South Australian State
Gliding Championships


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Introductory Information about Waikerie

Please Note! This information has not been revised since last year and some changes may occur.

This introductory information is provided to assist you in planning your visit to Waikerie and to help make your visit a most enjoyable experience. There is info about the competition, accommodation (both on and off site), facilities in the area, meals, non-flying activities, useful contacts, and info about Waikerie and nearby airfields.

Waikerie is located in the Riverland area of South Australia, on the banks of the Murray River, approximately 200 km north-east of Adelaide. Waikerie is renowned for great gliding conditions, having hosted many competitions over the years, including the World Comps in 1974, and the Clubclass Nationals in 2004 and 2005.

Streeting early in the day

The Waikerie Gliding Club and its members invite you to the competition, we assure you there will be some great weather for what is planned as an enjoyable and memorable competition.

The Competition

All facilities for gliders are available on-site. Waikerie has grassed take-off areas: no dust on the grid. The clubhouse and facilities are excellent.

Gliders with individual pilots or teams are welcome. Each pilot should complete an individual Entry Form. Some of the competition maps are here.

Accommodation: on-site

Accommodation is available at the airfield on a first come, first serve basis. Some caravan spaces and camping spaces are available on the airfield, at a cost of $TBA per day per person. Please email bookings@waikerieglidingclub.com.au for more info.

Accommodation: off-site

An unusual option: the Murray River Queen, a paddle steamer, is now tied up at Waikerie being refitted. Motel-style accommodation and a restaurant are available on board. Bookings and enquiries should be made on 08 8541 4411.

Other accommodation is available at Blanchetown (42 km west of Waikerie), Morgan (45 km north-west of Waikerie), and Barmera (40 km east of Waikerie). Hotels, motels and houseboats can be found in the Yellow Pages and Riverland Info sites.

Fuel is readily available from Service Stations along the Sturt Highway, at and near Waikerie or at Station in Waikerie Township.

Medical: Waikerie is serviced by Hospital and Ambulance Services.

Police are stationed in Waikerie.

The Sturt Highway (Highway 20) is notorious for road accidents and is frequently patrolled by Police. Please drive carefully and within the law to arrive safely and avoid costly fines.

Shopping: Good shopping facilities are available in Waikerie township and in all of the larger towns along the River, including Berri, Barmera, Loxton and Renmark.

Mail may be addressed care of

Waikerie Gliding Club
PO Box 320
Waikerie, SA 5330

Glider Repairs and Maintenance: onsite facilities.

After a big dayMeals
Catered meals will be available onsite throughout the competition. We hope you will avail yourself of this facility.

Kitchen and BBQ facilities are available on Waikerie airfield for the use of those staying on-field: some info is on the accommodation page.

Meals are also available at Waikerie Hotel and the Waikerie Club, both of which are only a short distance from the airfield.

Fast food outlets (fish and chips, pizza etc) are also available in Waikerie. (The nearest McDonalds is at Renmark, 78 km by car, in case you need to know.)

Activities other than flying:

The town of Waikerie offers many sports facilities, such as golf course and swimming pool. Nearby entertainment includes:

  • Camel rides - Rex Ellis 08 85432280, www.safarico.com.au
  • Banrock Station (30 km east) has a boardwalk through the wetlands, and the visitor's centre has winetasting and ecological information.
  • There are many wineries, some with cellar door sales, in the Barossa Valley and the Riverland.
  • Gluepot Reserve (65 km north) is a large block of intact mallee, and a birdwatcher's paradise.
  • There's an astronomical observatory at Wunkar, 08 85876242
  • Lake Bonney (about 40 km east) has some boating activities, with catamaran and jet-ski hire (and a cool change from the wheat paddocks).
  • There are a few geocaches in the area. A handheld GPS is all you need to find them. Sounds easy... but not always!
  • The playground at Monash (50 km east) is quite unusual and worth a look for kids and grownups. There's a licenced club across the road for the grownups.
  • Craft shops: Rainmoth Gallery in Waikerie. Almond Grove Crafts at Pyap near Loxton.
  • The locks on the River Murray aren't something you see every day. Lock 1 is at Blanchetown, Lock 2 a few miles NW from Waikerie.
  • Berri Air Tours, operated by Tim Laidler, offers local scenic flights.
  • Historical sites: Loxton has a Historical Village, and there's an interesting old pub at Overland Corner. There's a steam engine museum at Cobdogla.

More ideas can be found at the Riverland Info attractions page.


USEFUL CONTACTS

Waikerie Gliding Club, phone and fax 08 8541 2644
Web Address WaikerieGlidingClub.com.au

Competition Secretary - John Hudson
Mobile 0419 803 093
E-mail: hudson@senet.com.au

Local Businesses:

Waikerie Hotel
08 8541 2999, 08 8541 3104
E-mail hotel@waikeriehotel.com

Waikerie Club 08 8541 2899, 08 8541 2631

Waikerie Golf Club
08 8541 9072, 08 8541 9315, Mobile 0429 419 072
E-mail waikgolf@riverland.net.au

Police
Waikerie08 8541 2888
Renmark08 8586 6606
Loxton08 8584 7283
Berri08 8595 2020

Medical
Waikerie Hospital 08 8541 0555
Waikerie Medical Centre 08 8541 3500
Ambulance 000

Banks
ANZ Waikerie 13 13 14
Commonwealth Berri 08 8582 2500
Renmark 08 8586 4224

RAA (motorist's organisation, breakdown service etc)
Waikerie 08 8541 2600, Mobile (A/H) 0417 841 484

Caravan Parks
Waikerie 08 8541 2651
Sunlands 08 8541 9073


AIRFIELD INFORMATION

Waikerie: Licensed Aerodrome, Identifier YWKI
CTAF 3 nm, 0-3000 ft, 126.7 MHz

Latitude 34° 11.0 S, Longitude 140° 01.8 E
Elevation 138 Ft.
WAC Chart Adelaide 3458, VNC 8
Magnetic Variation 9° E

Competition Area will be contained within WAC Chart 3458, Adelaide.
Avfax Code 5038
Weather / Notams, Area 50
Time Zone UTC + 9.5 Hrs

Movement areas: Gliders operate from grassed areas parallel to the nominated runways.
Runways 02 / 20 Gravel
08 / 26 Sealed

Lighting 08 / 26, PAL operated 119.6

Air Traffic Services CTAF 126.7
Area Frequency 124.3 (B050), 125.3 (Above 5000)

NEARBY AERODROMES

Renmark Aerodrome
Gliding operations on weekends
CTAF 126.7

Loxton Aerodrome
CTAF 126.7

Wentworth Aerodrome (NSW)
CTAF 3 NM, 0-2000 ft
118.8

Mildura Aerodrome (Vic)
MBZ 118.8
Gliding activities take place 2 nm south-west of Mildura aerodrome.
Gliders monitor MBZ frequency.


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