Blackbutt Forest Reserve in Shellharbour is the venue for our next orienteering event on Saturday 6 May. The reserve consists of 100 hectares of remnant coastal forest including Illawarra lowland grassy woodland and Blackbutt forest. The forest was the traditional home of the Wodi Wodi people who lived off the many plants and animals in the forest. Although there was a small amount of timber cutting from the forest, it was saved from widespread clearing for agriculture as it was isolated from the harbour and Shellharbour village by swampland. The Reserve was given to the Shellharbour community by the NSW Government in 1979.
You can read more about the history and ecology of the reserve in a great little booklet by Shellharbour Council. Go to the Parks and Reserves page and download the PDF from the right hand column.
For those coming to the event, be aware that it is also ‘Wings over the Illawarra’ at the Illawarra Regional Airport not far from the forest. If you’d like to combine your orienteering with a visit to the air show you can find more information HERE.
Venue – Blackbutt Forest Reserve, Shellharbour – enter via Blackbutt Way.
Directions – from Shellharbour Road, turn into Woodlands Drive, then at the T intersection, turn left into Blackbutt Way and follow into reserve, up the hill to the car park.
Starts from 2-3pm.
Courses: Medium and Long line courses ($10) and a free short kids course (under 12 to be accompanied by an adult)
Runners, joggers & walkers are all welcome. Beginners are always welcome at our events, and there are always club members on hand to provide some basic coaching. You can go by yourself or as part of a group.