Good Observing Spot

[glenc]

This thread is for people to post information about good observing sites.

[glenc]

Tenterfield airport carpark, New England tableland, near the Qld border.
Directions: head north from Tenterfield on the New England Hwy for 11km then turn left into Schroders Rd, the airport is 2km from the Hwy.
Latitude -28.9896, Longitude 151.9369, Elevation 795 m.
(see http://maps.google.com/maps and put the lat, long in the search maps box)
Facilities: large grass/gravel parking area and a flush toilet, some shade.
Horizons: Excellent to S & E, very good to N & W.
Light pollution: slight from Tenterfield, no problems with local houses or traffic.
I camped there overnight and only one car drove in at about 7am.
Climate: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_056032.shtml
The image below is the view to the south.

[§AB]

Any good spots within an hour or two from southeastern Melbourne?

[Starkler]

Good question!

I have a spot thats about 15 min out of Cranbourne but its at the side of a minor dirt road so you have to deal with the occasional car and feel a bit exposed. I wont post publicly about it because if a crowd turns up it might cause problems.

[Night Owl]

I've got a spot on a friends private property I am allowed use about 2 1/2 hours west of Melbourne. I'm allowed pitch a tent, but I usually have a nap in the car, as home is only 20 minutes drive away. Of course there are no ammentities other than what you bring. And of course, you take your rubbish home, and you don't light fires.

Its also on top of a hill you can drive right on to in a normal road car to unload and set up. Another good thing is any mist or fog that rolls in after 3:00am usually can't make it up the hill and goes around to the west!

The only artificial lights I have ever seen are navigation lights from passenger jets that travel about 50km north and south at high altitude. You can't see a single house light or street light out to the horizon in any direction, and I have never even seen a cars headlights. A car may use the access road one day, but I've never seen a car use the road after dark yet.

The only thing that doesn't make it an absolutely perfect spot is a very slight glow from a small town 16km away over on the north eastern horizon, but it is absolutely neglible.

If anyone is interested in visiting send me a personal message.

[§AB]

^^ wow! If only it wasn't 300km away :(

[Starkler]

Sounds great Nightowl. How would your friend feel about hosting a big group of new friends with tents and telescopes :D

[GrahamL]

Ever been to the old ww 2 airfield at evans head glen ?
I often wonder if its worth a look

[glenc]

Graham I have, Evans Head airport isn't too bad.
The lookout at Broadwater NP should be OK, provided the salt spray doesn't ruin your scope.

[glenc]

See
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?p=314860#post314860
for another good observing spot.

[Ian Robinson]

Rathmines Park is good.

I regularly drive past AeroPelican airstrip at Belmont and it looks very dark at night time , now AeroPelican flights no longer use the strip , I have been wondering if it would be possible to drive in and set up at night time on the old strip.

Limeburner's Creek near Karuah (about 60mins from Newcastle) is a good spot too.

I've often been fishing up near the Sygma on Stockton beach at night time and it's pitch black there too if there is no moon.
Same at Wybung and Snapper Heads.