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Old 10-01-2016, 03:06 PM
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NSW informal Astro Camping Trips

The idea of this thread is to provide a link to information for those around the Central Coast (and Sydney-Newcastle etc.) of any proposed informal Astro camping trips.
{edit: - and Dunk in Brisbane - you crazy travelling thing}

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Trips are around New Moon (often pre to allow early start).
* Bretti just 3 hours north of Sydney is a regular destination, with free camping, dark skies, plenty of space, and pleasant environment, river swimming.
other further afield
* Caffey Dam (south of Tamworth, $5 per night, better facilities, hot showers)
* Gel Riddle Reserve (north of Tamworth, good skies, better weather - usually very DRY, free camping, basic facilities, little water, but close to Barraba town)
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  #2  
Old 15-01-2016, 01:51 AM
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GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)
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anybody ever been here
http://www.forestrycorporation.com.a.../forests/olney

the Basin looks a likely spot
geoff
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Old 15-01-2016, 08:10 AM
glend (Glen)
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Geoff it is very close to my place, and I have been by there many times on 4wd trips in the Watagans. While the whole area is heavily forested the Basin is partially open. I have not stayed at the Basin, only drove by, but i know you cannot drive in and vehicle camp, it is protected by bollards/fencing and you have to walk in and pitch a tent but can park a vehicle nearby. As it sits on top the Watagans it will be subject to the coastal cloud that builds up against them. On the right night, it could be a good temporary spot like the Pony Club if you don't mind leaving your vehicle at the fence, but dodging the trees surrounding the area, the scope useful horizon would be fairly high due to the trees as you can see by the attached photos I grabbed from the Net.

http://images.everytrail.com/pics/fu...n_campsite.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-R...123_071506.JPG

Last edited by glend; 15-01-2016 at 08:53 AM.
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Old 15-01-2016, 01:49 PM
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GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)
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oh well!
that's that then

geoff
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Old 21-01-2016, 01:02 PM
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GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)
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almost ready

I get my van back from the panel beaters today

just a little electrical work to do and i will be operational again

the urge is upon me!

just saying!

geoff
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Old 21-01-2016, 01:32 PM
glend (Glen)
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Geoff the next New Moon is the 9th of February.

The seeing conditions are pretty bad now due to the daytime heat build up, which is taking most of the night to improve. Hopefully things cool off soon.

Last edited by glend; 21-01-2016 at 03:34 PM.
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  #7  
Old 21-01-2016, 03:39 PM
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GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)
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not particular about seeing conditions Glen

just a trip away would satisfy
(not the weekend of the 13/14th Feb though)

geoff
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Old 21-01-2016, 04:01 PM
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I think I'm stuck up here next new Moon but after that who knows

Had a good couple of nights of seeing here recently (look out for my planetary exploits later!), despite the Moon phase, although it's only been 32 daytime and "cooling" off to around 25. Sounds like a picnic compared to what you guys down south have been having!
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  #9  
Old 21-01-2016, 04:12 PM
Fizics (John)
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Hi Dunk, yes I reckon we are being punished here for having too many scopes ⛈��. Looks like the next few days are a write off too.
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Old 21-01-2016, 04:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GTB_an_Owl View Post
not particular about seeing conditions Glen

just a trip away would satisfy
(not the weekend of the 13/14th Feb though)

geoff
I am keen to accommodate those specifications.
I am thinking somewhere around the first week in February.
Maybe early second week of February, or combination of the two depending on weather expectations (I don't like it Too Hot!)

I expect we are talking about a relatively close to home location like Bretti.

So to confirm, the intent is there, lets just watch the weather and 7timer.
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Old 21-01-2016, 09:29 PM
sharptrack2 (Kevin)
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I might be able to organised a day or two on either side of the new moon weekend. Have been trying to learn how to find things by star hopping and could use some practical advice.
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  #12  
Old 22-01-2016, 11:56 AM
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I'm keen too.
From the 4th to ? would be good.
New moon 9th.
Any takers?
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  #13  
Old 23-01-2016, 10:00 AM
glend (Glen)
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I opened the door on the camper for the first time in five months and was delighted that there were no cobwebs or mold anywhere. Checking the electrics I found the reason for the reversing camera not working (earth corrosion underneath) and a bad connection. I need about a week to prep it and reinstall the batteries, clean the tank, toilet, etc.
So Jakob I am hopeful.
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  #14  
Old 23-01-2016, 10:49 AM
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If you're prepared to go past Tamworth there are a few spots near Ebor that look OK, off the highway.

And if you're going as far as Barraba you may as well go all the way to Mt Kaputar NP and camp at Dawsons spring (on the top). There is an excellent observing area for scopes BTW as well as power and hot showers if you wish.

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTB_an_Owl View Post
anybody ever been here
http://www.forestrycorporation.com.a.../forests/olney

the Basin looks a likely spot
geoff
Yes, took my scope and tried the watagans many years ago at a time when I frequently visited the hunter power stations. Didn't strike me as great. I found a fair hilltop just out of Dungog was a lot better.
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Old 23-01-2016, 10:15 PM
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GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)
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I have a leave pass for anything before the 9th

geoff
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  #16  
Old 25-01-2016, 09:13 PM
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GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)
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only a week to get ready folks

i will have to get my finger out

geoff
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  #17  
Old 28-01-2016, 12:20 AM
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GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)
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there is no need for me to mention the forecast for next week - is there

geoff
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  #18  
Old 28-01-2016, 08:19 AM
glend (Glen)
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Geoff maybe look at the week after, from Monday the 8th, the new moon is in that week (9th). Plenty of darkness that week. Maybe the rain will have moved on by then.
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  #19  
Old 28-01-2016, 10:44 AM
sharptrack2 (Kevin)
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Damn this tropical pattern! My boat is getting more attention than the telescopes...
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  #20  
Old 28-01-2016, 11:17 AM
glend (Glen)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sharptrack2 View Post
Damn this tropical pattern! My boat is getting more attention than the telescopes...
Don't mention boats, I have built seven of the buggers, and they all cost me more time and money than astronomy!
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