The two caches I have put out represent a “trial” for the game and have been placed on the private land (no caches allowed on DOC land) with the permission of Peter Tait who acts as kaitiaki for the owners. All of Ulva Island is open to the public during the day and you can land by water taxi or kayak or any form of aquatic transport (don’t recommend swimming – you look like a seal, the favourite food of a Great White shark – that lurk in these waters )BUT you must follow some rules.
Undoubtedly cachers will research the island for information and there is plenty on the area. With these cache notes, what I have to do is implore cachers to act properly and obey the following rules – if a cacher is caught NOT obeying the rules, the caches will be archived and they won’t be allowed again. So, here goes:-
1) Don’t bring any rats – two legged or four legged. Seriously, if you arrive by private vessel – check. Those buggers can swim.
2) Don’t bring any seeds – check your clothing
3) Keep to the tracks when you are on your own, wandering off the track is strictly verboten unless you are with a DOC ranger or a “suitable” person.
4) NO NIGHT caching – you must be off the island by sunset.
5) Don’t go into the clearly marked owner’s area (unless invited of course) – they know the caches are on their land.
If in doubt, ask DOC or Peter Tait – the latter is happy to answer any questions and can be contacted through www.sailsashore.co.nz(tait@sailsashore.co.nz) or 03 219 1151
As for this cache – just follow the main track until you get to a small side track that has a narrower path and is made of wood logs. (Don’t go crashing through the bush – or Peter will get his elephant gun out). The cache is in a hole, ground level tucked under a rotten stump, directly underneath the exposed “shark’s tooth” or maybe “rhino’s horn” that is sticking up. If you see a miro tree with a plaque – it is about one metre across from that. The smaller track joins the main track further on where the DOC land begins. The T rating is based on when you get to the island