Observing sites "close" to Melbourne ?

[uspl]

As I live in the inner east, observing from home is basicaly limited to the moon and some planetary viewing, the light pollution from the streets makes sure of that.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to a location that is

within an hours drive of the city
relatively dark, I know it wont be true dark skies
remote enough to avoid the passing casual muggerI thought of the car park on top of Mt Dandenong but they lock the gates there since it was privatised from Parks Victoria.

Thanks

[DougAdams]

I've taken my scope down to the Briers near Mornington a few times. It's about 40 minutes away from me. Not totally dark but you can see the Milky Way and the MC's easily.

[SkySearcher]

Not to sure of an exact location but I think heading North East towards Kangaroo Ground/Kinglake is a pretty quick way to get away from the 'light'. The blocks become very big from around warrandyte so houses and street lighting are sparse. You could try finding a footy field in that area.

[mill]

The briars in the mornington peninsula is fairly dark.
And no muggers at all.:P

[turbo_pascale]

Try Macedon Ranges Observatory - http://www.darksky.net.au (http://www.darksky.net.au/)

They have telescope pads (2.5x2m concrete slabs with the SCP conveniently pointed out for you) for nightly hire - $15 a night for an unpowered pad, $20 for a powered pad (if you're in to imaging). If you want to pitch a tent, it'll be another $10 for the night.

I've been up there several times, and the skies are nice and dark, great visibility in all directions, and the host is a keen amateur as well. I also live in the Eastern Suburbs, and it's just over an hour away.

Dirt cheap for a purpose built facility catering to the Melbourne amateur astronomer.

Alternatively, if you're a member of the Astronomical Society of Victoria, you can go to their LDMSS site (Heathcote) any time (you need to ring to get the combination lock code as they change it regularly now because of some vandalism). Heathcote is about 1.5 hours (roughly).

Turbo

[bojan]

Try cricket pitch in Kalorama Melway 52K10)... There is access to power, but it has to be negotiated with staff (owners?). Also, the trees around it will block the view closer to horizon, up to about 15~20 deg
Or, try Johns Reserve lookout (Melway 124K11). No power there...
Those sites are not completely dark, but close enough.

[uspl]

Thanks to all who replied, I will check out the Dandenongs sites over the weekend (weather permitting)
Just a note on power; the first thing I added to my car when I started carting a laptop years ago was a 150w inverter. I can run the laptop all night and no fear of flattening a car battery

[Dave47tuc]

Have a look at this thread, http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=15329

It does not cost to come down and use your scope there.:)

[DougAdams]

Looking good tonight. I'm going dark ... not sure where yet.

[uspl]

Jupiter gazing for me, if this weatehr holds it should be dark enough by 21:00 and still plenty of elevation.

[mill]

And tomorrow night looks good too :)
What a bliss tomorrow is my day off.:P

[ballaratdragons]

Hmmmm, we are a bit too far for you to enjoy just a casual drive for a bit of observing, but if you ever get in the mood for a 2 - 2.5 hour drive to enjoy pitch black sky, you are welcome up here. Power is free, in fact everything is free.

And if it isn't a club night, my back paddock is always available.

[DougAdams]

Ken - sounds tempting. Not sure about the 4 hour drive up and back though!

We ended up in the Dandenong's last night, but it wasn't that private, or that dark. Thinking of driving an hour down the South Gippy Highway and see what's there.

Has anyone used the Mount Macedon facility? It sounds a great deal for $10, but I'm wondering about ergonomics. How far away do you leave your car from the observing pads, etc?

[turbo_pascale]

The "Macedon Ranges Observatory" facility is actually just past Kyenton (about 12km east of the town centre). Not near Mt. Macedon.

You drive in the gate, the pads are about 50m from there, and if you're using the pad area, you can pretty much park your car within 5-10m from the pads. Go to the website - you can click on the "Google Earth" .kmz file and you can actually see the telescope pads in the image.

I've been there for 2 observing nights in the past. It is a REALLY dark site. When the milky way casts a shadow on the ground, you know it is dark. When the clouds are BLACK spots, not WHITE, then you also know it's a pretty dark site! It's probably closer to 1.5hrs than 1 really - did a day trip up there on the weekend.

If you've never experienced a truly dark sky (if you're a dedicated suburban dweller like me), it is an awesome experience. Ring before you plan to go and check out the weather. It can be substantially different to Melbourne.

Turbo