NSW Dark Site Trips Winter 2015 - Discussion

[glend]

I am starting this as a discussion thread for possible winter 2015 dark site trip destinations. While Bretti has been a regular destination, and a great location it is, recently there has been some talk about finding other locations in country NSW to try out. I didn't want to put this in the Bretti thread.

At our last trip to Bretti some of the Grey Nomads there mentioned what they thought would be an ideal site for astronomy which they had recently stopped at: Glen Riddle Recreation Reserve. The Glen Riddle Reserve is located about 60kms north-northwest of Tamworth off the Fossickers Way, its 36kms north of Manilla and 8kms east of the highway in the ranges. For those with the Camp7 book its location #352 and is near the Split Rock Dam camping area. Glen Riddle is an open area, not near any major light source, and while it is shown as a dam type site there is little to no water in it at present so it doesn't attract water sport recreation and is fairly quiet. Similiar facilities to Bretti but also has mobile phone coverage and is listed as pet friendly. This site may warrant a scouting trip.

Secondly there is the Chaffey Dam site which we have used before, but I understand the water level is way down now and it had the issue of Tamworth (about 35kms away) light dome to the north-west. Still it showed good results on the Sky Quality Metre, jsut shy of Bretti's numbers.

Thirdly, is the Coolah area, specifically the Aerodrome, which I believe Allan had explored and was looking into establishing contacts for our possible use. Not much in the way of facilities there as I understand at this time.

Fourth, some months ago I suggested Lake Burrendong area, the Mookerawa Waters campground as a possible destination (Camp7 #872). Mookerawa Waters is 39kms south-east of Wellington. This location is a pay for use campground but with that comes more in the way of facilities. Currently there is not enough information about local amenity lights etc to form an opinion but the light pollution map shows it as dark.

So there are some possibles. Feel free to discuss, add possibles, etc. Perhaps we can get organised to the point of actually trying one out sometime this winter.

And there is alway Bretti.;)

[Bassnut]

The Astronomical Society of NSW has a dark sky property at Wiruna. Always members there at a new moon.

[AstralTraveller]

You could also consider Ponto Falls Reserve which is between Wellington and Dubbo, about 5km off the highway. In Camps 6 it's #1040 but the description is inaccurate:


There is dirt road but nothing like 5km, perhaps 1km of very flat, wide, good dirt.
There is a toilet, but it is at one end of a very looong reserve. It's perhaps 5 minutes walk from the far end but it will seem much longer if you have left it a bit late.
I'm not sure if pets are allowed but some were certainly seen there.

The reserve has large, scattered trees down near the river and campers (well, mostly caravaners) tend to set up near them. I was afraid of lights from the campers but, on the two nights I was there, all the campers were tucked up indoors by 7pm. Perhaps in summer they might be more of an issue. Away from the river there are lots of wide open areas. If you select the right spot you will have northern views down to the horizon, but also some headlights from a minor road a few km away. I was down one 'step' from the top and could see down to <10* but missed the local lights. There is a light dome from Dubbo and a couple of smaller ones to the SE but they are of no consequence. There is still 95% of the sky to use!

[Wavytone]

Glen, I'd have to ask why, if you have a perfectly adequate site within tolerable driving distance.

The only reasons I can think of to go further afield is (a) to escape cloud, or (b) combine non-astro pursuits with some stargazing, or c) you're chasing grazing occultations, or a solar eclipse.

[glend]

Or avoiding cows. That is one issue with Bretti - ocassionally not always. The escaping coastal cloud is another reason, as the further inland or northwest we go the less chance of getting trapped under the coastal cloud band. There is also the desire to look further afield as an adventure, to find/scout new locations, and document them for others to explore as dark site venues.
I admit that it is hard to motivate people to get out there and enjoy it, regardless of where it is.