A permanent orienteering course is a fixed orienteering course available for anyone to try or practice orienteering at any time of the year.
To find your nearest permanent course, check the map below. Clicking on the Orienteering Flag icon will display additional details on the course including the location of the course and how to obtain more information or a copy of the map. More details are listed below.
The permanent courses are designed for beginners, families, youth and school groups. They can also include options for more experienced orienteers. Contact your local orienteering club for more details and advice.
Permanent orienteering courses are great for:
- exploring, fun and exercise
- introducing orienteering
- school/group activities
- training
- visiting or travelling orienteers
Whangarei
Parihaka Reserve, Whangarei
The Mair park / Parihaka Reserve permanent course orienteering map can be printed free from the Whangarei Orienteering website under “Coaching Resource”. The map is also available from the Kensington fitness centre, local i-site and Stirling Sports.
North Auckland
Ātiu Creek Regional Park
Farmland and scattered bush. 40 controls. Maps free and available at the noticeboard at the park. Cabins and camping available.
113 km north of Auckland CBD. In Wellsford, take Port Albert Road and follow the signs to the park. The property lies on the Kaipara Harbour, on the Okahukura (Tapora) Peninsula. Alternative route is through Helensville, up State Highway 16.
Mahurangi Regional Park
Steep farmland and scattered bush. 20 controls. Maps free and available at the noticeboard at the park. Camping available.
65 km north of Auckland CBD. State Highway 1 6km past Wenderholm Regional Park, turn right into Mahurangi West Road then right into Ngarewa Drive and follow to the end of the road.
Central Auckland
Orienteering Training courses with MapRun6 in local parks.
MapRun training maps and courses in local Auckland parks.
South Auckland
(Counties Manukau Orienteering)
Duder Regional Park
Duder Regional Park 30 km, south east from centre of Auckland, just south of Maraetai. Coastal farmland with patches of bush. There are 23 controls in the park, and 3 suggested courses are on the map ranging from 2.5 to 5 km in length. Maps may be available free at the entrance to park. For large organised groups contact Auckland Regional Council.
Āwhitu Regional Park
There are two courses starting from the Regional Park. One is 3km and the other a 4km course. The main purpose of these courses are to cater for the general public and take them around the Park to the special features while giving them a taste of orienteering.
The south end of the Park has a camp called Highwire. They cater for school groups and train young people to advance in confidence. Three courses from the Highwire camp have been established – Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. The advanced is a challenging course.
Ōmana Regional Park
Ōmana Regional Park is 40 kilometres south-east of central Auckland. There are 24 orienteering controls spread over the regional park.
Waikato
Hamilton Gardens
3km south east from centre of Hamilton, off Cobham Drive. Urban park with mixed vegetation and water features. Refer to http://hamiltongardens.co.nz/.
Printable map is freely available (donation for use appreciated) on Orienteering Waikato website. http://orienteeringwaikato.org.nz/permanent-courses/
Hamilton Lake Domain
1 km south from centre of Hamilton, off Ruakiwi Road Urban park with mixed vegetation and water features.
Printable map is freely available (donation for use appreciated) on Orienteering Waikato website. http://orienteeringwaikato.org.nz/permanent-courses/
University of Waikato
3km east from centre of Hamilton. Urban park/campus.
Printable map is freely available (donation for use appreciated) on Orienteering Waikato website. http://orienteeringwaikato.org.nz/permanent-courses/
Rotorua
Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest
3km east of city centre, off Tarawera Rd. Maps cost $2.50. Available at the Redwoods Visitor Centre on Long Mile Road, off Tarawera Road. Refer to http://redwoods.co.nz/.
Taupo
Spa Thermal Park (Temporarily Out of Service)
3 km north east of centre of Taupo. Rolling open park, pine/native trees, plus steep bush-covered slopes to river. Refer to http://www.hukafalls.com/huka-falls-spa-park-walk.php.
Note: Temporarily out of service – re-mapping in progress.
Raetihi, Ruapehu
Raetihi Mākōtuku River Walk
Permanent markers around the Raetihi Makotuku River Walk [a 4km loop]. Scenic native bush and beautiful garden. Dog friendly area.
Maps can be downloaded and printed at https://www.raetihi.nz/makotuku-river-walkway/ or from the Raetihi Information Centre, 46 Seddon Street, Raetihi 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday 10 am to 3 pm Saturday and Sunday.
Refer to https://www.raetihi.nz/makotuku-river-walkway/
New Plymouth
Pukekura Park
30 controls with instructions on Map and start from Brooklands Zoo carpark. For map and score card refer to https://www.orienteeringtaranaki.org.nz/resources/
Hawkes Bay
(Hawkes Bay Orienteering Club)
Sleeping Giant / Te Mata Park
Multiple options available. ‘Sleeping Giant’ maps include the lower half of Te Mata Park, Havelock North. ‘Te Mata Park’ maps include courses with more difficult navigation and more climb than the courses on the ‘Sleeping Giant’ map.
‘M’ courses start and finish at the Main Gates car park on Te Mata Peak Road.
‘T’ courses start and finish at the park boundary on the track in from the Tauroa Road car park.
Control markers include QR Codes for iOrienteering mobile app support.
Details and maps can be found at http://www.hborienteering.com/parko
Wanganui
Bason Botanic Gardens
Entry from Rapanui Rd. Head north out of Wanganui on SH3. Just after the 100km sign turn left into Rapanui Rd, opposite the BP service station. The Gardens are approximately 7km from SH1. Refer to https://basonbotanicgardens.com/
Maps for the Bason Red Kiwi Orienteering Course are for sale from the Wanganui Information Centre and Westmere Garage or from rk.orienteering.org.nz.
Palmerston North
Victoria Esplanade
Entry from Manawaroa and Park Roads off Fitzherbert Avenue.
Maps for sale from Café Esplanade, and the Visitor Information Centre, the Square, Palmerston North. Maps cost $2.00.
Kapiti Coast
Waikanae Park
Waikanae Park, Park Avenue, Waikanae. Public reserve with gardens, bush, paths, open areas. 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.
https://www.ohv.org.nz/permanent-courses/
Hutt Valley
Harcourt Park, Upper Hutt
In partnership with Upper Hutt City Council, Harcourt Park has four map course options of different difficulty and distances. Plus, Orienteering Hutt Valley also provide the base map for you to design your own course (Map 5). There is no cost to download a course and have a go.
For details refer to https://www.ohv.org.nz/permanent-courses/harcourt-park
Brookfield Scout Camp, Wainuiomata
Note: The area is not public property; permission required before use. Accommodation buildings and campsites in a bushclad setting, with numerous tracks. Brookfield Scout Camp Moores Valley Road, Wainuiomata. For details refer to https://www.ohv.org.nz/permanent-courses/
Hutt Valley – Previous Event Maps
Orienteering Hutt Valley has an Any-time Orienteering resource on its website www.ohv.org.nz. Maps from past P-Max events can be downloaded and the course can be run at any time. The mini rogaines they hold are ideal for this, as the controls are question and answers, so no controls need to be put out.
Wellington
Mount Victoria, Wellington
Four courses of different lengths and difficulty starting from Charles Plimmer Park at the top of Marjoriebank Street (off Courtenay Place in Wellington). Maps and instructions are available on the Wellington Orienteering Club website (https://wellingtonorienteering.org.nz/permanent-courses).
Wellington Waterfront – Frank Kitts Park
Information board on Queens wharf. Start of permanent Orienteering Course around the cultural features of the waterfront. Free map and photos of every control location available through the permanent course link on Wellington Orienteering Club website https://wellingtonorienteering.org.nz/permanent-courses
Nelson
Moturoa Rabbit Island
20 km west from Nelson. Coastal park.
Map available for download from the Nelson Orienteering Club Website.
For location information refer to Tasman District Council
Botanics
1km east of Nelson town centre along Hardy Street. Hilly city park with bush and open spaces.
Map available for download from the Nelson Orienteering Club Website.
Kaiteriteri (Foot / Mountain Bike)
Navigate around Kaiteriteri and Little Kaiteriteri. Further information available on the Nelson Orienteering Club Website. Enjoy fantastic orienteering in the Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park. For maps and payment, please visit the Kaiteriteri Reserve Office.
Hokitika
(Peninsula and Plains Orienteers)
Cass Square, Hokitika (Temporarily Out of Service)
Parks and streets within the town boundary Map packs from Hokitika Visitor Information Centre (I-site) or Westland District Council. Maps free.
Christchurch
(Peninsula and Plains Orienteers)
Christchurch City Council Orienteering Page
Halswell Quarry
Three courses available; maps and instructions may be purchased at Te Hāpua Halswell Centre and Beckenham Service Centre (South Library), open normal business hours, for $3.50 each. Maps and information available for download here: https://papo.org.nz/permanent-courses/
The Groynes
The park entrance is on Groynes Drive, off Johns Road (State Highway 1).
Two courses available for download or purchased at the Rosebank cafe (near the entrance to the Groynes Park) for $4 each. White – 1.9 km, easiest navigation; Yellow – 2.6 km, slightly harder navigation.
Links
- Christchurch Walks – The Groynes permanent orienteering course visit with photos
- Council – The Groynes
- PAPO Permanent Courses
- School groups and corporate training Horizons Unlimited ph: 03 384-0384
Spencer Park
12km north of centre of Christchurch. Coastal pine forest and park.
The park offers 4 graded courses (1-4) in increasing difficulty: White 1.1km, Yellow 2.0km, Orange 3.3km and Red 4.0km.
Maps and instructions are available for download and from the Spencer Park Camp Shop, $4 each.
Links
Victoria Park
8km south of centre of Christchurch.
A number of courses from easy to more challenging, including a score orienteering / Rogaine style course for those who like to test themselves on a time limit.
The course maps are available for download on the PAPO website.
Lake Tekapo
(Peninsula and Plains Orienteers)
Tekapo
Lake Tekapo Regional Park, just east of the Tekapo township on the lake shore. Access is via Lilybank Rd.
The maps are available for download from PAPO website or some hard copies are available at the following locations:
- Tekapo Information Centre (inside the Godley Hotel);
- Kiwi Treasures & Information Centre (next to the Four Square);
- Tekapo Camping Ground
( Links: Council – Lake Tekapo Regional Park; PAPO Permanent Courses).
Dunedin
Ross Creek
4km north from centre of Dunedin, between the suburbs of Maori Hill and Glenleith. A forested reserve around a reservoir.
The map can be downloaded from Dunedin Orienteering website. Printed maps available for a nominal fee from the Dunedin i-Site, Princes Street, or the DoC Visitor Centre, lower Stuart Street.
Refer to https://www.dunedinorienteering.org/about-orienteering/permanent-courses and further information on the area https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/community-facilities/walking-tracks
Chingford Park
4km north from centre of Dunedin, up North East Valley.
The map can be downloaded from Dunedin Orienteering website. Printed maps available for a nominal fee from the Dunedin i-Site, Princes Street, or the DoC Visitor Centre, lower Stuart Street.
Refer to https://www.dunedinorienteering.org/about-orienteering/permanent-courses
Central Otago
Naseby, Central Otago (Foot / Mountain Bike)
Produced on an MTBO map, four options are available to suit mountain bikers or walkers/runners, in course or rogaine-style. The maps can be downloaded from Dunedin Orienteering website. Waterproof printed maps available for $5 from the Naseby dairy and/or Info Centre.
Refer to https://www.dunedinorienteering.org/about-orienteering/permanent-courses
Invercargill
Queens Park
Just north of the Invercargill’s city centre, bounded by Queens Drive, Kelvin, Gala and Herbert Streets. Free maps are available from The Cheeky Llama Cafe located in the park, or can be downloaded from the Southland Orienteering Club’s website https://www.southlandorienteeringclub.co.nz/our-club/permanent-course. There is also a permanent Trivia Course in Queens Park and 3 DIY courses at Oreit Links, Sandy Point, details of these can be found at https://www.southlandorienteeringclub.co.nz/events/diy-events
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