Despite the conditions on Saturday afternoon, the first-time-for-Dorrigo experience drew hardened competitors from across north eastern NSW as well as first timers from the Plateau.

It was a joint project by Dorrigo Show Society, Bush 'n' Beach Orienteering Club and Northern Tablelands Orienteering Club.

Orienteering is a group of sports that require navigational skills using a map and compass to navigate from point to point in diverse and usually unfamiliar terrain whilst moving at speed.

Participants are given a topographical map, usually a specially prepared orienteering map, which they use to find control points.

Saturday's outing involved teams and individuals spending an hour (or more!!), collecting points by locating a possible 20 control stations. Their speed was up to individual fitness and experience and varied from slow walks to full-on running.

Organisers seem to believe that orienteering in Dorrigo will be a smash hit; they have already donated an inaugural president's perpetual trophy (for local teams), strongly suggesting this will become a permanent annual event.

Coffs Harbour athlete Sam Woolford was the overall winner, while Dorrigo's Paul Woodhouse won the novice section, which attracted a large number of entries from Plateau residents.

The president's perpetual trophy went to Jade Cochran, Logan Cochran, and Lewis Taylor of Cochran & Co.

President of Dorrigo Show Society, Sally Duckett, described the afternoon's activity as "highly successful" and "likely to become an annual feature for the town".

"Visitors and locals had a very enjoyable time," she said.

Competitors varied in age from junior primary students to octogenarians.