Cache hiding best practice

This page contains information specific to Geocaching Australia.

You have chosen to list a cache here on Geocaching Australia. Thank you for doing so.

The motto for the site is 'Free and Open Geocaching', however with this freedom comes responsibility. Please take time to consider some of the following items before submitting your cache:

Have you considered:

• Is this cache worthwhile/Is this cache here for a reason?

  Why have you brought people to this place?, is it the kind of cache you like to seek?

• Who will be seeking your cache?

  Cachers will visit your cache from all over the world, your country, state and locale. Urban cachers may have different expectations to a cache than Provincial or Regional cachers. International cachers may have an entirely different set of expectations. What may seem cunning and clever to you may be perceived by others as a needle in a haystack. Try to consider what a cacher from outside your area would think of your cache, the method of hiding and the environment that it is in.

• Proximity to other caches (GCA and others)?

  Are there other caches nearby? If so, are you utilising a different feature or area of the site, or is it the same as the existing one? (See Cache proximity.)

• Possibility of causing a public nuisance?

• Permission, if the site warrants it?

• Has your cache name been used in your state before?

• Is your container weatherproof?

• Did you include a stash note?

  A stash note will help the longevity of a cache if it is muggled.

  It will provide an information method for contacting you or the listing site for anyone finding your cache where it doesn't belong.

• Is the hide legal?

  You are not above the law. Keep within public areas and in places where you and your fellow cachers will not get into trouble for being there.

• Environmental issues?

  Remember that, while you know exactly where and how your cache is hidden, the searchers will only know to within several metres. Think about the effects on the location of your cache of having dozens of people tramping around, looking in and under everything nearby. (See crop circles.)

• Dangers?

  Consider the variety of people who go caching, and give as much pertinent information as you can on your cache page. This may include specific dangers for kids, or general information about accessibility. Warn of imminent dangers such as crumbly cliffs or the potential for flash flooding if warranted. Long treks by a lone cacher into the bush may also contains dangers, so consider offering closest parking locations or other sensible information that may protect those who seek your cache.

• Is it in a National Park?:

  Some National Parks have policies on geocaching whilst others have rules regarding off-track walking.

  There are usually policies in place prohibiting disturbing fauna.

  Some suggestions from the forums for caches in National Parks include:

  • Follow the rules & place caches VERY close to the track to prevent others from doing the WRONG thing
  • In parks such as this, Give a VERY OBVIOUS HINT, & where possible show a PHOTO of the cache hidey hole on the cache page, After all in parks it’s the “Location, location, location,” not the cache hunt, (which would only lead to damage).