12:
- Look Out Waipoua! (this geocache)
- Fancy a good walk?
There's an excellent, well signposted tramping track (2.5km, about
an hour's walk) through manuka and regenerating podocarp/hardwood,
between the lookout and the Visitor Centre (plan to start/end here
if walking it both ways).
-
GC22327 - Waipoua Visitors
Learn more about the area and the Forest's flora and fauna.
-
GC223BA - Te Matua Ngahere - Father of the Forest
Spend an hour walking in the forest, visiting the Four Sisters and
the oldest (and second largest) living kauri.
-
GC22322 - Forest Finders' Bonus @ Tane Mahuta
See the largest living kauri.
You'll need to find all the three preceding geocaches to get the
exact co-ordinates for this last bonus geocache.
Video
Click here to
watch a video about Waipoua Forest on YouTube.
It also includes a number of other Northland geocache locales.
Do feel free to rate/comment and/or Subscribe to our
YouTube Channel!
Problems?
Geocaches need
maintenance from time to time (as do we all?!).
If this one looks in need (new log book/container
maintenance/other), please
let us know.