Victorian Rogaining Association

Kooyoora Rocks 6hr & 12hr Bush Rogaine

Location

North west of Bendigo,  About 190 km from Melbourne CBD.  60km from Bendigo.   Superb Rogaining country.

The Hash House is near Kingower which is 12 km west of Inglewood.  (About 190 km from Melbourne CBD.  60km from Bendigo)  It was a thriving 1850’s goldfield town, but is now just a few houses and historic buildings. It is known for the discovery nearby of the 27kg Hand of Faith nugget, as well as its several fine wineries.

6hr or 12hr Rogaine

Enter either the 6hr all daylight Rogaine from 11:an to 5pm or the more enduro 12hr Rogaine starting at 11am and finishing at 11pm.  Challenge your navigation skills.

Course

The course is divided by the Inglewood-St Arnaud Rd.

To the north Kooyoora State Park and Mt Kooyoora: - some old mining remnants, also areas of large granite boulders and rock formations, with many areas of exposed rock. The granite area has been used for the World Orienteering and the World Masters Orienteering championships.  There is only a few steep hills – Mt Kooyoora being only 160m above the surrounding terrain.

There is a picnic area and lookout at Melville Caves named after Captain Melville the bushranger, who apparently watched for the Cobb & Co coaches from the heights, as well as using the caves in the area for a hideout.

Generally the country is open with some scrub and few tracks, though the central part of the map has some thick areas, though here there is a considerable track network with controls generally set close to the tracks.

To the south is the Dunolly /Inglewood state forest, incorporating the Rheola ranges and Bald Hills. This area is also mostly undulating with some short steep climbs on the south side of the ranges; the climb is 120m to the highest point on the Rheola range. While this area has a few rocks it is mostly old mining country, fairly open with a few thick patches. There is a reasonable network of tracks.

For a sneak preview, Google street view has driven some of the bush tracks in the competition area or Check it out in this 360 degree view from part way up to the Melville caves lookout.

Map

The map is 1:25,000/10m contours compiled from Vicmap data, and printed on Pretex waterproof paper.  Part of the Kooyoora State Park map has been updated using Alex Tarr’s excellent Orienteering map of the area - in this part of the map the tracks have been corrected and large areas of bare rock and steeper cliffs are shown, as well as significant rock formations (many of these large rocks were shown on the original Vicmaps, but their accuracy was questionable). The gridlines are 1000m and aligned to magnetic north.

Accommodation

Camping is available at the Hash House on Friday and Saturday nights. Other accommodation is available at Dunolly (40km from the Hash House), Inglewood (12km) or Bridgewater (19km)The ‘Kooyoora Park Retreat’ offers small flats for up to four people, it is located just to the north of the competition area.

Entry
Online Entry will open by 18-April

Entry Fees are:    Adults $23,  Junior $15(under 18) if entered before 11:59pm 16-May,   $10 extra per adult if entering after this date.

Waiver Form to be signed by all team members and handed in at Registration

Final Instructions and Start location

Final instructions which includes start location and how to get there will be available on the VRA home page from Tuesday 22-May

Team lists included any outstanding payments will also be on the VRA home page from Tuesday 22-May

Event Format:

9:00 am     Registration opens and maps issues.

10:45 am   Briefing

11:00 am   Start

4:00 pm     Hash House food opens and remains open all evening.

5:00 pm     6hr Rogaine finish

5:30 pm     Approx time of 6hr presentations

11:00 pm   12hr finish

11:15 pm   Approx time of 12hr presentation

Hash House food will close when people start moving away.

Scoring

Navlight Electronic scoring and timing system.  Scoring tags attached to your wrist   Each Check point is an orange and white marker hung usually on a tree with a Navlight.

Check points have different score values.  Plan a course to score the most points for your traveling speed.  Plan to be back on time to avoid 10 points penalty for each minute of part minute late.   30 minutes late and no score.  Be back on time for the Hash House food.  All food included in your entry fee.

Checkpoints are an orange and white marker hung normally in a tree at a knoll, gully, spur or similar.  Three or four checkpoints are designated are water points we supply with water & fruit and patrol regularly throughout the event.  However carry your own water.

Results and winner presentation occurs soon after each Rogaine while you're relaxing with your Hash House meal.

Hash House Meal

We provide a Hash House meal at All our Rogaines and throughout the longer events.  Meals consist of BBQ sausages. Hamburgers, Vegie burgers, Stews and Soups or maybe salad in hot weather,  Also deserts with Tea, Coffee & Milo continuously available.    Bring your own Plate, Bowl, Cup Cutlery and Chair.