Long Reef SE

Long Reef SE is a short, steep coastal ridge on the southern face of Long Reef Point, about 45 minutes' drive from central Sydney. The 9 m ridge runs from beach level at the western end, up to the crown of the headland, and turns slightly southeast down to sea level at the eastern end. It faces SSE with a steep-to-very-steep slope, covered in tussock grass, low bush, exposed rock and shale — the salt air keeps trees away. It works on SE and S flow. Because the hill rises east, pilots flying eastward tend to be lower and 'hug' the cliff while those flying west are usually higher and often out to sea — a pattern that inverts the normal right-of-way rules but produces cleaner separation in practice. Controlled airspace starts at 2,500 ft. The two main hazards are the launch technique and the small landing options at high tide.

Launch & conditions

The launch is a grassy area part-way along the walking track on the southern face — level at best, sloping backwards away from the ridge at worst. To launch, step down the steep 'goat track' that goes over the edge; space for one pilot at a time. Other pilots can hold your leading edge; experienced pilots regularly launch here unaided. The steep slope makes the wing overshoot quickly on inflation: be ready to check it early. Standard technique is to kite the wing and walk backwards a few steps onto level ground before turning and taking off. Be prepared to leave the ground facing backwards if you fail to control an overshoot.

Getting there & local rules

Park in the car park on the northern side (near the golf club) — do NOT walk across the golf course. Walk along the path past the lookout and around to the southern side. Alternatively use the Long Reef beach car park and walk along the Greenlink track. Parking meters apply in both car parks. A planned landing on the beach to the southwest is the easiest option. Sand and tidal rock shelves in front of take-off are bomb-out options at low tide; at high tide the rock shelf is under shallow water — you'll stand up but the wave action can trash your kit. Top-landing is straightforward if you don't drift far back.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Long Reef SE, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Long Reef SE with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.