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What should I bring?
Comfortable joggers, watch, sunscreen or hat, pen/pencil, a plastic bag for your map in case it rains (or you sweat a lot). A compass is not generally a necessity. Bring your own water in case supply is not available.

What is Street Orienteering?
The main difference between street orienteering and the more traditional form is the location. Whereas traditional orienteering events are conducted in a natural location (forests, parklands etc), street events are held in urban confines. The main theme is still the same. It is still a footrace around various checkpoints. Most street events are of the score course form with partcipants starting at 2 minute intervals.

What is a score Course?
With a score course competitors have the choice of which checkpoints they will visit and in what order they do them in. Checkpoints have different values depending on how far away from the start/finish they are and the degree of difficulty locating them. The catch is that there is a time limit. The person with the most points is the winner. This is where the attraction of the sport lies. It is a bit like a car rally but you are the car, the driver and the navigator and you have to make all the decisions. This is why the sport is known as "Cunning Running".

What is a checkpoint?
In the bush, a checkpoint, more correctly termed a "control" would be a feature (i.e. a rockface) and it would be indicated by an orange and white flag. With street orienteering we actually use multiple choice questions relating to a location marked on the map. These questions could be the date on a plaque on a bridge, the number of gnomes in a garden or the phone number on a particular sign. The answers aren?t intended to be cryptic and are purely to indicate to us that you have visited that site in the allocated time limit.

Do I have to run?
No, we can't make you! Of course running will help you score more points but you can go at your own pace. Some people elect to enter as a non-timed, non-scoring wayfarer. The only thing you need to do is return no later than course closure.

Is the Navigation Difficult?
Navigation is very basic the main challenge being the route choice you will decide upon. Maps are similar to street directory (street names removed) but are only Black & White. A few contour lines are added.

Can my children do Street Orienteering?
We normally promote Orienteering as a family sport but as traffic sense is required the Street series is unsuitable for juniors. We take no responsibility for any runners.

What other Orienteering is in the Newcastle area?
Bush Orienteering is usually conducted from March to November with about two events per month.

Events shall consist of a score course of 45 minute duration.

Official starts are between 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm. Other times at the discretion of the organiser.

Controls should score 1, 2 or 3 points. First digit of number should indicate score e.g. No.17 scores 1 point, No.26 scores 2 points, No.30 scores 3 points.

Late Penalties  Minus 1 point for every minute (or part thereof) Disqualification for greater than 20 minutes late.

Competitors may enter as Wayfarer (untimed) but should be aware of course
closure time and must report back to finish desk.

A competitor?s six best results will be tallied as their overall score in the series.

Wayfarers & Course setters shall receive no points for that event.

Control colour coding should correspond to "O" course colour scheme:
GREEN=1 point
ORANGE=2 points
PINK = 3 points

Competitors shall receive their map 2 minutes prior to their start time to allow route planning.

All private property is out of bounds.

Guessing is considered to be poor etiquette.

Contact Details

Street Orienteering Events
Geoff Peel
49 680977 (home)
49411893 (work)
peelncn@nru.com.au (email)


Newcastle Orienteering Club Newsletter
Alan & Dot Wright
49 571486


Orienteering Association of NSW
Dave Lotty
02 96602067
PO Box 740
Glebe 2037
orienteering@dsr.nsw.gov.au