Coonabarabran

[pvelez]

I'm heading up to Coona later this month for a few days.

Any suggestions for accomodation?

Pete

[multiweb]

Warrumbungles Motel (http://www.warrumbungle.com/)

[gary]

Hi Pete,

As Marc suggested, the Warrumbungles Mountain Motel is ideal and we use it at least
once a year to help host observers visiting from the northern hemisphere.

15 minutes out of town, the motel has expansive grounds which the backdoors of
each room open up to. This makes it ideal for setting up a scope and it is then
a short walk back to your room for coffee.

Talk to the owners about your requirements as they appreciate the needs of
amateur astronomers. They will recommend somewhere to set up.

Take care traversing the Timor Road from town to and from the motel particularly
at dusk, night time and dawn. Traversing the road at any time day or night to
and from the Park requires additional vigilance. Wildlife can be prolific and accidents
have resulted in driver fatalities along this stretch.

Enjoy!

[Amaranthus]

The motel used to be good - not sure how it is now, as I've not been there for 15 years. I first stayed at the motel in 1985, prior to actually moving to live on Siding Spring Mountain. Note that it is nestled in the river valley, so it does tend to get misty in the morning/evening. You may wish to find somewhere higher.

Another alternative is to camp in the Warrumbungles - this is only a 20 min (and very pleasant) drive back to SSO mountain. But it is much further than Coona, if you need to go into town.

[pvelez]

Thanks for the tips.

I'm heading up this week to install my scope and mount at the iTelescope facility at Siding Springs and was looking for some ideas for accommodation. I hope to do some wide field imaging with the Star Lapse and an DSLR but I wouldn't be doing any heavy duty imaging - yet :D

I expect I'll be fiddling with PA, T Point modelling etc.

I'll certainly look at the Warrumbungles Motel.

Pete

[gary]

Hi Pete,

if you plan on going to and from Sidings Springs a few times a day, then the
Warrumbungles Mountain Motel may be the most convenient. It has been
acting as one of the places where the astronomers are staying since the lodge
burnt down and we will be staying their again ourselves in a month's time with a
group of about 35.

If you prefer the amenity of staying in town, the Acacia Motor Lodge usually
scores the best ratings from visiting overseas observers we help host every year.
Some of our regulars like to stay there as well. The Chinese restaurant across the
street and the Bowling Club which is a short level walk around the block offer the
two more favored dining options these days. I use to eat regularly at The Imperial
pub over the many years we have been going up there but the waiting times for
your meal to arrive seemed to have just got longer and longer.

Enjoy the trip.

Best Regards

Gary

[Amaranthus]

Pete, that iTelescope facility where you are going to observe (a big sandy platform next to the tennis court) is about 25 metres from my old house on SSO - lived there for about a decade in the mid 80s to mid 90s! Great views...

[pvelez]

Cool

I'll snap a few photos when I'm up there this week.

Pete

[pvelez]

My trip has been delayed till next week.

I had planned to stay at the Acacia Motor Lodge but they are fully booked on Wednesday.

Any other suggestions for Coona town?

Pete

[gary]

Hi Pete,

You could try The Clock Tower Motor Inn (02) 6842 2444.
It is relatively central and some of our overseas visitors have stayed there in the past.