Geocaching in Brisbane With Kids

While scavenger hunting might sound like the stuff of legends and pirates, you might be surprised to learn there are hidden treasures to be found all across Brisbane in the form of geocaching (pronounced JEE-oh-kash-ing).

What is geocaching you ask? Recently celebrating its 25^th anniversary, geocaching is essentially digital orienteering involving the search and find for geocaches, relying on website and app information to guide you. Plus, it can be totally free!

If this fun, free and educational activity seems up your alley, then read on to discover all there is to know about starting your geocaching adventure here in Brisbane.

A Fun and FREE Hobby for all Brisbane Kids

Originating in May 2000 and reaching peak popularity a few years ago, the basic concept of geocaching is to locate a geocache which is most commonly a waterproof box or container hidden on public property at landmarks, places of historical significance or other points of interest.

With over 3.4 million geocaches located across the globe, chances are you’ve got one buried in your own background (well metaphorically speaking anyway!).

A geocache or simply a cache as it’s sometimes referred to, usually contains a logbook, pen and some trading items like small toys, coins or trinkets. These can be located by logging on to the geocaching.com website or by downloading the official app to your smartphone.

If you’re more of an old school traditionalist and have one handy, you can also plug the coordinates into a GPS device and go from there.

As caches are typically located in the great outdoors, this activity provides Brisbane families with the perfect opportunity to explore their local surroundings or venture out to new places.

Each cache listed on the website or app comes with a detailed description including ratings for difficulty, terrain and size and usually a little blurb on the historical or even personal significance of the location. This allows users to tailor their experience to suit a range of skill levels, abilities and children’s ages making geocaching an activity the whole family can get behind.

We also love that it can be a completely free or very low cost activity depending on whether you opt for paid versions of the application or need to spend a couple of dollars stocking up on tradeables. Given its online nature, it’s also totally transferable to wherever you are, say on holidays for example, and whether you’ve got a whole day to fill in or just an hour or two to spare.

How to Get Started Geocaching in Brisbane

The first step in your geocaching journey is to hop on a geocaching website such as the most widely used and very comprehensive www.geocaching.com or the local version geocaching.com.au which contains a more basic interface and fewer listings.

Alternatively, you can download the free Geocaching app to your Apple or Android device and use your smartphone to guide you to your location. These resources also provide a wealth of information on getting started, tools of the trade and even how to hide your own geocache (once you’ve become a pro at finding them).

Now you’ve got the technology sorted, you’ll need to select your first geocache. We recommend starting with a cache with a low difficulty rating and one that’s close to home or in a familiar location. You can even check past logs to ensure the cache has been discovered recently which increases the chances of your first outing being a successful one.

Also don’t be ashamed to use the “hint” button as caches can move over time due to factors such as flooding, ground changes, animal disturbance and being returned to a slightly different spot than the provided coordinates. The “Attributes” section on the app also offers additional information such as nearby facilities, duration of the find, accessibility and best times to visit. Just bear in mind, some of these caches were placed many, many years ago and may not be in tip top condition anymore.

Before you embark, be sure to have a look through our list of geocaching essentials below.

What You Will Need

• A GPS device – most likely a data enabled smartphone with the Geocaching application pre-installed. The free version allows you to access thousands of basic geocaches and earn basic souvenirs. The paid version has an annual cost and is a worthwhile investment if you plan to venture off grid as it unlocks access to Geocache offline and the ability to pre-load coordinates. You can also use a GPS device if you’re searching in an area without mobile reception.
• Geoswag – this is “geocode” for the treasure or trinket you will leave behind in exchange for an item you discover in the cache. Think small items such as foreign coins, glass marbles, keychains, plastic toys and painted rocks. Remember cache containers can be as tiny as mint tins so carry a variety of differently sized items with you. Waterproof items also work best as caches are often exposed to the elements.
• A pen – you will need a pen or pencil to sign the logbook once the cache has been located.
• Tweezers and/or utility tool – A Swiss army knife which includes tweezers and other tools is a handy inclusion if you require access to a locked up cache.
• Walking gear – this only applies if you plan to go off the beaten track. Take all the usual precautions you would normally take when going out bushwalking. This means packing ample water supplies, letting someone know where you are going, wet weather gear, first aid kit etc.
  That said you can just drive around and look for caches. Be as adventurous (or not) as you want to be.
• Small torch – carry a torch or use the light on your phone, in case your cache is located in a dark spot.

Step-by-Step Geocaching with a Smartphone

1. Access a geocaching website or app. The Geocaching app is free and can be used with any smartphone.
2. Activate location services on your phone.
3. Use the map to locate a geocache near you.
4. Locate the cache.
5. Trade treasures and record an entry in the logbook (Optional: leave a comment on the Geocaching app).
6. That’s it – now you can move on and find another cache!

What to Do When you Locate a Geocache in Brisbane

While Geocaching is all about the thrill of the hunt and exploring new places, the excitement of locating a cache is also hugely rewarding for Brisbane Kids. They’ll open the cache with great curiosity to find a logbook with entries from previous geocachers and a collection of geoswag items for trade.

Some will contain special items such as “trackables” which are like physical game pieces to be logged and moved around from one cache to another. As you progress through your geocaching journey, you’ll also earn digital treasures and souvenirs which are a nice, added incentive for the kids.

Take your time to read through previous entries and gain a glimpse into the past. Be sure to add your own details which can include the date, your name or geocaching username and a brief note.

Finally, use the app to log your experience by letting other users know whether you found it and add any other relevant notes such as whether the cache requires maintenance or has possibly been moved.

Always leave the cache in the same or better condition than when you found it and be respectful to the environment and your surroundings.

How to Hide Your Own Geocache

Once you’ve got the hang of things and have unearthed many caches, you might like to leave your mark on the geocaching world and create one of your own.

Firstly, you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the community rules surrounding the hiding of caches – you can find a helpful video here.

You’ll need to be able to accurately calculate coordinates, chose an appropriate cache container and pick a suitable location. Once set up, follow the steps online to lodge your geocache application and it will be assessed by a group of international volunteers who will decide on the validity of your cache.

Following this you will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the cache so choosing a location close to home is ideal.

Keep in mind it is also strongly encouraged you discover at least 20 (some even say 100!) caches before hiding one of your own.

What We Love About Geocaching

As a young and active family we love travelling to new locations and seeing our own neighbourhood through a different lens. The kids get a real kick out of trading their prizes and thoroughly enjoy adding unique items to their growing geoswag collection.

Geocaching also offers great flexibility depending on how much time you have, where you’re located and your experience level. It’s also totally free which is always a big win in our books!

Connect with Your Local community by Geocaching in Brisbane

Geocaching in Brisbane is founded on a strong sense of community and allows participants to not only explore this fabulous city but to also connect with other likeminded people. This provides Brisbane Kids with an opportunity to hone their communication and social skills within a fun and safe environment.

Facebook groups such as Geocaching Brisbane are an excellent starting point and welcome beginners all the way through to seasoned campaigners. You’ll also find plenty of community support, inspiration and find out about local events on the official Geocaching website and the very active r/geocaching subreddit on Reddit.

Rediscover the thrill of hide ‘n’ seek – start geocaching with your Brisbane Kids today and enjoy some wonderful adventures in Brisbane’s great outdoors.