Hang Gliding
Association of WA
Albany/South Coast Site Guide
Area Overview
Albany is 400km South of Perth, It has coastal soaring sites covering
all
wind directions. It is generally the best destination in WA if you want
to clock up some serious hours in the summer months.
There is considerable potential for thermal flying in the Stirling
and Porongorup ranges , 50 to 100 km north of Albany if access hurdles
can be overcome.
Esperance 400km East of Albany, offers even more stunning coastal
scenery.
the nearby Barren ranges and Peak Charles offer potential for inland
flying,
and if you keep going East you'll reach the famous Nullarbor Cliffs,
home
to world hanggliding speed records.
The sites listed here are the most convenient, accessible and
frequently
used. In fact it seems that most of the rest of the south coast is also
flyable. Anyone for a Vol Bivouac trip to from Augusta to Adelaide?
Index of Sites
Albany Area
Inland Ranges
Esperance
Map of Albany Coastal Sites (click on site names)
Point King / Albany Town
Right in the heart of Albany town, this site works much better than it
looks, the flatness providing pleasant flying with views of Middleton
Beach,
Fort Adelaide, the harbour and islands, and plenty of spectators.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Coastal Ridge
|
SE
|
Intermediate
|
50ft
|
Getting There:
From Albany take the scenic coastal drive to Middleton Beach
(Marine Drive) after the Mt Clarence turnoff there are several carparks
on the 
ocean
side. Park
at the bitumen carpark with information shelter and concrete
lookout. From here descend stairs to the cycle path. Take
off from the low scrub beside the cycle path or walk towards albany to
where the path widens to accomodate a bench, providing just enough
space to layout and launch from the bitumen.
Flying:
Flyable in similar conditions to Shelley beach, even in quite strong
winds.
In front of launch there is a steep drop to the ocean, with no landing
options below, but top landing options above are good. In light
conditions
be sure not to get caught below the flat area. In stronger winds
you can easily get above the road - try not to be a traffic hazard and
remember to keep your separation from onlookers at the lookout.
A very nice site, and a good option if you get bored of flying
Shelleys
after a few hours, or have to go into Albany, or live there.
Only fly here if your top and side landings are good. Can be
difficult
to get down if the wind picks up. Landing further up Mt Adelaide should
be possible if caught out by rising winds, watch the water and try to
avoid
being caught. Very public site so please fly responsibly and
safely.
Back to Top
Sand Patch
A huge site, more than 10km of ridge, but mostly without bottom landing
as the limestone cliffs run straight into the ocean, have a look at the
photo.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Coastal Ridge
|
SW
|
Intermediate
|
450ft
|
Getting There:
From Albany drive out around Princess Royal Harbour towards Little
Grove and the gap. Turn right at the prison and left up a road 
signposted
to sandpatch and the
wind farm. From the carpark take the boardwalk west to the takeoff area
in foront of number 3 turbine. Check with local clubs if you want
vehicle access to launch.
Flying:
Be aware of changing conditions, you may have to land out along the
ridge, only fly here if your top and side landings are good. Can be
difficult to get down if the wind picks up. Due to the size and
compression flyable conditions here equate to very light winds on the
beach.
The launch area is currently covered in low scrub. Some netting has
been stored at the launch as a temporary measure to reduce snagging of
paraglider lines. If you use the netting please pack it away again
after flying. Work is in progress to get a more permanent solution
constructed. 
Back to Top
Mutton Bird
One of the most consistently on sites in WA, this is a coastal dune
site
suitable for beginners. The low hieght of the dune means it is still
flyable
in Albany's famously strong winds when the bigger sites are blown out.
Good fun too.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Low Coastal Ridge
|
S to SW
|
Novice
|
0 - 70 ft
|
Getting There:
Turn Left off Lower Denmark Road between Elleker and Albany at the
signposted
bitumen road. This road is a loop, about half way along is a gravel
road
signposted to mutton Bird Island. Follow this to end T junction, then
turn
right to lookout and carpark 100m on. Limited 4WD access to beach
depending
on Salmon fishing. Otherwise walk down to Beach.
Flying:
Launch from the beach, or small top launch for hang gliders near car
park.
A 1 - 2m sub dune in front of the main one can make launching tricky in
light winds. Beware of rotor behind island. Relatively safe place to be
blown back, but some of those peppermint trees are bigger than they
look.
The ridge is about 2km long in a slight bowl. be prepared for a hike
down
the beach to a favourable bit of dune if the wind is more S than SW
Back to Top
Perkins Beach
Good place when the wind is strong and SSE. Western end of the same bay
as Muttonbird. Incredible feeling getting some hieght off such a tiny
dune.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Bushy Dune
|
SSE
|
Novice
|
0 - 15 ft
|
Getting There:
From Albany take the Lower Denmark Rd E towards Denmark for 25km. Turn
left at Perkins Beach Road. Follow to the parking at the end. There is
a footpath from here a short distance alongside a creek to the
beach.
You can fly either side of the creek in the right conditions. A 4WD
alternative
is to drive along the beach from either Cosy Corner or Muttonbird until
you find a dune pointing the right way.
Flying:
This site is a good beginners slope. It is about 1km long with lots of
bushes on top but plenty of beach between the dune and the water.
Although the site is only low coastal dunes, there is a steep drop
off behind them with significant rotor and a lot of trees in some
areas.
Take-off is from the beach or on the side of the dune. Space can be a
problem,
especially if the wind is a bit light. You may have to take it in turns
if there is not enough room. Main danger is complacency - don’t
fall into
the trap of thinking everything is safe just because it is a low sand
dune.
Back to Top
Closed - Dingo's Beach, Albany.
The National Parks service currently do not allow flying from this
site, which previously offered an alternativeto Shelley beach in
stronger winds. The only way to fly it now is to fly across from
Shelley Beach (its the next beach to the east). If interested in
flying here contact HGAWA to see if it can be included as a flying site
in future revisions of the National Park Management plan. Fantastic
white
beach, away from the tourists, and enough rocks around the edge for a
little
thermal or too.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Coastal Ridge
|
SE
|
Closed
|
na
|
Getting There:
Closed.
Flying:
Closed
Back to Top
Shelley Beach
One of the best known coastal sites in WA, a large coastal site
suitable
for beginners with fantastic scenery, good access and a developed take
off area with wooden hang glider ramps.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Coastal Ridge
|
ESE to SSE
|
Novice
|
320ft
|
Getting There:
Turn Left off Lower Denmark Road at the signposted turn off to Cosy
Corner.
Turn Right up hill after the Torbay Hotel, then left onto a good gravel
road at the top of the hill. Follow this to the end where it splits
right
to the lookout/takeoff and left down to the bottom landing, beach and
camping
ground.
Flying:
Be aware of other pilots attempting to top land when setting up. Rotor
behind take off and at often at SW end of main ridge. There is a steep
valley between the take off hill and the main ridge. In more Southerly
winds the main ridge may be unflyable due to Rotor, but the take off
hill
OK. In a more Easterly wind the take off hill will generate very little
lift and it may be necessary to glide straight across to the main
ridge.
This can make top landing impossiblke if the wind is light as the
valley
cannot be crossed back with sufficient hieght. There is a substantial
wind
gradient at take off so the wind may be stronger than it feels on the
ramp.
No commercial activities including teaching and tandems are permitted
in the National Park without the relevant Dept of CALM permit.
Flying from Shelleys is an approved activity in the National Park
Management Plan. http://www.naturebase.net/national_parks/management/index.html#management_plans
Back to Top
Back Beach
Not often flown due to difficult access. I've never been there.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Coastal Cliff
|
SW
|
Novice
|
380 ft
|
Getting There:
Restricted 4WD access or long walk. Second 4WD track on left heading
back
to Torbay from Shelleys.
Flying:
Good take off on hill 50m left of car park. Top landing good but take
care
not to go too far back. Excellent bottom landing but hell climb back to
take off. Novices should stay over beach area.
No commercial activities including teaching and tandems are permitted
in the National Park without the relevant Dept of CALM permit.
Flying
from Back Beach is an approved activity in the National Park Management
Plan. http://www.naturebase.net/national_parks/management/index.html#management_plans
Back to Top
Lowlands Beach
Another beach dune site between Albany and Denmark. Good if it's too
strong
for Dingos or Shelleys.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Low Coastal Ridge
|
E, SE
|
Novice
|
0 - 90ft
|
Getting There:
From Albany or Shelley Beach drive along Lower Denmark Rd E towards
Denmark.
Turn left at Tevresee South Road. Follow to the beach carpark at the
end.
The site is along the coast to the W of the car park. Either walk along
the beach to a suitable launch or if you're keen and can find it there
is a four wheel drive track.
Flying:
Generally a beach launching site, but there is a top launch and landing
area for hang-gliders. Good wide beach for bottom landing.
Back to Top
Parry Beach/Point Hillier
An impressive big coastal site west of Denmark, great if the wind is
just
north of east.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Coastal Ridge/Cliff
|
E, NE
|
Novice
|
0 - 150ft
|
Getting There:
From Denmark take the South Coast Highway towards Walpole. Turn left at
the well signposted to turnoff to Parry Beach, just before you reach
the
coast there is a turn off to the left to Parry Beach and the camping
area,
the road also carries on straight ahead but turns to dirt. take the
dirt
road straight ahead, which leads to the flying site, which is Point
Hillier.
This will take you down to the beach at the foot of the hill. 4 wheel
drive
access is possible onto the beach, 2 wheel drives are catered for with
a car park before the track gets too sandy. In strong winds walk
down the beach and bottom launch. In lighter winds it is necessary to
launch
from higher up. A gravel track with a locked gate leads from the
carpark
leads to an old quarry and a quite good launch area at the top of the
lower
(dune part of the site). It's a ten or fifteen minute walk, but better
than clawing your way up the face of the dune. Alternatively a key to
the
gate may be available form the campground manager if you ask nicely.
Good camping facilities including toilets and showers are available
at Parry Beach proper, fees apply.
Flying:
The site varies in height from a 50 foot dune at the eastern end, to
500
foot limestone cliffs at the southern end. Obviously a wind that is
strong
enough to allow flying the dune may be too strong on the main
face.
Getting blown back on the main face is not an option, it drops off just
as steeply into the ocean behind, make sure you have enough penetration
and beware of changes in wind speed. Take care in working your
way
up from the launch to the main ridge, as even the high launch is less
than
half the hieght of the main face. There is a good beach landing
to
the north and east, but none at the southern end. Heights of over
1000 feet are possible in ridge lift here, so you should be able to
glide
back to the beach.
Back to Top
Stirlings
The biggest hills in the southwest,
but access for flying has not been agreed
with the National Park authorities..
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Inland Ridge
|
North?
|
Not a rated site
|
3000 ft+
|
Getting There:
Located about 100km N of Albany. Approach down Albany Highway to
Kojonup
then follow signs to Stirling Range National Park.
Flying:
The National Park
Management plan specifically forbids flying from Bluff Knoll and
Hamilla Hill, although it has been flown from in the past. The
Park management plan has provision to work with the HGAWA to approve
flying sites in the Park in future. Please contact the HGAWA if
.you are interested in doing this.
The peaks are mostly covered with low scrub, in a few places it is
possible for a paraglider to launch if you don't mind the possibility
of line
damage. Landing options are also few and far between, but there
are some old gravel pits beside the main roads which provide reasonable
landing grounds. The National Park
does not permit landing in car parks or on roads. Towing up near
by and
trying to thermal across the ranges is an option, but landings
areas could still be a problem.
Back to Top
Porongorups
A smaller range of hills between the Stirlings and Albany, about 1800ft
at highest point.People have flown off Devils Slide at the Western end
of the range, and the old Potato farm at the Eastern End. Access here
is
currently allowed at 3 sites if you obtain a permit from the ranger -
check
with cloudbase and the ranger before you go and don't mess it up for
everyone
else.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Inland Mountain Range
|
N, W, S
|
Not a rated site
|
1500 ft+
|
Getting There:
Located half way between the Stirlings and Albany. Approach via Albany
highway, turning off at Mt Barker, or out Chester Pass road. well
signposted
and mapped. Devils Slide is the most likely launch on the southern side
of the range, a 300m high granite dome with north south and west faces.
This is an arduous walk from the carpark and picnic area. The Old
Potato
Farm is on the North side of the range and accessed from the same
carpark
as Castle Rock.
Flying:
Lots of trees below but farmland not far away. potentially very
dangerous
or very good.
Back to Top
Observatory Point-Twilight Beach, Esperance
A Great Coastal site.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Coastal Ridge
|
SE?
|
Novice (PG)
|
600 ft?
|
Getting There:
On the coast very near Esperance. Road to top
Flying:
Big coastal site. Top landing away form launch is a choice of scrub or
road. Beware of the sea breeze picking up very quickly.
Will fill in details later had to get the great photo below on the
page.
Back to Top
Closed - Frenchman's Peak
Spectacular Walkup Site in Cape Le Grand National Park. Flying from
this site is not permitted in the National Park Management Plan. If you
wish to fly here contact HGAWA to see how National Parks can be
approached to request flying permission.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Inland Hill
|
SE ++
|
Closed
|
600 ft?
|
Getting There:
Cape Le Grand National Park East of Esperance. Flying not currently
permitted in Cape Le Grande National Park
Flying:
Long hike up, not developed. Flying currently not permitted from this
spectacular
site.
Maintained by Mike Dufty/www.mikedufty.id.au/last updated 20
March 2005©