Inland hills SW
2100'/650m asl 1200'/ 360m agl PG: Restricted, HG: Intermediate
Overview map Site map
95km NE of Melbourne. In the Switzerland Ranges, north of Yea. Vicroads map 61 E5. Take off is found by following Chisolm Rd off the Ghin Ghin Rd. Chisolm Rd is aprox. 2km past Highlands.

Landowners

The take off owners (Alan and Dianne) are located in the building on the right hand side of the road 1km from the take off area. The PG landing zone farmer (David) is often on site. HG pilots check with contacts for details of LZ owners south of Switzerland Rd. All this area is private land. Respect the cattle, give cattle plenty of space, there is a lot of paddock available. Use gates and styles where provided. Be considerate, show respect for the landowners and their property. You fly there only because of their blessing.

Contact

MHGC, PG - John Archibald (0418 589 330), Andrew Medew (0425 702 957)

Responsible

Skyhigh, MHGC
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Mt Broughton (Thistle Hill)

Large grassy hill. A weather station with a summary web page is available. There is no SMS, phone or radio access to this weather station.
Restrictions: At the request of the landowners, no motorized flight (PPG/PHG) is permitted in the vicinity of this site. As a rule, do not conduct PPG/PHG flights near free flying sites unless you're certain that this will not endanger the goodwill which allows us to fly.

Takeoff

In summer this takeoff is covered with thistles.

Landing

Paragliders

The PG landing paddock is located directly at the base of the hill. GPS: 55 H 0358715 UTM 5888504. Access to it is off Newell Rd via Switzerland Rd. Follow the laneway from 200m along Newells Rd where it turns right, directly toward the base of the hill. This is an easy glide for PGs providing they head towards the landing paddock once they descend to the tree-line, the best thermals are often found around the landing paddock itself! This site is suitable for novices but they are warned to avoid the strong thermic conditions that occur during the peak of the day in the summer.

There have been herds of nervous steers which get spooked by paragliders and even pilots walking through the paddocks. Land as far away from the cattle as possible, and avoid walking near them.

The farmer, David, is friendly and frequently on site. Vehicles are to be left 200m along Newells Rd where it turns right. during periods of fire danger (most of the summer period) however vehicles can access directly the LZ at other times.

David does not want anyone to land on his property during total fire ban days. This effectively means we cannot fly there on total fire ban days.

Hang gliders

The regular landing paddocks south of the road are available without notice. Another landing paddock north of the road is available provisional to daily permission - check with contacts.

Flight

Ridge soarable in a moderate south westerly, thermals can be expected during the warmer months. Flights from here on Leonardo

Hazards/Comments

Turn around is approximately half an hour by car.

Many single wire (SWER) powerlines are in this area.

Retrieve Note for landing east of launch if you bomb before Molesworth: Switzerland Rd ends at a locked gate about 1.5 km east from Newells Rd. So if you land on the north side of the river, and less than 4 km to the East, walk west, and the retrieve vehicle can continue east along Switzerland Rd to get you, and meet you at the locked gate. But if you are more than 4km east along the ridge, especially further down the east end of the ridge, walk east until you connect with Fullertons Rd, which starts at a farmhouse and heads east, and joins up to the Molesworth-Dropmore Rd. The retrieve vehicle can get there via Highlands Rd, or via Yea and Molesworth.