Last Saturday Newcastle hang gliding club members went flying at BrokenBack mountain, about forty kilometers west of Newcastle and a popular site when the thermals are coming up the north facing (into the sun here in the southern hemisphere) slopes. The winds were forecasted to be light northeast. They turned out to be from the west above the low (first of three) inversion.

Launch is quite a drive back through the Pokobin State Forest (we saw three Gowanas scampering across the dirt tracks and up trees as we drove in). You'll want to go there with a club member. Everyone meets at Freeman's Waterhole (see link above) and is prepared to leave at 10:30 AM (if the day is on - someone should be there on reasonable weekend days). Share a ride or get a ride from someone else after you all decide where to go (there are other local launches).

There is plenty of room to set up on launch for maybe twenty gliders (if not more up the road). The setup area is fairly flat. There is a treed area out in front of launch with a bail out LZ to the right, but you do have to go over a few trees to get there. Other large LZ's are a little further to the right.

There is a military firing range (Singleton Military Area) in front and to the left. You'll want to avoid landing there. If you are heading west stay in the ranges for six or seven kilometers and you'll get past the firing range.

On the right day it is possible to make it back to Redhead as long as you have reasonable landing areas within glide. With an east wind, head to Rhylston and Gulgong.