Finding your first cache

Choose a cache

Given it's your first geocaching adventure, we suggest trying a cache that is:

• Nearby, so you can go home for more clues if necessary
• Rated as easy, so you have a good chance of finding it
• Recently found, so there's a good chance that the cache hasn't been muggled

To identify this type of cache:

• Go to http://geocaching.com.au (open this in a new window so you can refer to this page at the same time)
• Type your suburb in the search box at the top right hand side of the screen and press "Enter"

You should see a list of caches. If you don't, then try typing in a nearby larger suburb or area or Postcode in the search box. A Postcode search will give a list with distances to each cache. With a suburb search you can get a similar list by clicking the cache name and then the Other Caches Nearby link on the right of the page.

To find an easy cache, look for one with easy terrain and difficulty. These are shown as column "Terr" and "Diff" in the list.

Found a cache and not sure what to do now?

Log it online!

• Go to http://geocaching.com.au (open this in a new window so you can refer to this page at the same time)
• Type the name of the cache you found in the search box at the top right hand side of the screen and press "Enter". If you're not sure of the name, try putting in the suburb or postcode, and choose from the list of caches.
• Click the name of the cache to open the cache page.

Now, have a look under Cache Details. If it says "This cache is listed on an external site. Please click on the waypoint link above to view the cache." click the waypoint link at the top of the page. This will take you to the cache page on the Groundspeak (geocaching.com) site. Click the "Log in to log your visit" link on the right side of the page to begin the registration process.

If the page displays Cache Details and a Description, it's a Geocaching Australia cache, and you can simply click "Log this cache" on the right side of the page. You will be taken through a simple account creation process, and will then be able to log your find. Congratulations!