Paragliding Dills Hill Dill's Hill

Dill's Hill is an inland paragliding site located west of Warkworth, New Zealand. The site is known for its ease of access and suitability for both thermal soaring and some cross-country (XC) flying. Top landing is possible, making it a versatile spot for pilots. To reach Dill's Hill, drive north along State Highway 1 to Warkworth. Upon entering Warkworth, take the first left onto Woodcocks Road and follow it for 10 km. After crossing the railway line, continue uphill for about 1.5 km until you reach a sharp right-hand bend with a pull-over area and a gate to a pine forest on the left. On the right, there is a clay, dry-weather-only track leading to the takeoff area. Be cautious of oncoming traffic at this corner. Proceed through two more gates to reach the launch area. The site involves three different landowners: one for the launch, one for the landing, and one for the paddocks you might walk across to get from the landing to the road. It is essential to send a courtesy text to the landowner if you plan to walk across his property. Coordination through a single person notifying the landowner is recommended. The bottom landing is straight out in front in any one of several paddocks. The takeoff height is 700 feet above sea level (ASL) and 400 feet above the landing paddock. For hang glider retrieval vehicles, the bottom landing is accessed through a farm on Davie Martin Road. Before taking your vehicle onto the property, check the signs on the farm gate and contact the owners. The weather and wind direction are typically from the northeast. The club operates a weather station on Dill's Hill, which can be accessed at [Holfuy Weather Station](https://holfuy.com/en/weather/169). For communication, if schools are operating, they usually use Channels 10 and 26. Free flyers are suggested to use Channel 20 - 476.900MHz. There are no specific restrictions for this site, but caution is advised. For hang gliders, there is a good top landing in the paddock to the left of takeoff, but avoid going behind the crest on top landing. For paragliders, be careful of scratching low down amongst the spines if the wind is very cross. The site is located below controlled airspace (CTA/C) with a VFR ceiling of 4,500 feet ASL. Kaipara Flats airfield is almost directly in front to the northeast, so be aware of aircraft movements and possible parachute activity. If you go cross-country heading southwest, be mindful of the airspace restrictions and flight ceilings. Access to the site is suitable for 4WD vehicles only. During wet periods, avoid driving up any tracks to prevent further deterioration. Always close any gates behind you. The site is closed for lambing every year between mid-August and the end of September. Check with the site monitor for further information. For more details, visit [Parawait Dill's Hill](https://parawait.org/sites/dills-hill/) or [Cloudbase Dill's Hill](https://www.cloudbase.org.nz/site-guide/flying-site-dills). Site Monitor: Kyla MacDonald - 021 056 2320 Notable achievements at this site include several cross-country flights, with the current site record being 77.03 km set by Leighton Joll on March 6, 2019.