The Weston Wanderer 6 hr Rogaine promises a uniquely Canberra adventure through one of the capital's most picturesque corners.

Final instructions are now available. See below.

Come and roam through the zoo pines, meander down the Molonglo river corridor, across Weston Creek and Woden, up the eucalypt-lined trails of Cooleman Ridge, and enjoy sweeping views of the Brindabellas and Black Mountain. Along the way, participants may encounter a platypus (or multiples thereof), numerous kangaroos, wedge-tailed eagles, and many local residents wondering why so many people are enthusiastically charging through their streets carrying maps. With some picturesque surprises and plenty of cafes, shops and bakeries to re-fuel, this event offers the perfect combination of challenge, scenery and fresh coffee — plus just enough climbing to remind everyone that those spectacular views always have a price. 

Orienteers - there will be no controls in Stromlo Forest Park due to the embargo for the Oceania Orienteering Championships Carnival in September-October 2026.

The Hash House will be located at the North Weston Ponds, Weston Creek, near the RSPCA - a quick dash along the parkway from the north or south. The start of the event will be 9:30 am, Sunday 9 August. The event runs through the streets and nature reserves of Weston Creek and Woden.

Entries cost $47 full and $37 concession. Under 14 free. A metrogaine is another chance to enter as a solo or team of 2 - 5 people. so you can test your skills against your friends or join them for a cake and coffee along the way.

Entries are open to 11:59 pm Sunday 2 August without late fees. Entries received between then and complete close at 11:59 pm on Wednesday 5 August incur a late fee of $10 per person. We have a limit of 350 people.

Hartley Lifecare will be supplying a basic BBQ, toasties, fruit and soup from 3pm.

If you need a partner, contact the event organiser with your category and level of competitiveness for the event. The event organiser will match people up where possible but we make no guarantees and recommend you keep asking around people you know.

If you can’t enter, we are still looking for volunteers for hanging controls the day before, on the day and collecting controls afterwards. Please contact Wendy.

Final Instructions

09:30 – 15:30, Sunday 9 August 2026

Thank you for entering the Weston Wanderer Park n Play Pondergaine Metrogaine. Team leaders, make sure that everyone on your team reads this web page carefully.

Indemnity Form

Please bring to the event a printed and completed indemnity form located here. Check the team list for your relevant event on the home page to ensure that all details for your team including category are correct. If incorrect, please contact the Event Contact prior to the event.

• 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 North Weston Ponds, Weston Creek. The Hash House is next to the RSPCA (Section 123 on the map below).

If driving, entry to the parking is off Kirkpatrick St (Section 120, marked in red).  Follow signs and volunteer direction for parking next to McDonalds. From the north, head down Tuggeranong Parkway and take Cotter Road exit. Turn right on Kirkpatrick St. If travelling from the southern suburbs take the Parkway Cotter Road exit. Turn right on Kirkpatrick St.

Registration, Map Availability, Start Times

The Metrogaine will commence by way of a mass start at 9:30am on Sunday 9 August 2026, with a final briefing at 9:15am.

Registration will open at 8:00 am.

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

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

Electronic scoring: As this event is using the Navlight system of scoring, each team member (total 2 per team) will be issued with a wristband and tag 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. 

Map and Course Details

There will be one A3 map, 1:25,000 with 10 m contour interval. Magnetic north lines are marked on the map. The map is printed on Teslin paper which is very tough and generally does not need to be covered in contact. The course setters notes and control descriptions have been printed on the back.

Out of bounds areas are marked in pink shading. The event runs through the streets and nature reserves of Weston Creek and Woden. There are numerous 80km/hr roads criss-crossing the course – care will need to be taken by all competitors. We encourage you to use underpasses (blue marked crossing points), pedestrian bridges or traffic light crossings. Out of bounds areas are marked in pink/red hashing. This includes all of Tuggeranong Parkway, all of Adelaide Avenue, parts of Hindmarsh Drive. Please check the map carefully when planning for the marked, safe crossing points.

All of Stromlo Forest Park is out of bounds for this event. This is so the Orienteers, who have an upcoming competition in the park, can compete in this metrogaine. 

Please give way to horses you might meet on the course.

Locked controls

All of the controls on the course will be locked to prevent theft. They have a flat metal plate with a rogaine flag painted on it, chained to an object (e.g. tree, railing). A cloth flag is hung adjacent to help with visibility. The Navlight punch is in a metal cylinder with the end showing. When punching, look carefully through the holes near the end and you will be able to see the red flash of the punch recording the navlight visit.

Water

Please bring enough water for Hash House use and for at least 3 hours on course. You can usually find water fountains on sports grounds or at shops where you can replenish throughout the event, as needed. 

Other Information

Hartley Lifecare will be supplying hot food (including soup) from 3pm. Some tables and chairs will be provided but you may like to bring your own. Please bring your own plate, bowl, cup and cutlery.

Please Bring to the Event

• Completed indemnity form
• Coloured pens, pencils, scissors, highlighter pen, table and chairs or board for map preparation.
• Some food for before and/or during the event.
• Your own plate, bowl, cup and cutlery so you can partake in the catering.
• Water for your use at the Hash House and to start the event with.
• There will be portaloos at the Hash House. Hand sanitiser will be provided. 

Carry 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 3 hours
• compass
• watch – we can sell you one if you need a basic watch without a GPS. Bring $10 cash.
• Mobile phone for emergencies
• Adequate warm clothes for the conditions (noting conditions can change quickly)

Summary of Event Rules and Scoring

• The only navigational aids permitted are the maps we provide together with your compasses.
• Teams consist of 1 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 must not enter out-of-bounds areas; gates must be left as found; stock must not be disturbed.
• 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.

Full rules of rogaining are on the Australian Rogaining Website.

Presentation and Awards

Mugs will be awarded to the winners of each category and certificates to the place-getters. Presentations will take place around 30 minutes after the end of the event.