float down on a cloud on a Glider

�The Favourite� Gliding Over Byron Bay

This is the perfect introduction to the exhilarating sport of soaring, and also the best way to see Byron Bay from the air. Glide on silent wings over Byron Bay�s beaches and Hinterland, looking out for eagles, dolphins and whales that we encounter on most flights.

�The Mt Warning� Gliding Over Byron Bay

A Soaring Adventure! Climb aboard the DG 500 M, one of the best dual seater competition gliders in Australia! This flight will take you to the volcanic caldera of Mt Warning, one of the largest extinct volcanoes in the southern hemisphere with spectacular views from the mountains to the sea.

8 Private Horse Riding Lessons

Giddy Up! Horse riding lessons are the ideal way to learn confidence, balance and co-ordination in a controlled environment. Enjoy 8 private lessons at Australia's largest horse riding centre. We provide training on grooming, saddling, ground control, walking, trotting and cantering in harmony with the horse. Enjoy the thrill of riding through unspoilt Australian bush and gliding across lush green valleys. We specialise in a variety of activities and classes designed especially for children. Safety is our priority...fun is our specialty!

8 Private Horse Riding Lessons

Giddy Up! Horse riding lessons are the ideal way to learn confidence, balance and co-ordination in a controlled environment. Enjoy 8 private lessons at Australia's largest horse riding centre. We provide training on grooming, saddling, ground control, walking, trotting and cantering in harmony with the horse. Enjoy the thrill of riding through unspoilt Australian bush and gliding across lush green valleys. We specialise in a variety of activities and classes designed especially for children. Safety is our priority...fun is our specialty!

Adrenalin Tropical Challenge - Cairns

Tackle some of the best adrenalin experiences available in Tropical North Queensland, with the Adrenalin Tropical Challenge! Prepare to take on three awesome challenges: Whitewater Rafting on the Tully River, the Minjin Jungle Swing and Quad Biking in Kuranda. Whitewater Rafting…the Tully River is certain to provide you with more than enough whitewater rafting excitement to satisfy your thirst for adventure! This full day 12km white water adventure on the Tully River will have you tackling up to 45 action packed rapids as you pass through World Heritage rainforest and waterfalls that cascade down the gorge walls. The Tully River is rated moderate to challenging offering mainly grade 3 and 4 rapids. Minjin Jungle Swing - From the inventors of Bungy.... comes MINJIN - the jungle swing! You will find youself hanging high amongst the rainforest nestled in the trees ready to soar at speeds of up to 100kms! Once you get your harness on (similar to a hang-gliding harness), the Swing Operator hooks you to the rack (either by yourself or with 1 or 2 friends). You are then winched 40m above the rainforest canopy. The Swing Operator will signal when it is time to pull the release cable. Gravity then takes over and the fun begins. Riding your own 4 wheel motorcycle (ATV) through the unique Australian bushland and mountain trails is an exciting way to experience the stunning scenery. You will be given instruction and a complete rundown by the guides at the training track on how to handle the Quad Bikes before you hit the tracks which follow many different types of terrain. The bikes are Honda TRX 250cc All Terrain Vehicles which are easy to ride from the beginner through to the experienced rider. If it's adrenalin you are looking for in Tropical North Queensland … look no further! These experiences can be done over two or three days. Accommodation is not included.

Aerochute Trial Instruction Flight

Your aerochute experience begins with a pre-flight briefing. Your instructor will explain the aircraft controls, and outline the fundamentals of piloting an aerochute. Then it's out to the runway for pre-flight checks. After the checks have been completed its time to strap in for take off. Once in the air you can take in the beautiful views of the surrounding areas, depending on your chosen location this may be the You Yang Hills, Melbourne City or the coastline and bay. You then have the option to take the controls and fly for yourself and even do a touch and go on the runway! The aerochute can fly in Australia up to 5000 feet legally, however there are some space limitations when you fly closer to a major city. You will be able to fly up to 1500 feet at our Werribee location. The height at which you may fly will vary from state to state. Your Trial Introductory Flight is your very first entry into your Pilot Log Book if you choose to continue to have lessons ? so it could well be the start of a life long love affair with the sky. Please Note: You are welcome to purchase an aerochute trial instructional flight in Brisbane, however your experience must be redeemed after October. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.

Competition Glider over Byron Bay - 30 minutes

This is one of the best ways to see Byron from the air, and it is the perfect introduction to the sport of gliding! After take-off from the Airfield, we will fly low level along some of the most beautiful beaches in Byron Bay. Once reaching the most Easterly point of Australia known as Cape Byron and flying over the famous lighthouse we climb to 3000 feet and cut the engine. Let the soaring begin! The views to the Gold Coast, Mount Warning, the volcanic caldera and the Great Dividing Range are spectacular - so don't forget your camera! Taking advantage of the thermals and ridge-lift created by the sun and winds, we glide all the way back over the beautiful hinterland of Byron Bay for an engine-off landing back on the airfield.

Competition glider over Byron Bay - 120 minutes

Come and experience a stunning flight over beautiful Byron Bay and surrounding areas. We recommend this flight for anyone wanting to experience the true fun of gliding. This flight is a once in a lifetime experience in a high tech competition glider. This flight will take you all the way to the volcanic caldera of Mt Warning - one of the largest extinct volcanoes in the southern hemisphere. After take off, you will fly north along the beach until reaching Brunswick Heads then head inland and continue over Mt Chincogan and the Main Arm Valley, climbing to over 4,500 feet. The views to Mount Warning and the Great Dividing Range in the west of Byron Shire, all the way up to the gold coast, are spectacular from this height so make sure you have your camera! Maybe now is a good time to take the controls for yourself. Our experienced pilot will be right there with you to provide all instructions. Once over the caldera, you can continue all the way to Mt Warning and fly over its impressive peak and cliffs. From Mt. Warning we continue to the northern rim of the caldera, soaring along its rugged steep cliffs. Crossing the Kyogle valley, we fly back over Nimbin, Mount Nadi, Minyon Falls and finally Byron Bay. You will have magnificent views of the Great Diving Range , Mount Warning and the Gold Coast. We will be using thermals and ridgelift along the way to give you a real soaring experience. On these flights very often we encounter large wedgetail eagles soaring the thermals with us, sometimes just a few feet away from our wings. We promise you won't be disappointed!

Cruise & Scuba Diving Introductory Experience

As an accredited PADI facility, we offer comfortable first-time / introductory diving at Reefworld, a permanently moored adventure platform on the Great Barrier Reef. Reefworld is positioned on the outer edge of Hardy Reef, which is a 'patch reef' on the Great Barrier Reef and all dives are conducted along the 70 metre reef wall. First time divers will see how enjoyable and easy scuba diving really is! After a 20 minute briefing en route to Reefworld, you?ll be fitted with your equipment in the dive area and then taken to the ?Moon Pool? (our underwater entry point) for a practice session. Once you?ve mastered the skills, the dive instructor will gently guide you down the rope trail to a depth of 8-10 metres. A series of rope trails along the reef are used for reference points and security for the less confident and inexperienced divers. For 30 minutes, you?ll have time to enjoy the beauty of the reef and be amazed by the bountiful and spectacular fish life. We operate with small groups of 4 divers per instructor which means we can offer a high level of supervision. If you?re lucky, Wally the Hump Headed Maori Wrasse will come say hello or you might even spot a turtle or eagle ray gliding by. Divers can also expect to see a large variety of soft and hard corals and many species of ?people friendly? fish ? sergeant majors, tusk fish, surgeon fish and fusiliers to name a few. Enjoy the rest of the day?s activities at Reefworld such as snorkelling, semi-submersible tours, use of the underwater viewing chamber, sunbathing and lunch at your convenience around your organised dive time.

Deluxe Gliding Experience - NSW

This flight will take you all the way to the volcanic caldera of Mt Warning, one of the largest extinct volcanoes in the southern hemisphere. After take off, you will fly north along the beach until reaching Brunswick Heads then head inland and continue over Mt Chincogan and the Main Arm Valley, climbing to over 4,500 feet. The views to Mount Warning and the Great Dividing Range are spectacular from this height, make sure you have your camera with you. Maybe now is a good time to take the controls for yourself. By all means don�t be shy. Our experienced pilot will be right there with you making sure you understand every facet of the controls you now have in your hands. Once over the caldera, you can continue all the way to Mt Warning and fly over its impressive peak and cliffs or head towards Byron Bay and the lighthouse finishing with a low level flight along the beach back to the airfield. Mt. Warning we continue to the northern rim of the caldera, soaring along its rugged steep cliffs. Crossing the Kyogle valley, we fly back over Nimbin, Mount Nadi, Minyon Falls and finally Byron Bay. It is indeed the ultimate soaring experience, and your pilot will introduce you to a new understanding of the skies, as we use thermals, ridge lift and possibly even wave to navigate the hidden currents of rising air over a most magnificent landscape. Please note this flight is dependent on the weather. This flight has a weight restriction of 100kgs.

The History of Gliding

The sport of gliding or soaring as it is known in the United States has origins dating to man's earliest attempts of flight. The original contraptions that inventors made from wood and fabric were the first real gliders.

During the 1800s inventors from all over the world were experiencing flight. At this stage it was all about gliding rather than having a motorised aircraft. Controlling flight was deemed more important than making the inventions go further and faster with engines.

The family name that features more significantly than any others in flight history had a huge hand in the development of gliding. The Wright Brothers in the early 1900s were consistently gliding in the hills of North Carolina, USA. They were experimenting with different designs to see what aerodynamics worked effectively for flight.

In 1906, the first gliding meet was sponsored by the Aero Club of America. As time passed, and the World Wars came and went, the technology available for flight expanded. The materials and designs were much improved and this produced more advanced gliders.

By the 1950s, there were world championships being held and gliding was a very popular sport. With a resurgence in hang gliding and the development of ultra light aircrafts, the designs improved even further.

Today, there are over 40,000 register glider pilots in the United States and over 100 registered organisations with the Gliding Federation of Australia.   © MAS 2007

How Do Gliders Stay In The Air?

There are three main sources of lift that can keep a glider in the air for hours.

Ridge Lift

When wind races up the side of a mountain or slope, this is called ridge lift. The upward movement of the wind can keep a glider in the air for hours and when flying over numerous ranges, this can allow a glider to travel long distances.

Thermal Lift

Most people have heard of thermals but don't understand how they work. Thermals are simply columns of hot air that rise from the earth. A glider can use thermals much like birds. Gliders can turn within the thermal and spiral upwards to gain altitude.

Wave Lift

As wind passes over a mountain range or peak, it creates a wave like effect. The air passes over the peak and much like in the water, a wave is formed. These top of these air waves can be significantly higher than the mountain range. This form of lift has been known to send gliders to 40,000 feet.   © MAS 2007