NEW! U-Max Do-It-Yourself event maps.

You can orienteer at scheduled events, and take advantage of map sales, being timed, the atmosphere, meeting people, help etc. The lightweight control markers are set out for the day and taken in afterwards.

OR you can orienteer at a time that suits you on a permanent course. The control markers may be specially inscribed posts, or plaques fixed to a fence or building, or distinctive landmarks. You get copies of the map from a nearby agent, or perhaps from the internet, and you look after yourself.

Feedback! We want to know if you like these courses! Email the name of your group (eg "Smith family"), the number of people in it, and which course you did and when, to Use "Permanent Orienteering Course" as the subject, and add your comments. We'll try and reply with a suggestion about the next club event in the Greater Wellington area, which we think would be good for you.

Permanent orienteering courses in and around the Hutt Valley:

• Brookfield Scout Camp, Moores Valley, Wainuiomata. Accommodation buildings and campsites in a bushclad setting, with numerous tracks. Area 0.5sq.km. 26 permanent control markers consisting of wooden posts, and the warden holds a kit of laminated maps with all the points marked. There's also an instructor's guide suggesting various combinations of the controls for beginners, second-timers, etc. Alternatively you can download the map and print yourself a copy. The area is not public property; permission for use should be sought from the warden, Ph 04 564 1000.

• Wellington Waterfront. Wharves, parks, pubs, cafes, museums, art galleries, playgrounds, etc. The City Safari has a short prologue using landmarks as control points, to visit them all would be a pleasant 20-30min jog for the fit or a 40-60min stroll for a family group. Choice of two: the 2014 map (A4 500kb) and the 2014 control list and questions. Or the 2011 map (A4 520kb) and the 2011 control list and questions. Also see Metlink City Safari below.

• Mt Victoria, Wellington. Steep town belt with passable forest and numerous paths. Public reserve handy to downtown Wellington. There are 30 control points consisting of an orange/white plaque fixed to a feature such as a post, and the instructions suggest four different courses you can do, starting from the top of Majoribanks St. Download the map and instructions from the Wellington Orienteering Club website.

• Waikanae Park, Park Avenue, Waikanae. Public reserve with gardens, bush, paths, open areas. Adjacent swimming pool. There are 24 control points consisting of wooden posts with a small orange/white plate, and the instructions suggest three different courses you can do. Maps which include the instructions are available from Kapiti Coast Service Centres or download it here.

• U-Max DIY Event Courses. U-Max is a low-key event formula where participants print their own maps from the web, meet and choose a couple of controls sites each, put out markers then run the course. After the event the plain map is replaced by one with the course on. The following U-Max courses are available:
  • Stratton Street
    First 2017 U-Max. Short downhill course starts halfway up the hill, suggest explore you way up there thru new tracks and orienteer your way down. 8 controls, markers (red ribbons) have been left in position for red controls 2-5, the other locations are yellow. Access from the road end via "The Woolshed". Download map (628kb)
  • Jubilee Park
    2016 Final U-Max. There are three parts to the course – a bush track yellow, an urban style yellow using both over and under the overbridge, and three additional red bush controls. Markers (bright orange ribbons) have been left in place for the red controls. Starts from the carpark on the hill side of the Normandale overbridge. Download map (657kb)
  • Avalon/Belmont
    2016 U-Max #2 Riverbank terrain (trees very passable during winter, may thicken up during summer but lots of little tracks). Starting from the riverbank behind Belmont School, 12 controls forming a 4.8km course which can easily be shortcut. Download map (860k pdf)
  • Melling
    2016 U-Max #1 Riverbank terrain (trees very passable during winter, may thicken up during summer but lots of little tracks). Starting from the north end of the riverbank carpark, 15 controls forming a 4.7km course which can easily be shortcut to 3.2km. Download map (770k pdf)

• Semi-permanent Rogaine Courses. OHV rogaines often use question-and-answer controls at distinctive landmarks. These are sometimes supplemented by orange ribbons with code letters where no clear question can be written. For as long as the landmarks and ribbons stay there, these form a permanent course. They are generally designed for 3 hours activity, but of course it's possible to use just part of the course. Please ask the secretary if any of these are open for use.

• P-Max Mini Rogaine Courses. These mini rogaines also use distinctive landmarks as the control points, with a simple question at each one. P-Max is designed for one hour in or near the urban area - hence ideal for beginners and families or some quick thinking to do on a run. We'll add them here after they have been run. (A few control points reference a "ribbon code" and this would be a temporary marker which may have been removed.) Some GPX files are given for those with a GPS, you might like to see whether you can find the controls faster with a map or your clever box of tricks! But using both is cheating!!!
  • Korokoro
    2015 Winter P-Max #4 (1hr) Starting from Percy Reserve, bush tracks up to the top of Korokoro and Maungaraki. Controls on or close to tracks. 26 control points. Download Map (818k pdf), and the control list and questions(196k pdf).
  • Te Aro
    2015 Winter P-Max #3 (1hr) Starting from Central Park, bush tracks in the town belt towards Newtown, and also Polhill Reserve in Aro Valley. Controls on or close to tracks. 28 control points. Download Map (665k pdf), and the control list and questions(300k pdf).
  • Island Bay
    2014 Winter P-Max #3.5 (2hrs) Starting from Wakefield Park, bush tracks in the town belt, Tapu Te Ranga marae, Tawatawa Reserve etc. Controls on or close to tracks. 33 control points. Download Map (850k pdf), and the control list and questions(265k pdf).
  • Te Aro
    2014 Winter P-Max #2 Starting from Central Park, bush tracks in the town belt and Polhill Reserve. Controls all on tracks. 27 control points. Download Map (670k pdf), and the control list and questions(330k pdf).
  • Kaukau
    2014 Winter P-Max #1 Starting from Onslow College, bush tracks to the summit of Mt Kaukau. Controls all on tracks. 26 control points. Download Map (740k pdf), and the control list and questions(250k pdf).
  • Melling
    2013 Spring P-Max #3 The Lower Hutt CBD, riverbank, and across SH2 to Jubilee Park. 25control points. Download Map (785k pdf), and the control list and questions(190k pdf).
  • Petone
    2013 Spring P-Max #1, Alicetown, Woburn and Civic Centre, starting from the Garden of Appreciation near Sladden Park. 26 control points. Download Map (670k pdf), and the control list and questions(240k pdf).
  • Belmont
    2013 P-Max #4, hill suburbs and the Hutt riverbanks. 26 control points. Download Map (820k pdf), and the control list and questions(240k pdf).
  • Maungaraki
    2013 P-Max #3, part suburbs, part Belmont Regional Park tracks. 27 control points. Download Map (620k pdf), and the control list and questions(140k pdf).
  • Upper Hutt
    2013 P-Max #2, central business district. 34 control points. Download Map (350k pdf), and the control list and questions(150k pdf).
  • Naenae
    2013 P-Max #1, Naenae including the old cemetery. 26 control points. Download Map (630k pdf), and the control list and questions(13k pdf).
  • Korokoro
    2012 P-Max #3, Korokoro including Percys Reserve and Galbraiths Gully. 24 control points. Download Map (672k pdf), and the control list and questions(266k pdf) and the GPX file.
  • Totara Park
    2012 P-Max #2, Totara Park and the east side of the Hutt River from the bridge to Harcourt Park. 26 control points. Download Map (720k pdf), and the control list and questions(180k pdf) and the GPX file.
  • Petone
    2012 P-Max #1, Petone Riverbank from the railway bridge to the beach; starting from the Garden of Appreciation (near Sladden Park/old HV Memorial College). 25 control points. Download Map (650k pdf), and the control list and questions(180k pdf) and the GPX file.
  • Tinakori
    2011 Q-Max (special P-Max for EQ fundraising), Tinakori Hill, now known as Te Ahumairangi, Wellington; starting from the top of Weld St. Approx 25 control points. Download Map (635k pdf) and the GPX file. Sorry we didn't keep the question list from this event.
  • Pinehaven
    2011 P-Max #4, Silverstream/Pinehaven, Upper Hutt; starting from Pinehaven Reserve. Approx 25 control points. Download Map (528k pdf) and the GPX file. Sorry we didn't keep the question list from this event.
  • Jubilee Park
    2011 P-Max #3, Central Lower Hutt/Jubilee Park; starting from the riverside carpark. Approx 25 control points. Download Map (724k pdf) and the GPX file. Sorry we didn't keep the question list from this event.
  • Moonshine
    2011 P-Max #2, Moonshine, Upper Hutt; starting from Trentham Park. Approx 25 control points. Download Map (638k pdf) and the GPX file. Sorry we didn't keep the question list from this event.
  • Avalon
    2011 P-Max #1, Avalon/Belmont, Lower Hutt; starting from Avalon Park. Approx 25 control points. Download Map (603k pdf) and the GPX file. Sorry we didn't keep the question list from this event.

• Metlink City Safari. This annual event throughout Wellington is a question-and-answer rogaine which only uses permanent landmarks. It is designed to be done with the help of public transport; but it includes several areas of around 10 closely grouped controls which you could treat as little courses in their own right. Around 100 control points altogether, and more on the waterfront which is the "warm-up course". The whole package of maps and questions is $10 per set, plus $3 P&P. Order from the who will give you the bank account for payment. Worth it for the detailed track map of Wellington alone.

• Make Your Own Course. OHV maps of areas suitable for beginners (generally parks) may be downloaded. There are over 40 maps, there's probably one near you! Some of them have courses marked on them (from a recent club event) while for others you could design your own. You will need software that can add circles and numbers to a pdf file before printing, or participants can copy by hand from a master map. You could borrow "proper" flags and clippers, or you could create markers from recyclables such as plastic milk bottles with a code letter and a string to hang them from a tree or fence. .

• Other Parts of New Zealand. There's a list of permanent courses elsewhere in the country here. No details unfortunately but you can use the club directory to get further information.

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