The stash is a medium sized clear/ blue Décor container and is chock full of goodies. It’s stashed at the very base of an old and seemingly dying gum tree that is growing out of a rock ledge and is shaped like a “U”. I have partially covered it with a large piece of bark but it is still quite visible on the cliff side of the trunk.
Start your hunt at the very bottom of Galston Gorge, where there is a small picnic ground with room for about 3 cars, or you can cross the concrete bridge to where there is parking for another 3. Don’t cross the wooden bridge or you will have to go all the way up to Galston before you can turn around. At the Galston end of the concrete bridge the is a sign on the rock face saying “Fishponds Waterhole 6 km” The track was built as part of the Great North Walk and is very popular for hikers and day trippers alike.
Follow the track and signs from here as its winds steeply up the cliff face all the way to the top. The track is so steep in places that steel ladders have been built to help you. Where the track becomes vague there are arrows carved into the rock and pink dots painted to point the way. Towards the summit there is a walkers register, why not rest and fill in the log while you catch your breath. Once at the top (it took me about 20 minutes) you will find yourself on a fire trail with a sign pointing to camping grounds. Turn on your GPS, get a reading and continue past the camping grounds, it is easy to track the cache down from here.
Snakes and lizards are common in the area and you may see a few scurry from the trail when they hear you coming. Don’t interfere with them and all will be OK. Mobile phones do not work in the gorge but do work at the top of the ridge.
You will need a minimum of about 90 minutes to find this Cache. Good Luck!