Sand Patch

Sand Patch is a striking high-cliff soaring site on a wind farm ridge near Albany in Western Australia, launching from open ground directly in front of the third wind turbine from the south — space for one glider at a time, with a rigging area nearby for several more. It's reached either by a gated vehicle track (arrange access through local pilots first) or by parking at the wind farm's visitor centre and walking 10-15 minutes along the boardwalk and tracks to the turbine. The ridge itself is serious: cliff lines run up to 300 m along the spine, with long stretches offering no bottom-landing option, so this rewards pilots who are genuinely comfortable committing to exposed terrain. Launch works from south-southeast through southeast, and pilots need to stay alert to downwind speed changes in the lift band. On a good day the ridge stretches 8 km south to Sharp Point and 7 km north to Mutton Bird, at heights of 150-300 m — a possible 30 km round trip — though cross-country potential off the northern end is limited by Albany's airspace.

Launch & conditions

Launch is open ground directly in front of the third wind turbine from the south, with room for one glider at a time and a rigging area nearby for several more. Takeoff works from south-southeast through southeast.

Getting there & local rules

From Albany, follow Frenchmans Bay Road; at 3 km, signs point to the wind farm, and the car park is at 5 km. From there it's a 10-15 minute walk along the boardwalk and tracks to the third turbine. A gated vehicle track offers direct access, but arrange that through local pilots first.

Local rules & hazards

This site exists only because of a sensitive agreement with local authorities and the wind farm's owner-operators — flying here depends on not jeopardizing that arrangement, and it's the only site of its kind in Western Australia. Weather can turn quickly, with rain bands and gust fronts capable of developing fast in spring and autumn; conditions along the ridge don't hold a sea-breeze pattern the way many coastal sites do.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Sand Patch, 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 Sand Patch with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.