Help for new Brisbanite - observing site

[allan gould]

I've just moved (12 months ago) from Melb to Brisbane and I'm looking for an observing site close to the Brisbane CBD ie that is within 40-60 mins travelling time from the city. I've seen all the mag 3 stars I'm interested in up here and I have been spoilt by my old site down in Ocean Grove. I have been out to the Leyburn site past Tawoomba and had a great session there. The views through a 20" dob are still with me, but it took 2 1/2 hrs to get there. So I'm looking for something under 5 hr travelling time round trip as its too exhausting. I'm interested in a dark site or reasonably so, so that I can do some DSLR and CCD imaging.
If there is anyone out there that knows of a REASONABLY accessed site close to Brisbane that attacts other like minded individuals, could you please contact me.
Regards,
Allan

[Striker]

If you find something I'm with you Allan.


There is always Rons place but thats pushing the time frame.

PS it's Toowoomba....

[[1ponders]]

About 1hr 15min to 1hr 30 min to Ron's from Brisvegas via Conondale. Or if you are interest Allan the Mapleton Observatory is only 10 min from Nambour, not as dark as Ron's but it might be handier.

[JimmyH155]

The only site I have been to - and that was a few years ago - was Glasshouse Mountains north of Caboolture. I drove up one of the forestry tracks and found a clearing - but the trees were getting a bit tall. Worth a daytime reconnoiture.
Another place I have meant to go which would be good is Mount Mee State forest park. They have a grassy picnic area with lots of room and trees far enough away. You get there by turning off at Kallangur, through Petrie and on to Dayboro. Then hang a right up to Ocean View and Mt Mee .
If anyone knows anywhere else, please also let me know. I have been a bit scared of going out to a dark site at night - by self or with wife. There are a lot of wierdo's out there, and the thought of having an encounter with maybe a busted scope or worse - has put me off a bit. :)

[Striker]

Has anyone got a light polution graph...it may make it easier where to start looking.

I'm with you Jimmy...their are plenty of places but too scary by yourself.

[dennislowe]

I go out to a lookout above Ravensbourn NP. via Esk. But this is not all that much shorter than the Leyburn trip. About 2 hours for me driving from Carindale. I have been thinking of sussing out a few stops along Lake Wivenhoe, but the seeing may not be the best there. Whereever you go it would have to be west of the hills.

[allan gould]

Thanks for all of your replies. I think I may try and look at a few sites west of Brisbane that at least gives me a chance of doing some imaging.
It seems that there are quite a few of us in the same position. Maybe if we do find something at least worthwhile then a few can band together and see how it goes. I work witha guy who aslo lives CBD of Bris, so we may look at a few sites and I could get back to this thread.

[allan gould]

At least if we were around Lake Wivenhoe we would be sure of no rain.

[[1ponders]]

Seriously guys, think about coming up to Ron's. It's closer than Wivenhoe and the site is darker with much less sky glow.. There are usually at least 6-8 of us there at any given dark of the moon either imaging or viewing and there is plenty of room if you feel like staying and pitching a tent.

We often have members from Bris come up, Xeelee, argonavis, Robbo, zubenel and others

[allan gould]

Its a southern accent thing

[jjjnettie]

I got a few acres between Woodford and Kilcoy, you're welcome to setup in my front paddock. Though it's not as dark as Ron's place, it is a bit closer.

[JimmyH155]

Hey, thanks for that, jjj. I may take you up on that in a few weeks time as I reckon I would only be about just over 1 hour away from Kilcoy I got an exciting parcel this morning - my Argo Navis - and judging by the size of the instruction Manual - all 212 pages, it'll take a while to suss it out...:D but when I do, why, I'll be able to point to those DSO's I have never found!!:) :)

[jjjnettie]

No probs.