AUS 3-DAYS 2023 PREVIEW

2023 Easter Carnival

But why the frog?

TEXT - VALERIE BARKER.PHOTOS - ANN SCOWN Lakeside.

Picture yourselves in the beautiful Snowy Monaro region in April 2023: autumnal colourings abound, the air is crisp and clear, and you are spoilt for choice of activities during the hours when you are not part of the exciting Easter 2023 Australian 3‑Days Carnival being brought to you by Orienteering ACT. The Snowy Monaro region is a significant tourism destination that attracts large numbers of visitors each year for recreation and holiday activities ‑ snow sports during the winter and activities such as orienteering, mountain biking, fishing, hiking and camping during the non‑snow season months. The visitor economy assets for the region range from the sweeping Monaro plains, the iconic Snowy River, pristine lakes and waterways, Kosciuszko National Park, ski resorts and townships such as Jindabyne, Nimmitabel, Berridale and Lake Buckenderra.

Acknowledging Country

Archaeological surveys reveal a long and rich cultural history with aboriginal significant sites throughout the region. The Monaro was heavily impacted by colonisation and many of the original Ngarigo people now live outside the area. Despite this, Ngarigo people maintain strong spiritual and cultural connections to the high country and to other groups in this Country, such as Walgalu in the north‑west, Ngunnawal in the north‑east, including the ACT, and Bidhawal in the south around Delegate. Groups from the broader south‑eastern region, including the NSW Far South Coast and Victorian High Country, traditionally travelled to or through the area as guests of the Ngarigo people for a variety of reasons including trade and social interaction. We acknowledge the Indigenous peoples of this area and pay our respects to their elders past present and emerging. In the same spirit we welcome orienteers from all over Australia as our guests in this beautiful and iconic region; come to enjoy four days of magnificent Orienteering, social interaction, and exploration of the wealth of historical, environmental and geographical treasures that are abundant here. You might like to visit Dalgety, named in 1903 as the site of Australia’s capital city (until NSW argued that it was too close to Melbourne); try Australian schnapps from locally‑sourced fruit at the Wildbrumby Distillery (Jindabyne); stroll around the dam walls of Lake Jindabyne; explore the huge range of mountain‑biking trails and terrain on Thredbo’s famous mountain trails; find out the history of the ‘Nimmity Bell’ at Nimmitabel; and visit the Snowy Hydro Visitor Centre in Cooma, where you can explore the Snowy Mountains and the mighty Snowy Scheme (now in a new phase with the Snowy 2.0 project)

Fallen trees - tricky.

Big Black Blob.

with a virtual flight in the state‑of‑the art immersive theatre, with its 14m‑wide screen and floor projections. The Orienteering events will be centred on Jindabyne, Nimmitabel and near Lake Buckenderra; these three venues and Cooma are all within 30‑45 minutes drive of each other, which will maximise the time you have not only at each event but in exploring the region later.

But why the frog?

Corroboree Frogs are Australia’s most iconic amphibian species and amongst the most visually spectacular frogs in the world. They can be readily distinguished by the bold yellow and black longitudinal stripes on their top, sides and legs, with the belly marbled black, white and yellow. But they are tiny, just 2.5 – 3cm in length (about the size of a paper clip) and 3 grams in weight. The Southern Corroboree

Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree) is found only within the Mount

Kosciuszko National Park in the

Snowy Mountains of NSW at heights of 1300 to 1760 metres above sea level, and is one of Australia’s most critically endangered species.

An iconic species in an iconic landscape symbolises Easter 2023.

While you may not see the rare and elusive little frog, you can certainly enjoy the spirit of the traditional indigenous corroboree ‑ a festivity with songs and symbolic dances by which the Australian aborigines celebrate events of importance.

We are so pleased to be offering you the opportunity to experience this wonderful alpine landscape from the rich perspective of Orienteering. Start your planning to join us in 2023 now!

Accommodation will be centred on Cooma and Jindabyne, but the buzz of Snowy 2.0 and the wealth of attractions in the region means accommodation options will be limited if left too late to organise.

We highly recommend that you also try the other small townships and villages in the region as well ‑ Lake Buckenderra, Nimmitabel, Berridale, Dalgety ‑ for all motel and camping options. Join Orienteering ACT at Easter 2023 as we host a fun‑filled Carnival of events in the corroboree frog country of alpine NSW.