Heading to Canberra

[AstroDiggle]

Hi all...I'm heading down to Canberra next weekend, and taking some gear with me. If there is anyone with local knowledge here could you recommend a darkish site viewing south and North, nearby.....is Mt Stromlo accessible and useful?.....many thanks.:)

[Octane]

Mount Stromlo is light polluted now with the new Molonglo housing development.

H

[Wavytone]

Best choice depends where you live... On the south west side there are a couple of good locations on the road between the Cotter and Tidbinbilla or up on the ranges in the west (bloody cold). You can go as far as Corinth dam and even turn it's not as dark as you might like.

If you are in the south east I'd appraise the Monaro highway and look for a spot on a back road around Bredbo or Michelago.

Alternatively head north, using the back roads... Google Earth is your friend !

Canberra is growing, unfortunately.

[AstroDiggle]

Thanks very much gents...I'm coming down from Sydney for the weekend...so looks like I might be better on some back roads maybe north.....Octane,Wavytone.....many thanks

[Gem]

I think you mean Corin Dam!

There are some nice sites within 45 mins drive of the southern suburbs - places like Orroral Valley and Honeysuckle Creek are nice dark sites. :)

[Kunama]

Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station is an excellent spot. It is south of the city but kangaroos abound on the way there. It is best done as a daytime approach and departure, so a long viewing session or a tent for a snooze later would be best.

[AstroDiggle]

Thanks Grant and Mat.....maybe head carefully out towards Honeysuckle creek....:thumbsup:

[WingnutR32]

Definitely recommend Honeysuckle. However, yes, be wary of the roos.

[AstralTraveller]

Guess what happens if you go to Google Maps and search for Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station? This pops up :shrug: I'm not even going to try and speculate why on a family-friendly forum :D.

[AstroDiggle]

....and I thought I was going crazy....no mention of Honeysuckle Creek on Google Maps....:screwy:

[Kunama]

Search for Apollo Road , Naas.
or
Booroomba Rocks

send me a PM with some contact details when you get to Canberra
I can give you directions, might even drive down there myself.

[Gem]

The section to be careful is more closer to Tharwa, since its straight-ish and 100km zone. Once on the road climbing up to Honeysuckle, you will be going much slower.

[Gem]

Guess we know who to blame the snow on the ranges to now!! :)

[AstroDiggle]

:eyepop:

the what !!!!!!!


...you mean now......snow......ITS DECEMBER !!!!:eyepop:

[bloodhound31]

Yep. That's right. SNOW. Here. Today. Yesterday I was sweating like a pig and today I wore a thick jacket all day while cutting trees down.

Just crazy I tells ya.


Honeysuckle creek campground, Tidbinbilla valley, Corin forest, Corin Dam, the Cotter, Lake George. Even mount Stromlo on the left just before the boom gate (Down at night) there';s a tarred area where you can get a clear view of the north-western skies. Trust me when I say there's quite a difference between being IN the suburbs as a pose to being on the edge of them. Marked improvement. Of course, if you just drive another 20 minutes then you're in dark-sky heaven.

Baz.

[Gem]

Cold morning - but really clear!! :)

[AstroDiggle]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Lessons I have learnt:
.....plan the transport
.....be aware of all requirements of my attendance before I leave
.....clear idea of timing involved in getting places

On the positive side...terrific clear skies and looking forward to next adventure...found out some relatives own a cleared property near Braidwood and that might be worth a trip as well. Once again thanks for all the great suggestions.:thumbsup:

[Ric]

Hi Donn

I reckon you'll find that Braidwood will have some nice dark skies, especially if your out of town a bit.