Top of the South Cachefest 2026

Nelson, New Zealand
October 23 to 26, 2026


GAMES

Have we got some fun games for you all to play (and win prizes) at the Top of the South Cachefest 2026? Yes we do! The entry forms for most of these games, unless specified otherwise, are available in your Supporter Pack or free packs available at the registration desk at the event.

CACHE DASH

A highlight of the Top of the South 2026 event, and with a prize pool worth more than $1000!!! At 10am on Saturday, about 100 new letterbox hybrid geocaches will be published around the region, and teams will be given a map of them that acts as their Cache Dash Passport - to be stamped when they find Cache Dash geocaches. Starting at 10am, teams will head out and find as many Cache Dash geocaches as they can before returning with their Cache Dash Passport by 4pm on the same day.

In addition to the usual geocache smiley, each Cache Dash geocache find will earn the team a varying amount of points depending on distance and difficulty of the cache. Additional bonus tasks will also be avilable for earning bonus points. There will be prizes for the teams with the most points at the end of the day along with spot prizes drawn from all teams that find at least 5 Cache Dash geocaches during the game period.

Each team will be given the map and list of locations at the start time of 10am at the mega event venue. Teams must return to the mega event venue by the end time at 4pm. Points will be deducted for late return.

Rules of the game:
1. Teams can include up to one vehicle load, and all team members must travel and visit geocaches/locations together
2. One Cache Dash Passport will be given out per team, and it must remain in one piece with the team for the duration of the Cache Dash
3. Proof of geocache visit is by stamping in the appropriate box on the Cache Dash Passport using the stamp found in the geocache
4. Points will only be scored for geocaches if the correct stamp appears in the geocache box on the Cache Dash Passport
5. Traffic rules must be obeyed at all times - any reports of speeding or driving dangerously will result in disqualification
6. Teams must be present at the start time, and return to the venue by the finish time, along with their Cache Dash Passport
7. Late return (up to 15 minutes) will incure a penalty per minute late
8. Validity of Cache Dash Passport will be determined by the organisers
9. In case of a draw, the winner will be determined by the earliest return time

Prizes: TBC - total prize pool worth over $1000!

Winners will be announced at during the Prizegiving Event. Podium prizes will be held and shipped if not collected, spot prizes will be redrawn.

GEOCACHER BINGO

A classic game and a mega event favourite! This is a great way to get to know your fellow mega event cachers, and hear some great geocaching stories and adventures.

Your supporter pack will include Geocacher Bingo forms, and otherwise game forms will be available from the registration desk.

The rules are simple:
1. As you meet people at the Top fo the South 2026 mega event, get them to sign off a box on your bingo sheet where they meet the criteria
2. Each sheet must be filled up with 25 different cacher names, with any cacher only signing in one box the game form
3. Hand in your completed bingo form before the game close time listed on the Programme
4. One entry per geocacher or geocaching team
5. Have fun meeting people and finding out all about their geocaching stories!

Prizes: TBC - will include "Unobtainium Edition" event coins

Geocacher Bingo will run from 9am on Saturday to 5pm on Sunday. Spot prizes will be awarded for completed entries that meet the rules set out above. Winners will be drawn and announced at the Prizegiving Event. Redraws will take place if not present.

MEGA LABS

When you visit the Top of the South 2026 mega event, make sure you check out the amazing gadget caches located throughout the venue. While each one is a stage in a gadget themed Adventure Lab, you will also want to collect the clues given to you when you have completed each stage. Write these down on your Mega Labs entry form.

Your supporter pack will include the entry form, and otherwise the entry form will be available from the registration desk.

Rules of the game:
1. Complete the 2 Adventure Labs available within the Top of the South Cachefest venue to obtain the clues needed
2. Hand in your completed entry form before the venue closes on Saturday or Sunday
3. One entry per geocacher or geocaching team
4. Enjoy the gadgets and the maze!

Prizes: TBC - will include "Unobtainium Edition" event coins

Draw will take place during the Prizegiving Event on Sunday night. Winners will be redrawn if not present.

KIDS SCAVENGER HUNT

Specially designed for the junior cachers, this scavenger hunt will have them scouring the venue looking for a friendly Sun - but don't worry, they won't get sunburnt. Each Sun will reveal a secret word, and when all of them have been found, they can submit their entry form.

Entry forms will be available from the registration desk.

Rules of the game:
1. This game is for junior cachers up to 12 years of age
2. Parental accompaniment is strongly encouraged, but the hunt should be for the juniors
3. The Suns will be located in and around the venue
4. The completed entry form must be submitted by 4pm on Sunday
5. One entry per child

Prizes: TBC

Spot prizes will be drawn from all completed entries, during the Prizegiving Event on Sunday night. Winners will be redrawn if not present.

SUPPORTER PACK SPOT PRIZES

Included in every supporter pack is a raffle ticket. During the prizegiving event, we will draw random ticket numbers to win spot prizes!

Prizes: TBC - will include "Unobtainium Edition" event coins

Draw will take place during the Prizegiving Event on Sunday night. Winners will be redrawn if not present.

WIN A SCENIC FLIGHT!

A scenic flight over the Top of the South is a great addition to your itinerary while visiting the region for the Top of the South Cachefest 2026 mega event. Thanks to our mega partner, Golden Bay Air, we will be giving away, to one lucky winner, a scenic flight for 2 out of Tākaka Aerodrome.

Rules of the draw:
1. Winner will be randomly drawn from all purchasers of Top of the South Cachefest 2026 Supporter Packs
2. Supporter Pack must have been ordered and paid for prior to the draw
3. Prize is not transferrable and cannot be exchanged for cash
4. Flight voucher must be used by 1st March 2027

Prize: Golden bay Air voucher for 15 minute "Quick Buzz" scenic flight for 2 people, flying out of Tākaka Aerodrome, valued at $258.

Winner will be drawn on 10 October 2026, and the voucher will be emailed directly to the winner.

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