INTRODUCTION Geocaching reached the Top of the South in December 2000 when a geocache was hidden a few kilometres outside of Picton in the Marlborough Sounds. By late 2004, the region began to blow up as a hotspot of geocaching, one of around half a dozen across New Zealand, establishing itself mostly in and around Nelson.  Even today the region, from Golden Bay in the west to Marlborough in the east, has a high concentration of quality geocaches that rivals the other major hotspots in the country: the surrounds of Christchurch, Wellington/Manawatu, and Auckland. The city of Nelson sits squarely in the middle of the Top of the South - Tasman, Nelson and Marlborough districts - and indeed lies geographically at the centre of the whole country, making this Mega Event the most central to have ever taken place in New Zealand. The region has probably the most diverse landscape in the whole of New Zealand, from white sand beaches, lush rainforests, and tropical turquoise waters of Golden Bay and Abel Tasman National Park, to rugged snow capped peaks and misty mountain lakes with some of the most crystal clear water you'll find anywhere in the world. The region boasts the highest average yearly sunshine hours for the whole country and perhaps the generally agreeable weather along with the spectacular scenery are the contributing factors towards its residents actively enjoying their great outdoors via the sport of geocaching. GPS ADVENTURES MAZE  The GPS Adventures Maze Exhibit is a very rare cache type - an interesting exhibit about Geocaching and the GPS technology we use to play the game, that can only be hosted alongside a Mega or Giga event under very specific conditions. Indeed there have only been about 70 GPS Adventure Maze Exhibit icons that have ever popped up on the worldwide geocaching map. During the Top of the South Cachefest 2026 Mega event weekend, the NZ GPS Adventures Maze Exhibit that made its New Zealand debut alongside the Block Party in Rotorua will be visiting the South Island of New Zealand for the very first time. This will be your opportunity to add a very rare icon and smiley to your profile! | 
