FAQs

General

Address - 3 Mill Street, Laurieton, NSW, 2443.

By plane - there are several options:

1) Fly to Port Macquarie Airport then travel by car (35mins).

2) Fly to Sydney Airport then travel by car (4.5hrs) or by train (7hrs).

3) Fly to Newcastle Airport then travel by car (2hrs).

By train - you can travel with NSW TrainLink to our nearest station, Kendall Train Station (15mins from our location).

Pick-Up / Drop-Off Service: We offer transfers to/from Port Macquarie Airport for $100 return, and to/from Kendall Station for $40 return. Please contact us ahead of time to arrange transfers.

We have comfortable private and shared self-contained units on-site at our school. Details and prices can be found here.

To book accommodation with us, please contact us via email (learn@highadventure.com.au).

Courses

Age: The minimum age to learn to paraglide is 14 years (with parent’s consent). The minimum age to be licenced to paraglide is 15 years. There is no maximum age limit - we've taught pilots who are well into their 70s.

Weight: The maximum weight for paragliding students is 120kg.

As long as you're fit to drive a car, you can fly.

There are a few training sites where you will walk a short distance uphill after landing to go back to the launch zone.

For paramotoring, you will need to be able to carry 27kg (approx weight of paramotor) on your back and run a short distance for take off.

Note that we've taught students who are well into their 60s and 70s so the fitness requirements are very manageable.

Students taking our Learn To Paraglide course, Skydiver / Hang Glider Conversion course or Learn To Paramotor course must register with SAFA on a New Student Pilot Membership. The cost is $32 (not included in our course fees) and is payable by each student directly to SAFA upon registration. The SAFA New Student Pilot membership is valid for 30 days. You will be provided with information on how to register for your student membership on Day 1 of your course.

Once you have successfully completed your course you will need to register for a full pilot membership with SAFA.

  • Sturdy shoes.
  • Clothes you can move comfortably in (e.g. active wear or roomy pants that you can easily crouch in). We recommend avoiding jeans.
  • In summer you may want to cover up, so we recommend bringing a light weight, long sleeve top.
  • A light weight jacket as it can be cooler at higher altitudes, even during summer.
  • A heavier jacket is crucial during the cooler months.
  • Hat (optional).
  • We supply helmets, but if you would prefer to have your own, by all means bring it. A certified generic bike helmet is fine.

It's completely up to you! We usually take a 1 hour lunch break each day and you have the option of buying something locally (most students do this for ease as there are plenty of food options just a few minutes walk from our base), or you can bring your own lunch. There are picnic tables in our front garden you can eat at with our other students.

Day 1 starts at 9am. Please meet at our base at 3 Mill Street, Laurieton. If you're early, you can wait on the picnic tables in the front garden area.

  • Each day is completely different and set depending on the day's weather conditions.
  • Most days will be spent at flying sites or our training hill.
  • We may move around to different sites throughout the day as the wind direction changes.
  • On days when the conditions aren't right for flying, we use this 'down time' for theory classes at our office.
  • Training typically starts around 8am - 9am, although there may be a few earlier starts on some days if the conditions are good for certain flying sites.
  • We take a break at lunchtime for around an hour each day.
  • Days typically end around 5pm, but it all depends on the weather!

We rely on suitable weather conditions for the safe progression of our flight training. Our courses allow for ‘bad weather days’. Theory is completed on non-flying days. We are confident that all courses will be completed in the allocated time. However, if a course cannot be completed in the allocated time due to unsuitable weather conditions, alternative arrangements will be made available.  

For our Learn To Paraglide Course and our Skydiver/Hang Glider Conversion Course, we supply the gear.

For our Learn To Paramotor Course, our Paragliding Endorsements and our Paramotor Endorsements, you have the option of using gear supplied by us or using your own gear (cost differences apply).

Yes, you can change or cancel your course booking. Our policies for course changes and cancellations can be found here.

Students booking a Learn to Paraglide course or a Skydiver / Hang Glider Conversion course are entitled to a $400 gear voucher. This gear voucher is redeemable against the purchase of a ‘Paragliding Gear Set’, consisting of 1 x new wing and 1 x new harness. 

Students booking a Learn to Paramotor course are entitled to a $700 gear voucher.  The gear voucher is redeemable against the purchase of a ‘Paramotor Gear Set’, consisting of 1 x new paramotor wing and 1 x new paramotor. 

All gear vouchers:

  • Can be used to purchase gear before, during or after your course.  
  • Must be used within 3 months of course completion.  
  • Cannot be accumulated or applied retroactively to previously placed orders/courses.
  • May not be combined with any other offers, discounts or gift vouchers. 
  • Applies to the product value and excludes the delivery charge. 
  • May not be redeemed for cash. 
  • May not be transferred to someone else. 
  • Cannot be redeemed to buy a single product.

We are able to offer group discounts on our courses. Please contact us regarding this. 

Gear

Shipping times vary between 2 – 8 weeks. You will receive a more accurate estimate of timing once we have processed your order (usually within 24 hours of your order being placed). If you would like a more accurate estimate of timing before placing your order, please give us a call. 

Unless otherwise stated, all gear sales are not returnable and non-refundable. 

If you're planning on purchasing multiple high value items, please contact us before placing an order online to discuss a multi-item discount.

We aim to provide top quality products at the best price, so if you find a lower price (including GST and shipping) for the same item elsewhere, contact us to see if we can beat the price for you.  

Tandems

  • Minimum age is 11 years (no maximum age limit!).
  • Weight range is between 30 - 120kg.
  • Basic fitness and good general health are required for safety. If you are unsure whether you meet the requirements, contact us for an individual assessment.

Before flying, all passengers must sign an insurance waiver and SAFA (Sports Aviation Federation of Australia) membership form. This is done electronically on site with your tandem pilot. Passengers under the age of 18 years must have a parent or guardian present to sign the insurance waiver on their behalf. Refusing to complete the waiver will result in the cancellation of the flight and no refund will be given.

  • Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather conditions on the day. Perhaps a long sleeved top or a light jacket as it may be cooler at higher altitudes.
  • Wear enclosed footwear (e.g. running shoes).
  • We recommend wearing sunglasses and applying sunscreen.

NSW Tandem Flights:

We offer tandem flights year-round at various sites along the mid-north coast of NSW. Fly along the beautiful coast by Bonny Hills, Indian Head or Port Macquarie (to name a few!), or take in the breath-taking views atop North Brother Mountain or Middle Brother Mountain.

The location and time of your flight will be confirmed the day prior to your scheduled tandem flight based on forecasted wind directions and strengths.

QLD Tandem Flights:

In QLD, we offer tandem paragliding flights at Wangetti Beach (close to Cairns and Port Douglas). We fly above Rex Lookout, taking in the stunning panoramic views along the coast.

For NSW Tandem Flights:

Please email us 2-3 days before your preferred date. We will assess the weather forecast, and if the conditions look good, we will set a time and location based on the forecast.

You can buy a tandem voucher ahead of time or you can arrange payment on the day of your flight.

For QLD Tandem Flights:

Simply click 'Book Now' on the QLD Tandem Flights page and select your date and time.

Gift vouchers also available.

Tandem flights are a weather dependent activity so changes to your flight may be required if weather conditions on the day of your flight have changed or are unsuitable for flying.

We kindly ask for your patience and understanding should this situation arise – the weather is out of our control and your safety is our top priority. 

Unfortunately personal cameras and phones are not permitted during the flight. A video package is available if you would like to capture your experience.

Passengers are not permitted to fly under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If we suspect this is the case then the flight will be cancelled due to safety and insurance requirements and no refund will be given.

Your friends and family are welcome to come along and take photos and videos as you prepare for your flight.