Cache Information
The posted coordinates are for Hawkesbury Central Library, which is the location where the cache can be found. A big thank you to Hawkesbury Library Service for their cooperation and permission in allowing the cache to be placed in the Library. Please be respectful of the location and adhere to library rules. Please do not approach staff in relation to locating the cache. The cache is a regular sized container which contains room for small trackables and swaps.
Please Note: The cache can only be found during the library’s opening hours.
Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday 9am-7pm
Saturday 9am-1pm
Sunday 2pm-5pm
Closed Public holidays
For more information on the library see http://www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/library
Windsor Court House
The Court House was designed by architect Francis Greenway, emancipated convict, completed in 1822. It was built by William Cox and features exceptional cedar joinery. The building was used to administer the law and also used for a variety of other purposes including elections, meetings and even church services. A portrait of Governor Lachlan Macquarie hangs in the public gallery and was commissioned by the Hawkesbury community in the 1820s. The building is still used regularly for its original purpose.
Waypoint 01:
To the right of the entrance door into the Windsor Court House are several plaques. On the plaque which starts with “THIS COURT HOUSE”:
A = Second letter of the fourth word on the eighth line
α = The two digit date that the plaque was unveiled on ?? April 1950
Waypoint 02:
When standing at the corner of Court & Pitt Streets, there is a large sign within the grounds of the Court House:
β = the last two digits of the year that the Court House was extended - ie. 18??
Windsor Military Barracks
A large military complex was situated on the corner of Bridge and Court Streets in Windsor. Barracks were established on the site in 1818 to accommodate soldiers with a Guardhouse built in 1830. The military left Windsor in 1848, when the 99th Regiment departed. The barracks were surrounded by a four metre wall but only part of this has survived. The Barracks were used by the Police and demolished in 1926 so that a Police station could be constructed. It opened in 1928 but the Police Station moved to new premises in 2010. In 1976 foundations of the guardhouse were located during roadworks and these can be viewed in the garden.
Waypoint 03:
The information panel starting with "Windsor Military Barracks", find:
γ = The two digit missing regiment from 48th, 50th, 58th, 80th, ??th and 94th foot.
Windsor Toll House
When Macquarie departed the Colony a good system of roads and bridges was in place. A Toll House was built on the banks of South Creek in 1835 to collect a toll for the use of the road. The building was almost demolished as a result of the 1864 flood when it shifted off the foundations. It was rebuilt with a few alterations shortly after. The building has projected bay windows, which allowed the toll keeper to view the road and to collect tolls. The toll was abolished in 1887. In 1975 a high level bridge was constructed over South Creek almost concealing the Toll House from view.
Waypoint 04:
The large sign about "The Windsor Toll House":
δ = the last two digits of the year that the Toll House was largely destroyed by flood - ie. 18??
ε = the missing digit from the date range that tolls were collected at South Creek - ie. 1802-18?7
Green Hills Burial Ground & Monument
Windsor was originally called Green Hills, it was renamed Windsor by Governor Lachlan Macquarie on 6 December 1810. Governor Macquarie also proclaimed a burial ground in 1811, now Windsor’s St Matthews Anglican Church. Prior to this, burials took place on settler’s farms or along the banks of South Creek. In 1999 a memorial was established in memory of those buried nearby.
Waypoint 05:
On the sign for the Green Hills Burial ground:
B = Second letter of the first word under the Hawkesbury City Council logo
Waypoint 5 currently off-limits: use B=E
Waypoint 06:
There are several plaques on the monument:
ζ = The total number of 'F's in the logo on the plaque which is dedicated to the memory of those who came to this country
Waypoint 6 currently off-limits: use ζ=3
Thompson Square
This public square was established shortly after European settlement of the Hawkesbury and is the oldest surviving public square in Australia. Scottish convict Andrew Thompson, arrived in the colony on the Pitt in 1792. He was appointed the constable at Green Hills in 1796 and went on to become an entrepreneur and businessman. He operated his store in the square from the 1790s which was the focal point of the Hawkesbury community. Macquarie appointed Thompson magistrate at the Hawkesbury, the first time an emancipist was appointed. Andrew Thompson died in 1810 aged 37 years from ill-health as a result of saving residents in the floodwaters. He was buried in St Matthews Church of England Cemetery and his headstone is the oldest in the cemetery. Macquarie was a beneficiary to Thompson’s estate. In 1811 Macquarie named the square after Andrew Thompson in 1811. The surrounding buildings including the historic Macquarie Arms Hotel built in 1815, form an important heritage landscape.
For the Bicentenary of European settlement in 1988, the square was revamped. As part of the festivities, a monument with an anchor on top, records some of the early settlers. Several years ago the NSW Government announced that a new bridge would be constructed across the Hawkesbury River, replacing the 1874 bridge and encroaching onto the historic square. As a result, CAWB, a community action group was formed to contest the development and lobby for a by-pass. They have been occupying a tent in the square 24/7 since 21 July 2013. Read about their occupation here.
Waypoint 07:
At this waypoint you will find a "THOMPSON SQUARE RESTORATION" plaque:
η = The two digit date that the restoration project was officially opened - ie. ?? April 1988
Waypoint 08:
Towards the middle of the Square you will find the 175 Anniversary plaque:
K = The first letter of the third word on the first row
Hawkesbury Regional Museum
In 1962, Hawkesbury Historical Society established a museum in what is now known as Howe House in Thompson Square, which was owned by Windsor Municipal Council. In 2008 Hawkesbury City Council constructed a purpose built museum facing Baker Street. Howe House is situated on land owned by John Howe 1774-1852, a free settler who arrived in 1802. Howe was a businessman who also explored the Hunter region on several occasions. Howe built a house and this was extended in the late 1830s. The building operated as the Daniel O’Connell Inn in the 1840s and between 1871 and 1889 George Louis Asher Davies used the building as a newspaper office. He published the Australian: Windsor, Richmond, and Hawkesbury Advertiser newspaper between 1871 and 1889. The museum is opened daily 10am to 4pm, except Tuesday. Free entry. For more information: see Hawkesbury Regional Museum website
Waypoint 09:
Inside the Hawkesbury Regional Museum is a special exhibit of a creature of local myth and legend.
C = First letter of the creatures name
Hawkesbury Floods
The threat of floods, particularly in the early years of the colony, proved disastrous for settlers and farmers. Governor Macquarie wrote in his journal after the 1816 flood that "... a complete and awful Flood having taken place [in Windsor] ... to the great injury and distress of the Settlers residing on the banks of the river and creek, who will lose their houses and greatest part of the grain both in and out of the ground". A marker of the highest recorded flood to inundate Windsor can be found at this location.
Waypoint 10:
On the exterior wall towards the bottom of the Macquarie Arms property are two plaques:
L = Third letter of the fourth word on the third line on the 1818 wall plaque
θ = The last two digits of the year that the Flood Marker indicates - ie. 18?? Flood
Granary
With food being the life blood of the early colony, a granary was built near this site in order to store grain under government supervision. The importance to the whole colony was so great that in 1813 Earl Bathurst wrote to Governor Macquarie and detailed a proposed invasion of the Hawkesbury River by France, with the target being the granary stores at Windsor.
Waypoint 11:
On the sign about "The settlement on The Green Hills":
λ = The single digit day that an event took place in the Square - ie. ? March 1804
Government Cottage
A weatherboard cottage was established at the Green Hills in 1796. It was built for the commanding officer of the garrison, as a detachment of the NSW Corps was stationed in the Hawkesbury from the 1790s. Sometimes called Government House it was sometimes used to provide lodgings for visiting officials. In 1810 Governor Lachlan Macquarie and wife Elizabeth were accommodated in the cottage during their travels throughout the colony. It was here that the Macquarie’s entertained a party of twenty-one and after dinner officially christened the five new towns of Richmond, Wilberforce, Pitt Town, Castlereagh and Windsor formerly Green Hills. It was purchased at auction, in 1854 by John McCall. During the 1860s, Constable Michael Raper occupied the old cottage. He was later the Gaoler and lived there until the 1900s. Around the turn of the century, the building fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1920. A new house was built on the property which still stands with a plaque out the front of 41 George Street, marking the spot.
Waypoint 12:
You will be standing near a plaque which indicates the "SITE OF THE GOVERNMENT COTTAGE":
J = The second letter of the sixth word on the fifth line
Governor Macquarie Statue in McQuade Park
A reserve was proposed by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in 1810 to complement St Matthew’s Anglican Church. In 1873, Windsor Council made a decision to call the reserve, which was also known as the church green, Windsor Park. This was rescinded in 1874 by the then Mayor, John Michael McQuade. After overturning the original resolution, a new motion was put forward to rename the facility, McQuade Park. With the voting tied, the Mayor then used his casting vote in favour of the motion. A large sign was built and the name painted in gold letters. In 1878 all of the resolutions in connection with the naming of the park were rescinded and the name Windsor Park again conferred on the grounds. This was futile as the name McQuade persisted and it is still known by this name today.
During the Hawkesbury Bicentenary, in 1994 celebrating 200 years of European settlement, a statue of Governor Lachlan Macquarie was commissioned and created by sculptor Frederic Chepeaux. Macquarie, who named and planned the Five Macquarie Towns in 1810, was highly regarded by the Hawkesbury settlers. He stands opposite St. Matthew’s Church. Unfortunately Chepeaux died shortly after completing the sculpture.
Waypoint 13:
There are several plaques at this location, find the plaque titled "MACQUARIE & THE HAWKESBURY":
M = The first letter of the first paragraph
St Matthews Anglican Church and Graveyard
This acclaimed historic church was designed by architect Francis Greenway.
The burial ground at St Matthews Church of England was established in 1811 when Governor Lachlan Macquarie ordered that the settlers “shall in a decent and becoming manner inter the deceased in the consecrated Grounds now assigned for that purpose in their respective Townships”. The burial grounds at Windsor abounds with numerous pioneers both convict and free. Entrepreneur Andrew Thompson [1810] was the first buried in the new cemetery and his monument “From respect and esteem for the Memory of the deceased” was erected by Governor Lachlan Macquarie. Other noteworthy persons buried in the cemetery include Magistrate and roadbuilder William Cox [1837], surgeon Dr Thomas Arndell [1821], Captain John Brabyn and Richard Fitzgerald [1840] are other buried in the cemetery. Don’t miss the elaborate vault containing members of the Tebbutt family, one of the largest in the cemetery with the remains of world renowned astronomer John Tebbutt [1916]. A large number of First Fleeters are buried here including Robert Forrester [1827]; Edward Miles [1838]; Benjamin Cusley [1845] and Ann Bladdey [1820] who was one of the first women to receive a land grant in the Hawkesbury in 1797. Well-known First Fleeter convicts Henry Kable [1846] and wife Susannah nee Holmes [1825] were one of five couples married in the first marriage service in the colony in 1788.
Waypoint 14:
As you face the church, you will be looking up at the foundation stone above the front entrance window:
I = The third letter of the first word on the second last line
Waypoint 15:
Locate the grave of Andrew Thompson:
μ = The last two digits of the year that Lachlan Macquarie Governor erected the monument - ie. 18??
Convict Barracks & Hospital
A convict barracks was established in Windsor during Governor Macquarie’s term in 1820. Several years later the building was extended and converted into a convict hospital. When convict transportation to NSW ceased in the 1840s. The building was taken over by the Hawkesbury Benevolent Society as a hospital and asylum in 1846 for the poor, inform and destitute of the Hawkesbury. In 1911 the hospital was modernised and reopened. Eventually a new hospital complex was constructed in 1996 opening across the road. The old Hospital is now owned and operated by Hawkesbury City Council.
Waypoint 16:
You are standing in front of Macquarie’s foundation stone of the Convict Barracks:
H = First letter of the first word on the bottom line
Waypoint 17:
On the wall between the old hospital and the Dead House are several information panels, on the panel starting with "FORMER":
N = Fourth letter of the second word in the second paragraph
Waypoint 18:
On the wall of the old hospital are some information panels on the Hawkesbury Benevolent Society Hospital and site archealogy. On the panel headed "SITE HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY" find:
D = Second letter of the first word in the fourth paragraph
ξ = The last two digits of the year that the site was converted from barracks to convict hospital - ie. 18??
Cache Location and Access
In order to locate and access the cache, you will need to decode the following:
E = (α – ε) / λ
F = (β - γ)
G = (δ / ε) - λ
O = ((θ + η) / (μ – ζ)) – λ
P = (α – ξ) – ζ
Q = (ξ – μ) - (ε - ζ)
Checksum (EFGOPQ) = 20
PLEASE NOTE: Waypoint 5 & 6 are currently off-limits: use B=E and ζ=3
ABC: D EFG HIJ
KLMN: OPQ
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Did you know that NSW has a geocaching association? Geocaching NSW aims to enhance and improve the activity of geocaching and holds regular events where geocachers meet to enjoy their common interests. Visit the association website here.