Sometimes it is the contributions a geocacher has made towards our game that leads the discussion at the monthly GCNSW meetings to decide on the next winner of Geocache of the Month. Recently GCNSW secretary FlutterbySquishy completed a number of hides by Western Sydney caching family dkmacca and we found it hard to go past them as deserving winners for the April 2018 GOTM award!

Dkmacca begun caching in January 2009 and have placed 38 hides for the community to enjoy during that time. "How's James" (GC580C5) earned an honourable mention but in the end, we decided to go with their cache with the highest FP count, "The Six Sided Bridge (GC2ZB8W)" as the April 2018 GOTM. A visit to the extensive and picturesque Western Sydney Parklands in North Western Sydney will be required to tick this one off your list. 

We've had a few more challenging caches selected for GOTM recently that may be tricky for the casual cacher to find so this month it is back to basics. Apparently some Blue Mountains cachers sick of the micro-fest that is Sydney City placed the challenge out for someone to hide an Ammo Can in the CBD... The winner of GOTM for March 2018 accepted!

Congratulations to MrMalkovich who has been awarded the GOTM for their straight up, no-nonsense traditional cache that proves if you hide it, they will come! "Barangaroo Ammo Depot (GC62T3Y)" is a WYSIWYG traditional in a great location, waterfront in the new(ish) Barangaroo precinct. It is one of only a handful of regular sized caches in the heart of Sydney and an excellent place to exchange travel bugs. 

Daylight savings has left us for another year and though the days are shortening the weather is still great and enticing many a hunt. Apologies for being a little quiet the past month or two, most of the Committee came down with a severe case of Mega-Muster fever and Zal was off in Japan so not a lot else got done around here. Time to play catch-up by announcing the winner of GOTM for February 2018!

Congratulations to Team Stilllookin who have been awarded the GOTM for their slightly twisted traditional cache "Zombies Cousin (GC1EBEW)". A mildly challenging cache for those with vertigo and probably not one for the geo-kiddies but the brilliant location near Hassan's Walls Reserve in Lithgow and the creepy spirit who possesses it may lure unsuspecting cachers in any way. 

Who doesn't like LARGE caches? Who could resist a cache with 100% FPs hidden by a team who hasn't won GOTM before?! Not us that's for sure... 

Congratulations to frazel, Ashley.Kate who have won the first GOTM for 2018 with a solidly good traditional cache "Do you like Birds (GC7E6KG)". This caching team have been playing since 2013 and have 11 hides under their belt.

Geocaching NSW strives to promote the hobby of Geocaching and does not affiliate itself with any one service provider. While of course the vast majority of caches and cachers operate on geocaching.com, did you know nearly 1 in 5 of the caches in NSW are listed on Geocaching Australia? If you haven't checked GCA out in your area why not give it a go? Particularly if you happen to live in the Blue Mountains, where for the first time ever we are awarding GOTM to a GCA Cache!

Congratulations to Rogerw3 who has won GOTM for December 2017 with a massive milestone cache "GCA Cache Number 10000 (GA10000)". A competition was run on GCA as the 10,000th hide approached and prolific cacher Roger won the bid to hide the magically numbered box. With over 300 caches hidden (and not a micro to be seen among them) Roger really has dedicated massive amounts of time to the hobby in NSW making it a more fun place for us to play in. This cache was hidden in on April 1st 2017 (no joke!) in the lower Blue Mountains, just across the river from Western Sydney. The LARGE multi-cache requires you to find a few other caches along a nice short walk before being able to access the final waypoint and GZ before you can log it. 

GCA has a ratings system instead of Favourite Points and so far 11/13 finders have given the cache 5/5 stars and 2 gave it 4 so that's a 97.5% approval rating! Along the way you will pass some engineering history, stroll through the bush and be rewarded with a nice big box at the end. 

Image Credit:  CO - from cache page

We realise not everyone chooses to do GCA caches, but if you were going to start you can't go far wrong here! If you need even more motivation to visit the Mountains you could also check out Roger's Blue Mountains Power Trail (BMPT) Series for a great day out. 

While out caching this holiday season 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.

It is time to farewell 2017 and welcome in the new caching year! Did you achieve your geocaching goals for 2017? If you are thinking what to aim for over the next 12 months we have a suggestion... find as many GOTM winners as possible! With this in mind where to start? Well, why not with our 2016/17 Geocache of the Year "At the Governor's Pleasure" (GC6HR8E) by the Calypso62. 

We're delighted to officially announce the winner of the GCNSW "Geocache of the Year" for 2016/17!  This is the sixth year of this prestigious award and the winner was chosen by a record number of the NSW geocaching community as the pick of the bunch from "Geocache of the Month" winners of the 2016/17 Geo-year that runs from AGM to AGM (Sep to Aug). A clear winner was already in the makings with the result of online voting, which was even further extended after the Christmas Party Event attendees added their say to the poll.

Originally the winner for GOTM February 2017, At the Governor's Pleasure was always going to be tough to beat. It was only hidden in October 2016 and has now clocked up over 80 finds with over 70 FP's. 93% of Premium member finders have recommended this hunt! Starting in the middle of the Sydney CBD this cache harks back to the days of the "mega caches" in its depth of detail and sheer grandeur of scope. You will need a good few hours and decent walking shoes as well as a nose for history! Taking in many of Sydney's most famous sights while uncovering some hidden history along the way this cache has something for everyone. A special effort, the likes of which few caches could ever hope to achieve, caps off the adventure at GZ. Your time will be well rewarded with a cache we promise you'll never forget!

We got the chance to ask the cache owner Calypso62 what inspired him to go to such lengths to hide this box. He cited a recent trip to London where there is a fantastic old series based on Sherlock Holmes which takes you on a tour of the city. However, after all the highs of the tour, the end was a film canister in an uninspired location which was a bit of a letdown. Determined to win the Ashes of Caching he set to work, and after much investment of time and effort produced this gem. A well deserved "Geocache of the Year!"

Who will receive the award for Geocache of the Year in 2017/18? ...that is up to you! First things first, get nominating. The first winners for the 17/18 year have already been chosen but more will be selected until August 2018. Each month we call for your input as to great caches around our state and the committee will choose one to be recognised that month. They don't have to be epic hikes or mind-bending puzzles, they just have to be great caching experiences. Then at the AGM we will list off the 12 winners, and towards the end of the year call for your votes as to the best of the bunch! The 2017/18 Winner will be announced at the GCNSW Christmas Party.

Head to the Geocaching NSW forum and start nominating for next month or keep an eye on our social media streams.

Thanks to all those who nominated caches and voted last year... here's to the winners, and a great 2018 discovering top spots around NSW geocaching!

With the start of summer upon us, it's perfect weather for finding a geocache or 10. And you can't go past our 2017/2018 Geocache of the Year winner as great starting point your NSW based adventures.

Geocaching NSW is pleased to announce Joadja's Seaside TB Resort (GC6AN3T) by AsTheCrowsFly' as this year's winner.

In the award's seventh year, the NSW geocaching community voted online for their favourite from the list of Geocache of the Month winners throughout 2017-18. To be a contender for Geocache of the Month, the cache must be placed in NSW, with appropriate permissions (where required), have proven itself over time as a worthy cache, and be nominated by a Geocaching NSW member. Those monthly winners are then pitted against each other for the Geocaching NSW Geocache of the Year title. See the full list of candidates below (and go out and find them - they're all excellent!):

September 2017 – The Heath Track (GC5Y8VF) – vk2df
October 2017 – Please Release Me (GC39HDX) – Rainbow Spirit
November 2017 – Tomorrow Will Be Different (GC59F90) – TOMBI!
December 2017 – GCA Cache Number 10000 (GA10000) – Rogerw3
January 2018 – Do you like Birds (GC7E6KG) – frazelle, ash.kate
February 2018 – Zombies Cousin (GC1EBEW) – Team Stilllookin
March 2018 – Barangaroo Ammo Depot (GC62T3Y) – MrMalkovich
April 2018 – The Six Sided Bridge (GC2ZB8W) – dkmacca
May 2018 – Webcam Resurrection (GC2KZR6) – Zalgariath
June 2018 – Patience! (GC30ENC) – The Hancock Clan
July 2018 – Joadja’s Seaside TB Resort (GC6AN3T) – AstheCrowFlys
August 2018 – The Great Train Heist (GC6JMDK) – barefootjeff

Joadja's Seaside TB Resort is based in the small locality of Joadja, about 30mins drive west of Mittagong in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Having a cache title that refers to the seaside when it's around 62kms, away as the crow flys (hehe), from the nearest ocean, certainly increases the curiosity levels. Being a cache that's located far from any major centre often means fewer visits, but not only has this cache been found by 71 different cachers since being published in 2016, it has 38 favourite points (awarded by premium members)!

Without giving too much away, one of the reasons this cache is so well loved is because it is looked after with much care and devotion by the cache owners, AsTheCrowsFly'. They personally tend to each of the resort guests (travel bugs and geocoins) and make sure they are all afforded the highest quality country hospitality. All the most fashionable travel bugs are wanting to be seen here (and logged) as the facility is the envy of Travel Bug Hotels all over the country. You'll have to find it for yourself to see just why it's so special.

But don't stop too long at the resort, as this cache is just one of a series of lovely caches that sees you winding your way along Joadja Road finding a variety of cache types and hides. All cachers should add this lovely day of geocaching to your Must Do list - plus it's suitable for the whole family.

Who will receive the award for Geocache of the Year in 2018/19? Well that's up to you! First things first, get nominating. The first winners for the 17/18 year have already been chosen but more will be selected until August 2018. Each month we call for your input as to great caches around our state and the committee will choose one to be recognised that month. They don't have to be epic hikes or mind-bending puzzles, they just have to be great caching experiences. Then at the AGM we will list off the 12 winners, and towards the end of the year call for your votes as to the best of the bunch! The 2017/18 Winner will be announced at the GCNSW Christmas Party.

Head to the Geocaching NSW forum and start nominating for next month or keep an eye on our social media streams.

Thanks to all those who nominated caches and voted last year... here's to the winners, and a great 2018 discovering top spots around NSW geocaching!

Image credits: ziggiau

It has been a while since we selected a cache that would really stretch the geo-endurance muscles, so this month we have gone with a tougher-than-average nut. Congratulations to TOMBI! who has won GOTM for November 2017 with a twist on the usual geo-streak challenge cache "Tomorrow Will Be Different" (GC59F90). Hidden in July 2014 in the lower Hunter Valley, this challenge cache requries you to find a geocache every day for a month before you can log it. The kicker is that a spaced out power-trail won't cut it! Each day you must find a different cache type than the previous day to qualify... tricky stuff! 

With only 11 finds so far it doesn't receive the love it deserves so hopefully this plug helps it get put on a few more cacher's hit lists. Committee member Seemyshell has been streaking for a while and incorporated this cache into his run after meeting the CO. Not only is it a unique challenge, but there is a puzzle to solve and the actual hunting has some unusual elements to it as well. 

Image Credit:  CO - from cache page

So why not challenge yourself and over the summer try to knock out a mini, but varied streak? Sometimes we see that puzzle or multi on the map that keeps getting put on the back burner, well now they have a solid purpose. 

While out caching this holiday season 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.

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.