Shelley Beach

One of the best known coastal sites in WA, a large coastal site suitable for beginners with fantastic scenery, good access and a developed take off area with wooden hang glider ramps.

Getting There:laning on the beach (photo Georgina Bass)
Turn Left off Lower Denmark Road at the signposted turn off to Cosy Corner. Turn Right up hill after the Torbay Hotel, then left onto a good gravel road at the top of the hill. Follow this to the end where it splits right to the lookout/takeoff and left down to the bottom landing, beach and camping ground.
Flying:
Be aware of other pilots attempting to top land when setting up. Rotor behind take off and at often at SW end of main ridge. There is a steep valley between the take off hill and the main ridge. In more Southerly winds the main ridge may be unflyable due to Rotor, but the take off hill OK. In a more Easterly wind the take off hill will generate very little lift and it may be necessary to glide straight across to the main ridge. This can make top landing impossiblke if the wind is light as the valley cannot be crossed back with sufficient hieght. There is a substantial wind gradient at take off so the wind may be stronger than it feels on the ramp.

No commercial activities including teaching and tandems are permitted in the National Park without the relevant Dept of CALM permit. Flying from Shelleys is an approved activity in the National Park Management Plan. http://www.naturebase.net/national_parks/management/index.html#management_plans

Due to the site's scenic popularity, there is often tourists on launch. Please be respectful and maintain your distance where possible. Call out your landings if the area is not clear, or get someone on launch to clear it for you. Another potential hazard is drones. Again due to the scenic popularity, some tourists may try to launch a drone. Alert the Duty Pilot / Safety Officer of the day on launch and they will ask the drone pilot to land immediately.

This is a wilderness area. Wildlife is to be expected. There are often a couple of kangaroos that graze on the landing zone around sunrise and sunset. Keep an eye out for them, as they can be hard to spot from the air in low light conditions. Snakes are also a possiblity, but less common.

Takeoff altitude: 91m