Technology forging new paths for orienteering

Published on 18 March 2021

With support from the City of Launceston, the Esk Valley Orienteering Club has developed a series of six new orienteering courses through Launceston's parks and reserves — with a technological twist.

The Club's Permanent Orienteering Course Project comprises a package of online maps and physical QR code-based trail markers, designed to allow anyone to enjoy orienteering.

The new courses cover areas like Riverbend Park, Heritage Forest, Punchbowl, and Royal Park, with course maps ranging from 1.4 km to 4km. The new Launceston courses join the Tailrace Park

and Windsor Park Precinct courses established last year in the West Tamar municipality.

Esk Valley Orienteering Club projects coordinator John Brock said orienteering was a great workout for both the body and mind.

"Orienteering adds the extra step to your physical activity, with the bonus of exercising your brain," Mr Brock said.

"The Permanent Course Orienteering Project is aimed at opening orienteering up in Launceston to a broader audience. We we hope it will appeal to people of all ages, even if they've never tried orienteering before.

"Orienteering is a low impact, rewarding and thought provoking activity which is ideal for individuals, families, or groups and Launceston is fortunate to have some fantastic green spaces to explore."

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten congratulated the Esk Valley Orienteering Club on the project.

"The Permanent Orienteering Course Project is an exciting initiative from the Esk Valley Orienteering Club, and I hope Launceston residents will engage with it," Mayor van Zetten said.

"It's exciting to see the club developing new ways to enjoy Launceston's parks and reserves."

To participate, download the free map pack from the Orienteering Tasmania web page https://tasorienteering.asn.au/get-involved/try-a-permanent-course