NEW! 2011 City Safari Prologue map. Also P-Max mini-rogaine maps, questions, and GPX files available.

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:

• Akatarawa Country Park, Akatarawa Valley, Upper Hutt. Accommodation buildings in a bushclad setting, with river and small forest. Area 0.2sq.km. 25 permanent control markers consisting of wooden posts, and the warden holds a kit of laminated maps for various different courses. There's also an instructor's guide with advice. The area is not public property, permission for use should be sought from the proprietors, the Wellesley Group, Ph 04 471 2424. PS 2011: the map has dated and OHV has suggested the proprietors contribute to remapping and reprinting the kit. No response has been received.

• 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. Download the map (A4 520kb) and the 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. You can download the map and print it yourself, or get them from the WCC i-Site, Freyberg or Kilbirnie pools. You can also download the instructions.

• Waikanae Park, Park Avenue, Waikanae. Public reserve with gardens, bush, paths, open areas. Adjacent swimming pool. Maps available from Kapiti Coast Service Centres or download the map with instructions.

• 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 are designed for one hour and are 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.) The GPX file is 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!!!
  • Wainui
    2012 P-Max #4, Wainui Trail Park and part of Parkway. 25 control points. Download Map (580k pdf), and the control list and questions(306k pdf) and the GPX file.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Moonshine
    2011 P-Max #2, Moonshine, Upper Hutt; starting from Trentham Park. Approx 25 control points. Download Map (638k pdf) and the GPX file.
  • 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.

• 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. 113 control points altogether, and another 21 on the waterfront which is the "warm-up course". The whole package of 2XA3 and 1XA4 maps with questions on the back is $10 per set, plus $2 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 about 30 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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