Dark sky site at Ballandean

[pmrid]

Anyone tried this site? It’s a truffle farm called “The Folly” with a small number (16) of self-contained caravan sites located in the hills west of Ballandean on the Granite Belt ( south of Stanthorpe.

I’ve booked a van site for a week later in May to have a look. Just taking a light rig (AM5 and 94mm APO) to keep it simple. Being away from the coast and fairly elevated, I’m hoping it will be dry and cold.

Fingers are crossed.

[julianh72]

I don't know about "The Folly" site specifically, but the night skies around Ballandean are glorious on a clear night. There should be almost no lights visible from "The Folly" apart from the buildings on-site, and maybe one or two nearby farmhouses. May is generally pretty clear, and it doesn't usually get down to sub-zero in autumn, but you'll still need some winter woolies, as the area is pretty elevated. (Ballandean village is about 720 metres, but you can rise 50 or 100 metres or more as you move away from the valley floor.)

Twinstar Observatory and B&B is located in Ballandean village, and a look at their website will give some idea of what star-gazing can be like on the Granite Belt.
http://www.twinstarguesthouse.com/

[julianh72]

Steve Messiter at Girraween Estate (a few km south of Ballandean) is a keen star-gazer and budding astro-photographer. He also makes some great wines, including fantastic sparkling wines. Why not drop in there in daylight hours for a tasting, and to chat about the night skies - he'll be happy to talk!
https://www.girraweenestate.com.au/starry-nights-in-the-granite-belt/

[pmrid]

Thanks Julian. I’ll make a point of dropping in on Girraween Estate winery. Sounds like a real good time to be up there - especially because it will be ew Moon when I’m there.

[lazjen]

So long as you're away from the town itself, that area is really dark. At times, in the town they light up the sports field at night with bright lights.

[Tandum]

Hey Pete, do you know of https://www.hipcamp.com/en-AU Type in barambah as the location, for example, then click maps (top right) and then click Dark sky. I assume it then shows dark sky locations around that area.

[Tandum]

https://www.hipcamp.com/en-AU/land/queensland-topp-view-camping-and-cabins-9mxh06e5?arrive=2023-05-15&depart=2023-05-18&adults=2&children=0

[pmrid]

G’day Robin. That site is new to me but it looks promising. I’ll certainly give it a run. Thanks mate.
Peter