Dark Nth Qld observing sites?

[Ziggy]

Not sure if this is the right forum to ask this, and if anybody can really help, but just wondering if anyone has observed from Ravenshoe in Nth Qld before? Most of you have probably never heard of it! Ravenshoe is Qld highest town.

Just wondering what the sky conditions are like up there? Obviously, I could go for a 2 hour drive and find out myself, but I only ever seem to be there for day trips. I will be going up for a night if the weather ever clears up this way, but will probably only take my binoculars to start with, as I will have to stay in a motel.

Am actually thinking of buying some land up that way, both as a holiday house and hopefully a reasonably dark observing site. Just a thought at this stage, but anyone with any info or experience of Ravenshoe or anywhere else up this way, please let me know. Need Nth Qld's darkest skies, cause Cairns is getting awfully light poluted!

Regards,
Glen

[gaa_ian]

Hi Ziggy
There is an IIS'er up at Ravenshoe (or nearby) SirDystic
Also, if you talk to the good folks at suncoast optical, they should be able to help too !

[robagar]

The Suncoast optical guys also run an observatory out at Chillagoe. Nice dark caves there too.

[robagar]

Now, anyone know of a good place up here with a clear view of the western horizon? Gotta see that comet! (it was lost in the pre- wetseason haze during the day yesterday, and now it's totally cloudy. bloody tropics ;)

[Shawn]

Ziggy told me it was here, This time of year , you can pretty much forget observing, for sure . Its all worth while though in another 2 or 3 months, the skies are stable clear and its like that every nite...

Another Cairns IISer here too I see,

Hello nieghbour..:), well nearly. I worked there all last year and commuted, you gotta love those Gillies....

[gaa_ian]

I had clearish skies here in Gove last night, but my efforts to find the comet were to no Avail :(
Has anyone in Far Northern Australia had any success ?