Best Places To Paraglide In And Around Sydney

Sydney and the surrounding NSW coastline offer some fantastic opportunities for paragliding, from soaring above the beaches of Sydney’s Northern Beaches to spectacular coastal and mountain flying further north and south of the city.

Whether you’re a licensed pilot looking for somewhere new to fly, considering taking up the sport, or simply curious about where paragliding happens around Sydney, here are some of the best-known flying areas to explore.

Important: Paragliding sites have different pilot rating, weather, access, airspace and local club requirements. Site information can also change, so licensed pilots should always check current information with the relevant club or site operator and ensure they have the appropriate qualifications before flying.

Paragliding in Sydney: The Northern Beaches

Sydney’s Northern Beaches are home to an impressive concentration of coastal paragliding sites. Different headlands work in different wind directions, giving licensed pilots a range of options along this spectacular stretch of coastline.

Long Reef

Wind direction: Long Reef NE – NE | Long Reef SE – S to SE | North Long Reef – N

Long Reef is one of Sydney’s best-known paragliding locations, with several flying areas including Long Reef NE, Long Reef SE and North Long Reef. Its grassy headland and spectacular ocean views make it a popular spot for coastal ridge soaring, with different areas used depending on the wind direction and conditions.

Cook Terrace, Warriewood & Turimetta

Wind direction: Cook Terrace – E | Warriewood – NE | Turimetta – SE to ESE

Moving north along the coast, Cook Terrace (Robert Dunn Reserve), Warriewood and Turimetta provide several more opportunities for coastal soaring within a relatively short stretch of the Northern Beaches.

Warriewood and Turimetta are located on opposite sides of the same headland, both accessed from Narrabeen Park Parade, but suit different conditions.

Warriewood faces north-east over Warriewood Beach, while Turimetta works primarily in south-easterly conditions across a varied mix of coastal cliffs and slopes. Nearby Cook Terrace offers a large grassy reserve above the ocean and works primarily in easterly conditions.

In suitable conditions, experienced pilots can also connect between Warriewood and Cook Terrace.

Mona Vale Headland & Bungan

Wind direction: Mona Vale – S to SE | Bungan – ENE to NE

Further north, Mona Vale Headland and Bungan sit on opposite sides of the same headland but offer quite different flying.

Mona Vale is a technical PG4 site that works particularly well in southerly conditions, while Bungan faces towards the north-east and is a more challenging PG5 site for experienced pilots. Together, they demonstrate how even neighbouring launches can offer very different flying depending on the conditions.

Newport

Wind direction: S to SE

At the northern end of this group of Sydney flying sites, Eric Green Reserve at Newport offers south-to-south-east-facing coastal flying above Newport Beach. The lower coastal section is rated PG4, while the larger hill behind it requires a PG5 rating, making Newport predominantly a site for experienced pilots.

With so many launches concentrated along the coastline - and different sites suited to different wind directions - the Northern Beaches offer an impressive variety of coastal paragliding within easy reach of Sydney.

Paragliding South of Sydney: Stanwell Park & Wollongong

Head south from Sydney and you'll find another of NSW's best-known flying regions, where the Illawarra escarpment meets the coast.

Stanwell Park – Bald Hill

Around 40 kilometres south of Sydney, Bald Hill at Stanwell Park is one of Australia's best-known coastal flying sites.

Launching from approximately 180 metres above sea level, pilots are treated to spectacular views over Stanwell Park, the Illawarra coastline and the ocean below. In suitable conditions, there's potential for extended coastal soaring along an impressive stretch of coastline.

The site is rated PG4 and has specific local club and site requirements, so visiting pilots should check current information before flying.

Even if you don't fly, Bald Hill is well worth visiting to watch paragliders and hang gliders launching above the coast.

Hill 60, Port Kembla

Further south near Port Kembla, Hill 60 offers another coastal flying option with views across Wollongong's coastline and the Five Islands.

At approximately 60 metres high, the site works in north-easterly conditions and is rated PG2, although it is primarily used for hang gliding and local knowledge is important.

Paragliding North of Sydney: Laurieton & Port Macquarie

Travel north from Sydney to the NSW Mid North Coast and you'll find a very different paragliding landscape.

Around Laurieton and Port Macquarie, pilots have access to both inland mountain launches and beautiful coastal soaring sites, offering a diverse range of flying within a relatively small area.

It's also where High Adventure Paragliding is based, and this variety of flying sites is one of the reasons we love flying and teaching here.

Inland Mountain Flying Sites

For a change from coastal soaring, the mountains surrounding Laurieton offer opportunities for high flights, ridge soaring and thermalling. In the right conditions, experienced pilots can also use these mountain launches as starting points for longer cross-country flights to the north or south.

North Brother Mountain

Wind direction: NNE to E

At approximately 465 metres above sea level, North Brother Mountain is one of the best-known paragliding sites on the Mid North Coast. Located immediately above Laurieton, pilots can soar the mountain or use rising thermals to gain altitude in suitable conditions, with spectacular views across the Camden Haven region. The site is rated PG4, with lower-rated pilots requiring appropriate local arrangements.

Middle Brother Mountain

Wind direction: SW and SE

Middle Brother Mountain offers two launch areas, facing south-west and south-east, at approximately 485 and 548 metres above sea level respectively.

Like North Brother, pilots can soar the mountain and use thermals to climb higher in suitable conditions, with amazing views across the coast and inland landscape.

The site is rated PG4 and offers a very different mountain flying experience depending on the launch and conditions.

Khatabundah

Wind direction: SE, E and NE

At approximately 300 metres, Khatabundah has three different launch areas catering for different wind directions, adding even more flexibility to the region's inland flying.

The site offers opportunities for soaring and thermalling and, in suitable conditions, can also be used by advanced pilots setting off on longer cross-country flights.

Coastal Paragliding Sites

The coastline around Laurieton and Port Macquarie offers a completely different style of flying, with headlands and beaches providing fantastic opportunities for coastal soaring.

Indian Head

Wind direction: SSE

Just south of Laurieton, Indian Head is a beautiful coastal headland with a gentle grassy launch overlooking the ocean.

The site offers high glides and coastal ridge soaring above the beach, with pilots able to stay aloft using the lift created as the sea breeze meets the headland.

Grant's Headland, Bonny Hills

Wind direction: SSE and ESE

A short distance north of Laurieton, Grant's Headland at Bonny Hills is another picturesque coastal flying site.

Its open headland provides excellent opportunities for high glides and ridge soaring, with a huge beach below and beautiful views along the Mid North Coast.

Bartlett’s Beach Reserve, Bonny Hills

Wind direction: NE

Just north of Laurieton, Bartlett’s Beach Reserve at Bonny Hills is a smaller grassy coastal site overlooking the ocean. It’s particularly well suited to ground handling and is also used for tandem paragliding flights, offering another option when north-easterly conditions prevail.

Harry's Lookout, Port Macquarie

Wind direction: ENE to ESE

Further north in Port Macquarie, Harry's Lookout offers coastal ridge soaring above another spectacular stretch of the Mid North Coast.

In suitable easterly conditions, pilots can enjoy consistent coastal lift and plenty of time in the air while taking in the ocean views.

Why the Mid North Coast Is So Good for Paragliding

One of the biggest advantages of flying around Laurieton and Port Macquarie is the variety of coastal and mountain sites within easy reach.

Rather than relying on a single launch or one stretch of coastline, the region offers inland mountains, coastal headlands and beaches catering for a range of wind directions and flying conditions.

For students at High Adventure, that variety is particularly valuable. We can select training locations according to the day's conditions and each student's stage of progression, while giving students experience across different flying environments throughout their course.

And with Laurieton around a 3.5-hour drive from Sydney, or accessible by flying to Port Macquarie or taking the train to nearby Kendall, many of our students choose to make the trip north for a dedicated paragliding adventure.

Want to Learn to Paraglide Near Sydney?

Seeing paragliders soaring above the coastline is impressive. Learning to fly one yourself is even better.

High Adventure offers a range of paragliding courses in Laurieton, from a 2-Day Intro Course for anyone wanting their first taste of the sport through to our comprehensive 9-Day Learn to Paraglide Course.

Our beginner course is designed to take you from complete novice through the training required for your SAFA PG2 Pilot Licence, with experienced instructors, a low student-to-instructor ratio, all equipment provided and access to a wide variety of coastal and mountain training sites.

We regularly welcome students travelling from Sydney and further afield, with comfortable on-site accommodation available at our school in Laurieton.

If you're ready to progress from watching paragliders to learning to fly yourself, explore our paragliding courses near Sydney and start planning your own flying adventure.