MelBushO

MelBushO events are the perfect way to get started in bush orienteering without travelling far from Melbourne. Events are held from March to August, on Sunday mornings. You can choose your own start time between 10am and 11.30am, and opt for any of the five courses – Long Hard, Medium Hard, Short Hard, Moderate, or Easy. We provide coaching, course advice, and loan of a compass and an electronic timing device (SI stick).

SI sticks are available for sale at all MelbushO events. Find out more

Online entry and payment are strongly preferred at MelbushO events, to keep registration and payment as simple and fast as possible, and to guarantee there is a map for everyone on the course of their choice. Entries close on the Thursday evening prior to the event. Find out how to create an Eventor account and enter an event.

Information for Newcomers

Start time: Starts are from 10:00 am to 11:30 am

How to enter: Pre-entry via Eventor is strongly preferred. On the day entries will be very limited.

Entry fees: Adult $12 or junior $6. Family maximum $30.
Map provided. Compass and SportIdent electronic timing card available for loan.

Courses: choose any one of five courses offered

Course 1 = Long distance, hard navigation
Course 2 = Medium distance, hard navigation
Course 3 = Short distance, hard navigation
Course 4 = Medium distance, moderate navigation
Course 5 = Short distance, easy navigation

Our newcomer coaches will help you choose the right course.

Who is MelBushO suitable for: Any person of any age who can walk or run for at least 2 km.

What to bring along: Long pants, shoes with some grip, money for entry fee, water.

What will be provided at the event: A map showing the course. SportIdent electronic timing sticks and compasses are available for loan.

What is a SportIdent stick: This is an e-stick which you carry on your finger and use to register that you have visited a control.

What is an orienteering course: It comprises a series of controls marked on your map that make a loop from the start to the finish. You must travel from one control to the next in numberical order until you have completed your course.

What is an orienteering control: An orange & white flag with a numbered control unit which is positioned at a particular place on the map.

Which course to try: If you have not done any bush orienteering, try a course with easy navigation. These courses have tracks, fences or creeks to follow.

Who does moderate navigation: Anyone who would like a bit more of a challenge than the easy course. The features will be obvious and you may need to be able to read contours to tell whether you are going up or down.

Who does hard navigation: More experienced orienteers who can read contours and understand the map information.

Can I do more than one course: Normally this would be fine, but under current restrictions you can only sign up for one course.

Can I get some help: There will be helpers to provide instruction and to start you on your course. They can also talk through your course after you have finished.

Also view New to Bush Orienteering

2023 Events - Date (all Sundays)	Location	Directions
March 12	Woodlands Historic Park, Greenvale	Enter from Somerton Road Enter
April 30	Brimbank Park, Keilor	Enter via Keilor Park Drive and follow Orienteering signs to parking
May 14	Banksia Park, Bulleen	Enter Banksia Park from Templestowe Road
June 4	Eaglemont Flats, Ivanhoe	Eaglemont Tennis Club, enter via The Boulevard. Note: no toilets.
June 18	Yellow Gum Park, Yan Yean	Turn west onto Memorial Drive from Yan Yean Road. Turn south onto Goldsworthy Lane and follow orienteering signs to parking
July 2	Westerfolds Park, Templestowe	Enter via Porter Street
July 16	Candlebark Park, Eltham	Enter Westerfolds Park by turning west off Fitzimons Lane. Follow orienteering signs north to parking. No parking east of Fitzimons Lane
July 30	Plenty Gorge Park, South Morang	Wilton Vale Road, east end
August 13	Cardinia Reservoir Park, Emerald	Enter from Wellington Road and follow orienteering signs to parking