Amaze yourself with breathtaking birds-eye views at one of Australia’s best paragliding locations.
If you are planning to give paragliding a go – whether that be tandem with an experienced pilot or just solo – then you’ll want a truly terrific view to take your experience to the next level. To help you make your decision, we’ve put together a list of the nine best locations for paragliding across Australia. Happy Flying!
Image via Destination NSW.
Stanwell Park, New South Wales
Stanwell Park on New South Wales’ south coast is a popular location for paragliding – whether in tandem or by oneself – where you get ocean and sprawling landscape views. Below your feet, you can see and hear the crashing waves and maybe catch a glimpse of a car between the thick forest below. If you are an experienced paragliding pilot, or if you’re a novice, you are cautioned to not land in the sea! You will need to be a member of the Stanwell Park Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club in order to fly here.
Image via Visit Victoria
Bright, Victoria
About three-and-a-half hours inland from Melbourne is the town of Bright, hidden among sprawling mountains and dense forest. The wind can get quite uplifting here, which, can take you up and away. Recent tandem flyers have noted that if you suffer from motion sickness, you should take a tablet before flying to get a non-queasy experience. For experienced pilots, check out North Eastern Victoria Hang Gliding Club to apply for membership.
Image via Tourism and Events Queensland.
Rainbow Beach, Queensland
For $200, the team at Rainbow Paragliding will take you way up in tandem with the eagles above Rainbow Beach, 180-kilometres north of sunny Brisbane. Get a birds-eye view of the southern peninsula of Fraser Island, then treat yourself to a refreshing swim in the pristine waters. For experienced professionals, join up with Sunshine Coast Sports Aviators for your own personal flying (strict conditions apply).
Photographed by f.ield of vision. Image via Shutterstock.
Manilla, New South Wales
Manilla is a town found in the far north of New South Wales, 50-kilometres north of Tamworth to be precise. It is laden with unimposing mountain ranges and valleys with an array of flora and fauna spread out along the sweeping plain. Feel small again by flying tandem, or by training yourself at Manilla’s very own training company. For those who have experience, head over to Fly Manilla and follow the links.
Image via Visit Victoria.
Bells Beach, Victoria
On one side you have a never-ending sea, while suburbia stretches out on the other. Below is the sound of crashing waves and the sight of a perfectly-jagged edge of the world. There’s nothing holding you back except your own volition. And, of course, inclement weather. Here you can fly in tandem or go off on your own if you’re experienced. Head over to Paragliding Victoria for more details.
Photographed by Philip Schubert. Image via Shutterstock.
Albany, Western Australia
Let’s face it, Australia will forever be known as the land of stretching coastlines and spectacular beaches, and here’s one for paragliding. Western Australia’s Paragliding Academy is the most notable host of paragliding in Western Australia and will not only give you tandem flights, but will also teach you all there is to know about paragliding, including looking after and repairing your equipment.
Photographed by Sahara Prince. Image via Shutterstock.
Mt Blackheath, New South Wales
Take a tandem trip down the side of Mt Blackheath, over 90-kilometres west of Sydney. Or, if you chat with those at the Blue Mountains Hand Gliding Club, you can book a spot for yourself. For those undertaking the airspace alone, check out the recent website for details on nearby airports and airspaces. And for tandem passengers, make sure you pack a coat. It gets nippy up there.
Photographed by Graham Freeman. Image via Tourism Tasmania Australia.
Mt Wellington, Tasmania
Tasmania has long been the mystery destination of Australia, but little did you know that it is also one of the best places to paraglide in Australia. The Tasmanian Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association offers some of the most bucket-list worthy flights we’ve ever seen, you can find their contact information here. Where better to paraglide than off the edge of Mt Wellington, overlooking the city of Hobart.
Photographed by Darryl Leach. Image via Shutterstock.
Seaford, South Australia
If you’re after a bit of height, this is perfect as a beach-side glide. One of the best paragliding locations in Australia, here you can hover near the cliff edge, scrape near the sandy beach below, and take in the local scenery. For South Australian and Northern Territory sites, visit South Australian Hang Gliding, Paragliding and Microlighting and get in touch with local paragliders via the website. Paragliding tends to be limited in both these states, as there is no known club or organisation providing launching sites. Launch sites rely on local land owners to allow gliders to launch, and from what we gather, it can be hard for solo flyers to gain permission!
Are you an adrenaline seeker? Discover the best thrill-seeking adventures around Perth or wonder at the world from below with our list of the top 12 snorkeling spots across Australia. Alternatively, if you’re travelling around Australia read our 7 unique travel experiences across the country, or go it alone with this guide to solo-travel in Australia.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
Regardless if you’re a first-timer, a solo learner or an experienced paraglider, nothing beats flying above a picturesque location with your feet dangling down as you control the canopy hovering above you.