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Welcome to Newcastle Orienteering Club

Orienteering is a competitive or non-competitive recreational activity in which participants use a detailed map, and usually a compass, to navigate between checkpoints on an unfamiliar course in bush terrain, parkland or urban areas.

If you like a physical and mental challenge while exploring the outdoors, orienteering is the sport for you!

NEW TO ORIENTEERING? Click here for more information.

See what's on by clicking on the Club Event Series buttons below or see all orienteering events by going to Eventor, the orienteering event calendar.

Classic "forest" orienteering for all great outdoors. Run or walk, compete against yourself or others, or a fun family day out. (Mar-Sept)

Navigate the suburbs. Run or walk to as many checkpoints as you can within a 45 minute time limit. How many points can you get? (Oct-Feb)

A great introduction to orienteering with fun courses in suburban parks & reserves. Also includes a night event. (Feb-Apr)

Navigate bush tracks & trails on your mountain bike. Bike Orienteering Summer Series offers 75 minute score & line+score events. (Oct-Mar)

Search

Control Descriptions

Map Symbols and Specifications

go to Orienteering Map Symbols
go to Sprint Orienteering Map Symbols
MTBO BOSS Map Symbols
go to O-Map WikiO-Map Wiki - Definitions of map symbols including photographs of example features in terrain.

go to International Specifications for Orienteering Maps

Event Organisation and Course Setting

Safety - for Competitors & Setters/Vetters/Fieldworkers (updated June 2025)
Vetter & Planner Checklist (updated Apr 2024)
go to Organisers Rules for all Orienteering Events (ONSW)
NOC Event Manual - Event Organisation (updated Apr 2019 - note that parts of this manual are out of date)
NOY Course Structure 2026 (updated Jan 2026)
Setting Bush Courses at the Correct Standard (updated Apr 2022)
Street-O Course Setter's Guide (updated Sep 2024)
Urban Series Course Setter's Guide (updated Oct 2025)
Course Planning Software Resources (updated Apr 2025)
Course Planning with OCAD (Apr 2025)
OCAD Sketch App (Jan 2025)
Control Stands and Tethers (updated Feb 2025)
Search Procedures (ONSW)
Accredited Controllers (31 Dec 2025)

Coaching

The Coaching Page

Policies and Rules

go to Orienteering NSW Manual - includes codes of conduct, Safeguarding Children and Young People policy and competition rules for Orienteering within NSW.
Road Safety Rules
go to Organisers Rules for all Orienteering Events (ONSW)
NOC Financial Support Policy - financial support for representation in State & National teams.

Mapping (If you are new to mapping, or if you're experienced and want to start a new project, please first talk with NOC's Mapping Officers).

Safety for Competitors & Setters/Vetters/Fieldworkers
Mapping Resources
OCAD Sketch App (Jan 2025)
Base map production for local areas
Sprint/Urban - List of Maps (updated Apr 2022)

Club History

Newcastle Orienteering Club Inc.

Prior to online options for events, results & news the Club published and distributed a paper newsletter, Orienteering in Newcastle. This was produced for many years (36!) by Allan Wright, and in the later stages by Daniel Orr.

There was an overlap for some years with both online information and a printable newsletter option with the final issue of Orienteering in Newcastle being number 224 in June 2013 (to be confirmed).

A sample of the latter editions are linked below.

Feb 2009 Apr 2009 Jun 2009 Sep 2009

Feb 2010 Jun 2010 Aug 2010 Sep 2010

Mar 2011 Jun 2011 Sep 2011

Jun 2012 Sep 2012 Dec 2012

Mar 2013 Jun 2013

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Newcastle Orienteering Club