The Winter 4 hr event will be held in the east Kowen Forest, a favourite rogaining area. Expect fast fire trails, tall or very short pine areas, some open grassland, a smattering of native vegetation and a bit of history. The course is set and we are hopeful that the weather will reveal fantastic views of the Brindabella's, experienced by the course setters, Leanne and Sandy.

The Hash House will be located at the end of Sparrow Hill Road, approximately 10-12 km from Queanbeyan via the Kings Highway.

The event will start at 10:30am on Sunday the 19th of July and finish at 2:30pm.

Entries cost $47 full and $37 concession. Under 14 free. No solo entries for this event - teams of 2 to 5 people.

Entries are open to 11:59 pm Sunday 12 July without late fees. Entries receieved between then and complete close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 15 July incur a late fee of $10 per person.

Entries will be limited to 300 people.

We still need another couple of helpers at the Hash House on the day.  

If you can help, please contact Leanne at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

 

    

Final Instructions

Thank you for entering the Winter in Kowen, 2026 ACTRA 4 hour rogaine. Team leaders, make sure that everyone on your team reads this whole document carefully. 

Important

We are also still after more volunteers on the day and for control collection post the event. If you are able to help, please contact Leanne at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Indemnity Form

Please bring to the event a printed and completed indemnity form located here. Check the team list (link above) to ensure that all details for your team including category are correct. If incorrect, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Thursday, if possible. 

• Ensure that all team members sign a separate indemnity form. Parents or guardians must sign for people under 18. Also provide registration number(s) of your car(s) at the Hash House. Be sure to put your team number on the form. 
• Present your completed indemnity form at the registration desk.
• Medical advice: All competitors should consider advising their partner of any pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, susceptibility to anaphylaxis) that may require first-aid action on course. This should include a description of the symptoms, the required first-aid action, and the location in their bag of any medication (such as sugar, ventolin, epi-pen, anti-histamines).

How to Get There

The Hash House is located at the end of Sparrow Hill Road. Parking will be along Sparrow Hill Road and Block 9 Road (between Sparrow Hill Road and Kings Highway).  Please note that there will be a walk of approximately 400m from the parking location to the Hash House.

To get there, head to Queanbeyan, then take the Kings Highway west towards Bungendore. Stay on Kings Highway for approximately 9km past the Yass Road / Kings Highway intersection, then turn left onto Sparrow Hill Road.  Proceed down this road approximately 1.5km to the parking location.

Travel time from central Canberra to Sparrow Hill Road is approximately 30 mins.

A google map is here.

Registration, Map Availability, Start Times

The event will commence by way of a mass start at 10:30am sharp on Sunday 19th July, with a final briefing at 10:20am.  Registration will open at 9.00am.  Any novice teams can ask for help at any time before the start.

To register, one person only per team to register and collect maps. That person will need to bring:

• a first aid kit, so that it can be checked; see below for what it must contain; and
• completed indemnity form for each team member.

It would also help if you can remember your team number!

Electronic scoring 

As this event is using the Navlight system of scoring, each team will be issued with 2 wristbands and tags upon registration.

You will also be given pre-marked maps, control descriptions, course setter's notes and a small copy of the map to be used as a flight plan. We recommend that you arrive at least an hour prior to the start of the event to allow enough time for final preparations and route planning. Each team must mark their intended route on the flight plan and hand it in before starting.  As mobile reception is patchy, we will rely heavily on your flight plan if you are late/need help.

Map and Course Details

There will be one A4 map, 1:25,000 with 5 m contour interval. Magnetic north lines are marked on the map. Out of bounds areas are marked in pink/red hashing. The area is predominately pine plantation of different ages.  There are small areas of open grassland and native forest. There pine understory contains a lot of blackberries.  Whilst the setters have tried to avoid the worst patches, gaiters and long pants are recommended.  

The map is printed on Teslin paper which is very tough and generally does not need to be covered in contact.

Water

Please bring enough water for Hash House use and for the full 4 hours. There are no water drops on course. It is also feasible to do loops from the HH to replenish your water.

Catering

Hartley Lifecare will be providing catering after the event.  This will include soup, so please bring a cup / bowl and spoon as well as a plate for toasties, sausages, cake etc.

Please Bring to the Event

• Completed indemnity form for each team member
• Coloured pens, pencils, scissors, highlighter pen, table and chairs or board for map preparation. There is plenty of grassy areas for planning.
• Some food for before and/or during the event.
• Your own plate, bowl, cup and cutlery for catering.
• Water for your use at the Hash House for the event (there is no running water at the HH).  See section on water above.
• Portaloos will be at the Hash House. You may like to bring your own hand sanitiser.

Carry on Course

It will likely be cold and possibly windy (but hopefully not wet). It is highly recommended that you bring additional warm clothes, including thermals, raincoat etc. on course.

Mandatory Equipment

• Whistle (per person)
• Basic first aid kit (that includes 2 compression bandages and 1 wound dressing) (per team)
• Space blanket (per person).

Other items we recommend that you carry/wear

• food for the event
• water for 4 hours
• compass
• gaiters – recommended for blackberry protection 
• long trousers 
• watch
• pen/pencil
• Mobile phone for emergencies although reception is patchy.  A PLB if you have one is a good alternative for emergencies.
• Sunscreen, sun-hat, sunglasses.  There are many open areas on the course.
• Adequate warm clothes for the conditions (noting conditions can change quickly). Please check the forecast: 
  • raincoat, warm jacket
  • thermals + a spare if it is wet 
  • gloves 
  • beanie 

Mobile Phone Coverage

Mobile phone coverage is patchy. Text messages are more likely to get through, but mostly from higher areas of the course. The Hash House number will be printed on the map. 

Summary of Event Rules and Scoring

• The only navigational aids permitted are the maps we provide together with your compasses.
• Teams consist of 2 to 5 competitors and must remain within earshot of each other at all times. All members must simultaneously get to within 5m of each control point.
• All team members must punch their Navlight tags at each control to score points.
• If a Navlight punch has failed, record the three letter code visible inside the end of the punch.
• Competitors shall carry a whistle at all times whilst on the course. In an emergency a competitor shall give a series of short blasts on their whistle.  Any team hearing a distress signal must abandon their course and help in any way needed. No team shall be penalised for any rule breached in the course of giving such help.
• Competitors must not enter out-of-bounds areas; gates must be left as found.
• The organisers may disqualify a team if it acts against these rules or against the spirit of the event.
• A team can retire a member at the hash house. This will finish that team's event. A new team can form but it must start with zero score.
• Late Penalty: 10 points per minute (or part) late. Disqualification if more than 30 minutes late.
• If teams score equal points then the first team home will have a higher rank.

Please see the Australian Rogaining Association's website for all rogaining rules if you are not familiar with them. There's not a huge number, but they help us play fairly.

Presentation and Awards

Food and drinks will be available from 2:00pm. Please bring your own plate and utensils. 

Results will be presented as soon as possible, around 3:00 pm. There will be certificates for the winners and place-getters of each category.