Another day out geocaching near Canberra. This time there was no pub but there were meatballs at IKEA! We found a total of 15 geocaches with no DNF’s. If we’d had time we could have found a thousand more. There a lots of geocaches in and around Canberra.

Some of the locations we found geocaches include around Canberra Airport and Duntroon Military College. We drove through the Duntroon Military College on our way up the hill to a geocache located at Mount Pleasant Lookout.

Geocaching Up A Tree

What Did We Find Geocaching Around Trungley Hall, Ariah Park And Dirnaseer NSW

1. Found Eden Rd | GC6N1M9
   Another find on our way home to Coota
2. Found bus shelter | GC9Z95V
   Found on our way home to Coota
3. Found Outgoing #8 | GC814T9
   TFTC found on our way home after a weekend away in Canberra.
4. Found Van Friendly 5 | GCQG26
   Nice find on our way home to Coota
5. Found Cleared for Caching #4 | GCAWMG2
   TFTC
6. Found Not So Pleasant | GC2DRE8
   Wow that was a doozy for a couple of old fat people but we did it. We never say never we’ll not often. TFTC
7. Found Canberra Cannons | GC3BKAP
   What a great hide and an awesome lookout. TFTC
8. Found Beautiful Plane #3 | GC7TJNP
   Great hide. Was great seeing a few planes take off too
9. Found Beautiful Plane #2 | GC7TJNM
   Needs attention very wet inside
10. Found Beautiful Plane #1 | GC7TJNJ
    Found the cache and got to see the cows being feed. Win win with this one
11. Found Beautiful Plane… | GC7TJNE
    TFTC
12. Found Redwood Park | GC2PQ7F
    Another great hide TFTC
13. Found Eleven Pipers Piping | GC37XX5
    Great hide TFTC
14. Found Queanbeyan Parks – Barracks Flat Park | GC63F69
    Great hide. Cache is very wet and not in a bag. Will need attention
15. Found Australian War Memorial – Virtual | GC892P0
    On a weekend break in Canberra from Cootamundra to visit the War memorial and do a bit of Cacheing

No Pub Lunch But We Visited IKEA Meatball Heaven

Amanda made me take her to IKEA while we were in Canberra. I’m not a fan of shopping – to be honest my dislike of shopping goes deep! Few things can salvage a IKEA shopping trip quite like the Swedish meatballs in their cafeteria. These perfectly succulent, tender pork and beef köttbullar (supposedly that’s their real name) smothered in creamy gravy and paired with tart lingonberry jam – are a triumph of simplicity. Made with onion, breadcrumbs and a hint of allspice for that unmistakably warm, flavour. What makes them truly irresistible? A clever balance of saltiness that enhances the meat’s richness plus the psychological boost of stumbling upon them in the middle of your shopping marathon when hunger (and existential despair over flat pack hell) peaks.

The Canberra location takes pride in its meatball legacy having sold 24 tonnes in its first year alone.. Served with buttery mashed potatoes or as a quick bite at the cafe they’re not just food – they’re a ritual. Each bite of those juicy, gravy drenched spheres feel like a mini Swedish holiday.

As an added bonus I bought a kilo bag of the little buggers complete with their gravy and mashed potato plus a jar of the jam. They sell them frozen and I love to take them camping as they’re a quick easy meal. As an an added bonus on top of the added bonus we found a geocache right next to the IKEA carpark!

Kaboom! Amanda With A Geocache In A Cannon Up Above Canberra

Geocaching In And Around Canberra Photo Gallery

Another day out geocaching around Trungley Hall, Ariah Park and Dirnaseer. Called in for a beer at the Ariah Park Hotel. We headed out from home at Cootamundra at about 9.30am and got home early at 3.30pm as it was too hot to keep going. It was without a doubt the hottest day we’ve spent geocaching. All up we covered around 240kms.

Out and about today doing some more geocaching around Trungley Hall, Ariah Park and Dirnaseer. Found 10 of them and had just the one DNF. We even managed to get one on an island out at the Ariah Park Arboretum that you normally have to paddle out to. It’s been a bit dry around here lately so the lake was empty and it was just an easy walk instead of a big paddle.

Today the temperature got up to around 38 degrees with a wind roaring out of the northwest making it feel even hotter than it was. There was a lot of dust being blown around particularly out around Dirnaseer. Near Dirnaseer the dust was so thick it was like driving in a heavy fog. All up it probably wasn’t the best day to be out geocaching but we still had a great time. Being out geocaching no matter the weather makes for a better day than sitting at home doing nothing!

A Very Windy Day Selfie At Dirnaseer Hall

What Did We Find Geocaching Around Trungley Hall, Ariah Park And Dirnaseer NSW

1. You Found Hello there, Coota! | GC911A4
   Great hide TFTC
2. You Found Dirnaseer Memorial Hall | GCAYM2D
   Our last find for the day TFTC
3. You Found Dirnaseer Community Church | GCAYM31
   What a beautiful little church TFTC
4. You Found NAR – Hidden Away | GC7WH89
   Another great hide found on the way home from Ariah park
5. You Found The Island | GCAWDNM
   No need to swim to the island today as it is very dry. After nice walk we found the cache right where it should be
6. You Found Lake Arbortree | GC9627Y
   Took us a while but after a bit of persistence we finally found it. TFTC
7. You Found Ariah Park Cemetery | GC9627A
   Great hide. Plastic bag had seen better days so we have replaced it
8. You Found Grenelle School | GCA85F5
   What a great piece of history TFTC
9. You Didn’t Find Trungley Hall Multi | GCA85CB
   DNF
10. You Found Trungley Hall | GC6YWB0
    Great hide TFTC
11. You Found Temora Station | GCA85BV
    TFTC our first for the day

A Beer At The Ariah Park Hotel

The Ariah Park Hotel is another pub to add to our list of those that we’ve had a beer in. It’s a beautiful old pub and it has managed to maintain a lot of its original internal fixtures from the old days. It’s listed as having been built in 1903 so it’s a grand old lady. It was so bloody hot outside that we stayed inside the hotel long enough for a couple of beers. I had a couple of schooners of Reschs (my new favourite) and Amanda had a couple of Brookvale Union ginger beers. The ginger beers were served in some funky looking Brookvale Union schooner glasses, will have to look up to find out if you can buy them.

Ariah Park Hotel

The Grave Of Little Laurance McKenzie In The Ariah Park Cemetery

We visited the Ariah Park Cemetery a few years ago and when we were there we saw a little grave all on it’s own off to one side of the cemetery. It looked to be pretty lonely and a bit strange that it was off on its own. When we decided to call in there again Amanda bought some flowers and a little doll thing the day before and she placed them around his grave. The poor little fella only lived 8 months and it was really sad to see his grave away from the others. This time we noticed that someone else had placed some flowers on his grave as well so it’s great to see that people are thinking of him.

Grave Of Laurance Mckenzie In Aria Park Cemetery

A Brief History Of Trungley Hall NSW

Trungley Hall is a small locality in New South Wales. It has a rich history tied to its early settlement and community life. The town’s origins can be traced back to the 19th century when it became a hub for German migrants who were attracted to the Riverina region due to free selection policies. By 1876 the area was officially known as Germantown reflecting its strong German heritage.

Trungley Hall Cemetery

The Trungley Hall Cemetery also known as Narraburra Cemetery is a significant historical site in the area. Located on Trungley Road, it contains 126 memorial records and serves as a resting place for early settlers and their descendants. The cemetery reflects the community’s multicultural roots particularly its German influence. It’s a testament to the region’s agricultural and commercial development.

While specific notable individuals buried at Trungley Hall Cemetery are not extensively documented, the cemetery is part of a broader narrative of German migration and settlement in the Riverina. August Menneke, a legendary bell-maker and blacksmith who migrated from Germany in the 1850s is one of the notable figures associated with the region. Though his burial site is not confirmed to be at Trungley Hall, his legacy is intertwined with the area’s history.

Trungley Hall’s history is also linked to local commerce, agriculture, and community activities, such as the Wilna Wattle Debating Society, which highlights the vibrant social life of early settlers. The cemetery and the town itself remain important markers of the Riverina’s cultural and historical heritage.

Going For A Look At Trungley Hall Church

Geocaching Around Trungley Hall, Ariah Park And Dirnaseer NSW

Another day out geocaching at Marrar. We placed some geocaches and called in for a beer at the Junee Hotel. We headed out from home at Cootamundra at about 9.00am and didn’t get home until about 4.00pm. It was a pretty full day. All up I think we covered around 230km.

Out and about today doing some more geocaching at Marrar. Our original intention was to finish off the “RGGT” series however there was just too many of them and it was a bloody hot day so we pulled up short. We’ll have to go back again and get the rest of them. We also made a start on the “Friends” series.

We Placed Some Geocaches

We also placed four of our own. One each at,

• Bethungra Cemetery
• Illabo Rest Area
• Illabo Cemetery
• Eulolo Track End

Just waiting on approval for them all. These are the first geocaches we have placed so we aren’t sure how long the approval process will take.

One Of Our Geocache Hides

What Did We Find Geocaching At Marrar Again?

We found 20 of them and and only had the one DNF. we gave the one we missed a real good go too. I was up the stepladder and on my hands and knees. I had the torch out and everything. We just couldn’t find it.

1. Found RGGT #036 | GC4EBFM
   Found lying out in the open and container was damaged so we have replaced the container and placed it back where we think it originally was.
2. Found RGGT #037 | GC4EBFV
   TFTC
3. Found RGGT #038 | GC4EBFY
   A few spider webs attached to this one so sent the hubby in
4. Found RGGT #039 | GC4EBG6
   Another one bites the dust TFTC
5. Found RGGT #040 | GC4EBGB
   Great day out so far 16 and counting TFTC
6. Found RGGT #041 | GC4EBGH
   TFTC the sheep were not happy with us visiting
7. Found RGGT #042 | GC4EBGV
   TFTC nice easy one this was
8. Found RGGT #043 | GC4EBPX
   Container on this one needs attention TFTC
9. Found RGGT #044 | GC4EBQ3
   TFTC all good here
10. Found RGGT #045 | GC4EBQC
    Another great hide TFTC
11. Found RGGT #046 | GC4EBQH
    Another one out in the open so we replace where we thought it should’ve been
12. Found RGGT #047 | GC4EBQQ
    Out in the open so we replace it where we thought it should go
13. Found RGGT #048 | GC4EDBH
    Nice easy one TFTC
14. Found RGGT #049 | GC4EDBP
    Persistence in the end won this one tftc
15. Found Cache With A Friend | GC6ZV7K
    Tftc another easy find
16. Found Help A Friend | GC6ZV7M
    Tftc had fallen but is back where it originally was
17. Found Just friends | GC6ZV7R
    Another great find we are on a roll now
18. Found Friends Laugh Together | GC6ZV7Y
    Watch out for spiders tftc
19. Found Friends Listen | GC6ZV7Z
    Tftc great hide
20. Found A Thank You To My Friends | GC6ZV81
    Great hide found this one yay

Geocaching At Marrar Again

A Beer At The Junee Hotel

The Junee Hotel is another pub to add to our list of those that we’ve had a beer in. It’s a nice old pub and the beer was cold. Inside was really cool. The Junee Hotel has always been a landmark in the area. It was established in 1878 and has been maintained to retain its original character. It still has a lot of stained glass inside as well as what look to be the original ceilings. I’m honestly surprised that we haven’t been here before considering we live less than an hour away.

Parked Outside The Junee Hotel

Geocaching At Marrar Again Photo Gallery

Another day out geocaching around Marrar, Belfrayden and Collingullie. Called in for a beer at the Red Cow Hotel in Junee on the way home. We headed out from home at Cootamundra at about 9.00am and didn’t get home until about 5.00pm. It was a pretty full day. All up I think we covered around 200kms.

Out and about today doing some more geocaching around Marrar, Belfrayden and Collingullie in NSW. Found 30 of them and didn’t have any DNF’s at all. Either we’re getting better at geocaching or the finds today we’re easy. We initially intended to find some caches around Dirnaseer but a few glitches with the navigator (me) meant we didn’t get there.

Not Exactly The Rock!

What Did We Find Geocaching Around Marrar, Belfrayden And Collingullie NSW

1. You Found RGGT #050 | GC4EDBT
   Great hide watch for spiders
2. You Found RGGT #051 | GC4EDBX
   Great hide
3. You Found RGGT #052 | GC4EDBY
   TY for this cache
4. You Found RGGT #053 | GC4EDC6
   What an awesome tree and old homestead. Such a shame that something so grand could be condemned
5. You Found RGGT #054 | GC4EDCA
   One needs long arms for this beauty
6. You Found RGGT #055 | GC4EDCJ
   This one was very moist
7. You Found RGGT #056 | GC4EDCP
   Another perfectly made hiding spot
8. You Found RGGT #057 | GC4EDCW
   Perfectly made for a cache
9. You Found RGGT #058 | GC4EDD2
   Be careful where you put your hand
10. You Found RGGT #059 | GC4EDD7
    This was a great hide ty
11. You Found RGGT #060 | GC4EDDC
    The note pad was very wet inside this one
12. You Found RGGT #061 | GC4EDDH
    Tftc
13. You Found The Gullie Pub | GCATAWQ
    Nice hide shame the pub doesn’t open till 3pm could have gone a beer
14. You Found Belfrayden Rail Siding. | GC3JW6N
    Love these kinds of cache great history
15. You Found Belfrayden | GC2TYGE
    Great hide make sure you close the gate on the way out
16. You Found RGGT #076 | GC4EDV2
    Tftc
17. You Found RGGT #075 | GC4EDTW
    Well this is a very spikey situation but we got it tftc
18. You Found RGGT #074 | GC4EDTM
    All good with this one tftc
19. You Found RGGT #073 | GC4EDTJ
    This was another repair job lid was all Broken up so we put the whole cache in a clip seal bag and hid it where we thought it should be
20. You Found RGGT #072 | GC4EDT9
    Laying out in the open but in good condition. We hid it back where we thought it came from
21. You Found RGGT #071 | GC4EDT6
    Tftc
22. You Found RGGT #070 | GC4EDFC
    Tftc watch out for the spiders
23. You Found RGGT #069 | GC4EDF4
    Plenty of spiders at this one tftc
24. You Found RGGT #068 | GC4EDEW
    Another one bites the dust tftc
25. You Found RGGT #067 | GC4EDER
    Had to to do a recovery on this one as the bottom half of the container was in a paddock. Found and repaired and on our way to the next one ☝️
26. You Found RGGT #066 | GC4EDEH
    Tftc another one down
27. You Found RGGT #065 | GC4EDEC
    Tftc another great hide we are on a roll now
28. You Found RGGT #064 | GC4EDE2
    Tftc nice hide
29. You Found RGGT #063 | GC4EDDW
    When we found it was laying out in the open with no lid. Did a search and found the lid and all fixed up now
30. You Found RGGT #062 | GC4EDDQ
    Tftc

A Beer At The Red Cow Hotel In Junee

The Red Cow Hotel Hotel is another pub to add to our list of those that we’ve had a beer in. It’s a nice old pub and the beer was cold – can’t ask for much more than that. It was pretty busy considering that it was a Sunday. Had a nice chat with the lady behind the bar and a few locals. It’s a really great pub. I’m honestly surprised that we haven’t been here before considering we live less than an hour away.

Having A Ginger Beer At The Red Cow Hotel In Junee

A Bit Information About Marrar

Marrar’s name is derived from the Wiradjuri word for “hand” or “claw,” a nod to the area’s Indigenous heritage. The town’s development was turbocharged by the arrival of the Main Southern Railway in 1878, which transformed it into a critical hub for transporting wheat and wool to Sydney and Melbourne. Today, its population hovers around 400 residents, but its quiet streets and preserved heritage sites make it a fascinating pitstop for travellers exploring the Riverina’s backroads.

Marrar’s Agricultural Legacy

Farming has always been Marrar’s lifeblood. By the 1890s, the town boasted three flour mills, servicing the vast wheat fields that still dominate the landscape. The Marrar Railway Station, now a heritage-listed site, once buzzed with activity as steam trains loaded grain bound for coastal ports. While the mills are long gone, the town’s agricultural roots remain visible. The annual Marrar Show, running since 1906, celebrates this legacy with sheepdog trials, produce competitions, and vintage machinery displays – a must see for anyone passing through in spring.

How Marrar Compares To Nearby Towns

Marrar’s charm lies in its understated simplicity. Unlike the wine-tourism hotspots of Griffith or the bustling caravan parks of Wagga Wagga, Marrar offers a quieter, nostalgia-soaked experience. For history-minded campers, it’s a stark contrast to the Junee Licorice Factory or Coolamon’s Art Deco silos, but that’s precisely its appeal. The town’s Marrar Reserve, a free camping area with basic facilities, provides a peaceful base for exploring the region’s hidden gems, like the Gunbar Cemetery or the Book Book State Forest’s geocaching trails.

Old Bridge Near Collingullie

Marrar’s Key Attractions At A Glance

Why Marrar Appeals To Caravanners And Geocachers

For modern day explorers, Marrar is more than a relic – it’s a gateway to the Riverina’s quieter corners. The Marrar Reserve offers a no-frills camping experience, ideal for self sufficient travellers seeking starry skies over crowds. Geocachers, meanwhile, flock to the Book Book State Forest where caches hidden among ironbarks and grey box trees reward patience with trinkets and trail secrets. Compared to the amenities of Gundagai or Narrandera, Marrar’s simplicity is its strength: you’re here to unplug, not Instagram. You can easily spend a full day or more geocaching around Marrar and it’s surrounding areas.

But don’t mistake “quiet” for “uneventful.” The town’s war memorial and St. Brendan’s Catholic Church (built 1922) whisper stories of resilience, while the nearby Lake Albert in Wagga Wagga (45 minutes east) delivers fishing and kayaking for those craving action. Local historians also recommend a detour to Old Marrar, where crumbling foundations mark the original settlement – a haunting yet poignant contrast to today’s tidy streets.

Insights For Modern Visitors

Marrar’s trajectory mirrors many rural Australian towns: a golden age tied to rail, followed by gradual decline as highways replaced steam engines. Yet its survival hinges on adaptive reuse. The railway station, though no longer operational, draws history buffs, while the Showgrounds host camping groups during events. For caravanners, it’s a lesson in appreciating the slow lane – a place where community spirit outshines flashy attractions.

So next time you’re plotting a route through the Riverina consider Marrar. It’s not just a dot on the map – it’s a living postcard from Australia’s pastoral past, waiting to share its stories.

Hidden In A Tree

Sources:
– Marrar Show Society
– NSW Heritage Register: Marrar Railway Station
– Riverina Tourism: Book Book State Forest

Geocaching Around Marrar, Belfrayden And Collingullie NSW Photo Gallery

Another day out geocaching around Uranquinty and Frampton. Called in for a beer at the Uranquinty Hotel. We headed out from home at Cootamundra at about 9.00am and didn’t get home until about 5.00pm. It was a pretty full day. All up I think we covered around 225kms.

Out and about today doing some more geocaching around Uranquinty and Frampton in NSW. Found 10 of them. We tried to find some around Wagga. Once again the ones we tried to find in Wagga were all in weird places and the logs stated they hadn’t been found many times or were suspected as missing. I don’t know what it is with the geocaches around Wagga but we’ve had no luck with them.

What Did We Find Geocaching Around Gundagai, Bethungra and Tumblong NSW

1. Found Round the Bend #4 – Two Bushes | GC7H4K4
   Great hide TY
2. Found Round the Bend #3 – Reflections | GC7H4JZ
   Another stop another cache TY
3. Found Round the Bend #2 – Swiss Cheese | GC7H4JP
   Once again fantastic hide
4. Found Round the Bend #1 – Not the water view you want | GC7H4JB
   Another great hide but be quick or get carried away by the ants
5. Found Corner Country | GCQCZ7
   Wow what an awesome hide thankyou
6. Found Stretch Your Legs | GC9FKH6
   What a great hide really made us stop and think
7. Found Quinty Cemetery | GC62ENE
   Great hide
8. Found Wrongly Placed artslet | GCAH58C
   Found this very clever hidden cache
9. Found Frampton | GC1R7N3
   Found thanks Frampton Farmers for the hide
10. Found Rotary Park | GCQQ4Y
    Thanks for the hide. Cache in very poor condition but don’t have a spare container on us to replace it

A Roadside Geocache Hide

A Beer At The Uranquinty Hotel While Geocaching Around Uranquinty

The Uranquinty Hotel is another pub to add to our list of those that we’ve had a beer in! It’s a nice old pub and the beer was cold – can’t ask for much more than that. It was pretty quiet for a Sunday but I guess it’s a small town and it was well after lunch when we called in.

Uranquinty Hotel A Nice Break From Geocaching Around Uranquinty

Going For A Walk Around Uranquinty NSW

Walking around Uranquinty NSW is a great way to experience a small Australian country town. You will find Uranquinty just south of Wagga Wagga in the NSW Riverina. Uranquinty is quiet has and a strong sense of community. The streets are lined with trees and the parks are well kept, with birds adding to the calm atmosphere.

As you walk you’ll notice signs of the town’s railway history. Old tracks run through the area, a reminder of when Uranquinty NSW was an important stop for trains. The local war memorial stands proudly, honoring those who served.

For anyone looking to slow down and enjoy a quiet moment, Uranquinty NSW is a great place for a walk. Whether you’re passing through or staying a while, the town’s simple beauty and welcoming feel make it a pleasant spot to explore.

Make sure to have a beer and a meal in the Uranquinty Hotel as it’s a great old pub. And if you’re just travelling through the pies at the bakery are magnificent. I’ve had a few pies from the bakery and my favourite is definitely the chicken korma.

Geocaching Around Uranquinty In Uranquinty Cemetery

Frampton NSW – A Quick Bit Of History

Located in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Frampton NSW is a small rural locality. It’s history is tied to agriculture and transportation. First settled in the 19th century the area played a role in the expansion of farming and railway networks in southern New South Wales.

The arrival of the railway in the late 1800s was a turning point for Frampton NSW. It became an important location along the Main South railway line. The station no longer operates. However it once facilitated the transport of wool, grain and livestock, supporting the region’s economic growth.

Like many settlements in the Riverina district the community thrived on farming with sheep grazing and cropping forming the backbone of the local industry. Over time technological advances and shifts in transportation reduced the town’s prominence yet its agricultural legacy remains strong.

Today Frampton NSW is a quiet area reflecting the resilience of rural Australia. While the railway no longer defines its identity the landscape that remains tells the story of a once busy hub that contributed to the region’s progress.

Geocache Found At Frampton NSW

Geocaching Around Uranquinty And Frampton NSW Photo Gallery