Kilcunda

Description

The Graveyard site consists of dunes on the stretch of coast between the town of Kilcunda and Cape Patterson, and is suitable for STUDENT rated pilots upwards. It may be soared, and offers a glide for learners when the tide is out.

In June 2009, Launching from the disused railway embankment within the coastal reserve close to town has been temporarily prohibited for use by Parks Victoria and VHPA.

Beach nesting birds: Hooded Plovers nest in this area. Visit this page to learn more.

Flight

In lighter winds, the dune takeoff at the Graveyard (on west side of the path in to the beach) is preferred for hang gliders, as the embankment take off further west around the rocky point is quite low and is suitable only for stronger winds.

The dune face is broken and uneven further to the East, but there's a good high soarable dune face about 400m long at the Graveyard takeoff. In a good wind (15kts), it is eminently soarable, but beware - this site has claimed a life in light winds when scratching the low dunes.

No flying past the point right of launch, to Trestle bridge, August to April, because of Plovers nesting there.

Hazards / Comments

The takeoff at the Graveyard is directly above a popular surf fishing spot, so beware of people and fishing equipment on the beach when landing.

The Graveyard launch does have a limited takeoff run. It has become very overgrown, so watch out for undergrowth snagging the hang glider control bar on the takeoff run. Paraglider, student and novice pilots should consider walking along the beach to the east about 150m and launching from some less overgrown although lower dunes.

There is very little beach at high tide.

Be careful not to catch a wingtip in the face of the dunes when scratching if the wind is light.