#12: [01-Nov-21]

#11: [08-Mar-18]

#9: [24-Aug-17]

#6: [16-Feb-12]

#7: [14-Jan-12]

#5: [05-Feb-11]

#4: [23-Feb-10]

#3: [01-Jan-08]

#2: [04-Feb-01]

#1: [02-Jul-00]

09-Mar-2013 -- An unpleasant surprise in a beautiful land

On our last day of the short but wonderful trip to Australia, we managed to stop by this point on our way to airport. Everywhere we visited during this holiday was clean and orderly except this confluence point. It is in the middle of an area for a massive illegal dumping ground with tons of tires and demolished building material including asbestos. Again, like many other line-hunting trips, we encountered something we would not have seen otherwise. Except, in this case it was an unpleasant surprise.

Three days earlier, the first attempt to reach this point by Ray started on foot from Sutherland about 6 km GPS distance when he and Florence had a couple of hours waiting for a ride for Mark in a coffee shop by the train station. The run toward the confluence point only got a little over 1 km closer when a large wooded raven put a stop to this blind beeline approach. Later review of the Google map found it requires quite a roundabout way to get to the point from Sutherland.

After a very pleasant stay in Cornulla by the bay with Mark and Karen, Ray the line-hunting addict proposed a detour to this point on the morning going to the airport. After all, Mark has the perfect hunting vehicle – the best build Toyota Land Cruiser. Even though somewhat reluctant, but being a gracious host, Mark signed on to the mission with the encouragement of Karen. From Mark and Karen’s home the GPS distance to the confluence point was 22 km.

We drove back to Sutherland, and made a circle to reach the Heathcoat road leading to the point. We found a dirt road about 360 meters and turn in and that is when we realize we were in an area used for motocross and illegal dumping, not a pretty sight. We started on foot with 120 meters left to go.

This confluence point is located in the bush, what is remarkable is the devastated surrounding. Mark and Karen were baptized as two new line hunters, and Mark’s Land Cruiser also got baptized as a real off road vehicle by driving on mud and dirt for the first time!

The detour for the hunt took extra 20 odd km and 45 minutes, and at least for Ray, a great way to wrap up a terrific holiday in Australia. We hope to come back more often and for more points. For now, this is most eastern point in Eastern hemisphere that Ray has ever reached.

Rating of this hunt

Degree of Challenge:

1 – easy drive and a short hike (1= very easy - drive to the point; to 5= a death march – glad it is over)

Scenery:

minus 2 – wilderness went bad –devastated by motor cross and massive illegal dumping of trash (Scale: 1= not interesting at all; 5= take your breath away)

Culture-social factors:

3– South of Sydney an area wonderful for living and outdoor activities (Scale: 1=dull; 5= most stimulating)