Decent dark(ish) locations near Sydney

[loki78]

I live in South West Sydney near Beverly Hills. Previously when I do a spur of the moment to go out and photo widefields I have been heading to Stanwell Tops, which is pretty bad for a number of reasons.

Who else has any decent ideas for spur of the moment trips ie. an hour or so max travel time.

Needs to be accessible at all times as these trips are often in the middle of the night.

Thanks in advance :)

[Wavytone]

Anywhere along the coast is bad as you know. Many years ago I tried all the spots I could find down to Berry. Only to spots that I felt worthwhile are quite some distance:

1. Saddleback Mountain Rd, southwest of Kiama. Nice grassy picnic area.
2. Barren Ground, along Jamberoo Mountain Rd

There is also a picnic area at the Avon dam off the M5, but not sure if you can use that at night.
There are a couple of spots at Mt Gibraltar near Mittagong, bloody cold in winter.

Sutherland astro society use two spots at Waterfall and at Bargo, you'll have to get in touch with them, might be suitable for you.

Failing that, up the Blue Mountains.

[pluto]

I go to a spot in the Royal National Park a bit, not too far for you:
https://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=-34.103343,151.057263&num=1&t=h&z=18

[Wavytone]

Hugh that looks made for the purpose, any issue with access after sunset ?

[loki78]

Thanks very much guys I will have a look, I can stretch it to an hour and a half travels time I reckon, which puts most of those in play. I was reading a bit about Mt Gibraltar near Mittagong myself.

I will have a look at your national park spot from the map too Hugh thanks a lot!

[AstralTraveller]

Saddlback isn't too bad but it's a very long way from sw Sydney and there are probably better places closer. The potential to have to share with hoons is medium and the chance of disturbing loving couples is high.

If you mean the carpark at Barren Grounds it is supposed to be closed at night, though I'm not convinced it is. There is a fair bit of tree cover around the car park. Buderoo Plateau Rd nearby has been closed about 500m off Jamberoo Mt Rd but near the gate is quite open, though exposed to the road. I haven't tried either. Both are pretty close to the Wollongong light pollution.

Avon Dam is closed at night. Locked gates & security guards.

Bargo is presently closed. See http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=105584

Mt Gibraltar sounds interesting for me too but I'm not sure where you mean. The spot I've found is in the middle of town :shrug:.

[AstralTraveller]

Is this open? Streetview shows a locked gate.

[pluto]

Never had any problem. There is a gate so you'll need to park in the area next to the road and cart your gear up but there's plenty of room to park safely. It's a helipad but they only seem to mow the grass once or twice a year so it can be a bit long sometimes.

A couple of pics of the area:
http://hughsblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/np14_trails4a.jpg
http://hughsblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/img_1412-img_1429a-2.jpg

[pluto]

It is locked so you need to cart your gear about 50m.

[loki78]

Thanks Hugh I might give that one a try tonight and save the Mt Gibraltar one for another night when there is less moon and it's a bit more worth the longer trip.

Assuming the clouds stay away anyway :)