The Oceania 2026 Carnival begins with a weekend of racing in Namadgi National Park. The Oceania Middle Distance will be on a new map, Bogong Creek. Set in a stunning alpine valley, Bogong Creek combines open, runnable forest and smooth granite terrain with subtle contour challenges. If you have any energy left after your run, consider visiting one of the two known Aboriginal art sites in ACT at the Yankee Hat rock shelter. These paintings are well preserved and contain the first prehistoric (meaning before recorded history) drawings identified in the ACT.
On the Sunday, we head to Honeysuckle Creek for the Oceania Relay Championships. This top-quality complex granite area rewards precision and flow. This area was previously used for the World Cup in 2000.
The Australian Schools Orienteering Championships (ASOC) including the Southern Cross Junior challenge, and the Flight of the Bogong public races, visit Orana Steinar School for a fast and furious ASOC Sprint race; tackle the tough and steep slopes of Mt Ainslie for the ASOC Long Distance; and negotiate the subtleties of Pine Island Reserve on the Murrumbidgee River for the ASOC Relays.
The final weekend of racing has competitors navigating the spur gully slopes of Mt Stromlo, an area well known for it’s mountain bike trails. Competitors’ speed, strength and endurance will be put to the test. The final event for Oceania 2026 will be a fast and furious sprint on the grounds of the Australian National University. Quick accurate decision making will be the key to success.
No formal training areas are provided. Orienteering ACT runs an annual program of events, some of which may be suitable for use as training.
Previous copies of the maps can be downloaded from the relevant event page on Eventor Australia. The Oceania Middle Distance Championships is a new map which will not be displayed prior to the event.
Several areas are now under embargo, meaning those who wish to compete in an Oceania or ASOC event may not enter the areas. The below map shows all current embargoes for ACT events, which includes the Capital O carnival in March and all Oceania, ASOC and Flight of the Bogong events. Details for each embargo are in the side panel of the map and table below.
Some areas may be entered for specific activities (detailed below). The carrying and use of maps, photography or attempts to survey the terrain during any of the allowed activities is not permitted.
Event | Map / location | Embargoed until | Embargo details |
|---|---|---|---|
Oceania Middle Champs | Bogong Creek / Namadgi National Park | 26 September 2026 | Orienteers must not enter the embargoed area. Note the area includes the Yankee Hat Walking Track Carpark. |
Oceania Relays | Honeysuckle Creek / Namadgi National Park | 27 September 2026 | Orienteers must not enter the embargoed area. |
ASOC Sprint and Flight of the Bogong Day 1 | Orana Steiner School | 29 September 2026 | This embargo applies to prospective competitors, their associates, and coaches of the 2026 Australian Schools Orienteering Championships. No reconnoitring or training, including training with an existing orienteering map of the campus, is permitted. Other activities within the campus are permitted (e.g. attending school). |
ASOC Long and Flight of the Bogong Day 2 | Remembrance Park / Mount Ainslie | 30 September 2026 | This embargo applies to prospective competitors, their associates, and coaches of the 2026 Australian Schools Orienteering Championships. Orienteers may enter the embargoed area if they remain only on formed tracks and must not carry an orienteering map. |
ASOC Relays and Flight of the Bogong Day 3 | Pine Island Reserve | 1 October 2026 | This embargo applies to prospective competitors, their associates, and coaches of the 2026 Australian Schools Orienteering Championships. Orienteers must not enter the embargoed area. |
Oceania Long Champs | Stromlo Forest Park / Mount Stromlo | 3 October 2026 | Mountain Biking
Until 30 June 2026: Access to the embargoed area is permitted for the purposes of participating in sanctioned mountain bike events including races and group training on formed firetrails and mountain bike tracks. Training and riding outside of a race or formal club activity is not permitted.
From 1 July until 3 October 2026: Access to the embargoed area is not permitted. Special permission may be sought for participation in the ACT Secondary Schools Mountain Bike Championships (if held during this time).
Cycle Criteriums
Access to the criterium track and adjacent parking area for the purposes of participating in sanctioned criterium racing is permitted. Spectating at these events is permitted.
Cross Country Running
Access to the cross country running track and adjacent parking area for the purposes of participating in cross country training and racing is permitted. Spectating at these events is permitted.
Trail Running
Until 30 June 2026: Access to the embargoed area is permitted for the purposes of participating in sanctioned trail running events and races.
From 1 July until 3 October 2026: Access to the embargoed area is not permitted.
Stromlo Leisure Centre
Access to the Stromlo leisure centre and adjacent parking area is permitted.
Mount Stromlo Observatory
Access to the Mount Stromlo Observatory and adjacent parking area is permitted for work and/or scientific purposes.
The carrying and use of maps, photography or attempts to survey the terrain during any of the above activities is not permitted. |
Oceania Sprint Champs | Australian National University | 4 October 2026 | No reconnoitring or training, including training with an existing orienteering map of the campus, is permitted. Other activities within the campus are permitted (e.g. attending a class).
The carrying and use of maps, photography or attempts to survey the terrain during any of the above activities is not permitted. |