Shelley Beach

Shelley Beach in West Cape Howe National Park, near Albany, is one of the best-known coastal soaring sites in Western Australia — a large 91 m ridge with fantastic scenery, good access and a developed take-off area with wooden hang-glider ramps. It works on E through S flow and is generally considered a good site for less-experienced pilots as a coastal introduction, though rotor from an easterly component and turbulence on launch make a site briefing from the Duty Pilot or Safety Officer of the day mandatory for first-timers. The site is popular with tourists; drones may appear on launch and are the standard hazard to alert the Duty Pilot about. Wildlife is expected — kangaroos graze the landing zone at dawn and dusk. West Cape Howe is a national park; a Parks Pass is worth it if flying multiple days a year.

Launch & conditions

Developed take-off with wooden hang-glider ramps. Rotor behind take-off and often at the SW end of the main ridge — set up carefully. The site becomes unflyable when wind swings far off south. In easterly conditions, expect notable rotor coming up the face — a briefing from the Duty Pilot is standard here. Watch for other pilots attempting to top-land while you set up.

Getting there & local rules

Near Albany. Turn left off Lower Denmark Road at the signed turn for Cosy Corner. Right up the hill after the Torbay Hotel, then left onto a good gravel road at the top. Follow to the end where it splits: right for the lookout/take-off, left for the bottom landing, beach and camping ground. Top-landing is possible with enough height — approach over the hang-glider set-up area at the western end, and divert backwards over the car park to lose altitude if needed. Wind at the hill can be stronger than it feels in the air, so keep the wing under active control on touch-down. Camping is available at the LZ and at Cosy Corner East.

Check conditions before you fly

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