Directions:

Take the exit toward Esmonde Rd 0.5 km

Turn left at Esmonde Rd 1.4 km

Turn right at Lake Rd 4.3 km

Turn right at Albert Rd 0.2 km

Turn left at Victoria Rd 0.1 km

There are 4 Main Sides that are good. The first you see when coming up Mount Victoria is one facing the Harbour, This is usually a strong wind and lumpy lift unless you can get out a bit further. There are trees either side and not recommended for beginners.

Next is the Slope facing the Motorway/ Skate park(NW). Good for beginers. Great lift in heavier winds but light winds are not as good. There is plenty further round the Slope in front of the trees. off to the right of the main area.

Next is NE Slope which I have not flown on as the wind never seems to be there but i have flown on it in an angled wind, It has light lift and is quite steep so should be good if there is wind on it.

Last is the SE Slope which is OK but quite dangerous as there are power lines next to it. There are also large trees. It provides very bumpy lift at best but not much otherwise.When the wind is coming from North Head the lift is quite good there and my experience was limited with it but others have had good experience.

Have updated Picture with Wind Directions.

Probably the inner city's favourite slope soaring site. Great in most winds especially easterly (great for beginners), southeasterly (epic air possible!), southerly (if you want to fly over those pine trees), and Southwesterly for a bit of Dynamic Soaring. Great Landing zones.

How to get there: Easy to find - you can see it a mile away. Drive into Mountain Rd, the up Maungarei Memorial Drive. For more directions - click here.

Specs: 9000 yr old volcanic cone, Elevation 443ft.

I was standing on the Devonport on my way home from work as is my habit and noticed that Bastion Point on Tamaki Drive has great vertical cliffs - how come no one flies there during Northerlies?

Without doubt Auckland's best Dynamic Soaring site. Watch out for Westerlies, grab your glider and go. Suits intermediate to expert rc pilots due to the poor landing zone - lots of volcanic rock about. Watch out for possible strong turbulence behind the crest. If you miss judge your landing be prepared for a long (& steep) walk into the crater to retrieve your glider. Beginners with Foamies will be fine. Epic air possible - especially with pre frontal winds. South slope nice and steep. Great for Southerlies.

How to get there: Drive into Coronation Rd, turn left at Domain Rd and drive to the carpark. Walk up the track around to the left on the mountain. A 20 min walk, but well worth the effort.

Specs: 40,000 yr old volcanic cone, Elevation 351ft.

Has a *huge* wide slope facing north with lots of nice green grass (not a rock in sight...), a massive semi-flat area behind the slope, and fantastic views all round. Not a particularly steep slope, but generates a heap of clean lift coming of the sea. Ideal place for fragile crunchies and the like, and not many spectators around. Fly from the trig station - about a 15 minute walk from the carpark. Bring a good hat and sunnies as you'll be facing into the sun.

Panoramic view from the east (right) to the west (left):

Area behind the slope:

The East slope is part of a low fly zone for full sized aircraft, so no RC flight there

Hill is on the left as you enter the park. Park by the big picture frame - about 5mins walk up the hill. Has large, gently sloping grassed area behind the slope to land a fragile model. No rocks. Also semi DS-able in a SSW wind.

Amazing scenery - pics speak for themselves.

South Slope:

SW Slope (to the left), DS area, with landing area at the rear:

Also, I suspect that if you took a TD glider (preferrably electric) up there in 5-10 kph winds, you would be able to walk over most of the hills at the back of the park while keeping it in the air -- there is a heap of hilly terrain to generate lift. Plenty of flat up top to land safely.

Approx 50 mins from central Auckland in good traffic (but worth the trip on a nice day).

You can fly from the top of the hill in NE - SE "winds" (actually you want nothing more than a gentle breeze) but make sure you have your landings sorted as there are usually lots of people around -- there is plenty of grass to land an Alula up there though.... Its quite a pleasant summers evening soaring from the top of the hill.

The best slermal site is the gentle hill leading up from the Observatory. With a SW breeze (predominant wind direction!) you can slope back and forth for as long as you want waiting for thermals to come through. Plenty of landing area in front of you - just don't stray back too far as there are trees behind.