1. Where is the event located?

2. What should we expect in terms of topography?

3. What types of vegetation should we expect?

4. Are there rivers and swamps?

5. What sort of animals might we encounter?

6. What facilities will be available at the event site?

7. What snakes, spiders and other bugs should we be aware of?

8. What other navigational events will be on in WA at that time?

1. Where is the Event located?

The event area is located close to Perth, the capital of Western Australia.  In spite of the close proximity (100 km) to Western Australia's major city, the event area is largely uncleared forest.  The primary reason for this is the arid climate experienced over much of Western Australia.  When Perth was first settled in 1829, access to reliable water supplies was a problem for many years.  The damming of most of the rivers flowing towards the coast between Perth and the south coast of WA solved the water problem, and had an unexpected side-effect of tying up large areas of land for use as water catchment reserves. The large areas of forest to the east and south east of Perth that are reserved for water catchment purposes can be clearly seen on any large scale map of the south west of WA.  These areas have been widely used by Western Australian rogainers for many years, the close proximity of these areas to Perth is one of the great things about rogaining in Western Australia.
 

2. What should we expect in terms of topography?

As Western Australia is fairly flat when compared with the rest of Australia and other countries, our rogaining maps typically use 5 m contours.  Features on a WA rogaining map may be defined by a single contour, this may prove a challenge for interstate or overseas competitors who are used to 10 or 20 metre contours and events held in areas with large hills or small mountains.

A feature of forested areas in Western Australia is the large number of tracks, which vary in size from minor roads to trail bike and walking tracks.  Some are in regular use and others are in varying states of decay.  Accurate mapping of these tracks is generally impossible and all competitors are warned about the unreliability of tracks when used for navigation.  This event area is an eroded lateritic landscape, with remnant granite features such as boulders and bare granite rock surfaces, along with sandy or laterite (gravel) features. There is no limestone or sandstone.  There are small cliffs, up to several metres in height which occur on granite features on steep hillsides or more commonly on “breakaways”, which are laterite ridges along spurs.  There are no deep rivers or swamps.

The data from which WARA produces its maps nearly always over-maps water courses, particularly in farming areas. In many cases the “blue line” on the map does not translate to any recognisable feature on the ground.  Conversely, some water courses have been heavily eroded over geological time into gullies, these may be only a few metres across and up to several metres deep.  Because of their small size such gullies may not show as distinct features on the competition map.  In general you should expect to be able to walk freely throughout the competition area.

3. What types of vegetation should we expect?

The vegetation in the event area is typical for Australia and the area's rainfall.  For international visitors this means that virtually all plants will be unfamiliar, as they are endemic to either Australia, or Western Australia. 
The trees are predominantly Eucalypts - Jarrah, Marri and Wandoo being the main species and all found only in WA.  Eucalypts are part of the Myrtle family and are the dominant trees over much of Australia. 

Jarrah is a tall tree to 60m given suitable conditions, but in the event area is much smaller at 5 - 10 metres.  Jarrah is highly prized for its timber, which is dark red in colour, hard, and much used as a structural timber and for making furniture. 

Marri is also tall - up to 60 m given suitable conditions, but again in the event area is much smaller at 5 - 10 metres.  Marri is known locally as red-gum, and is also highly prized for its timber.  Jarrah and Marri occur either together or in pure stands, with associated undergrowth, known generically as Jarrah woodland.  For rogainers this Jarrah woodland under-storey usually comprises a variety of small to medium shrubs (0.3 – 2m high) , that can occasionally make walking difficult.  Visibility depends on the thickness of the forest, but is typically about 100 m. 

Wandoo is the final species found commonly in the event area.  Wandoo is a white-barked tree that occurs over wide areas of WA, generally in areas of lower rainfall.  In the event area the Wandoo is 5 – 10 metres in height.  Wandoo woodland is much loved by WA rogainers because it tends to have little or no understorey, thereby making it very easy to walk through, with good visibility (up to several hundred metres). 

Finally the event area also includes a variety of smaller shrubs and bushes.  Most of these are prickly, some very so, again this is typical of Australian flora adapted to arid conditions.  WA rogainers are very familiar with Parrot Bush (local name).  This species is endemic to WA and therefore not appreciated by other Australian rogainers, or international visitors.  The botanical name for Parrot Bush was Dryandra Sessilis, however this has been recently amended to Banksia Sessilis.  Parrot bush is 1-3 m high, prickly, can form dense thickets (visibility less than 5 metres) and is widespread over much of the south west of WA. Sadly it occurs within the event area!  There are several other species related to Parrot Bush with similar habit in the event area, most are at least as prickly as Parrot Bush.

Forested areas in the south west of Western Australia are subject to controlled burning at regular intervals, to prevent an excessive build up of timber on the forest floor and reduce the impact of seasonal bush-fires, which can be very destructive given unfavourable weather conditions and high fuel loads.  For rogainers the main impact is that areas that have been recently burnt tend to be free of fallen timber and the understorey tends to be non-existent.  As time progresses however the understorey recovers vigorously, this is a characteristic of Australian forests.  It can mean that areas burnt several years ago can be quite thick with undergrowth and harder to traverse.

Photographs of the vegetation can be viewed here. In most cases expect to be able to walk freely throughout the competition area, with only minor inconvenience from the local vegetation - the dreaded parrot bush!

4. Are there rivers and swamps?

While most of the event area is forested, the amount of rainfall received is small when compared with wetter climates in other countries.  There are no permanent watercourses of any size in the event area.  It is possible that you will see no water at all while competing in the event, although this will depend on seasonal rains prior to the event.  Any water that you do see should not be relied upon for consumption. 

5. What sort of animals might we encounter?

The fauna in the event area is typical for Australia and the area's rainfall.  Kangaroos (Western Grey) are widespread, as are Emus.  Western Grey Kangaroos are large, about 1.3 m tall and weigh 30-60 kg.  Emus are large flightless birds, second only to the Ostrich in size and are typically 1.5 m tall.  You'll likely see Kangaroos while competing and have a reasonable chance of seeing Emus. 

The event area is home to other smaller marsupials and reptiles, but as they are mostly timid, nocturnal or prefer warmer weather, you'll be unlikely to any. What you will see though are numerous species of birds native to these forests, especially the large noisy black cockatoo which are impossible to miss.  On the farmland expect to see sheep and cattle - if there are bulls we'll warn you!

6. What facilities will be available at the event site?

Information about the start/finish area will be detailed on this site, as they are decided, but for now: 

The main things for international competitors to note are:

• Transportation will be made available from Perth City and Perth Airport to and from the competition (Hash) site - "See Information"

• There are no accommodation facilities between the edge of the Perth metropolitan area and the Hash site. The nearest small country towns are Wandering and Brookton.

• Western Australia is a large place.  Once you leave the Perth metropolitan area you can travel many kilometres without encountering any facilities such as road houses, petrol stations and the like.  Mobile phone coverage in areas outside the Perth metropolitan area should not be relied upon.

• If you intend to drive from Perth (or elsewhere) to and from the Hash site be aware that facilities are scarce between the edge of the Perth metropolitan area and the Hash site.  You should plan to leave Perth (or other built-up area) with a full tank of fuel and be capable of changing a flat tyre.

• Travelling at night to or from the Hash site is not recommended.  Part of the access to the Hash site is along gravel (unsealed) roads where care is required, these roads are more difficult to travel at night.  In addition the danger of collisions with local wildlife, especially kangaroos, is much greater at night.  If you are hiring a vehicle you may void your insurance by travelling on gravel roads, check this with the hire company

• At the Hash site there will be no facilities such as water, power or showers, there are no permanent structures (buildings) at or near the Hash site.  Portable toilets are provided. 

• You need to provide your own camping equipment and food for use before and after the event. 

• Water will be available for International and Interstate competitors.  Food will be provided during the event (all competitors).  Food will also be provided on the Friday night prior to the event - this needs to be pre-ordered - "See Information"

7. What snakes, spiders and other bugs should we be aware of?

No ticks - too wet and cold, same for snakes!

Spiders - look scary, big and hairy!! but mostly harmless

The weekend after the Rogaine on 14th June is a standard event at Darkin River, an area off the Brookton Highway 30km east of Roleystone.

Do you have a question?                                                                                                

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Please send it through and we'll add it here for others - even if you know the answer but think new participants may need to know send it in to waraeditor@yahoo.com.au  thanks!

For more info print this >Event Information -  PDF