Willowbrook Hollow Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

graemeap: I've decided to archive this one as the original hiding place has been destroyed when the cache was muggled. I've also decided to retire this user name. BUT - look for a replacement in the area soon by another geocacher. "Return to Willowbrook Hollow" will be in a slightly larger container, and in a different less muggle prone area. The cache notes will be cleaned up a bit too with better Waymarking for points of interest. Thanks to those who found this one, and sorry to the past two seekers who arrived post-muggling.

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Hidden : 9/5/2009
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:


This cache is placed in an area which is a significant and uncommon example of an early rural village, notable for the high percentage of nineteenth century civic and ecclesiastical sites which have survived. The original village of Broadmeadows, now called Westmeadows, this area has undergone a number of name changes over the past two centuries reflective of its changing status through the years. At some point it was known as Willowbrook, but the name now only survives as Willowbrook Reserve.

This area on the Moonee Ponds Creek was once a natural fording place offering a high and dry route to Sydney and later the booming Goldfields. The ford may have been the factor in the selection of the site for both a road and village reserve during survey. The original Broadmeadows township was laid out by a Government survey in 1850 with Ardlie Street as its commercial centre. The rural village was heavily reliant upon passing traffic for toll revenue and it grew rapidly in the years 1850-70.

There are many historic buildings and landmarks still surviving. These include the Shire Offices (originally the District Roads Board Building of 1866) and the bluestone bridge over the Moonee Ponds Creek (built in 1869) which are both on the Register of the National Estate. (S 37º 40.534` E 144º 53.288` and .580 . 259) The original Police Station and Gaol (.512 .247) are also still standing. The Anglican church (1850) on Raleigh Street is still being used and its Vicarage dates from 1860. The Presbyterian Church was opened in the 1860’s and the St Anne’s Roman Catholic Church in 1867. A school opened in 1851, however the present primary school site dates from 1870. The Westmeadows Tavern stands on the site of the original Broadmeadows Hotel. The Forrester Hall on Raleigh Street (now Westmeadows Community Hall) dates from 1871.

The Broadmeadows township and the urban centre began to be moved two kilometres eastwards when the railway line and station were opened in 1872. Shire loyalties clung to the old township until new civic offices were built near the railway station in 1928. The old village was renamed Broadmeadows West in 1955 then Westmeadows in 1963. I still prefer the old name of Willowbrook.

The cache can be approach by road but it also lies along a bicycle path that runs from the Airport through to Flemington Road.

The cache is a 800ml Sistema style container suitable for small swaps. Located near the Airport (the closest coming along the Freeway from Melbourne) it is also a useful staging point for geocoins travelling interstate or overseas.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gur anzr bs gur pnpur tvirf n "ubyybj" pyhr gb vgf uvqvat cynpr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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