The Waikaia map has been dormant for several years, making this an exceptional opportunity to explore one of New Zealand’s most cherished areas. The towering native Beech Forest in Waikaia is a rare gem, seldom available for orienteering.
Waikaia Forest represents our largest mapping project. The first section was mapped in 1988 for the Moro South Island 7-Day Orienteering Festival in 1989. The fieldwork was completed by three Swedish mappers, with cartography by DOSLI (Department of Survey and Land Information). Since then, the map has undergone multiple extensions and updates and is regarded as one of the finest orienteering maps in New Zealand.
If you still have energy between events, Waikaia offers plenty to keep you busy—golf, museums, fishing, swimming, and, of course, perfect weather! For local attractions and accommodation options, visit Waikaia.
The entire Waikaia Forest Conservation Area north of Piano Flat, along Whitecoomb Road and parts of Canton Road, as well as Glenaray Station land north of Whitecoomb Creek, is embargoed effective immediately until the event.
Event Centre: Located at Whitecoomb Creek, approximately 12 km north of the gates at Piano Flat. Follow Whitecoomb Road to Canton Road to reach the Event Centre.
The road from Piano Flat to the Event Centre at Whitecoomb Creek is a single-lane gravel road with tight corners and short, steep climbs.
Campervans/motorhomes/caravans: No access
4WD, Rear WD, All WD with good ground clearance: OK
Front WD: Not recommended. Access at your own risk. Good ground clearance and experience in driving on rough roads required.
This road is popular with 4WD enthusiasts and dirt bikers, especially on weekends, so be prepared for oncoming traffic.
Parking: Adjacent to Whitecoomb Creek which has some shady trees nearby.
Carpooling: We will be organising car pooling from the Piano Flat DoC camping area on both days. More details will be in Bulletin 2.
Entries are now closed.
There will be no special early bird or late fees and no entries after closing date.
Your entry will only be confirmed once payment has been received. Bank transfer payments must be made at the time of entry. After registering, please check the Entry List. If your name does not appear, your entry has not been processed.
There is an additional fee for non-members of any Club.
Standard SI-Cards (dibber, e-stick) can be hired. This event will NOT use SIAC. There will be SIAC OFF box at the start.
There are NO entries on the day
Event Entry Limit: There is a limit of 200 competitors per day.
We've received permission from Glenaray Station for limited camping at Whitecoomb Stream, 25 people max.
To apply and reserve a spot, fill in THIS FORM.
Please note, you must be fully self-sufficient, although porta-loos will be available on-site. The water quality is uncertain, as the area to the north is used for farming.
The road is not recommended for RWD, campervans, or wide vehicles.
Another beautiful camping spot is Piano Flat, located just before the road enters Waikaia Forest. Booking is essential through DoC. For other accommodation options, check your preferred booking sites.
There is a campsite in Waikaia Township and a number of houses to rent in the area. You may have to look further afield to Gore, Riversdale, Lumsden.
The Burt Munro Challenge is happening in Invercargill the same week, so be sure to book your accommodation as soon as possible!
NB: The times for all courses of the Middle Distance Event have been calculated using the Listed Starting Time, not the Start Punch time. An error was made with the configuration of the Master Check station which meant that the Start Punch did not operate or record start information. It is estimated that this may make an error to your time of +/- 5 to 10 seconds. We apologise for the error.
Not only to the organising team (Paul Horner, Helen Stewart, Ayrton Shadbolt, Karen Burrows, Sally Duston, Ciaran Thayer, Nathan Harrison, Simon Welson and Andrea Patterson) but to Michael Croxford for updating the map, and controlling; Simon Lee and Barbara Wilson on behalf of Glenarary Station and the Pinckney Family for generously allowing us the use of their land; the Department of Conservation for permission to use Waikaia Forest Conservation Area; Ann Bixley and Ayrton Shadbolt for planning; Matt Bixley and Owen Cambridge for controlling; assistance from Dunedin Orienteering Club for use of gear, advice and offers of help. It is all very much appreciated.