- Case no.
- 001
- Location
- Bondi Beach
The O'Brien File
The original Bondi Beach contract is missing. Find it.
The case
In 1851, Francis O'Brien bought the land around Bondi Beach. For thirty years the O'Brien Estate was his: he opened it to Sunday picnickers, then threatened to shut them out.
In 1882, the government stepped in and made Bondi a public beach. But the O'Brien family kept a claim on the sand, until a single contract signed in 1917 handed the beach to Waverley Council. It sat in the archives for ninety years.
In 2007, a Council clerk named Adam Benett found it, and something in it worried him. He hid the contract and never told anyone where.
Adam died last year. The trail he left behind has resurfaced. The Council wants the contract back, and they've asked for your help.
The experience
Grab your team and head out. The O'Brien File is played outdoors, across Bondi, at your own pace.
Every puzzle is solved by looking around you: a date on a plaque, a detail on a statue, a word painted on a wall you've walked past a hundred times. No trivia, no app to download. Just sharp eyes and good teamwork.
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Take the case
Meet us at the starting point in Bondi and get your first lead.
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Chase the leads
Every clue points to a real place in Bondi. Look closely to find the next.
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Crack it
Find the hidden contract before anyone else does.
Are you in?
See available datesQuestions
Interview transcript, filed by the Magnifying Society
The experience
Q.Do we need to know Bondi or Australian history?
A.
Not at all. Everything you need is in the file and on the streets.
Q.What language is the game in?
A.
English. All clues, documents and messages are in English.
Q.Is it scary?
A.
Not at all.
Q.What if we get stuck on a puzzle?
A.
Someone from our team is on site during the game and can be reached at any time, on top of the help built into the game.
Q.Is it a race against other teams?
A.
Yes. All teams start together and chase the same contract. The first team to find it wins.
Participants
Q.How many people per team?
A.
Teams of 2 to 6, formed on the day. Book as many places as you like, whether you come alone or with a crowd.
Q.Is there a minimum age?
A.
13 and over. Under-15s should play with an adult (18+).
Q.Can we book for a birthday, a hens party or a work team?
A.
Yes. Send us a request and we'll set up a private session for your group.
Q.Is it accessible for wheelchairs or prams?
A.
The trail runs along the beach and through the streets of Bondi, with stairs and some steep sections. Access can be difficult, and the route isn't suitable for wheelchairs.
Booking and payment
Q.How do we pay?
A.
Online, when you book.
Q.Can we cancel or change our date?
A.
Tickets aren't refundable, but you can move your booking to another Saturday for free up to 48 hours before your session. If we cancel because of the weather, you get a full refund.
On the day
Q.Is it all outdoors?
A.
Yes, the whole game is played outside in the streets of Bondi.
Q.What should we wear and bring?
A.
Comfortable shoes and sunscreen. Make sure you have a charged phone: you'll need one per team. There are water fountains along the beach to drink or refill a bottle.
Q.How much walking is it?
A.
About 4 km, with plenty of stops to think.
Q.Can we leave our bags somewhere?
A.
No, there's no bag storage, so travel light.
Q.Are there toilets on the way?
A.
Yes, there are public toilets along the route, for example at the Pavilion.
Q.What happens if it rains?
A.
If the weather is too wet to play, we cancel the session and refund you in full.