Astro Lodging Advice

[Caliban1960]

I am planning to visit for a week or two next year to do some stargazing in Australia. I'd appreciate any advice on dark skies lodging that might offer on site telescopes for rental (or included), preferably a dob in the 16"–20" range. I'd bring my own eyepieces. In a pinch, I'd bring my 10" travel dob.

Thanks for providing me any leads to check out.

Mark

[gary]

Hi Mark,

If your dates are flexible, you might want to consider joining us at
one of these events next year :- http://www.ozsky.org/

Typically we hold an event every year in April at Coonabarabran and
a smaller event in October in the NSW Southern Highlands.

The sole purpose of these events is to allow northern hemisphere observers,
such as yourself, the opportunity to view under dark Australian skies using
large aperture telescopes.

The events are held on a not-for-profit basis and are hosted by a group
of local volunteers (http://www.ozsky.org/whoswho.asp), all of whom are highly experienced observers themselves.

The good news is that you need not bring a scope. We have an arsenal of
telescopes including several 18" Obsessions, a couple of 25"'s and a 30"
all equipped with Argo Navis units and ServoCATs.

See http://www.ozsky.org/equipment.asp

Each scope has its own box of TeleVue eyepieces but we encourage you
to bring your own favourites as well.

We have been doing this now for several years and at the April event
we will typically see about two-dozen of your fellow countrymen down
here at a time. We have also had observers from the U.K. Canada and
South Korea attend.

Many attendees have attended on multiple occasions.

At the Coonabarabran event, we also have day tours, including
inside-tours of the 3.8m telescope at the AAT and of the Compact
Array radiotelescopes at Narrabri.

Alternatively, there are several private observatories that I am sure other
posters will be able to advise on which ones are current.

[drylander]

Depending on how long you are here check out this place for truly dark skies and an outback site as well.
https://www.arkaroola.com.au/
No affiliation but all those that go there come back impressed
Pete

[Wavytone]

The Hermitage at Mt Cook in the South Island of NZ - has a 12" dob at the local airfield. This is a superb dark sky site.

Also has plenty of things to do during the day, not to mention the scenery.

[LewisM]

Doesn't Astroboy (Zane) do lodging with observatory hire? I think he has some big dobs to use too. Give him a shot.

[OzEclipse]

A friend of mine contacted him late last year and he was told that it isn't available any more.

Arkaroola, mentioned by Drylander has an observatory. I think it has a large SCT 12-14" and staff who act as astro guides along with other duties.

Joe

[julianh72]

If you're in south-east Queensland, consider TwinStar Guesthouse & Observatory in Ballandean:
http://www.twinstarguesthouse.com/

Their main telescope is a 46 cm reflector.

(And if you're clouded out, you can always sample the local wines!)