Looking for Dark Sky viewing locations around Sydney

[Estrelle]

Hello All,

Been lurking here for a while and decided it was time to make a post! :)

My wife and I have recently bought a telescope from the fine chaps at Bintel - 8" SCT (sorry for the bad weather of late :mad2: Worst weather I've seen in a couple of months naturally) and are now looking for some good viewing locations around (if possible) and outside (more likely) of Sydney. We live in a unit and are surrounded by tress and so have Zero chance of seeing anything at home...

We love camping and are looking for some advice on what are the best spots to combine this with some decent viewing. We are happy to camp in tents or use cabins, etc and are happy to drive a few hours out of Sydney in any direction.

Thanks in advance.

Len.

[GTB_an_Owl]

if you want to come north Len, your more than welcome at our Mangrove Mountain Pony Club meets every new moon

geoff

[renormalised]

Welcome to IIS, Len:D:D

[wavelandscott]

If you have not already, check out the ASNSW (Astronomical Society of New South Wales) and join. They have a very nice dark sky spot a few hours drive from Sydney and there are places to camp on site. A fair number of folks make the trip regularly.

A little closer to home, the Northern Sydney Astronomical Society (NSAS) were doing regular viewing at the Turramurra Golf Course...

I just moved from East Lindfield to the USA or I'd be of more assistance.

[gary]

Hi Len,

Welcome. :welcome:

As per previous advice, you might want to consider joining with other
IceInSpace forum members who meet at the Mangrove Mountain/
Central Coast Pony club just north of Sydney.

Monitor this forum for details -
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=16

Beyond that, as mentioned by Scott, you might want to consider joining the Astronomical
Society of New South Wales. See http://www.asnsw.com/
The Society has an observatory at Bowen Mountain, west of Sydney
and is fortunate to own a 43 ha observing site called Wiruna near Ilford,
which is on the way out to Mudgee. They also hold regular talks on Friday
nights at Epping.

Wiruna has fabulous camping, hot showers, flush toilets, some no-frills bunkroom and
cottage accommodation, a meeting hall, kitchen facilities and enough
observing field space to host the biggest star party in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Society also owns several large telescopes which you can use, including
a 25" Dobsonian. It is a great place to spend a New Moon weekend.

Don Whiteman at Bintel in Sydney also happens to be the current Editor
of the Society and would be more than happy to assist with questions or
email or telephone me during business hours and I would be happy to assist
as well.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[Estrelle]

Thank you all for your welcome and ideas. :)

The Wiruna dark sky site looks fantastic and just what we are after. The upcoming SPSP would also be perfect for us, as being new to the hobby we would really benefit from the day time workshops and good night time viewing...

I can't believe how poor the weather is of late but fingers crossed this coming Friday might be worth a trip out.

I'll give Don a call on Monday to get some more info about the ASNSW and hope to see some of you about the traps :thumbsup: