2026 Socialgaine
Ferrygaine
Lane Cove Rivergaine VII
Date
Sunday 20 September 2026
Location
Cockatoo Island
Duration
6⅓ hours & 3⅓ hours
Status
Details available
Entries will open soon
Event overview
The first-ever Ferrygaine is to be held on Sunday 20 September 2026, based at Cockatoo Island, opposite the river’s entry into Sydney Harbour. There will also be an orienteering event at Cockatoo Island on Saturday 19 September. This will be an awesome weekend of navigational sport. We encourage participants to make the most of the spectacular location and stay on the Island for the weekend.
This will be the seventh event in the Lane Cove Rivergaine series, which began in 2015.
The course will extend north, with controls located from Hunters Hill to Woolwich, and south from Chiswick, to Drummoyne, Five Dock, Lilyfield, Balmain and Birchgrove. The island itself is part of the rogaine, providing intriguing navigational challenges with its multiple levels and complex building and tunnel systems.
There are two rogaines to choose from:
- 6⅓ hour Socialgaine – start at 1008, finish at 1628 (teams of 2-5)
- 3⅓ hour Minigaine – start at 1108, finish at 1428 (teams of 2-5 or solo).
The unusual durations and start/finish times are set to fit in with ferry timetables.
What better way of spending a spring day than ferrying around Sydney Harbour as part of a rogaine. Also, the many ferry routes and schedules present numerous options and much head-scratching. If that’s not unique enough, this ‘socialgaine’ will also have some special features:
- A croquet control at Hunters Hill Croquet Club, with your points determined by how many strokes your team takes to score the hoop.
- Double points during a nominated hour of the event.
- Some controls only available for specific periods.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in a rare rogaine combining land and water elements.
About the Lane Cove Rivergaine series
Everyone thought that the legendary Lane Cove Rivergaine series had reached its final stage when we farewelled the river at its mouth (sort of), the Heads of Sydney Harbour, on 24 November 2024 (LCRG VI).
In 2026 we present the seventh LCRG, and this one promises to be the best of all.
The tracing of the Lane Cove River from its source to its Pacific Ocean mouth began in 2015, starting in Pennant Hills and extending to De Burghs Bridge in West Pymble. In 2016, LCRG II continued the river’s journey down to Stringybark Creek in Lane Cove. In 2017 LCRG III reached Fig Tree Bridge. In 2022 LCRG IV made it to Sydney Harbour Bridge. In 2023 LCRG V reached the Spit Bridge in Mosman, and in 2024 LCRG VI reached Sydney Heads.
Ferries
Public ferries
- F3 Ferry, Circular Quay to Parramatta (return), capacity 200:
- Circular Quay, Barangaroo, to Cockatoo Island, taking 21 minutes
- thence, Cockatoo Island to Drummoyne, Huntleys Point, Chiswick (12 minutes), followed by multiple stops to Olympic Park or Parramatta, taking 35/65 minutes
- departs every 20 minutes (both directions) between 0930 and 1800, and every 30 minutes outside these hours
- F8 Ferry, Circular Quay to Cockatoo Island (return), capacity 400:
- Circular Quay, Balmain, Greenwich Point, Woolwich, to Cockatoo Island, taking 29 minutes
- departs every 60 minutes (both directions)
Private ferry – the ‘Mandalay’
To avoid frustrating rogainers with not being able to get on a full public ferry and also upsetting members of the public (and Transport NSW), the ‘Mandalay’ ferry has been hired for the day from 0730 to 1800.
The Mandalay, with a capacity of 193 passengers, will shuttle participants to Cockatoo Island before the start, and from the Island after the finish, and operate during the event from Chiswick to Balmain.
Entry fees and inclusions
The adult entry fee is $78 ($65 concession). Participants will also need to pay for public ferries (bring your Opal Card), typically $6 for a short trip ($2.50 max for seniors).
Both rogaines are limited to 500 participants each to avoid overcrowding the ferries. As this is expected to be a hugely popular weekend for rogaining and orienteering we encourage you to enter as soon as entries open, and book your camping/glamping straightaway to avoid missing out.
Your entry includes:
- Up to 6⅓ hours of adventure at Cockatoo Island and in the surrounds of Sydney Harbour
- Map and electronic timing (1 per person).
- Exclusive travel on the Mandalay (ferry chartered by NSWRA for the event)
- A sumptuous selection of food and drinks after the event provided by the 1st North Sydney Scouts.
Course times
- 6⅓ hour Socialgaine – start at 1008, finish at 1628
- 3⅓ hour Minigaine – start at 1108, finish at 1428
- Timings of map availability, novice briefing, final briefing and prize givings will be confirmed closer to the event date.
About the location, Cockatoo Island
Accommodation & facilities
Hash House
- The Island has two licensed cafés. It is expected that the cafes will open early on the day of the event to serve coffees and breakfast.
- Toilets at HH
- Drinking water at HH
Why you should make a weekend of it and camp on Cockatoo Island!
Cockatoo Island has excellent facilities for camping and glamping – showers, toilets, kitchen (including fridges), electric BBQs, tables and seating. You can bring your own food but not alcohol, note that there are two licensed cafes on the island. There are also four historic houses/apartments for rent.
Reasons to camp include:
- Have a fun time with family and friends on an island in the middle of Sydney Harbour, with a rogaine (and orienteering event) included
- Cheap accommodation, especially for those who live outside Sydney
- Enjoy the company of fellow rogainers, replicating the camaraderie of camping at bush rogaines
- Enter a Big Foot Orienteers’ event on the Saturday afternoon as a warm-up and sneak preview of the Island’s layout
- For the very keen, you can also comlete the permanent orienteering course – Cockatoo Island MapRun Orienteering Course – at anytime during the weekend
- Explore the Island’s unique Aboriginal, convict, and ship building history. Taking a guided tour (60 minutes, $20) on ‘Island Highlights’, ‘Convict Prison’, or ‘Shipyard Tales’, or a self-guided audio tour ($10)
- You don’t have to wake early on Sunday to get to the Island for registration and maps
- Getting the map on Saturday (from 1700h) and being able to plan your route at your leisure – no need to plan on Sunday morning before the event
- You can also get in first for a ‘ticket’ on your preferred ferry departing straight after the start
Accommodation options
Rogainers should book glamping accommodation as early as possible before it is booked out by the public – link to Cockatoo Island accommodation page (Sydney Harbour Trust). Mention in the Special Requests Box that you are a rogainer so you will be located with fellow participants.
Accommodation options and indicative nightly prices are listed below:
NB: NSWRA does not guarantee the accuracy of this information
- Camping: Bring your own tent and gear $65 4 campers ($15 additional guest)
- Glamping – Basic tent (sleeping mats): $115 2-3 adults (24 tents)
- Glamping – Deluxe (stretchers): $169 2-3 adults (20 tents)
- Glamping – Deluxe waterfront: $189 2-3 adults (18 tents)
- Glamping – Two bedroom waterfront: $389 4-6 guests
- Fire Station Studio (historic house/apartment): $335 2-3 guests
- Harbour View Apartments: $350 2-5 guests
- Garden Riverview Apartment: $350 2-5 guests
- Heritage Holiday Houses: $644 8-12 guests
Safety considerations
- Usual mandatory equipment of a whistle, space blanket and compression bandage apply.
- Event organisers plan to have a first aid-qualified volunteer on site.
- More details to come
Final instructions
These will be released on this event page on 14th September 2026. The final details will include further details on the location, event day, and much more.
In the meantime, you can check out the Learning Centre for advice on what gear to bring, what to expect at the event, and other information.
What is rogaining?
A fun team sport, navigating using map, compass and clues to visit as many checkpoints as possible within the time limit. It’s a “choose your own adventure” experience in outdoor environments where teams explore the course for as much or as little of the allocated time as they like.
Our sport is for all ages and fitness levels, from families walking with small children through to bushwalkers and runners. Rogaining encourages the development of strategy and navigational skills, fitness, and the ability to work in a team.
For more information, check out the Learning Centre.
