Turon Gold Rush Rogaine

28-29 April 2007

The NSWRA Autumn Rogaine for 2007 was held in the surroundings of the Turon River in the NSW central tablelands.

The Turon Gold Rush consisted of an 8 and a 24 hour event. The 8 hour event has proved to be popular in other states of Australia, being similar in length to a 6 hour event, but with the bonus of a small amount of night time navigation. The 24 hour event was the traditional format with entrants choosing to spend as little or as much of the 24 hours on the course as they wished.

Travel on foot was fast relative to many NSW rogaines, with some loose rock and hilly areas that slowed entrants down. Several roads and fire trails lead to the Hash house. The map was a 1:25000 premarked topographic map with 10 m contours. Night time navigation should be a pleasure as the features are generally distinct, and the vegetation open.

Highlights of the course included abundant wildlife and frequent signs of past gold mining. Setting the course we saw many kangaroos, wallabies, snakes (these should be less noticeable at the end of April), echidnas and wombats, as well as horses, sheep, goats and pigs. The Turon River is also well known for its platypus, with some rumoured to reside close to the Hash House. There are scattered gold mining diggings along most of the main creeklines. The ruins of water races and old houses also remain from the Turon gold rushes that were in full swing 150 years ago.

Fantastic vistas over the Gardens of Stone National Park were there to tempt competitors to the high ridgelines and hills on the course. In contrast, the serene banks of the Turon River offered many great spots to take a break.

The Hash House was situated at the "Turon Gates" private camping area adjacent to the Turon River.  "Turon Gates"  provides camping and luxury cabin accommodation . To book a cabin, phone (02) 9969 3818 or learn more at "http://www.turongates.com".