Permanent Courses

Public courses

Permanent courses offer the opportunity to enjoy orienteering at your convenience.

You can just turn up and have a go at a time that suits you. You can choose to run hard or just enjoy a leisurely walk, try an easier course or have a go at something more challenging.

All courses offer something suitable for beginners; most also offer more challenging options for experienced orienteers.

To get active on a permanent course, you will need a pre-marked map and instructions for the course.

INSTRUCTIONS - go to the information section in the table below to view and print the instructions for the venue you are visiting. Please ensure you read the safety information contained in the briefing notes.

MAPS - (1) to download and print your own map, click here.

(2) Our newer courses are also accessible via the free smartphone app MapRun. Follow the instructions on the MapRun website to install it on your phone, open the app, then:
* Select 'EVENT LIST' - then click on the folder 'NSW'
* Choose your location and course
* Select 'GO TO START' - this brings up the map in a tiny area. Use your fingers to zoom in to find the pink start triangle. Hit 'Start the GPS' and walk to the start - your phone should beep and vibrate, and the timer will start.
* Each control is located at the + symbol in the middle of each pink circle. The app should beep and buzz when you are within 0-10m of the control; it will keep track of and display how many you have been to.
* When you reach the finish (shown by the double circle), the timer stops and your split and GPS route are uploaded to the server. You can see the results here - just click on the tab you wish to see.

COURSES - (1) a LINE course means you must visit the controls in order; (2) a SCORE course means you may visit them in any order. You have 60 minutes to complete each course - this should be more than enough. Each control circle will turn green on your phone screen to signal it has been visited. The ones still in pink are yet to be visited.

ISSUES - please contact the office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 02 8736 1252) if you (1) notice any damaged or missing markers, (2) have difficulty with the app or a course, (3) know of an area that would be suitable for a permanent course or would like to work with Orienteering NSW to establish a course, (4) wish to report any safety or risk management issue on a course.

Interstate permanent courses

ACT | NT | QLD | SA | TAS | VIC | WA

Private courses in NSW

In addition to the public courses, a number of Department of Communities, Sport and Recreation, Scouts, conference and other centres also offer orienteering using permanent courses as an activity. As these courses are not managed by Orienteering NSW or affiliated clubs, we cannot warrant how well these courses are managed or maintained. Known courses are however included below for information. Please note that these courses are on private land and permission MUST be obtained from the landholder before attempting a course.