Mountain Bike Orienteering in NSW
Mountain bike orienteering (MTBO) is open to everyone.
It's fun, it's engaging, and can be done by people of all ages and cycling ability.
You can do it solo, with a friend, or as a family.
At each event, our organisers will take you through the basics so you have an enjoyable experience.
If you're a regular MTB rider - the tracks we ride on are pretty much all white-green-blue on the international trail ratings scale (2021). MTBO is not intended or designed for 'daredevils' who love the thrill of a 'black diamond' - but a test of how well you can navigate your way around the course. Click here to see a recent course from Newcastle's BOSS series.
If you're a regular orienteer - MTBO is low-impact and has much easier navigation than Foot O. Unless otherwise stated, you must stay on the tracks - no bush bashing.
In foot orienteering, the width of a track on the map indicates how wide it is in real life - so a thick black line would be a road or fire trail... and a thin one a single track.
However, in MTBO the width of a track on the map indicates rideability - so a thick black line means smooth/fast riding... but a narrow black dotted line will mean a rough/degraded/rocky/rutted track... regardless of how wide it is.
Our Newcastle club conducts most MTBO in NSW. Their courses available via the free MapRun app.
17th edition of Newcastle Orienteering Club's annual Bike Orienteering Summer Series (BOSS)
We issue an MTBO e-bulletin about once a month - please email Greg Bacon (
2025 NSW MTBO Orienteering Championships in October see Eventor
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Other states also offer MTBO. Click on the blue links for more info: ACT | QLD | SA | VIC | WA
Setting MTBO courses (Swedish document)
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2025 Calendar of events in Eventor for Australia so far
ACT MTBO Calendar 2025 with Locations
Last updated 7th August 2025
