It will soon be time for our annual Christmas Party, Merry Geocachemas (GC7EFJR), which also means it is time to vote on the GEOCACHE OF THE YEAR Award again! 

The honour will be awarded to one of the 12 caches that won "Geocache of the Month" during the previous Association Year (Being AGM to AGM, normally September to August). GCNSW members, followers, and those who attend the Christmas Party will all get the chance to vote.

You can get voting online now or vote on the day at the event. The event will be held at Angle Park, Chipping Norton on Sunday, 3^rdDecember, 2017, commencing at 11am and concluding around 3pm. Pick the geocache that you believe deserves this title for 2016/17. If you havn't done any of them yet why not try to grab a couple over the next couple of weeks?!

There will be some small award for the CO of the winning hide... and some new bling for their cache page 

Head over to our quick Survey Monkey to add your response to the poll!

This Year's Nominees Are...

One of Sydney's masters of the creative cache, Rainbow Spirit, has won GOTM for October 2017 with his 6 year old 2011 installment "Please Release Me" (GC39HDX)! There are some great caches in Pemulwuy area of Western Sydney so add this one to your hit list next time you visit. From the CO's own description "The cache is not your normal cache hide, and finding the container will be just the start of your endeavours to release the cache from its prison". While listed as a micro traditional don't let that put you off as finding the thing isn't the highlight here. Make sure you have a few minutes to spare as some cachers are caught at GZ for much longer than traditional log signing duties would dictate! 

The little captive has earned a 55% favourite rating from its 51 favourite points and 144 finds to date, though as the hide predates the introduction of the FP system this would tilt things a little against its true standing. The GCNSW committee chose the cache with a couple of members doing it recently and noting the fun they had.

Image Credit:  Kid Ron Satan - from cache log

Of further note for wildlife enthusiasts is the number of 4, 8 and no-legged cache guardians that have been spotted during attempted to free the little blue midgit so do be on the lookout! 

While out caching this November don't forget to take note of any great or unusual finds you make. Nominate the NSW geocache that has impressed you and say why you think it deserves the award. It doesn't have to be a geocache hidden or found in the past month or even the past year. It can be listed on any geocaching site, needs to start or finish in NSW and not currently be archived. Head over to the Forum and start nominating or post on our Facebook page.

The Northern Beaches of Sydney is a bit of a hotspot for great caches. Blessed with coast, community, bushland and hills there is something for everyone and all levels of geocacher. This month we return to this lovely part of the state for the September Geocache of the Month award. The Heath Track (GC5Y8VF) is a moderate Multicache hidden by vk2df  who is no stranger to GOTM awards. It is about a 1km track around the upper reaches of the Manly Dam Reserve. The 3 waypoints will take you past plenty of wildflowers, particularly during Spring, and glorious sweeping views over Manly, Manly Dam and the Sydney City & Chatswood skylines. The track encircles a large rock outcrop from where, for the price of a short easy scramble, even grander views can be enjoyed.

The Wander has earned a 75% favourite rating from its 21 favourite points. GCNSW member Coastblue nominated the cache with the following recommendation. “A lot of effort has gone into the creation and construction of this multi. It takes you on a beautiful bush walk via the waypoints and leads you to an impressive container with a lot thought put into the contents and story behind the cache”.

Image Credit:  Cache Owner - from cache page

The wonderfull ZFPT below tends to draw a lot of attention and time from visiting hunters, but while in the area don't forget to check out this beauty too if you can!

Nominate a NSW geocache that has impressed you and say why you think it deserves the award. It doesn't have to be a geocache hidden or found in the past month or even the past year. It can be listed on any geocaching site, needs to start or finish in NSW and not currently be archived. Head over to the Forum and start nominating or post on our Facebook page.

As the weather warms up it is time for a nice Spring cache to encourage you outside a little more to enjoy the sights of Sydney's waterfront. Our Geocache of the Month for August 2017 begins on the iconic South Head, entrance to Sydney Harbour. Watson's Wander (GC5GTEE) is a longer but not overly difficult Multicache hidden by Elev8!on (formally known as MrNoo17). It will take an hour or two as you explore the headland and Watson's Bay. Not only are the views spectacular but there are several other cool caches to pick up while you journey from waypoint to waypoint.

The Wander has earned 'only' a 47% favourite rating from its 22 favourite points, but new GCNSW secretary FlutterbySquishy who nominated the cache says it deserves more than that! She "thoroughly enjoyed the cache and so much history discovered along the way. While easy enough to do it was a lot of fun!"

Image Credit:  Boswijk Posse - Cache log Nov 2016

The cache is crammed full of swag by all reports and can be made faster by bike or car, but do yourself a favour and check it out on a warm sunny day. You might even find time for a dip!

Nominate a NSW geocache that has impressed you and say why you think it deserves the award. It doesn't have to be a geocache hidden or found in the past month or even the past year. It just needs to be in, start in or finish in, NSW and not be archived. Head over to the Forum and start nominating or post on our Facebook page.

For July 2017, the Geocache of the Month will return you to Sydney's North Shore. A real rib tickler, it might leave you hungry for more caches by cache owner Fimbulisen! Spare Ribs (GC2M35T) is supposedly a 1/1 Traditional geocache that has earned a 54% favourite rating from its 77 favourite points. Supposedily we say, as once you spot it it certainly is a D1... but until then you might be cursing you eyes!

GCNSW member, Rodney1210 nominated the cache via our Facebook page. "It's a really clever cache - hidden in plain sight with really clever camo. It's also remarkable how a cache of that size can be hidden this close to the city. It's had 77 Favourite Points and a lot of the comments talk about what a great and satisfying cache it is."

Come by foot or bike and watch the traffic zoom under your feet while you hunt down this cracking little urban cache! Big enough to take a few TBs it is also a pretty safe drop for that bug you've carried for too long.

Nominate a NSW geocache that has impressed you and say why you think it deserves the award. It doesn't have to be a geocache hidden or found in the past month or even the past year. It just needs to be in, start in or finish in, NSW and not be archived. Head over to the Forum and start nominating.

"Once a Jolly Swagman..." oh wait, wrong jumbuck tale. Looking for a sheepish puzzle adventure on the NSW South Coast? Our June 2017 Geocache of the Month will have you in stitches!

Congratulations to RiverRuners, for The Wool Road. This 4/2 Puzzle geocache has earned a 54% favourite rating, and a very novel way of encrypting the co-ordinates that will challenge most techno-cachers.

GCNSW member, Wazza9 nominated The Wool Road after a weekend away with a likely group of suspects... one of whom, Nana Nel , fortunately had the skill and dexterity to fleece out the code. Wazza reports that on top of the unique puzzle and the good times of getting out of Sydney, "If you look at the cache page, you begin to understand the history of the area and a forgotten era that is very well presented." Usually you can swap something out of a cache as a memento, but this time around Nana Nel seems to have made her own thanks to this great NSW caching adventure!

Think you have what it takes or keen to learn a new skill? Check out the puzzle image and see how you fare. Might be time to give your nana a call and pop around for a cup of tea (if she isn't too busy climbing mountains hunting plastic boxes) ;)

The beautiful photo from the cache page is listed as the CO's Grandfather's Bullock Dray giving this cache an extra special personal touch too. Thanks for sharing RiverRunners.

Nominate a NSW geocache that has impressed you and say why you think it deserves the award. It doesn't have to be a geocache hidden or found in the past month or even the past year. It just needs to be in, start in or finish in, NSW and not be archived. Head over to the Forum and start nominating.

"A dash through Manly searching for bubblers. You have 20 minutes to find 20 bubblers." Huh? Well wet your whistle with a Whereigo wace around Manly with our May 2017 Geocache of the Month.

Congratulations to WIG-maestro, Tyreless, for Bubbler Dash. This 3/1½ Wherigo geocache has earned a 66% favourite rating, pretty good considering WIGs are a bit of a challenge for many geocachers.

GCNSW Supremo, Zalgariath nominated Bubbler Dash, writing "A race against the clock and a very unique WIG experience that takes you along the best bits of Manly. The final is equally as fun as the race and cartridge is well built." He modestly failed to mention that he's currently topping the leader board, completing the course in just over 10 minutes.

Other competitors wrote: "loads of fun-what an adventure!! Definitely one I'll remember" and "A great way to check out parts of Manly you wouldn't otherwise see."

Whereigos are GPS-enabled adventure games in the form of virtual cartridges that can be played on some GPS receivers and most smartphones, using a downloadable app. If you've never tried one, Tyreless has written a few good ones that will add an extra dimension to your geocaching experience.

Help wipe that gloating grin off Zal's face and beat his time at the Bubbler Dash!

Nominate a NSW geocache that has impressed you and say why you think it deserves the award. It doesn't have to be a geocache hidden or found in the past month or even the past year. It just needs to be in, start in or finish in, NSW and not be archived. Head over to the Forum and start nominating.

Take a trip down the quiet streets of Warragamba and a short walk down a trail by a creek to discover the April 2017 Geocache of the Month.

This month, we congratulate The Booos for Booos Haunted Hut. Published in October 2016, this 1½/2 Traditional geocache has earned an impressive 77% favourite rating. It's listed as a "large" and by all accounts, it is that and more.

The cache was enthusiastically nominated by Seemyshell (does he do anything without enthusiasm?) who wrote "I'd love to nominate Booos Haunted Hut. It is a very well constructed cache and very large. A great TB hotel. And the kids will love it."

Other finders were equally excited. "How brilliant is this cache !! I love it !! You should have seen my sprouts faces, total delight. Thanks so very much for this fantastic cache. Fav from me and worthy of cache of the year", wrote another.

So what makes this cache so hauntingly delightful? Check it out! 

Nominate a NSW geocache that has impressed you and say why you think it deserves the award. It doesn't have to be a geocache hidden or found in the past month or even the past year. It just needs to be in, start in or finish in, NSW and not be archived. Head over to the Forum and start nominating.

This month's award goes to a geocache from Engadine near the Woronora River, described by its CO as a "Tribute Cache, to the one and only 'Pipes Down Under".

Congratulations to Seemyshell for Pipes Down Under, winner of the March 2017 Geocache of the Month award. Published in March 2016, this 3½/2 multicache has earned an amazing 100% favourite rating. It was nominated by ziggiau who wrote, "It's an adventure easily managed by either foot or bicycle. Each waypoint is wonderful on it's own but combining them all together makes for one epic multi cache."

The subject of the tribute, Pipes down Under, is one of the most experienced geocachers in the Sutherland Shire area. He spends some of his free time playing bagpipes, hence his name.

The cache is a 6-stage multi that can be covered on foot or pushbike. As a bonus, finders get the coordinates for the special mystery, Pipes Down Under Bonus Cache.

Nominate a NSW geocache that has impressed you and say why you think it deserves the award. It doesn't have to be a geocache hidden or found in the past month or even the past year. It just needs to be in, start in or finish in, NSW and not be archived. Head over to the Forum and start nominating.

This month's award goes to a geocache that takes finders on an informative and enjoyable historic tour through an important era of early Sydney.

Congratulations to Calypso62 for At The Governor's Pleasure, winner of the February 2017 Geocache of the Month award. Published in October 2016, this 3/2½ multicache has earned an unbeatable 100% favourite rating. It's been nominated twice, most recently by Opa Shrek who wrote:

"If ever there is a cache that every visitor to the City of Sydney (whether from overseas, interstate, intrastate or from the 'burbs) should do, then it has to be this one!!" Its a mega-multi that takes you on a journey of discovery through ‘old’ Sydney, to places that really should be on everyone’s ‘must visit’ list. These include some iconic Sydney locations plus lots of others that, though they are less well known, are just as interesting and important in terms of helping us to better understand Sydney’s early days. This multi is, however, not just about the journey ... the final destination and the cache itself are really special and a really fitting end to a great day out."

The CO is a connoisseur of multi-caches and has found many here and overseas. Seeing a Sherlock Holmes multi overseas, he jumped into it with glee but was underwhelmed by the final. Never one to disappoint, he knew he could do much better and after a chance meeting with the President of the Macquarie Society, a cache was born.

Why did this cache score so many of favourite points? There's one way to find out! 

Nominate a NSW geocache that has impressed you and say why you think it deserves the award. It doesn't have to be a geocache hidden or found in the past month or even the past year. It just needs to be in, start in or finish in, NSW and not be archived. Head over to the Forum and start nominating.