Northern Tablelands
Orienteering Club
Armidale, NSW, Australia

Orienteering is a sport in which the competitors navigate independently through the terrain. Competitors must visit a number of control points marked on the ground in the shortest possible time aided only by map and compass. The course, defined by the location of the controls, is not revealed to competitors until they start.
-- International Orienteering Federation

Traditionally the activity is performed on foot, but other modes of transport are also possible: cycling, skiing, canoeing, horse riding etc. Urban events have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Prior to commencing a course each person/group is supplied with a map on which the locations of all the control points have been marked, a control card or electronic device which is "punched" at each control point, and a control description sheet which accurately describes each control point e.g. Termite Mound, 1.2 metres high, South side. Some courses these days dispense with physical control markers and use instead a GPS enabled smart phone to verify that the correct location has been found.

Orienteering is first and foremost an exercise in map reading and navigating. Fitness is not particularly important and providing you like bushwalking you are likely to find it very enjoyable. While orienteering helps improve map reading skills it also assists in developing confidence and self reliance when dealing with new and changing environments. 

Orienteering events offer courses for all levels of ability. They range from easy courses which follow distinct linear features (known as handrails) such as fences, roads and watercourses through to difficult navigation requiring the location of point features (e.g. small boulder, termite mound, small erosion gully) in complex terrain. Course completion times generally range from 20 minutes up to two hours. 

Courses can be done either individually or as a group. You can bring a friend or make it a family affair with Mum and/or Dad helping the kids to learn map reading and navigating skills. 

Bring a picnic lunch if you like.

Dogs are not allowed unless explicitly stated otherwise.


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