Top End Orienteers

OY event

Manton Dam

This event uses MapRun and physical checkpoints

Please register through Eventor before attending and ensure the MapRun app is operating on your phone (one phone needed per group). The app is used for timing. Courses also have flagged checkpoints with punches, and participants will need to carry a punchcard to record checkpoint visitation.

Sunday, 4 October 2026

Bush courses in the reserve, on the slopes above the water. Expect hilly, rocky and grassy ground. The map features a peninsula of land on the fringe of Manton Dam, with no tracks apart from the road leading to the picnic area/boat ramp. Please note NO DOGS PERMITTED as this is National Park land.

On the Moderate and Hard courses expect to use a variety of navigational skills:
- distance estimation (knowing when you have gone too far)
- keeping direction (knowing how to take a bearing, even if it's just with the sun)
- contour understanding (how much up, or down, how to follow a spur or gully)
- using attack points and handrails (breaking the leg into parts, and moving between obvious features to get closer to the checkpoint)
- relocation (having an approach to follow when lost)
Bring your compass! Also available for hire.

Course Planner

Plaxy Purich

Organiser

Susanne Casanova

Time

Start between 7:30 am and 8:30 am

Finish by 11:30 am

Courses offered

Easy

2.3

controls

Moderate

2.9

controls

Short Hard

3.1

controls

Long Hard

4.4

controls

BYO

Hat, sun protection and clothing comfortable for exercising in the heat/bush. Water bottle with water, and snacks for longer courses. Charged mobile phone for using the MapRun app for timing. Money for entry, drinks.

Coaching

Coaching is available between 7:30 am and 8:30 am

Afterwards

Relax in the shade, help bring in a checkpoint or two.

Directions

Follow the Stuart Highway south from Darwin. Drive past Noonamah and past the turn off to Berry Springs. Drive a further 24 km, passing a a sign that says Manton Dam picnic area 5km at approx 19.5km. At 24km, turn right off the highway into the Manton Dam Recreation Area. Follow the bitumen road to the main carpark at the water's edge. We will be starting from the grassed picnic area west of the carpark/boat ramp - take the short board walk.