Perth Region Sites Guide
Area Overview
This site guide covers sites within a reasonable day trip of Perth,
these
include low coastal dunes near the city, and inland ridges North and
South
of Perth on the Darling Scarp.
Index of Perth
Region Sites
Perth Low Coastal and River.
South of Perth
North of Perth
Quinns Rocks
Varied beach site in the north of Perth.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
Low Coastal Dune
|
W
|
Novice
with Intermediate supervision.
|
0 - 50 ft
|
Getting There:
Quinns is at the northern end of Marmion Avenue. It is the next
bitumen beach access north of Burns Beach. Takeoffs can be found
along Ocean Drive and at the end of Waterland Pnt at the time of
writing. Urban expansion is creating more access to the north all
the time.
Hazards:
Although
only low dunes there can be rotor behind, and the strong winds required
to fly can lead to injuries if dragged. Any part of your glider landing in
the ocean can be fatal - don’t become complacent with regards
to these sites.
The northern part has many rocky outcrops and beach landing areas may
be limited. Do not risk landing on rocks or water.
If in any doubt stick to the southern parts of the face where there is
a nice wide sandy beach.
Some parts of the ridge have roads, houses and powerlines
behind. Be very careful flying these parts and consider
avoiding these areas altogether in stronger winds.
Flying:
Take off from beach or from cleared areas and tracks at the top of the
dune in the northern part.
Take care not to damage dune vegetation.
Council Rangers may deny you flying this site.
This is a public beach so watch out for spectators
There is potential for long flights to the north, possibly linking
sites at Pippidinny road and Yanchep/Two Rocks in the right conditions.
Burns
Beach
Good low beach site for a southwesterly wind.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
Low Coastal Dune
|
W, SW
|
Novice
|
0 - 50 ft
|
Getting There:
Burns beach is just before Quinn’s just north of
Joondalup. Take Hodges Drive exit of freeway, turn north at
Marmion Ave then west on Burns Beach Road. Park at the end of Burns
Beach Road, thedunes are north of the car park. The best launch area is
a few minutes walk up the beach at a large blowout. In ideal
conditions intermediate and advanced pilots may be able to launch
beside the toilet block north of the carpark. 4WD access to
the beach further north is possible for those who like to get their
cars dirty.
Hazards:
The
alternate launching and landing beside the toilet
block can be dangerous due to a complete lack of landing options if you
don’t stay up or overshoot a landing. Only experienced pilots
in ideal
conditions should attempt this site.
Although only low dunes there can be
rotor behind,
and the strong winds required to fly can lead to injuries if
dragged.
Any part of your glider landing in the ocean can be fatal -
don’t become
complacent with regards to these sites.
The gullies can exhibit a strong
venturi effect,
stay well in front in stronger winds.
Flying:
Take off from beach.
In a south south westerly only the biggest dune with the blow out is
flyable. With a good wind strength and WSW to SW winds
several kilometres
of flying up to the Mindarie Keys and Quinns Rocks is
possible, but it may be necessary
to walk a few steps to cross the bigger gaps, especially upwind.
Council Rangers may deny you flying this site.
This is a public beach so watch out for spectators.
Take care not to damage dune vegetation
Back to Top
Mullaloo
Beach
A nice safe westerly facing dune near Perth.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
Low Coastal Dune
|
W
|
Novice
|
0 - 50 ft
|
Getting There:
Most direct access is to park in Merrifield place (see street
directory) and take the footpath to the middle of the site.
Alternatively a short walk south down the beach from Mullaloo Surf Club
will get you there.
Hazards:
Although
only low dunes there can be rotor behind,
and the strong winds required to fly can lead to injuries if
dragged.
Any part of your glider landing in the ocean can be fatal -
don’t become
complacent with regards to these sites.
Lots
of radio controlled models here.
This
is a public beach so watch out for spectators.
Flying:
Take off from beach. Take care not to damage dune vegetation.
Flyable from the surf club to well south of the stairs, plenty of space
behind the dunes before the road makes this a beach site suitable for
novices.
The ridge is only short, however and can become crowded especially in
light
conditions, be prepared to take turns flying.
Council Rangers may deny you
flying this site.
Back to Top
Lieghton
and Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe Re-Opened to Flying May 2005
Good beach site very close to Perth but hazardous due to proximity to
the
road and large numbers of bystanders.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
Low Coastal
Dune/Cliff
|
W
|
Advanced
|
0 - 50 ft
|
Getting There:
On Port Beach Road/Curtin
Avenue between Cottesloe and Leighton Beach
Location
Map
Hazards:
This site has an advanced rating
for
two main reasons, firstly there is a busy road behind launch at
Leighton, and a
less busy road at Cottesloe.
Do
not fly if there is any danger of being blown back, a car will kill you
a lot quicker than rotor. Secondly this is a popular beach in the heart
of Perth, anyone flying here is a very visible ambassador for the
sport.
It may not be possible to fly whilst maintaining legal required
distance
from spectators on a busy day.
The ridge at the Leighton end is
the result of fill
from the road's construction, and is full of rubble etc. and generally
not pleasant to run into. Watch out for the stairway, and
spectators.
Beach landing can be very small
and rocky in winter.
Flying:
Launch is possible from the beach in stronger conditions. In lighter
conditions it is possible to launch from
the top along Curtin Avenue,
although the new fence (2001) makes it difficult.
For the Cottesloe site the launch is from the park
north of Vlamingh memorial offers is the takeoff and there is a gate in
the fence there specifically to allow hangglider and paraglider
launching. Check current
status with club before flying.
Access from beach is only permitted by the designated stairways. Anyone
walking up the dunes in between risks losing site access for everyone.
Site Rules:
As a very sensitive site in the heart of Perth shared with many
non-flying members of the public some additional rules apply to this
site.
<>They are mostly common sense, please ensure you abide by them
and
ensure we keep access to the site in the future.
- <>Do not walk up the dune from the beach other than by the
designated path/stairs.
- <>Act in a manner that is respectful to locals dogs and
visitors
alike particularly on the path where we are very close to the public.
- <>Do not make a nuisance of ourselves by setting up
wings
all over the place and obstructing thoroughfares .
- <>Close the gate after use and ensure that members of the
public
are separated from flying activity e.g. not on take off side of the
fence wire.
- <>No: tantrums, dummy spits, Overt perving on and
leering
at boys or girls particularly runners, swearing and abluting on the
flora and fauna, In fact any antisocial behavior (viewed from the stand
point of the average granny).
- <>Please take time to answer the usual dumb questions and
be
polite and not patronising or dismisive, we are ambassadors for hang
gliding and Paragliding if we are acting like yobs then we can only
blame ourselves for losing the site again.
- <> There are many dog eggs on the beach and we are to
accept
them as a hazard, please don't have a go at the owners of the dogs as
it is a dog walking beach they have as much right to be there as
us, another reason not to bomb out !
- <>Kite flyers should be asked politely to move if they
refuse
then don't fly near them.
- <>If possible we should deliniate an area of operation
appoint a
duty pilot and make it obvious who said duty pilot is, fluro vest is
best.
- <>Please keep as far away from the other beach or path
users as
conditions allow.
- <>Never land in the surf !
- HGAWA has committed to participate in two working bees each year
to help maintain and preserve the area. Please keep in touch with
the clubs and volunteer to participate.
<>Back to Top
Mosman Park
Temporary Closure 1 December
2007 - ?
The Mosman Park site has been
temporarily closed pending preparation and approval of a Site
Management Plan.
If you wish to help with
completion of the plan or reopening of the site please contact Justin
Taubman, Cloudbase or HGAWA.
Not an easy place to fly, but
a stunning location above the river and
some
of Perth's more desirable real estate.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
Sheer Cliff
|
NE
|
Advanced
|
100 ft
|
Getting There:
Bayview Park, Bayview Terrace,
Mosman Park.
See street directory and
location map
Location Map
Hazards:
Only fly this site if your top
landing skills are very good as you may have to land in a hurry in a
very tight space in lift or sink.
Top
landing is tight, no bottom landing in river, the bushes on the ridge
are a better option, do not underestimate the hazards of water
landings, it is very easy to drown attached to a paraglider. Part of
the face is sheer cliffs lots of powerlines and trees.
There
is almost no safe option if the wind gets too strong while flying, so
be cautious and land early if there is a possibility of strong winds.
Conditions
can be hard to judge from the ground as due to the cliff the wind often
feels lighter and a better direction on takeoff than it really is. This
is a public park, take care to maintain clearance from the public.
This is a very extreme site for
hanggliders, top landing is almost impossible on a hangglider, but it
is possible to glide to a shallow water landing in the river to the
north, or even a beach landing if you are very very good - not
recommended.
Site Endorsement:
It is a requirement of our
continued access to this site that only
advanced pilots may fly there. Overseas pilots require IPPI5 or another
rating accepted equivalent to the australian advanced rating. If you
wish to fly this site and do not have an advanced rating, please
contact an instructor and get one.
Flying:
Launch is possible from grassy
areas at either end of the park, south
end
in a north easterly and north end in an easterly. Flying is not allowed
past the end of the park as part of access arrangements with the
council.
Fantastic views over the city and across to Rottnest.
Often flyable in the mornings
with thermals coming through later in
the day. The airspace ceiling of 1500 feet is achievable on
rare
days. In light conditions the site will only support 1-3 gliders so
share
the air.
People have been known to
bottom land on the Point Walter Sand bar,
but this entails either a long swim or a 10km walk to get back to take
off, so out and returns are better.
Back to Top
Sites South of Perth
Serpentine
<>Good site on the Darling Scarp at Keysbrook.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
Inland
Ridge
|
WNW-SW
|
PG-Novice with
Advanced Supervision/Intermediate
HG - Intermediate
|
400ft AGL
|
Permission/Log in:
The first pilots on site each
day must check in with the owner before flying,
if the owner cannot be contacted for any reason you may not enter the
property. For this reason it is
worthwhile to phone the owner before leaving home. One phone call
per day or per group rather than one per pilot would be appreciated.
Getting There:
If you haven't been here before, contact a local club (See the main
HGAWA page for club contacts), check on the current access
arrangements, and organise your first flight with a club member who has
good knowledge of this site. This site is privately owned, so is
sensitive and could easily be lost.
It is located on the Darling
Scarp drive about 5km south of Serpentine down Southwest highway. The
site is just past the intersection with Kingsbury Drive. The
hill with the phone tower on top. The landowner’s
house is at the bottom of the hill. IMPORTANT - It is necessary to get
permission from the landowner before each days flying.
Hazards:
The site is flyable in a southerly
wind, but the air can be quite turbulent if the wind is south of south
west, particularly immediately on takeoff. DO NOT let go of the brakes
(PG) or let your airspeed get low (HG)
before getting over the steep slope and out of the turbulent
area. Because of the shallow slope you may have to run again
after launching if you start at the top.
If the wind is much north of west the
take off
area can be come very turbulent, and the gully to the right of launch
even
more so, suspect these conditions if you cant keep your glider inflated
on launch.
The communication tower behind launch
can be hazardous.
Do not fly if there is a danger of being blown back because terrain
behind
is very unforgiving, the gully to the left of launch can create a
venturi.
A high tension powerlines runs down
the gully
to the right of launch and along the edge of the landing paddock,
another
runs parallel to the highway some distance inside the paddock, stay
well
away.
There are large area of trees in
front of the
ridge in places, keep enough height to glide out even if heavy sink is
encountered. This is an inland site, which means heavy sink is not
unusual,
it would be very easy to put yourself in a situation where you cannot
avoid
a tree landing.
The
local wedgies are usually friendly but have
been known to attack and tear gliders.
Powerlines
along one side, in between is a large
area of tall trees. Away from the launch there the trees extend further
in front of the ridge, and right to the top.
Flying:
The site is situated on the main Darling Scarp. The take off is a large
gently sloping grassy area below the summit. Wind streamer on the
takeoff
seem to indicate better wind direction than it really is, look at the
windmills
out front as well. In light conditions it is possible to
launch near
the top of the hill for extra height, although it can be rough until
you
get over the steep face. Because launch is a little below the
top
of the hill winds aloft may be a little stronger on takeoff.
The trees mean that flying low can be is nerve wracking on this site,
and less experienced pilots have a tendency to fly too far out of the
lift
band and land. The site often exhibits strong thermal
activity and
rough air and sink. Be sure to allow enough height over the trees to
cope
with sink and collapses. Once a little height is gained the site is
very
enjoyable with great views. There appears to be good potential for
cross
country flights north or south along the scarp, but going over the back
leads straight over extensive forest.
Novice pilots should stay to the right of the gully to avoid being
caught in the trees by sink.
Top landing is not recommended, although the cleared area is large,
it is sloping and can have very rough air particularly if the wind is
off
to the south. Bottom landing is possible in any of the paddocks in
front,
but be aware of the powerlines. Low lying areas are very
boggy in
winter spring and autumn.
Site Records:
PG: Open distance- 24km Eric Metrot, December 02, Out and Return- 12km
Justin Post 2004
HG- ?
Warnbro
A nice southwest to westerly facing dune near Rockingham.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
Low Coastal Dune
|
W-SW
|
Novice
|
0-50 ft AGL
|
Getting There:
Park in one of various carparks along Warnbro Beach Road for a South
westerly,
or for a westerly further south off St Malo Cov or St Ives Cov.
Hazards:
Although
only low dunes there can be rotor behind,
and the strong winds required to fly can lead to injuries if
dragged.
Any part of your glider landing in the ocean can be fatal -
don’t become
complacent with regards to these sites.
Public
road close behind launch at the northern
end. Lots of radio controlled models here.
This
is a public beach so watch out for spectators.
Flying:
Take off from beach or from grassy park in the northern section (SW
wind).
Take care not to damage dune vegetation.
The northern part is very low, so a strong wind is needed to
fly.
In the southern part the dune is higher but finding a good
launch
can be more difficult due to fences at top and bottom of the dune.
Council permission has been
gained by HGAWA to fly on the northern part,
flying from the park, but walking on the dunes is not permitted.
Avalon
A northwesterly coastal site south of Mandurah.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
Coastal Low Dune
|
NW
|
Novice
|
0-50 ft AGL
|
Getting There:
Find your way to the beach at Avalon, south of Mandurah.
Hazards:
Although
only low dunes there can be rotor behind,
and the strong winds required to fly can lead to injuries if
dragged.
Any part of your glider landing in the ocean can be fatal -
don’t become
complacent with regards to these sites.
Public
road close behind launch at the northern
end. Lots of radio controlled models here.
This
is a public beach so watch out for spectators.
Flying:
Quite a small site and rarely flown, maybe washed away by
storms
occasionally, but the only NW option near perth.
Sites North of Perth
Two Rocks Beach
A pretty good beach flying site with a long and steep dune.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
Low Coastal Dune
|
W
|
Novice
|
0 - 50 ft
|
Getting There:
Two Rocks is just north of the Yanchep shopping centre just past the
Yanchep
Marina off Sovereign Drive. Take the wooden boardwalk to get to the
beach
and the convenient parawaiting gazebo.
Hazards:
Although
only low dunes there can be rotor behind, and the strong winds required
to fly can lead to injuries if dragged. Any part of your
glider landing in the ocean can be fatal - don’t become
complacent with regards to these sites.
Flying:
Take off from beach.
Take care not to damage dune vegetation.
Council Rangers may deny you flying this site.
This is a public beach so watch out for spectators
Seabird
Low coastal site with distance potential north of Perth.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
Low Coastal Dune
|
W
|
Novice
|
0 - 50 ft
|
Getting There:
Carry on up Wanneroo Rd past Two Rocks, eventually there is a turnoff
signposted to Seabird. About an hours drive north of Perth.
Once in town there are several beach access points, any of which will
do. The Seabird tavern overlooks one potential launch.
Hazards:
Although
only low dunes there can be rotor behind, and the strong winds required
to fly can lead to injuries if dragged. Any part of your glider landing in
the ocean can be fatal - don’t become complacent with regards
to these sites.
In seabird itself parts of the ridge have roads, houses and powerlines
close behind. Be very careful flying these parts. There is plenty
of ridge without obstructions to the north and south of town, so there
is no reason to take any risks, particularly in stronger winds.
Flying:
Take off from beach or from cleared areas and tracks at the top of the
dune.
Take care not to damage dune vegetation.
This is a public beach so watch out for spectators
.
The ridge run to Guilderton (the next town to the north) has been done
before. Pleasant flying but possibly a long walk if conditions
change.
Gingin
Inland site north of Perth. One of few sites that works on the typical
SSW summer sea breeze in perth. In R155 military airspace.
Site Type
|
Direction
|
Rating
|
Take off Altitude
|
Inland Ridge
|
SSW-SW
|
Novice
|
100ft agl
|
Getting There:
Near Gingin (about 1 hour north of Perth on the Brand
Highway). This
site is privately owned. The owner wishes all
contact to be
through
a few people. If you wish to fly this site organise your first
flight
here with a club member who has good knowledge of this site (Rick
Williams, Nigel Sparg or Mark Wild). As with
all
privately owned sites, this site is sensitive and could easily be lost.
The site is a few kilometres from Gingin, Get directions from someone
who has been there.
Hazards:
Potential
for rotor if you get low in front.
Low ridge, so flying is usually close to the ground, it is an inland
site
so potential for strong lift, sink and turbulence form thermal
activity.
The face is very rocky. It may look the size of a sand dune but it
hurts
more if you hit it, and the wind is not as dependable as on the coast,
be cautious. Probably only safe to fly in smooth evening conditions or
in winter, as there is insufficient height to cope with thermal induced
turbulence safely.
Flying:
This site is in military airspace -
Restricted zone R155 -so absolutely no flying is permitted there till
R155 is deactivated - usually after 5.00 pm on a weekday (except
fridays which is usually after around 3.00 pm) and usually all weekend
and public holidays. (need to check NOTAMS for area 60 Pearce PEX -
http://www.airservices.gov.au/brief/html.asp?/cgi-bin/avreq?area=60
as sometimes special military airforce exercises are conducted after
hours or on a weekend in which
case R155 remains active.)
Very small ridge, works better than it looks like it should. Nice big
grassy
launch. If you get low you will be in rotor of the ridge in
front,
its best to stay above take off if possible and top land. If you sink
out
land on the flat area immediately below takeoff. Can be
flyable on
the summer sea breeze, but generally only late in the day when the
strength
dies off.
Criticism and contributions
welcome e-mail Mike Dufty www.mikedufty.id.au
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Created by Mike
Dufty//last updated 3 July 2007©