Dark sky and observing sites close to cities or towns around Australia

[mental4astro]

There have been many threads started asking about dark sky sites close to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, etc, within two hour’s drive. And these threads are repeated for the same city several times over.

Another problem with these threads, as some are several years old too, the information they contain can be very out of date. Public sites can become inaccessible or poor in quality and others open. Private properties can likewise open and close. And the is next to no information available about privately operated observatories which can provide much needed observing facilities to interstate and international visitors.

There in brings another level of complexity – information for visitors from interstate or international can have a difficult time finding relevant information to their needs.

This thread seeks to centralize the collective knowledge of the Ice In Space community about dark sky sites and observing areas surrounding cities and towns around Australia.

Please feel free to add sites, campgrounds, public and private facilities that all accommodate or cater for our astronomical interests. Also offer updates to listed locations with any changes to facilities or even share your experiences and any photos of the location.

To make things easier to follow, please follow this method of noting information:

Title: State, Region, Nearest Town, Name of Site
Eg: NSW, Sydney metro west, Kings Tableland
Eg: Victoria, Melbourne metro north, King Lake National Park

Body:
• Public or private
• Description of site and facilities
• Restrictions (e.g. no dogs, separate parking, subject to flooding, etc)
• Camping or no camping
• If public – address, directions to get there, distance time wise from CBD, GPS coords, etc, whatever information is required
• If private - best way to contact the owner (think about this people - do you really want your phone number published on a public forum? A PM to the relevant member of IIS would be best).


I’ll get the ball rolling with a location around Sydney.

NSW, Sydney west, Hargraves Lookout

• Public lookout over Megalong Valley in Blue Mountains
• Very exposed as it’s set on a ridge spur, but the view of the sky is very expansive. There is a large shelter between the car park and observing area and fireplaces. Its exposed situation can see it freezing in the depths of winter making fireplaces very welcome. When transparency is good, limiting magnitude can be dimmer than 6.5.
• Restrictions: parking 15meters away from observing area. Public transport as far as Blackheath train station, 8km from Hargraves Lookout BYO everything. Can be kangaroos, stock and other animals on road particularly at night, take care while driving. Very isolated.
• Approx 2.5hrs west from Sydney CBD
• Access is via Blackheath,
GPS co-ords: -33.676783,150.242579

174247


Notes: The sky on offer is excellent. Being some 900meters above sea level the glow of the Sydney light dome is greatly diminished, though Katoomba is close so lighting from it is more prominent. I’ve been to Hargraves Lookout in the middle of winter. It was the coldest I have ever been in my life! It is totally exposed so any wind coming through the valley is very cutting. Go prepared for the cold.

[N1]

Hi Alex that's a great idea. :thumbsup: Could this be made into a permanent fixture to the IIS website by the Mods (the least being a thread marked to be always at the top), or something of "article" status except that everyone can add to it?

Excuse my ignorance, but is there a Southern constellation that makes it really simple to give an estimate of transparency/sky darkness, where a certain number of stars seen corresponds to a rough level of sky quality? This would allow the not-so experienced stargazers to contribute if they find what they think might be a good spot - without even needing a telescope. In the Northern hemisphere, that constellation is Ursa Minor and it works reasonably well. But it's obviously not an option here...

[RB]

Mirko, this thread is a Sticky, it's always at/near the top of this forum.

:)

[AstralTraveller]

http://www.imo.net/visual/major/observation/lm
http://obs.nineplanets.org/lm/rjm.html

[N1]

Very good thanks for that. :thumbsup:

[sheeny]

Public Quarry in State Forest 13 km south of Oberon. Approximately 3 hours west of Sydney.
Quarry walls provide shelter from wind, the lights of Oberon, and less frequently lights and bullets from spotlighters. Being on top of the Great Dividing Range, wind is often a factor.
At 1279m altitude, this site is above the thickest part of the atmosphere. Due to altitude it can get very cold in winter. It may also be above the radiation fog/mist that can form in the valley below during clear cold nights.
When transparency is good, limiting magnitude can be >M6.5. Good view of the western horizon from the quarry entrance. Inside the quarry, obviously the quarry walls obscure views of the horizon.
Some light pollution from Sydney to the East. Other light pollution sources are not evident from inside the quarry. From the top of the quarry walls, light pollution is evident around the horizon from Sydney, The Blue Mountains, Lithgow, Oberon (Bathurst is behind Oberon) and Blayney to the west.
Restrictions: the quarry is sometimes closed when operations are active. At these times, setup in the quarry entrance/road is possible, or there are suitable alternatives nearby such as log loading areas beside fire trails, though these may be of limited value when the pine trees grow tall.
No camping or facilities.
Access via Edith Rd, Butter Factory Lane/Shooters Hill Road, Forest Roads. From Sydney, Titania Road is an alternative to Edith Road rather than drive all the way into town and back out again.
Location: S 33° 47.672’ E 149° 52.888’

[sheeny]

Public, free campsite 3 km NE of Burraga, approx 3.5-4 hours drive from Sydney.
Toilets, free camping, views of the dam, dog ARE allowed, suitable for motorhome, caravan or tent.
1.3 km dirt road - "dry weather access only" is the official line. The road does have a good proportion of orange clay, so in very wet weather it will be greasy. I've only ever once been there in very wet conditions when we needed 4WD, but that's hardly astronomy conditions!
Very dark site. When transparency is good, limiting magnitude is >M6.5. Not far enough away to be completely free of Sydney light pollution but you have to go a long way for that!
From Burraga: turn left off Arkstone Rd 1.7km East of Burraga
From Oberon: 23 km south to Black Springs, continue straight ahead 23 km on Campbells River Rd, turn right and travel 1.4 km on Arkstone Rd, then turn right and follow 1.3 km dirt road to Burraga Dam.
Location: S 33° 56' 09" E 149° 33' 08"

[Allan_L]

NSW, Sydney North, MANGROVE MOUNTAIN, (aka "The Pony Club")

• Crown Land but restricted access (Locked gate)
• Good Flat observing site, easy access, plenty of room, set up next to your vehicle, NO FACILITIES currently (NO Toilets, No Water, No Power)
• Dark sky, some low sky glow to the South from Sydney, some local light from distant street light to the south can be avoided by choosing your setup spot accordingly
• Restrictions (access may be denied when equestrian clubs are holding overnight campouts {once or twice a year})
• No camping
• How to get there: See sticky with directions and maps at the top of this forum. 1 hour north of Sydney, via M1, on Wisemans Ferry Road.
• Several IIS members have access key. Planned meetings Saturday closest to New Moon, a new Thread always posted in this forum. Other times by arrangement upon application can generally be accommodated.
GPS: 33* 20' 17.6" South; 151* 09' 25.6" East.

[Allan_L]

NSW, Sydney/Newcastle North, BRETTI Camping Reserve

• FREE Camping Reserve (signposted rest area)
• Good Flat observing site, easy access, HUGE amount of room, set up next to your vehicle, Limited FACILITIES provided courtesy of Gloucester Council (Pit Toilets, Garbage Bins) No Water, No Power, Closest Supplies 26k at Barrington and Gloucester.
• VERY Dark sky, absolutely no sky glow, BUT there may be lights from other campers, however from experience, these normally go to bed early.
• No Restrictions - Dog Friendly. 30 Day Camping Allowed.
• Camping suitable for Tents, Caravans, Motorhomes, etc.. Swimming in rivers (Manning and Barnard converge at this spot).
• Neighbour often lets cattle graze freely over this reserve, bring a shovel ;)
• Avoid School Holidays (esp Christmas Easter and Long Weekends) as this is a VERY popular free camp.
• Can get very Hot in Summer days and Very Cold in Winter nights.
• How to get there: 3-4 hours north of Sydney, take M1 and Pacific Hwy to just past Heatherbrae, then The Buckets Way to Barrington, then 26k north along Thunderbolts Way.
• Several IIS members have regular 4 day trips around selected New Moon watch for Threads in this Forum
GPS: 31* 47' 22.0" South; 151* 55' 7.0" East.

[Allan]

Good write up Allan, I will let you do the same for Chaffey Dam :). I will ad SQM readings. Pony Club is about 21.4, Bretti and Chaffey Dam can exceed 21.8 so are very dark. Bretti has no light domes, Chaffey Dam has a small dome to the north but has star reflections off the water which make the site appear a bit brighter.

[Allan_L]

NSW, New England Region, South of Tamworth, CHAFFEY DAM

• $5 per car per night Camping Area
• Good Flat observing site, easy access, HUGE amount of room, set up next to your vehicle, GOOD FACILITIES (Flushing Toilets, $1 Hot Showers) Some Water available {its a Dam afterall, but best to boil before consumption}, No Power, Closest Town Nundle 14k
• VERY Dark sky, good horizons, BUT there may be lights from other campers, however most of these normally go to bed early.
• Restrictions - Pets Allowed (under supervision). 7 Day Camping Maximum.
• Camping suitable for Tents, Caravans, Motorhomes, etc..
• Swimming, Fishing, Boating, allowed in the Dam (recommend water boots due to rocky nature)
• Avoid School Holidays and Long Weekends as this is a VERY popular Day Destination and camping area for Locals and Tourists
• Power Boats are allowed and can be accompanied by rowdies out for the day(or two)
• Can get very Hot in Summer.
• How to get there: 400 kilometres north of Sydney (56 kilometres southeast of Tamworth) - 5 hours north of Sydney, take M1, M15, and New England Hwy. Look for turnoff to Nundle just before Quirindi.
GPS: 31* 21' 39" South; 151* 07' 50" East.

[The Mekon]

I see many of the sights are quite distant from main cities.

There are plenty of sites in the Southern Highlands south of Sydney that can gibe decent dark skies. Problem is many of them are hard to find and remote from the main roads.

I have just inspected "Jurd Park" at Colo Vale which is around 35 minutes south of Campbelltown on the freeway. Turn off the freeway at the Colo Vale exit and then turn right across the overpass, Drive about 2.5km on until you see the sign "Colo Vale Public school" then turn left to the car park at Jurd Park.

Site is away from street light and offers good horizons. Only problem is the tennis courts which may be in use until around 21:00. No problem in summer but in winter can delay dark skies.

I only post this suggestion as it is closer to Sydney than many of the other sites. Anyone wishing to know a more remote location in the Southern Highlands could p.m. me. I use a property at High Range, about 15km west of Mittagong. Though the glow of Sydney is apparent to the north, it is till quite dark.

[JtPhotographer]

We live on a 400 acre property about 15 k WEST of Siding Spring Observatory. Open space on high plateau with great vistas of the Warrumbungle NP during the day and unobstructed total dark skies during the night. Easy 4WD access but most 2 WD should not have much issues unless it is a low sports model. We have been playing with the idea to create a few dedicated astronomers camp sites. With sheltered observation platforms and basic camp sites. Anyone interested to give some advise is welcome. Currently there are NO amenities at all but with enough interest we could give it a go.
:welcome:

[netwolf]

Another member sent me this link but no sites for nsw listed yet. Seems like a good idea if we can populate this can be a usefull resource
http://www.australiandarkskyregister.com/

[kenwishaw]

Just thought i would add my preferred site near Maleny on the Sunshine Coast and an hour north of Brisbane.

Howell Knob lookout is about 7minutes drive west of Maleny, off the Reeseville Rd.

It is the highest point of the Southern Sunshine Coast (500m) . Only the low west is obscured by trees and some skyglow low south from Brisbane.

It has a large covered picnic table but no other amenities. It would comfortably fit 8-10 scopes.

There are occasional visits by people at night but is generally unknown. it is a popular place for sunsets as you can see out to sea, the Glasshouse Mountains and up to Noosa and Kenilworth.

There are two of us who go up there on appropriate Friday nights, so plenty of room for others.

Ken Wishaw

[Allan_L]

• FREE council run Camping Area
• Good Flat observing site, easy access, HUGE amount of room, set up next to your vehicle,
• Good clean but Minimal FACILITIES (Long Drop Toilets, Picnic shelters, Few Trees, Water available (from tap) {Signposted "Do Not Drink"}, Rubbish bins, Fireplaces, No Power. Council workers visit three times a week, remove rubbish, clean toilets, replace toilet paper, mow.
• Good Phone and Internet reception (Telstra and Optus)
• Closest Town Barraba 14k
• GOOD VERY Dark sky, good low horizons, No Light Domes in any direction, (may be lights from other campers, however most of these normally go to bed early).
• Western side of ranges, avoids coastal weather and humidity.
On my visit, the weather was very Dry. Low humidity every day. There was No Dew to speak of.
• Restrictions - Pets Allowed (under supervision). 13 Day Camping Maximum.
• Camping suitable for Tents, Caravans, Motorhomes, etc.. But ground is dry and hard and requires good tent pegs and big hammer.
• Currently, No Swimming, Fishing, Boating, (although permitted, 94% of dam water released for farming)
• Bird watching is good, limited walking trails.
• Can get very Hot in Summer.
• May be some wondering dairy cattle.
• How to get there: 500 kilometres north of Sydney (1 hour northwest of Tamworth) - 6 hours north of Sydney, take M1, M15, and New England Hwy. From Tamworth take Fossickers Way through Manilla. Turnoff Pera Linton Rd. Follow signs. Bitumen all the way.
ALSO 6 hours drive from Brisbane.
GPS: 30* 27' 3.2" South; 150* 41' 32.7" East.

[PeterHA]

East Melbourne Site - Johns Hill Reserve Ridge Rd. Kalista, Dandenongs

This is an easy accessible picknick spot with car park for 15 cars on a east west ridge.
Two picknick benches a grassy slope to the south and very good view to the south, good to east and north and ok to the west.

[Tristan]

G'day, there is a beautiful dark sky about an hour south of Brisbane at lake Moogerah Dam, some of the eastern sky blocked by trees and a small portion of the northen sky by mountain, but no sky glow, amenities and plenty of room for scopes.

[bigjoe]

I've actually set up a scope near the boat ramp late at night at DEVLIN RD Castelreagh , just off Castelreagh rd north of Penrith but before Richmond .
Even though my property was nearby I just had to try it ; and it was a terrific spot only 35/40 mins from Concord, Sydney at night going on the motorway ; nice enough dark skies- you could easily spot 47 Tucanae , M11 naked eye!!! Site not exactly level.

Petrol station/grocery/liquor in walking distance but it closes early.

bigjoe.

[Rick Parrott]

Wyangala Waters is about 4.5 hours from Sydney (30 minutes south of Cowra) and sits under beautiful dark skies! We camped here for 8 nights just after Easter.
The site has big open areas for unpowered camping (like we do), nice facilities and amenities as well as a "caravan park" section with power for those that prefer.

We had our 6" Table-top Dob out on about 5 nights, and for a city-dweller this type of sky is an absolute treat!
We did get our timing great this time too, as we were treated to easy views of LMC, SMC, Eta Carinae, etc. along with magnificent Jupiter at zenith and rising Mars and Saturn!

Cowra and surrounds are pretty cool too, with lots to see (Japanese Gardens, POW Camp, nearby Canowindra, Peace Bell, Lachlan Valley) , and friendly people

Highly recommended for anyone that likes to combine living under canvas and skywatching :thumbsup:

PS - no need to mention Roo Poo EVEYWHERE! :lol:

[mental4astro]

I never thought I'd say this, but finally I've found a site in Sydney that does throw a good sky!!! :cool: :party:

It is JJ Melbourne Hill Memorial Reserve right next to the Forest Hill Pony Club, at the end of Thompson Drive in Terry Hills, -33.690985, 151.224965

200135

I went there this last Saturday. For the first time in many years I saw the Coal Sack from Sydney :)

It is surrounded by national parks, and even though the busy Mona Vale Road roars right past it, the lights from the road are TOTALLY invisible. It is on top of a ridge and the field is expansive with a great tree line to block out the neighbours. A couple of distant lights from the pony club, but nothing to complain about compared to what the site has to offer. And the Baha'i Temple in the East looks just like a gleaming white observatory dome, :lol:

As it is on top of a ridge, and the field is big, if there is a blow on, it can get really cold! :cold: Found that out the hard way, didn't I! Go prepared.

Access is easy, and the field is accessible from the car park.

This site is also the obs site for the Northern Sydney Astro Society.

Alex.

[that_guy]

Anyone know a good place near gold coast?

[JA]

Yarra Valley, VICTORIA.

Last night we were at the Little Yarra Steiner School in The Yarra Valley Victoria, about 1h 20min from Inner SE Suburbs Melbourne and witnessed a wonderfully moving performance of The St. John Passion By J.S. Bach. If that wasn't enough (it was great and a credit to the school, all the students and the soloists), nature's miracle was waiting outside - a VERY clear and VERY dark sky. I thought this is defiently an area to come back to for imaging the heavens.

I checked the area on the Dark Site map and it was on the border of dark blue and black at 0.28 on their radiance scale. In fact a few hundred metres further down the road was the start of the black zone, and the reading was 0.02 !! See excerpt from Light Pollution Map and wide view relative to Melbourne.

Best
JA

[snarkyboojum]

Hi everyone,

I'm starting to get back into some (very) amateur observing, and have just moved to Arncliffe, right next to Sydney aiport.

So, I'm definitely looking for darker sites ;) I've done some simple google'ing and come across Crago and Terrey Hills as a couple of good sites near Sydney. What's the deal with access to these? Can complete newcomers use these sites, or is some form of membership required (or preferred)?

I have a 250mm reflector I'd like to setup and learn how to use again properly.

Thanks in advance for any advice!
Adrian.

[The Mekon]

Crago has an observatory run by Astronomical society of NSW. Terry Hills is an area in the Sydney Basin that has skies a bit less polluted than inner Sydney. Not much more.

Read my previous post re observing in the Mittagong area. Getting there is a much better prospect from your location than going north.

Q. Just what are you wanting to see?

[snarkyboojum]

Excellent. Driving south towards Mittagong works for me too. My brother lives down at Stanwell Park... anything down there is going to be darker than my backyard towards the airport...

If you have some suggestions for locations that are used down that way, I'd like to give a few a try.

I'm just going to start with the planets, nebulae and a few open and globular clusters. I expect the first few evenings will be finding my amateur astronomy feet again.

Adrian.

[The Mekon]

Let me know if you are heading down. Easier to show you the places rather than try to find them yourself. I am always looking for an observing buddy.
December new moon is pretty busy for me (and many others also), Feb/Mar may be better.

John

[snarkyboojum]

Great. Thanks for the offer!

[brenchen]

I've been wondering the same thing, so I did some google mapping and thought about the car park at Lake Wyaralong Sculpture Park. I haven't been yet, but it looks promising. If you're keen, we can go for a drive?

[Wavytone]

Crago at Mt Bown is run by ASNSW, see http://www.asnsw.com/crago

Terrey Hills - owned by Ku-Ring-Gai council and access is provided by NSAS - see https://nsas.org.au/observing/ This site is IMHO the best you can hope for in the Sydney basin, short of driving 2h up to Blackheath, or beyond. Key aspects of the Terrey Hills site - you can set up on a tar pathway, no bright lights, and its on a ridge with low horizons in all directions. The Magellanic Clouds are easily seen naked eye most nights and the Coal Sack if the transparency is above average. One key aspect of the Terrey Hills site is that it is on a ridge surrounded by trees. if there is a light seabreeze the airflow will be compressed by the ridge resulting in laminar airflow, which means the seeing can be surprisingly good there, yet terrible elsewhere.

One irritation is that the NSAS seem to have developed a fondness for red LED's and had it lit up like a runway to welcome alien UFOs.

Acron Oval in St Ives and Killara Oval on Koola Ave are also good if you want no LED lights, or Terrey Hills is not open (ie other nights), these are surrounded by trees and reasonably dark.

[docboat]

3 hours drive from Perth in the eastern Wheatbelt, out the G Eastern Highway, best using Goomalling/Dowerin route, there is a new set up on a farm far from ambient lights. The proprietor is offering swag tent accommodation and campfire breakfast, but there is also an adjoining house with all mod cons, and plenty of room for RVs too. This would be very suitable for a weekend of stargazing as a club. If there is interest, I will search out the address.



Why do I not know the address? Because I live in the area, and only need to go outside my house to experience the sights. The family have only just now set up the operation, so details to follow

[DeWynter]

Thanks for info on Acron and Killara Ovals!

Am I correct saying that Terrey Hills is closed somehow at nights except when NSAS is there?

From what I can see NSAS previously had two other sites: Howson Oval, Turramurra and North Turramurra Golf Club. Anyone knows what happened with them? Still good to visit?

[Wavytone]

Correct. There are two gates the council locks.



No access. They were never (and are not) open to the public - and are locked. You had to be an NSAS member to access these. Try and you can expect the police will arrive.

NSAS uses the Terrey hills site now in preference as it is superior in many respects.

Only decent sites on the upper north shore I’m aware of that can be used anytime at night are Acron and Koola ovals. I’ve checked several other ovals too, but most have issues with lights and in all cases you will have to park outside and carry the scope some distance, I have a simple Bunnings trolley for this purpose.

[ariefm71]

Hi Brian,

I'd like to know more about this place. I've just moved to Perth recently.

Cheers,
Arief

[netwolf]

Has anyone tried this spot,

Burragorang Lookout
Burragorang Road, Nattai NSW 2570
According to the Light pollution maps its in the blue zone, its about 45min drive from my brother in laws place in Leppington.

https://goo.gl/maps/UNSwMfnFNKv

Google indicates it has a close time of 5pm but I dont see any gates on the entry road etc. Looks like a good spot for widefield of Milkyway, just wondering if anyone else has tried from here?

[DeWynter]

I tried it before for sunrise and sunset shooting and it was closed. The gates are right after the 'fork' Burragorang Lookout Road and Nattai Bluff Trail. About 1.5km from the lookout. It's ok to walk with a camera and tripod for simple photography, but a bit far to walk with all gear like telescope, mount etc.

[netwolf]

Thx Ilya thats disapointing wanted to take some visiting overseas family there, had a plan on Saturday night but glad i did not.too far for family to walk at night. I have seen one photo on flickr now taken there a widefield milky way looks good. Any other nearby spots you know of that you can drive up to? Also found wattle ridge farm which has a mark in google but looks like private propoerty.

[DeWynter]

I'd say it's a bit tricky to get Milky Way panorama as it's obstructed with trees. You've got pretty much one shot just over the lake.

Unfortunately I do not know any good spots for Milky Way close to Leppington. All best places are past Katoomba. But check the Wombeyan Caves Road. There is a small Wanganderry Road off Wombeyan Caves Road. If you drive along it a bit then there will be lots of open space and it's in blue zone.

[m11]

Hi All,

I know its an old thread. Looking at recommendations for a good dark sky site located in the South East of Melbourne?
Anything around 1hr -1.5 hours.

The current location I go has light pollution from floodlights.

Thanks,

[a5tarman]

Has anyone here found or know of decent safe locations around Adelaide for observing within 30mins to an hour drive of the CBD?

[JA]

Hi 5tarman,

Depending on Traffic that 30/60 min away might be maybe 30-50km from the CBD. If so then anywhere in a light blue/Blue/violet/grey/charcoal-black zone would be possible in the lightpollution.info excerpt image below.. The light blue border I checked the sky brightness levels showed an SQM of 21.8 which is reasonably dark, although there's certainly much darker on the map in the grey & charcoal/black shaded areas.
271356


To put that in to perspective that SQM reading of 21.8 is equivalent to a sky brightness of 204 µcd/m2, which isn't that far from the natural (perfect dark site) sky brightness of around 170 odd µcd/m2 and a far cry from the Sky brightness in the Adelaide CBD which is 20 times higher with a brightness of 4060 µcd/m2 !!!

So depending on where you are, perhaps just Travel East from the CBD. As for safety, who knows? Perhaps travel with friend/s to a remote area or friend's farm, maybe even stay at a local motel and setup next to your room without external lights about. As an aside, we did a Moto tour of SA, and found Kangaroo Island very dark.


Good luck in your travels....

Best
JA

[MTregz]

There is a campsite called Meldanda that is part of a dark zone sanctuary but thats 1.5hr from the heart of the CBD

[XENOBLADE2]

Hey Everyone!

I'm over in Castle Hill (NSW) and am interested to know which astronomy clubs are near me—I've been wanting to join one for a while but I don't know where to find one. If anyone is around this region, it would be great to let me know what's around. :)

[Allan3026]

Hi All. Looking for a dark sky/camping spot within 2 hours of Newcastle NSW. Any suggestions?

[Shano592]

Hi Allan,


You have Bretti Reserve, out of Gloucester to the west (and maybe a little north). It seems like a popular spot with our seasoned veterans, though it gets chocked up during school holidays, I believe. A really good dark sky site.



Hopefully, if the weather plays nice in the coming months, I would like to revisit the Mangrove Mountain Pony Club. I still have a gate key, and am hopeful that it still works (it did a year or so ago...). Sydney sky glow is definitely encroaching more and more, but it is a nice site that is close to home.


I'm not sure what is up Newcastle way though, sorry.

[Allan3026]

Hi Shano. Thanks for that Bretti sounds promising. It's about 2.5hrs from me though. I'll have to make a weekend of it.
Mangrove Mountain is only about an hour. Might be worth a look.

[Camelopardalis]

Worth the trip IMO. Beautiful spot. Good company :thumbsup:

[pilardo]

Have gone down to the old Terrey Hills sight a number of times.

Short walk from where you park your car up to plenty of grassed area.

Cant remember the name however its near the BMX track.