Site guide

HGFA Site Guide - Index of Sites

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Area Open sites Closed sites
New South Wales - Canberra 5
New South Wales - New England 2
New South Wales - Northern Beaches 7
New South Wales - South Coast 4
Queensland 9
South Australia 1
Victoria - East Coast 11 5
Victoria - East Inland 17 2
Victoria - West Coast 12 2
Victoria - West Inland 15 4

New South Wales - Canberra
Name Location Type Conditions Rating Height
Lake George (Collector) About 40 minutes North of Canberra on the road to Sydney. Inland Ridge E Restricted 3000ft/910m asl, 730ft/220m agl
Lake George (Geary's Gap) About 30 minutes North of Canberra on the road to Sydney. Inland Ridge E Restricted 2400ft / 730m ASL, 180ft / 56m AGL
Lanyon About 20 minutes south of Canberra just past Tuggeranong. Inland Hill W Restricted 900m ASL, 250m AGL
Pig Hill About 20 minutes East of Canberra just past Uriara. Inland Hill N, E Intermediate 950m / 3100' ASL, 350m / 1150' AGL
Spring Hill About 20 minutes North of Canberra on the road to Yass. Inland Hill SW-NW Intermediate 870m (2850') ASL, 200m (650') AGL

New South Wales - New England
Name Location Type Conditions Rating Height
Crescent Head About 350km northeast of Sydney. Coastal E-S
Manilla - Mt Borah Near Tamworth, 350km N of Sydney. Inland Hill All PG Restricted, HG Intermediate 820-880m / 2500-2700ft asl

New South Wales - Northern Beaches
Name Location Type Conditions Rating Height
Cooks Terrace Sydney's Northern Beaches. Coastal Cliff HG: NE-E, PG: NE-SE PG Restricted, HG Advanced 130' / 40m
Long Reef NE Sydney's Northern Beaches. Moderately steep coastal hill, covered in grass, scrub and small trees NE Restricted 100' / 30m
Long Reef SE Sydney's Northern Beaches. Steep coastal hill, covered in grass, scrub and shale S-SE PG: Restricted (with conditions) HG: Advanced 100' / 30m
Mona Vale Sydney's Northern Beaches. Coastal Cliff with a grass slope above S-SE Intermediate 100' / 30m
Newport Sydney's Northern Beaches. Small coastal cliff plus high coastal hill S-SE Intermediate 80' / 25m
Turimetta Sydney's Northern Beaches. Mixture of coastal cliffs and steeply sloping faces with many knolls SE Intermediate 60' / 20m
Warriewood Sydney's Northern Beaches. Coastal Cliff NE Intermediate 130' / 40m

New South Wales - South Coast
Name Location Type Conditions Rating Height
Cambewarra Near Nowra, 120km S of Sydney. Ridge soarable, thermals E-S HG Intermediate with inland experience / PG Advanced 2225ft / 680m
Hill 60 Port Kembla, 70 km S of Sydney. Coastal NE Restricted 200ft / 60m
Stanwell Park - Bald Hill About 40km south of Sydney. Coastal S-E Restricted/ Intermediate 600ft/180m
Tongarra Overlooking Macquarie Pass, 90 km SSW of Sydney. Escarpment behind coast NE 620m / 2030ft asl

Queensland
Name Location Type Conditions Rating Height
Beechmont - Rosin's Lookout Gold Coast hinterland. SE-NE Restricted, PG & HG 1738ft/530m ASL
Dalby Aerodrome Darling Downs South East Qld. Aerotowing 1131ft / 345m
Eungella 75km W of Mackay. Inland ENE-SE 660m asl/ 460m agl
Flying Fox Gold Coast hinterland. N-E PG Restricted, HG Intermediate 1990ft/606m ASL
Gillies Lookout 40km South West of Cairns. Inland mountain range SE-NE Advanced 2,450ft / 750m ASL
Hinchcliffe's (Hart's, Flattop) Gold Coast hinterland. SE-S PG Restricted, HG Intermediate 1730ft/527m ASL
Mt. Tamborine Gold Coast hinterland. NW-SW PG: Intermediate; Restricted if under supervision of Instructor or Club SO. HG: Restricted 1916ft/584m ASL
Rainbow Beach - Carlo Sand Blow 180km N of Brisbane. Coastal NNE-ESE Restricted 90m / 300ft
Rex Lookout 40km N of Cairns. Coastal E-SE HG Restricted, PG Intermediate 80m / 260ft

South Australia
Name Location Type Conditions Rating Height
Tunkalilla Remote beach location east of Deep Creek. 80km south of Adelaide. Coastal ridge ~ 10 km SE - SSW Restricted (PG & HG), top landing HG Intermediate 280’/85m asl, 250’ agl

Victoria - East Coast
Name Location Type Conditions Rating Height
Arthurs Seat Near Dromana, Mornington Penisula, 50km S of Melbourne. Large Coastal Hill W - NW Advanced, HG only 850'/260m asl
Berry's Beach, Phillip Island Phillip Island. Coastal dunes & cliffs Closed. 2003: Threat to Mutton Bird burrows
Cairns Bay 90km S of Melbourne. Coastal S - SSW - SW Intermediate 100' / 30m asl
Cape Liptrap 150km SE of Melbourne. Coastal Cliffs W,SW Intermediate 300' / 90m asl
Cowrie Bay Phillip Island. Coastal Closed. 1985: Mutton Bird Colony present
Craigie Rd, Mt Martha 50km S of Melbourne. Coastal Cliff WSW-WNW Advanced 100'/ 30m asl
Eagles Nest Cape Patterson 100km SE of Melbourne. Coastal Cliff SE Intermediate (Restricted?) 120'/ 35m asl
Flinders Golf Club 75km S of Melbourne. Coastal cliffs S, SSE Restricted 90' asl, 30m asl
Flinders Monument 75km S of Melbourne. Coastal cliffs E Intermediate HG, Advanced PG 90' asl, 30m asl
Kilcunda 100km SE of Melbourne. Coastal Dunes S-SW Restricted 50' / 15m asl
Mentone 20km S of Melbourne. Coastal Closed.

Within controlled airspace around Moorabbin airport. As per Section 4.7 (e), Section 6.5.10 and Section 6.5.11 of the HGFA Operations Manual, flying within 16 km of a controlled aerodrome or below 3000 feet within 8 km of an aerodrome with regular public transport services is prohibited. This is regardless of whether flights are below 300 feet or greater than 25 metres from roads or buildings.

In 2010, the VHPA applied for an exemption for this site. CASA declined, stating: "The area surrounding Red Bluff and Mentone is one of high traffic density with both fixed wing and helicopter traffic transiting, often at 500 to 600 feet, as well as being in close proximity to final approach of the NDB A approach. Given these circumstances and the potential impact on the safety of other airspace users CASA cannot approve the establishment of hang gliding and paragliding operations at these locations, even with the controls proposed in your application."
Phillip Island 85km SSE of Melbourne. Coastal Closed. No flying on any site on Phillip Island if a bird or seal colony is present.
Portsea 65km S of Melbourne. Coastal dunes/cliffs S-SW up to 20kts maximum Restricted 70' / 20m asl
Red Bluff In suburb of Black Rock, 20km S of Melbourne. Coastal Closed.

Within controlled airspace around Moorabbin airport. As per Section 4.7 (e), Section 6.5.10 and Section 6.5.11 of the HGFA Operations Manual, flying within 16 km of a controlled aerodrome or below 3000 feet within 8 km of an aerodrome with regular public transport services is prohibited. This is regardless of whether flights are below 300 feet or greater than 25 metres from roads or buildings.

In 2010, the VHPA applied for an exemption for this site. CASA declined, stating: "The area surrounding Red Bluff and Mentone is one of high traffic density with both fixed wing and helicopter traffic transiting, often at 500 to 600 feet, as well as being in close proximity to final approach of the NDB A approach. Given these circumstances and the potential impact on the safety of other airspace users CASA cannot approve the establishment of hang gliding and paragliding operations at these locations, even with the controls proposed in your application."
Shoreham 75km S of Melbourne. Coastal Cliff E - ESE Intermediate 80' / 24m asl
Sunnyside Near Mornington, 50km S of Melbourne. Coastal Cliff NW Intermediate 90'/ 27m asl

Victoria - East Inland
Name Location Type Conditions Rating Height
Gundowring (Savhill) 40km SSE of Albury/Wodonga, in the north end of the Kiewa valley. Inland ridge NNW, SSW Restricted 640m / 2100ft asl, 400m / 1310ft agl
Landscape 70km N of Melbourne. Inland hill N to W Advanced 1400' agl, 425m asl, 2400' / 730m AMSL
Mt Broughton (Thistle Hill) 95km NE of Melbourne. Inland hills SW PG: Restricted, HG: Intermediate 2100'/650m asl 1200'/ 360m agl
Mt Buffalo Near Bright, 220km NE of Melbourne. Inland mountain NE Advanced, Int HG under supervision 1269m / 4255ft asl, 975m / 3200ft agl
Mt Dandenong 30km E of Melbourne. Inland mountain WNW Advanced - HG only. 1460'/ 445m agl
Mt Donna Buang Near Warburton, 90km NE of Melbourne. Inland mountain range Light to moderate S or light N Advanced - HG only 3100' / 945m agl; 3540' / 1080m asl
Mt Elliot Near Corryong, 320km NE of Melbourne. Inland mountain N, NE Intermediate 2000' / 600m agl, 3300' / 1000m asl
Mt Emu Near Mt Beauty, 230km NE of Melbourne. Inland Mountain SW (Emu 2: NW) Intermediate 1360m / 4460ft asl, 975m / 3200ft agl
Mt Mittamatite Near Corryong, 320km NE of Melbourne. Inland Mountain E Intermediate 2000' / 610m agl
Mt Terrible 115km ENE of Melbourne. Inland Mountain NE Advanced 4215 ft / 1297m asl, 3152 ft / 970m agl
Murmungee South of Beechworth, North East Victoria. Inland ridge SSW Intermediate (but no bottom landing for HG) 1200'/ 365m agl
Myrtleford Hill Myrtleford, 210km NE of Melbourne. Inland Closed. 1988: Closed as pine plantation has obscured launch
Mystic Near Bright, 220km NE of Melbourne. Inland, Ridge, Mountain N (valley wind) Intermediate 797m / 2614ft asl, 477m / 1564ft agl
Tawonga Gap Near Mt Beauty, 220km NE of Melbourne. Inland mountain ridge NE Intermediate 1036m / 3400ft asl, 610m / 2000ft agl
The Paps Near Mansfield, 120km NE of Melbourne. Inland hill Various launches face, N, W, E, SW, S & SE Intermediate 1060' to 1320' (320m to 400m) agl - 700m / 2300' asl (N launch)
The Pines (Buckland Ridge) Near Beechworth, 210km NE of Melbourne. Inland ridge S, SE, SSW Intermediate (Restricted?) 1,200'/365m agl, 1,850'/565m asl
Three Sisters (Flowerdale) Near Flowerdale, 60km NNE of Melbourne. Inland hill Light to moderate N or S Restricted (North), Intermediate (South). 750' / 230m agl
Warrigal Rocks Near Yea, 90km NE of Melbourne. Inland Closed. 1992: No suitable landing areas.
Yarragon Near Leongatha, 120km SE of Melbourne. Inland Hill N Restricted (Intermediate?) 900' / 275m agl

Victoria - West Coast
Name Location Type Conditions Rating Height
Barwon Heads (13th Beach) 90km SW of Melbourne, Via Geelong. Coastal dunes S-SW
Bells Beach Near Torquay, 90km SW of Melbourne. Coastal Cliffs S - E Restricted. Winkipop launch: HG Advanced 100 to 250' / 30 to 75m asl
Clifton Springs 70km SW of Melbourne, via Geelong. Coastal Closed. 1999: Dune Erosion
Eumeralla (Red Rocks) Near Anglesea, 100km SW of Melbourne. Coastal Cliffs SE Advanced (Intermediate?) Not recommended for HG. 300' asl, 90m asl
Fishermans Beach Near Torquay, 90km SW of Melbourne. Coastal Closed. 1995: Dune Erosion
Flaxmans Hill Near Warrnambool, 240km SW of Melbourne. Coastal Cliffs SW Intermediate 180' / 55m asl
Grannies Grave Warrnambool, 240km SW of Melbourne. Coastal dunes S Intermediate (Restricted?) 60' / 18m asl
Johanna About 30km W of Cape Otway, 180km SW of Melbourne. Coastal Cliffs S-SSW Intermediate Saddle launch: 200'/60m asl
Logans Beach Warrnambool, 240km SW of Melbourne. Coastal dunes S Intermediate 60' / 18m asl
Marriners Lookout Apollo Bay, 160km SW of Melbourne. Coastal Hill SE Restricted 750' asl, 230m asl
Mt Meuron Via Wye River, 160km SW of Melbourne. Large Coastal Hill S, SSE Intermediate 450' / 140m asl
Ocean Grove 90km SW of Melbourne, via Geelong. Coastal Dunes S-SSW Intermediate 45' / 15m asl
Portland Portland area, 320km WSW of Melbourne. Dunes & cliffs Various - all except N Various - Restricted to Advanced Various - 30' - 400' / 9m - 120m asl
Spion Kop (Fairhaven, Aireys, Moggs) Near Aireys Inlet, 130km SW of Melbourne. Coastal Hill SSW to SSE Restricted under supervision - Students prohibited 150' / 45m asl

Victoria - West Inland
Name Location Type Conditions Rating Height
Ben More Near Beaufort, 140km W of Melbourne. Inland Ridge SW Restricted 1000' / 300m agl
Ben Nevis Near Beaufort, 140km W of Melbourne. Inland Mountain W, NW Intermediate 1350' / 410m agl, 2400' / 730m amsl
Birchip Tow Paddock 280km NW of Melbourne. Flatlands All - 280'/ 85m asl
Cave Hill Near Beaufort, 140 km West of Melbourne. Inland Mountain W, WSW Experienced Intermediate - HG only 1200' / 360m agl
Colliers Gap Near Beaufort, 140 km West of Melbourne. Inland Mountain N to NE Advanced - HG only 1100ft agl
Dynamic Flightpark At Trawalla, 135km W of Melbourne. Inland Ground & Aero Towing All Restricted 1000' / 300m asl
Elmhurst Hill Near Beaufort, 140km W of Melbourne. Inland hill ESE - SSE Restricted 600'/ 180m agl
Gordon Near Ballarat, 100km W of Melbourne. Inland Hill S, SE Restricted (Intermediate?) 1330'/ 400m agl, 2200'/670m amsl
Grampians 220km WNW of Melbourne. Closed. Parks Victoria do not currently allow hang gliding or paragliding in the Grampians National Park due to past problems with pilots needing to be rescued from the difficult terrain. For more information see the site management plan, section 6.11. The sites around Ben Nevis, some 70km to the E, offer an alternative.
Mt Buangor Near Beaufort, 140km West of Melbourne. Inland Mountain S, SSW Advanced, HG only 1850' / 560m agl
Mt Buninyong Near Ballarat, 100km W of Melbourne. Inland hill E -ESE Advanced 600'/ 180m agl
Mt Elephant Derrinallum, 130km W of Melbourne. Inland Closed. The Mt. Elephant management committee currently does not allow any sports including hang-/paragliding.
Mt Hollowback Near Ballarat, 100km W of Melbourne. Inland hill N and W Restricted 300'/ 90m agl, 1800' / 545m asl
Mt Langhi Ghiran Near Beaufort, 140km W of Melbourne. Inland Closed. 1997: Road Closed
Mt Lonarch Near Ballarat, 100km W of Melbourne. Inland Mountain E or light NE Intermediate with minimum Int. Glider 1350' / 410m agl
Mt Sugarloaf Near Beaufort, 140km W of Melbourne. Inland Mountain N Intermediate 1250' / 380m agl, 2300' / 700m amsl
Mt Tarrengower Near Maldon, 120km NW of Melbourne. Inland hill W-WNW HG ?; PG Advanced ~530m asl, 250m agl
The Escarpment Near Beaufort, 140km W of Melbourne. Inland Closed. 1995: Considered too dangerous to fly.
Werribee Gorge Near Bacchus Marsh, 40km NW of Melbourne. Inland - Side of Gorge N, NE Advanced 500' / 150m above valley floor