About Us

What is Orienteering?

Orienteering is a cross-country navigation sport. Participants use a map and compass to find their way around a marked course, traditionally on foot and in the bush although newer orienteering disciplines involve metropolitan areas, mountain biking or even skiing.

Orienteering is a sport for all ages and abilities. All events have a variety of courses ranging from string courses that are a few hundred metres long where toddlers can follow a string between checkpoints, to courses of up to 12km of technically difficult cross-country navigation. Children, families and groups can enjoy some exercise and a fun outdoor challenge, while at the top end of the field elite athletes can race against tough competition up to an international level.

Orienteering WA (OWA) runs events throughout the year. Orienteering is traditionally a winter sport in Australia, and the winter series consists of bush events held most weekends. In the summer, OWA runs Saturday evening events in the Perth metropolitan area. There is also the NavDash Sprint Series, a popular series of short events held in complex areas such as school and university campuses as well as some nearby bush areas. The OWA Mountain Bike Orienteering events are spread throughout winter, and it is another great way to get some exercise and some time in the outdoors at all levels of fitness and riding ability.

The best way to find out more about orienteering is to come along to any event! Speak to the friendly volunteers about how to get started, come along to a beginner’s briefing before an event, enjoy yourself in the outdoors and get involved in a fun, healthy activity.

For more information, check out the calendar of events, browse the website, or contact OWA if you have any questions.

Permanent Courses

If you want to try orienteering independently, why not do a permanent course?