Planning Trip To Aus. in '08 - Help?

[doublestargeeze]

I'm planning a 2.5 - 3 month trip to Australia next year in May, June and July.
I grovel before you for assistance, help, advice and travel tips. I plan to travel around in a motor-home with my telescope(s) to see the southern sky (which I have never seen below -50 Dec) and to see the sights of Australia as well. I would appreciate assistance with observing and logistics. The logistical support is particularly important. I plan to fill a steamer trunk with my astro gear and most of my general goods and ship it by surface transport ahead of my arrival by plane. I need a place (person? club? ) to ship it to so that I can pick it up upon my arrival. Then, I'm hoping, this kind and generous person will store my empty steamer trunk for 2.5 months until I return to pick it up to ship my stuff home to Canada. I know I'm asking a lot but I have no contacts in Australia so I'm seeking out some new friends via this forum. Thanks for reading this far. Thanks, in advance, for any assistance you may be able to give me. David Cotterell, Toronto, Canada.
email: david dot cotterell at tel dot tdsb dot on dot ca (no spam 4 me!):D

[h0ughy]

well please consider some of our astro events - South pacific star party normally about now, and then border stargaze or Queensland Astrofest in early august. In october 08 there will be another IISAC. pLus normally from may to august is generally good weather. WHat were your thoughts as to where to start.

[doublestargeeze]

Thanks for the reply, Houghy. I'll lay awake tonight trying to figure out how to pronounce your name..... :) I will be arriving about May 15th (full moon +/-, giving me time to get oriented and acclimatized without wasting valuable dark-sky time) and be leaving around July 27 (I'm going to Mongolia for the solar eclipse on the way home). It doesn't sound like any of the star Parties that you mentioned fall into this time window.

if there is a Star Party anywhere in the country that falls inside my 'window' I will attend it.
d.c.

[Argonavis]

The star parties in SEQld that I know of always welcome new comers. These are Cambroon 140 kms north of Brisbane and Leyburn 210 kms south-west of Brisbane. There is usually up to 25 people attending during the nearest to New Moon weekends.

The Cambroon events are announced here on this forum in the star parties sub-forum:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=18645

The Leyburn events can be found on the web page of the Southern Astronomical Society.

I can't speak for Illford in NSW (used by the Astronomical Society of NSW) or the Leon Mow dark sky site outside Heathcote Victoria used by the Astronomical Society of Victoria, but both would have events close to New Moon. I don't know how welcome vistors who are not members are.

Where are you landing in Aust? What is your intinery?

[davidpretorius]

If coming to Tasmania (coutnry off the south coast of australia), we will look after you..........

Jupiter will be nice and HIGH!

[RB]

We also have a monthly meeting every new moon at Kulnura which is just over an hour north of Sydney and has relatively dark skies.
A group of us meet there and you'll be most welcome if you're in the area David.


:welcome:

[LX200]

:welcome: to OZ in 08'
We're in far western Victoria in the Grampians
(260Kms from Melbourne)
Your welcome to stop by for a session in the observatory
"Bloody Dark Sky" :thumbsup:

[Dujon]

Hello, David,

I have sent to you an e-mail.

For the information of all who read this I would ask that you advise (if you know at this point in time) where your landfall will be. While Australia is not as big as is Canada it can still be along way between drinks.

[jjjnettie]

If you're looking to start your journey at Brisbane, I should be able to help you out with storage, if someone closer to town can't.
As Will (ArgoNavis) mentioned, we have a great astro community in South East Queensland with regular get togethers each new moon.

[bloodhound31]

You have my helping hand in Canberra..PM me if you want to visit/ship here...

Baz.:D

[doublestargeeze]

I 'm very thankful for the numerous replies from Argonavis, hOughy, bloodhound31, jjjnettie, davidpretorius, Rocket Boy, LX200 and Dujohn. I am creating a file of contacts in Australia which I have called the "Philosophy Department of the University of Woollamaloo". I am happy to confirm to one and all the truth of the reputation of the very friendly, accommodating and hospitable Australian.
My itinerary is quite unknown right now but I suspect strongly that I will land at either Sydney or Brisbane on the east coast since it is closer to Canada. Once I am there I will try to hit a number of these informal star parties as possible. I look forward to planning all of this and I will keep in touch.
Thanks, d.c.:cheers:

[sheeny]

G'Day David,

Sounds like a great holiday in the making!

Just thought I'd throw 2c worth of suggestions for places to see/visit (apart from the observing sessions;)) which may help you to shape up your plan.

If you're coming in through Sydney or Brisbane, my suggestions would be:

Coonabarabran / Warrumbungles - Anglo Australian Telescope, etc
Parkes Radio telescope
Glasshouse Mountains (north of Brisbane)
Blue Mountains (west of Sydney)
Tasmania (haven't been there yet myself, but I'm sure its worth the effort! DP will look after you!;)) - great views of circumpolar skies!
The Great Ocean Road - on the Victorian coast
Beechworth in Victoria
Almost any beach from Brisbane to Melbourne... hmmm... might be cool for a dip though!:POf course, there's lots of other potential suggestions right across Australia, but since I'm not sure how much driving you want to do, I'll keep my suggestions in the SE for now. I'm sure others here will have great suggestions too! (hint, hint;)).

Looking forward to seeing your itinerary.

Al.