For S7 E11, PCE and C97 headed down the coast to chat with Paegle, the organiser behind the Wollongong GeoVenture. If February caching is on your radar, here’s what you need to know.
Meet Paegle
Paegle has been caching for over 20 years. He discovered geocaching at a Scout night when he was 12 or 13, then rode his bike around Wollongong with an old GPS and a printed cache sheet. One school holidays he pedalled all the way to Kiama chasing the next cache, and had to call his dad for a lift home.
Six events, one weekend
This is the third Wollongong GeoVenture, and Paegle runs it on his own. With two or three events a day, there’s plenty of time to go caching in between.
Friday 5 February
- GeoVenture 2027 Friday Night Dinner Event, 6.30pm to 8pm
Saturday 6 February
- GeoVenture 2027 Saturday CITO Event, 9am to 10am
- GeoVenture 2027 Saturday Morning Event, 10.30am to 11.30am
- GeoVenture 2027 Saturday Night Dinner Event, 6pm to 8pm
Sunday 7 February
- GeoVenture 2027 Sunday Morning Event, 8am to 9am
- GeoVenture 2027 Sunday Lunch Event, 1pm to 2.30pm, at the apple orchard
The orchard was a crowd favourite last year, with a short walk to a waterfall across the road. Dogs are welcome at every event except the two pub dinners. Tables will be booked, you just buy your own meal and drinks.
New caches and golden tickets
Paegle is putting out at least eight new Adventure Labs and at least 10 new caches. Golden tickets, custom cattle tags, will be hidden in caches over the weekend. Find one and you win a 3D-printed trophy, a path tag and a travel bug. Last year’s tags won’t count, the design has changed.
The show exclusive: one golden ticket will turn up in Jim Who (GCAP52W) at some point over the weekend. Exactly when is Paegle’s secret.
Every event will also have at least four prize packs, with GeoStuff donating two $50 vouchers as major sponsor.
Where to stay
The Wollongong GeoVenture events are spread across the area, so there’s no central base. Paegle suggests aiming for Towradgi. Corrimal Beach Tourist Park is walking distance from the Saturday dinner. (Just a tip, we’re not affiliated.)
Before you go
Arriving early? There’s a Wollongong GeoVenture pre-event beach CITO at Port Kembla on Thursday 4 February (GCBZ99R). Share your weekend photos with #GeoventureWollongong or #GeoventureCalling, and pop your Will Attend on GCBNKC9.
Watch the replay
Catch the full chat with Paegle, plus the prize draws, right here. Prefer to listen? You’ll find the audio on our podcast page.
Get lost…to get found with GDU 🎯.
