NNE → ENE

Rainbow Beach

Overview    Safety Hazards    Launch & Landing   Site Rules    Permits & Exemptions

Rainbow Beach is possibly Australia’s best coastal flying site

With a huge sandy bowl that serves as a launch and 80 meter high cliffs, it’s the perfect site for wagga and a little acro, or just a long relaxed flight watching the manta rays, dolphins and 4WD enthusiasts getting bogged.

Safety Hazards

  1. Avoid the South East corner of the blow. Turbulence and wind rotor can be experienced in this area.
  2. Be aware there is a venturi effect in the middle of blow.
  3. Rotor can be experienced from the dunes either side of launch in cross conditions.
  4. Top Landing: Do not land any deeper than the area marked in the photo. In strong winds, land closer to the front of blow to avoid compression. If the wind direction is cross (north or east) land on the opposite side of the wind direction to avoid rotor.

5. Paragliders should watch for, and give way to hang gliders, launching and landing in the blow.
6. As usual, all other protocols and regulations as per the SAFA apply.

Rainbow is great fun for mini-wings. Respect the SAFA rules for mini-wing and para-kite endorsements and qualifications.

These exist for your safety and that of others around you. You must have the appropriate qualifications to fly these wings. These are both SAFA rules and our club’s requirements.

Launch

Landing Zone

Launch

Set up and Launch in area marked on map. In strong conditions, set up further to the front of launch to avoid compression.

If the winds are cross (north or east), set up on the opposite side of the wind direction to avoid rotor from the dunes.

Check the tides before take off. During some high tides there are no safe beach landing options below launch.

The general public are frequently active in this area. Please be respectful to them and avoid them during launch and landing. This can be a busy site so be mindful of other pilots and avoid any collisions.

Get directions >

Landing Zone

The beach landing area is now NORTH of the bathing area (or south of the rocks if you can’t make it). Follow the instructions of the Safety Officer or appointed Duty Pilot at all times.

Top Landing: See above

Site Rules

Rainbow Beach, rated PG2 and HG2, is located within the Cooloola Section of the Great Sandy National Park. Paragliding and hang gliding in National Parks are only allowed under a permit. Sunshine Coast Free Flyers has been granted a permit for it’s members to be allowed to fly from Carlo Sand Blow but with strict conditions.

To maintain access to the site, we urge you to follow these simple rules.

  • No more than 30 pilots on site at any one time.
  • ALL pilots must be SAFA members and all flying must be in accordance with the SAFA Operations Manual.
  • Flying permitted in daylight hours only
  • We are only allowed to use up 30% of the car park, so car pooling is essential.
  • Do not walk on the walking track in large groups, break up into smaller groups (to avoid conflicts with other users).
  • No landing south of the bathing area, as this is the 4WD access to the beach.
  • Carry and use a radio, Channel 14 – frequency 476.750 – tone squelch 97.4
  • Pilots must be aware of the Emergency Plan and Procedures before flying – click here.
  • On weekends, public holidays and when there are 5 or more pilots, a Duty Pilot must be nominated. 
  • “Pilots must carry a copy of their SAFA membership card whilst undertaking the activities” – or be able to log onto the SAFA website and show evidence of currency, if asked by a QPWS staff member or SCFF Duty Pilot

  • Be aware that Butchulla land and waters are  a part of sacred dreaming stories. Remain respectful to the environment, culture and history of the Butchulla People.