Newcastle Orienteering Cub invites you to join in their 50th Year Anniversary celebrations with the 2025 Xmas 5 Days Orienteering Carnival to be held in the Lake Macquarie and Cessnock areas. A mix of events, map terrains and course lengths offers an event for everyone. So, burn off those Christmas celebratory calories and get navigating!
Get your vintage O Gear out for the Retr-O Dress up day. Group dinner, colouring competitions and more!
Plenty of time in the afternoons to head to the lake for cool down or enjoy the lakeside parks and bushland.
After Days 3 and 4 stay in the Cessnock area and enjoy what the local vineyards have to offer.
Accommodation options in the Toronto, west Lake Macquarie and Cessnock areas include Hotel, Motel and Airbnb’s.
Low-cost Camping will be available at Martinsville near Cooranbong. (Thanks to the Stafford family for offering this.)
Program
| Day | Date | Start Window | Format / Winning Time | Map / Location * | Travel time from Toronto |
| 1 | Sat 27th Dec | 4.00pm - 5.30pm | Middle 30-35 mins | Palmers Creek
Ryhope |
7 mins |
| 2 | Sun 28th Dec | 8.00am - 9.30am | Middle 30-35 mins | Honeyeater Hideout
Richmond Vale |
21 mins |
| 3 | Mon 29th Dec | 8.00am - 9.30am | Long 40-45 mins | Belford National Park
Belford |
40 mins |
| 4 | Tues 30th Dec | 8.00am - 9.30am | Long 40-45 mins | The Poppethead
Kitchener |
30 mins |
| 5 | Wed 31st Dec | 8.00am - 9.30am | Sprint 15-20 mins | Avondale University
Cooranbong |
20 mins |
-
Location subject to change if permissions not granted.
Courses/Classes
| Course
|
Approximate Length (km) **
|
Women’s Classes
|
Suggested Age Class Guide**
|
||
| HARD 1 |
6 - 7 |
Men A | M18-21 | ||
| HARD 2 |
5 - 6 |
Men B | Women A | M35-40 | W18-21 |
| HARD 3 |
4 - 5 |
Men C | Women B | M16, M45-55 | W35-40 |
| HARD 4 |
3 - 4 |
Men D | Women C | M55-65 | W16, W45-55 |
| HARD 5 |
2.5 - 3 |
Men E | Women D | M65+ | W55+ |
| MODERATE |
2.5 - 3.5 |
Men F | Women E | M14, M Open | W14, W Open |
| EASY |
2.5 |
Men G | Women F | M12 | W12 |
| VERY EASY |
2.0 |
M/W Novice | M/W Novice | M10 | W10 |
** The distance each day will be determined by the expected winning time.
Suggested age classes are only a guide. You can enter whatever class you want.
Courses may be split if entries warrant. eg 3A/3B, 4A/4B.
Sprint length approximatley 50% of suggested length.
Entry Fees
| Per Day
|
|
| Senior
|
$25.00 |
| Junior: 13 - 20 yrs
|
$17.00 |
| Sub-junior: <13 yrs
|
$12.00 |
| Family Maximum^
|
$67.00 |
|
SI Stick rental |
$2.00 |
Non-member surcharge = $4.
^ Family maximum (two seniors and one junior) - If you enter all family members at the same time Eventor will automatically apply a discount.
Carnival Organiser: Margaret Peel 0432 942 341
Carnival Controller: Glenn Burgess
ENTRIES CLOSE: 16th December 2025 (note early entry close due to Christmas).
Page updated: 17th October 2025
