Tiger37 Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 I know there have been previous discussions about both kite boarding and buggying at Lake George but I wondered what the latest position and thoughts about it are? I stopped off on the federal highway rest spot down by the lake on the way back from sydney yesterday. The one that you double back under the highway to get to. There is a gate there with a lock but no hinges on the other end so access is easy. I walked out onto the lake about 100m from a small orange windsock. The ground was rock hard with very low scanty grass cover. Not sure if there are any hidden pot holes or rocks but looked well worth a try in the buggy. I have read that winds can get gusty so may be start on a day with low winds? Is the land privately owned and if so does anybody have his contact details? Does the owner mind access for buggy sport? It would be fun to have a go on something bigger than ovals in Canberra and not much further out than Amaroo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 The highway side of the lake is right near the escarpment. As a consequence, the wind is in a constant state of turbulence - the far side of the lake is much better. The only potholes to watch for are the car-tracks - everything is pretty flat - not sure about the grass tussocks though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 The highway side of the lake is right near the escarpment. As a consequence, the wind is in a constant state of turbulence - the far side of the lake is much better. The only potholes to watch for are the car-tracks - everything is pretty flat - not sure about the grass tussocks though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sluggo Posted November 24, 2012 Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Ah so that is Lake George , I was also driving from Sydney to Canberra and I saw a forest of wind turbines scattered on the adjacent hills. I thought what an excellent place to buggy if it is as smooth as it looks . Huge space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger37 Posted November 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 24, 2012 Thanks Bob. May be I will go and have a look at the other side although at the moment it looks pretty wet and possibly more suitable for boarding! From other posts I think the water is pretty dirty and smelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger37 Posted December 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 After all the talk about Lake George, I decided to go have a look today. Winds were about 10+ knots W and it was pretty hot - 30 degrees; but what the hell "mad dogs and Englishmen....". I went to the rest area off the highway as you come down from the escarpment some 20 mins north of Canberra. Access is pretty easy, just park in the rest area and cross one fence. As Bob has said, winds are a bit turbulent coming off the high ridge but I walked out about 200m and set up with my PL buggy and 8m Ozone Access. Bliss! Great to be able to buggy without having to turn at the end of an oval! The ground is currently rock hard, grass is less than ankle height and I saw no cow pads. The surface is cracked in the heat but even on my PL with barrow tyres, the ride was certainly not uncomfortable. There were no fences. Just one or two very obvious rocks and a slightly ridged section from 4WD tracks. I spent about 90 minutes out there. Winds were variable but I had a great time and will definitely go again. I will recce the far side sometime soon and report on that in due course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted December 30, 2013 Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Its good to hear lake george is usable. I had a crack at Mawson ovals after work - i got sick of the turning around Is anything planned for New Year's day - I could be encouraged to make the trek out there again. BobM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger37 Posted December 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2013 Bob, Nothing planned for New Year's Day. I see winds are predicted to get up to about 9knots at 2pm so may be worth a trip out there again if I can get a pass from she who must be obeyed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger37 Posted January 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Hey Bob and any other Canberran land kiters -Happy New Year! Wind looks promising tomorrow for a possible trip to Lake George early afternoon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy666 Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Looks like a grat location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VB Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Good to hear that LG is shaping up again for kite buggying. Me, Gary, Ben, Bob and quite a few others had some fun times there some years back. One weekend we camped overnight in the middle of the lake and did some night buggying with red and blue lights attached to the buggy and even the kite! I've been a bit slack over the last few months, but decided to take the buggy to Melbourne over the Xmas/New Year break. Had an awesome session a couple of days ago at Elwood Park, just south of St Kilda. Anyway when I get back to Canberra I'll head out LG at check it out. The best wind is the easterly (across from the other side where the wind farm is located) which kicks in late afternoon/evening....usually a beautiful clear breeze which can get up to 25-30 knots. I don't think buggying on the eastern side is worthwhile as access is difficult and I'm guessing that water is still laying around, being the deeper side of the lake. Will post next time I plan to go out. Happy New Year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger37 Posted January 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Thanks for the tip about the eastern side. Look forward to meeting up with you out at LG sometime. Did you used to start from the same point at the base if the escarpment or did you go further north? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VB Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 Yep, we entered at the base of the lookout through the gate and then drove to roughly the middle and set up there. Be careful though because there are old strands of wire along some of the fence lines, so slow and check out the fences before racing through at speed, otherwise..........! Gary, who no longer does the sport negotiated years ago with the farmer for access through the gate, with our own padlock, but sadly some kiters who didn't have access to the key, damaged the gate, and we no longer had access. The farmers lease the strips of land around the periphery of the lake, but my understanding is that the middle is Crown land. You, or someone said the hinges on the gate are damaged, does that mean that the gate can be moved, to provide car access? If not, you could haul your gear over the fence, and walk out a bit, depending on the prevailing wind direction. Let us know how you get on, if you go out there? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted January 1, 2014 Report Share Posted January 1, 2014 I'm going to look at the wind for Saturday afternoon. I expect a bit of traffic between here and the lake with the annual SummerNuts festival on again. (SuperCruise goes past my window at work). Because of the fence hopping I'll take the small buggy in the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VB Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Hi Bob. I noticed you said you visit Mawson oval. Do you live near there? I live directly behind Mawson Primary School, but find Mawson oval pretty ordinary at the best of times, so normally go to Gordon ovals which works well in a NW. Good luck on Sat at LG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger37 Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Let me know if you decide to go to LG on Sat and I will try and join you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigSmyth Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 I am definitely up to go to lg on sat. Keep me updated as to timings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobM Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 Looks like we should make a date rain, hail or shine for this weekend. I suggest Lake George, bottom of the escarpment, Saturday 4 Jan at 1:30 ( I need to be gone by 4:30 ) PM me if you don't have my phone number BobM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger37 Posted January 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 weather forecast looks good - I'm on. See you there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigSmyth Posted January 2, 2014 Report Share Posted January 2, 2014 See you there! Has there been any rain in canberra recenty? I'm away at the moment, get back sat morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm999 Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Speaking of Lake George, had a look at the south-eastern end of the lake bed (Google Maps "Lake Rd, Bungendore") on the way home from the coast and it looks perfect. Hard, smooth clay with short (1" max, shorter than a footy oval), sparse grass. I reckon you could almost ride it on a normal skateboard if you were brave (or stupid). From Lake Rd you can drive right down onto the lake bed proper, no gates or fences. Just head (north-west) towards the Quaker compound and the entry is obvious. The only issue is it would be a bit more of a drive to get there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger37 Posted January 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Thanks. I will check it out. Access sounds very easy. You are welcome to join us on the west side tomorrow. I will have all my kites with me and you can give them a try again, including the small fixed bridle if you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdhot Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Now I'm getting jealous, viewing those photo's of Lake George ... it looks awesome If I didn't have to work tomorrow morning I could have been tempted to join you guys maybe next time, if it's going to become a regular thing (weather dependent I know) Have fun guys JD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JKS Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Photos aye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm999 Posted January 3, 2014 Report Share Posted January 3, 2014 Thanks. I will check it out. Access sounds very easy. You are welcome to join us on the west side tomorrow. I will have all my kites with me and you can give them a try again, including the small fixed bridle if you want. Would love to, but I'm at work. Yay, shifts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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