Bush Orienteering

Bush Orienteering is more than just a trail run, involving moving off the trail into the bush. There is no marked route on the ground; the aim is to reach pre-determined control points using a map for navigation. The key is concentration and the ability to make quick decisions while moving as fast as you can. It’s not just for runners, but walkers as well, with courses available for everyone regardless of fitness or age.

Bush orienteering is generally held in Autumn through to Spring.

Weekend events are held throughout Victoria,  with the main events being:

  • Vic Series – these events, at locations across the state, have courses for all. Experience the excitement of navigating some of Victoria’s best forests.
  • MelBushO – an introductory series of events close to Melbourne.
  • Bendigo and Ballarat regional series – accessible local events catering for both new and experienced participants.
  • Two Victorian Championship events are held each year. These are open to all, providing the opportunity to test yourself against your peers or to simply provide another excuse to get out into the bush.
  • The Victorian Relays are a chance for club based teams to compete head to head in an exciting annual contest
  • Standalone events, each with a unique format, eg Maxi 3 Hour, Bendigo ToDay

Want to know more: check out New to Bush Orienteering , and the series that interests you

Oceania Long and Middle Distance Championship Highlights Videos

With the help of the Victorian Government  highlights videos have been created of the Oceania Long Distance and Middle Distance championships held in October 2019.
Orienteering Victoria trusts this gives you a flavour of the major bush events we run.
Scroll down to view upcoming events.

Latest Bush Orienteering Events

Day Date Event Organiser Activity
Tuesday 06-May-25 Participation and Engagement Network meeting: Learn to Orienteer reflection Orienteering ACT Foot orienteering
Sunday 18-May-25 Victorian Schools Team Nomination Orienteering Victoria Foot orienteering
Sunday 18-May-25 AWOC-Waggaroos Interclub #3 Piney Ridge Walbundrie World Orienteering Week Albury-Wodonga Orienteering Club Foot orienteering
Sunday 25-May-25 Vic Series 3 - Spring Gully, Fryerstown Yarra Valley Orienteering Club Foot orienteering
Saturday 31-May-25 Bendigo 2 hour score event - Pilchers Bridge Central Bendigo Orienteers Foot orienteering
Sunday 01-Jun-25 Ballarat Classics Series Event #3 - Captains Gully, Sandon State Forest Eureka Orienteers Foot orienteering
Friday 06-Jun-25 Rebels/Raiders NightO Camp Prequel Orienteering Victoria Foot orienteering
Saturday 07-Jun-25 Rebels/Raiders Training Camp - Daylesford Orienteering Victoria Foot orienteering
Sunday 08-Jun-25 Vic Series 5 - Chapel Flat, Creswick Dandenong Ranges Orienteering Club Foot orienteering
Sunday 29-Jun-25 Ballarat Classics Series Event #4 - Nerrina Historic Area Eureka Orienteers Foot orienteering
Sunday 13-Jul-25 AWOC-Waggaroos Interclub #5 Flyfare Woomargama (tbc) Albury-Wodonga Orienteering Club Foot orienteering
Sunday 17-Aug-25 Vic Series 7 - Nuggety Range, Maldon Melbourne Forest Racers Foot orienteering
Sunday 31-Aug-25 Vic Series 8 - Joyces Creek, Sandon Bayside Kangaroos Orienteers Foot orienteering
Sunday 12-Oct-25 AWOC Training/50th Birthday Event Albury-Wodonga Orienteering Club Foot orienteering
Day Date Event Organiser Activity
Tuesday 06-May-25 Participation and Engagement Network meeting: Learn to Orienteer reflection Orienteering ACT Foot orienteering
Sunday 18-May-25 Victorian Schools Team Nomination Orienteering Victoria Foot orienteering
Sunday 18-May-25 AWOC-Waggaroos Interclub #3 Piney Ridge Walbundrie World Orienteering Week Albury-Wodonga Orienteering Club Foot orienteering
Sunday 25-May-25 Vic Series 3 - Spring Gully, Fryerstown Yarra Valley Orienteering Club Foot orienteering
Saturday 31-May-25 Bendigo 2 hour score event - Pilchers Bridge Central Bendigo Orienteers Foot orienteering
Sunday 01-Jun-25 Ballarat Classics Series Event #3 - Captains Gully, Sandon State Forest Eureka Orienteers Foot orienteering
Friday 06-Jun-25 Rebels/Raiders NightO Camp Prequel Orienteering Victoria Foot orienteering
Saturday 07-Jun-25 Rebels/Raiders Training Camp - Daylesford Orienteering Victoria Foot orienteering
Sunday 08-Jun-25 Vic Series 5 - Chapel Flat, Creswick Dandenong Ranges Orienteering Club Foot orienteering
Sunday 29-Jun-25 Ballarat Classics Series Event #4 - Nerrina Historic Area Eureka Orienteers Foot orienteering
Sunday 13-Jul-25 AWOC-Waggaroos Interclub #5 Flyfare Woomargama (tbc) Albury-Wodonga Orienteering Club Foot orienteering
Sunday 17-Aug-25 Vic Series 7 - Nuggety Range, Maldon Melbourne Forest Racers Foot orienteering
Sunday 31-Aug-25 Vic Series 8 - Joyces Creek, Sandon Bayside Kangaroos Orienteers Foot orienteering
Sunday 12-Oct-25 AWOC Training/50th Birthday Event Albury-Wodonga Orienteering Club Foot orienteering

From parks and streets to bush and forest - there is an adventure for you.

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