Australian National Site Guide - Margaret River and Southwest

Western Australia - Margaret River and Southwest

Brunswick Junction

A big westerly hill on the Darling scarp, good thermalling potential.

Flight

The hill is quite flat, with a small steep lip at the top, so thermal lift is probably required for a decent flight, and ground clearance will be limited after launching - be careful.

Good potential for crosswind cross country flying 100km plus along the darling range. Better downwind potential than Serpentine due to farms and Collie behind.

Western Australia - Margaret River and Southwest

Bunbury Back Beach

A nice long low coastal dune site which takes a W wind.

Do not fly here until you have read the FlyWA site guide entry.

Western Australia - Margaret River and Southwest

Conto Springs

One of the best known coastal sites in WA. A large coastal site suitable for beginners with impressive limestone cliffs, good access, a popular surfing beach, camping area and rock climbing nearby.

Flight

Small take off right in the lift band if conditions are good. Be ready to be plucked off the ground as soon as the glider is inflated. Beware of rotor from left ridge if wind is off to the south. The take off is in a bowl which the wind tends to wrap around into. Watch the waves to help juidge true wind direction as a northerly or even NNE can feel like a westerly at launch, but doesn't feel the same when you try to launch. The ridge can be flown for a considerable distance both north and south of the bowl depending on wind direction. Land in grassed picnic area near carpark or on beach. Top landing is possible, but difficult due to the small launch area, and usually involves dropping your glider into the bushes if successful.

Western Australia - Margaret River and Southwest

Cosy Corner

Looks like a nice southerly site.

Flight

Looks like an average medium low coastal site. Overhung cliff in front of the carpark with some rock climbs, watch out for turbulence above it.

Western Australia - Margaret River and Southwest

Greenhills

A very long coastal ridge, good flying.

Takeoff

Landing

There are lots of options for top landing on the side of the ridge. Stay away from gullies and sharp edges - there is generally little rotor or turbulence in clear areas. Landing is in the bush so pick a patch that doesn't look too high. Bottom landing is possible on the beach in some areas but getting up the cliffs could be a problem. Bottom landing may disappear at high tide.

Flight

Good site with variety of ridge shapes from rolling hills to cliff. Site often provides good ridge and thermal lift and can be flown in light and strong wind. The route for the local scenic aeroplane flights goes right over the site so watch for them - especially if you're high. If it looks like a good day you might even stop in at the airport to let them know. Carry communication as the site is big and long.

Western Australia - Margaret River and Southwest

Injidup

A low coastal site which takes an excellent range of wind direction from NE to N to W and even SW and features a large bare north-facing sand dune.

Flight

The dune is excellent for beach launching, trees to the north of the dune produce a surprising amount of lift, probably due to the big hill behind. Be careful of large trees at south end and road behind ridge top at far northern end.

Western Australia - Margaret River and Southwest

Moses Rocks

A nice low coastal site which takes a W wind. Features easy access, a launchable carpark and nice coastal scenery.

Flight

Good coastal flying. Beach is quite narrow and rocky, and not visible from launch, take a walk down and check you're happy with it before you launch. Nice flying to north and south of launch. Scope to go further to the north for experienced pilots, jumping some gullies leads to some interesting flying with higher red rock cliffs but limited landing options. Launch and toplanding in the sandy car park is good, but watch out for cars.

A good option if the wind is a bit too strong at Contos.

Western Australia - Margaret River and Southwest

Point Matthew

S and SE flying near Margaret River, but not an easy site to fly safely.

Flight

Very tight landing areas, people have had to land on the road. Watch out for power lines. Hazardous site, quick condition changes. Worse for hang-gliders, advanced site for them.

Western Australia - Margaret River and Southwest

Sarge Bay

Southerly stronger wind site near Augusta.

Flight

Low dune so needs a fairly strong breeze. Flat top of dunes so relatively safe if blown back.

Western Australia - Margaret River and Southwest

Yallingup - Rabbit Hill

A big coastal site which takes a W wind, easy 2WD access.

Flight

Takeoff is higher than it looks, and provides enough height to glide across to the sea cliffs to the north if the wind is on. If its too light to get up then Three Bears might still work. Launching is small and a bit prickly, be courteous to walkers using the path. Plenty of beach to land on. Stay off the dune vegetation and use the path if you need to walk up.

Good potential to soar the coastline if the wind is on. Don't get caught low on the sea cliffs as they drop straight into the ocean. Watch out for increasing winds, and be aware that because the launch is low wind strength may increase as you gain height.

The wind seems to often be lighter here than further south, may be worth a look if its a little too strong at Contos.

Western Australia - Margaret River and Southwest

Yallingup - Three Bears

A nice long low coastal dune site which takes a W wind, features easy access and a nude beach.

Flight

Launching from here is wonderful, plenty of space for novices to get pushed around and a clear ridge just in front. The ridge gets really high to the right and to the left its great too. You can see it from Yallingup. Not much detail for this site, usual precautions for the coast would apply, watch out for stronger winds approaching, don't take any risks with landing in the water (there are cliffs into the ocean in places).