Looking for a way to get the kids off the sofa and out exploring? Try turning your phone into a treasure-hunting tool.
Geocaching is an outdoor adventure game that gets you moving while you explore. Using your phone and the Geocaching® app, you can search for hidden containers – known as geocaches or caches – using GPS coordinates.
There are caches around Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and the surrounding Norfolk countryside, making it a fun way to add a little adventure to a family walk, get some fresh air with friends or simply explore somewhere new.
See where geocaching will take you
What is geocaching?
Think of geocaching as a giant outdoor treasure hunt.
People hide geocaches in different locations and share their coordinates online. You use the app to navigate towards the location, then search for the hidden cache.
Some are easy to find, while others involve clues and hints. Many physical caches contain a logbook, which you sign when you find them before returning the cache to its original location and logging your find in the app.
The result? You're walking, exploring and getting active – but your focus is on finding the next cache rather than counting your steps.
A clever way to get kids outside
Trying to prise children away from their screens can be a challenge – but geocaching takes a slightly different approach.
Rather than telling them to put the phone away, use it as the reason to get outside. The app helps you navigate to the starting point, but the real adventure happens away from the screen: walking, searching, solving clues and exploring together.
It can turn a family walk into a game, giving children a goal to work towards and a reason to keep moving. The official Geocaching app itself highlights spending more time outside with family and friends as one of the benefits of the activity.
Try making it a family challenge: choose an easy cache, let the kids take charge of the navigation and see who can spot the hiding place first.
How to start geocaching
You don't need specialist equipment or previous experience.
1. Download the Geocaching app: Download the official Geocaching® app, create an account and open the map to see caches near you. You can search around your current location or explore an area before you visit. Don't forget a pen – most physical caches contain a logbook for you to sign.
2. Choose your first cache: If you're new to geocaching, start easy. Look for a Traditional Cache with a low difficulty and terrain rating. Read the description and check recent activity before setting off.
3. Head outside: Follow the coordinates towards your chosen cache. The app will get you close, but you'll need to look around to find the hiding place. That's where the fun begins.
4. Find the cache: Check the hint and recent logs if you're struggling. When you find the cache, sign the logbook with your geocaching username and return it to where you found it.
5. Log your find: Record your find in the app and start building up your own list of discoveries.
Where can you go geocaching near Great Yarmouth?
One of the joys of geocaching is that it can take you to places you might otherwise miss. From seaside landmarks to peaceful countryside trails, Great Yarmouth and the surrounding area offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the thrill of the hunt.
The Golden Mile: Think you've seen everything Great Yarmouth's famous seafront has to offer? Look again. Hidden among the attractions, arcades and promenades are cleverly placed geocaches waiting to be discovered. Many are easy to find, making this a great place for families and first-time geocachers to start their adventure.
The Beach and Dunes: Swap the crowds for sweeping sands and windswept dunes as you search for caches tucked away along the coast. These locations can be a little more challenging, with longer walks and trickier terrain, but the sea views make the effort worthwhile. Just remember to take care around changing tides and help protect this special natural environment.
The Norfolk Broads: Just a short journey from Great Yarmouth, the Norfolk Broads offers geocaching with a difference. Follow tranquil waterside trails, explore picturesque villages and keep an eye out for caches hidden in beautiful countryside locations. Some can even be reached by boat, making for a memorable day out on the water.
Historic Great Yarmouth: Turn your treasure hunt into a journey through time by seeking out caches hidden near some of the town's historic landmarks. Along the way, you'll uncover fascinating stories and discover a different side of Great Yarmouth's rich heritage.
What do you need for geocaching?
You really don't need much:
A smartphone with the official Geocaching® app
A pen for signing logbooks
Comfortable shoes suitable for the route
Water, particularly for longer walks
Weather-appropriate clothing
A charged phone
No gym membership, specialist kit or expensive equipment required.
How geocaching can help you get active
Geocaching is a great example of how getting active doesn't have to mean playing a sport or doing a formal workout.
You might walk further than usual because there's another cache to find, discover a new part of your local area or spend an afternoon outdoors with the family without even thinking about exercise.
Choose a short route for a gentle outing or look for a longer trail if you want more of a challenge.
Geocaches can look very different
Geocaching tips for beginners
1. Start close to home: Pick an easy cache somewhere familiar and get a feel for how the app works.
2. Check the difficulty and terrain: Use the ratings to choose something suitable for you and anyone you're walking with.
3. Read recent logs: These can tell you whether other people have successfully found the cache recently.
4. Use the hint: Stuck? There's no prize for making your first cache harder than it needs to be.
5. Take your time: GPS will get you close, but finding the cache is part of the challenge.
6. Put it back: Return the cache to exactly where you found it so the next person can enjoy the hunt too.
7. Respect your surroundings: Stick to permitted routes, respect the environment and don't put yourself at risk to reach a cache.
Turn your next walk into an adventure
You don't need to be sporty to get active. Sometimes all it takes is a reason to get out the door.
Download the app, choose an easy cache and see where it takes you. You could discover a new favourite walking route, explore somewhere new or simply spend a little more time outside together.
Ready to give it a go?
Explore more ways to get active around Great Yarmouth with Great Yarmouth Sport & Leisure Trust in our blog - from local football clubs and unusual activities to try, to running groups to boxing clubs for all ages to join - see what you discover in your local area!
Last reviewed: August 2026
Geocache locations, availability and access can change. Always check the individual cache listing before setting out.
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