Camping / Astronomizing sites ~ 1.5hr from Melbourne?

[Stonius]

Hey there,

I was In Lerdederg State forest on the weekend and it seemed to me that its close enough to Melbourne, yet far enough away, if you know what I mean. Looking at the light pollution map, the far side of Lerdederg is not too bad. Beautiful countryside, yet only an hour and a half by car. I've been up to the Dark Sky site at Heathcote, and while it is undoubtedly good for observing, the landscape is pretty uninspiring.

So I'm hoping someone knows of a place with good horizons out that way. Maybe even near a camp ground. I saw Shaw's lake, but it's too 'tree'd in'. The top of Mount Blackwood would be fine if someone hadn't built their house there!

Ultimately it would be nice to find a spot I can pop down to of a weekend with my kids (10 and 13) do some bushwalking, cook on the campfire, then pull the scope out at bedtime.

Anyone know of anywhere? Doesn't have to be Lerdederg. I'm pretty much in central Melbourne, so any direction is good.

Thanks in Advance!

[barx1963]

Just 4 words - Snake Valley Astro Camp!

It's on March 20-22, but better hurry, already have 46 booked to attend and only 50 per night maximum.

See http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=130984 (go to the oldest post for all the info) or email me at snakevalleyastrocamps@gmail.com or even call on 52313048.

Only 1/2 hour from Ballarat, dark skies, safe and lots of scopes!!

Malcolm

[Stonius]

Hey Thanks Malcolm, that looks really interesting! Looking into the possibilities with family as we speak... thanks for the heads up! :-)

[MattT]

One hour or so from Melbourne is Murrindini National Park, nice and dark. SES camp site, second of five I think, has no trees and everything has to be walked over a short bridge to get there from a car park. Camped there a couple of years ago after the fires in January and we were the only people in SES that night....great night it was too. Good walks in the day time, a Ranger checks everything and everyonr out too plus a stream to keep drinks cold. No horizion to horizion views, but stay up all night and you get to see just about everything anyway!
Matt

[Moon]

The ASV has a nice country property for members up near Heathcote.
It has running water, showers, toilets, power etc.
There are some details on our website:
http://asv.org.au/facilities
Membership (http://asv.org.au/join) is $70pa for families. Great value if you ask me.
James

[barx1963]

Actually I should have mentioned that the ASV Messier Star Party is on tomorrow I believe, well worth a visit, it was my first camp and a great experience.

Malcolm

[mtfreestyler]

I live out Eltham way in the North East and would love to find some good spots close by under an hour away.

I have been to Toolangi/Murrindini National Park just to camp before and that was pretty good for stars. Where I was had too many trees though.

Would love to find a nice spot out in the open to set up

[dannat]

for the first poster try firth park camp ground -its a bit Nth of lerdederg in Wombat forest..there are some tree's though

for MAtt there is an observation tower at kangaroo ground just a bit away from you -or further afield is something like Mt Donna buang.or do you want further Nth? like kinglake