Hang
Gliding Association of WA
North-West Sites Guide
Area Overview
Mostly a long way from Perth, can be hot and inhospitable, but also offers
some of the best flying in WA. Also great if you're travelling throughor
working in the mines.
Sites
-
Pilbara
-
Gascoyne
-
Kimberley
Pilbara
The Pilbara region is about 1500km North of Perth, drivable in one very
long day but more comfortable in 2. The Pilbara features the Hamersley
ranges, including Western Australia's highest point Mt Meharry. Some very
good possibilities for flying, The few pilots living in the region report
huge thermals and cloudbases over 16000 feet on the best days.
Great potential!
Table Mountain
Impressive site near Karratha, which will take any wind direction.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Table Top Hill
|
All
|
Novice
|
Big
|
Getting There:
Overlooks Harding Dam, about 1 hour from Karratha.
Flying:
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Flying at Table Mountain, near Karratha.
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Mount Nameless
Big hill in the Hamersly Range.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Mountain
|
?
|
?
|
lots
|
Getting There:
Overlooks Tom Price.
Flying:
Somewhat difficult launch.
Dave humphrey and Julian McPherson flying at Mt Nameless in the Hamersley
Range.
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Flying at Mt Nameless in the Hamersley Range.
Video capture from Mike Annear.
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Flying at Mt Nameless in the Hamersley Range.
Video capture from Mike Annear.
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Gascoyne
A big mostly flat and hot region north way north of perth, not many people
there, but a bit of flying around.
Cape Couvier
Big coastal site overlooking the wreck of the Korean Star.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Coastal Ridge
|
W,NW
|
Novice
|
300ft
|
Getting There:
70km North of Carnarvon. Take road to blowholes then 2wd gravel road north
to Cape Couvier and the Korean Star Shipwreck.
Flying:
No beach, but top and bottom landings are possible
Flying at Cape Couvier.
Photo from Bernhard A. Karlen
Kimberley
One of the worlds most spectacular landscapes, well endowed with hills
and sunshine, and spectacular scenery. A bit of a wilderness too, so be
prepared. Most of this info is from John Peircey who lives up there,
give him a call if you are up that way raptor889@hotmail.com
.
Bastion (Sunset/West Launch)
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Big Hill
|
SW, W,NW
|
Novice
|
1100ft
|
Getting there:
Drive to Wyndham (3200km from Perth), 2nd right past the big croc signposted
as THE FIVE RIVERS LOOKOUT to the car park at the top.
Flying:
Launch at the west site a little tight for PG’s a cement ramp
for the stiffies tends to catch the outer set of lines but fine if helper
handy. Great thermal site from a house thermal out over the small houses/cemetery
to the left of launch.Good height gains from August onwards 5000ft+.Landing
is right in front of launch on HUGE salt flats watch for power lines that
run along road visible from launch and darker areas of salt flat may be
a bit squishy.Plus one special area to avoid is the crocodile farm at the
base LOTS of unfriendly snapping handbags.Fantastic place to watch sunset
from!!!
Bastion (North Launch)
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Big Hill
|
NW, N,NE
|
Novice
|
900ft
|
Getting there:
As for Bastion Sunset Launch above, then from the car park take a walk
track to the right of the west launch about 150m was an old 4wd track for
the stiffies but eroded at the start follow to the end car turnaround approx
200m little rocky but a lot better launch than Sunset launch
Flying:
Good on the afternoon sea breeze 8-10kts ridge extends 6km to the east
great if the wind is spot on north.safe to be blown back if the wind picks
up by running off the west end and landing on the clear salt flats.Also
a smaller landing in a old tip in front of launch good if scratching.Also
two smaller hills to the left of Sunset launch work in the Northly the
last one being only 200m from a Ice cold beer!!
Mt Harrison
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Inland Ridge
|
NW, N,NE
|
Novice
|
800ft
|
Getting there:
From the Great Northern Highway turn down the Gibb river road approx 3km
it’s the first hill on the right hand side. A small 4wd track
with a locked gate to the top launch contact local pilots for key.
Flying:
Nice launch for both stiffies and floppys with landing area to the right
over the road slight down hill gradient.This being a inland site and temperatures
in the 30+ region this can get a little rough.But a fantastic place to
get high and cold!!!
Wyndham Towing
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
|
Tow
|
All
|
Novice
|
0ft (4km tow strip)
|
Getting there:
Getting there from Wyndham take the King River road until you reach a salt
flat that lines up into wind fairly close to airport but not a lot of traffic
- keep a ear out!!!
Prevailing wind between March August SE-NE and between September February
SW-N
Can get a little wet between December March and temps nearly always
above 30 .
P.S some new sites under investigation around Kununurra.
Criticism and contributions welcome e-mail Mike Dufty mikedufty@yahoo.com.
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Created by Mike Dufty/www.mikedufty.id.au/last updated 30 March 2001
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