Stargazing B&B location - easy access from Melbourne

[erick]

I just spent five days on the "well-earned break" staying in a cottage and spending evenings observing and photographing in fairly dark skies. Maybe someone else is looking for a good location. If so, I'm happy to recommend Woolmunda Park Cottages - some 10 minutes on the Hamilton side of Ballarat, near Smythesdale. Ken and Christine have two cottages on their 20 acre property. The property is half cleared so there is plenty of visible sky. Apart from glow from Ballarat to the ENE, and the occasional car lights from a distant road, light pollution was very low. The land slopes, but flat spots can be found to set up - even just outside the cottage door - very convenient for the refreshment break! Behind the cottage meant the N and W skies weren't accessible, but guaranteed zero visible lights from the road and a distant neighbour.

Good for the family with great walks on the property and a very comfortable and fully appointed cottage.

I'm going back sometime later this year, if I can. Hoping my wife can come as well this time.

http://www.woolmundapark.com.au/

[DobDobDob]

Why do I think you have the perfect life, erick?

[erick]

Yes, come to think of it, she'll probably want the TV on while I am outside trying to avoid such extraneous light! And complain if I want to sleep until midday!

Anyway, here I am all set up before sunset behind the cottage - ready for a great night's observing and photography - which it turned out to be. Milky Way fully visible from here - also LMC and SMC. And watched Scorpius and Jupiter rising. Could even see Saturn in gaps between the trees to the left (North).

[DobDobDob]

No need to rub it in, you are obviously aware it hasn't stopped raining for the last two days in Sydney :sadeyes:

[leon]

Gee Erick, i love the foundations stones under the Dob.

Leon

[erick]

I carry three half bricks with me to keep the ground board and feet out of the dirt. In this case, with the slope, I added a lump of quartz (no gold seams seen) under one brick to get it approximately level. It was quite stable. If you look, you'll se the table with a couple of legs buried and another on another piece of quartz to get is approximately level.

[erick]

Just found a clear view of this location on Goggle Earth

If you are interested, go here:-

37°37'51.31"S
143°41'13.15"E

(Don't know how to produce a nifty Google Earth URL yet)