looking for a good viewing location near south brisbane

[dizzy2005]

I live in south Brisbane (Mt Ommaney) but don't know the area very well. Anyone know of any good nearby viewing locations. Don't want to go too far, say 45 mins drive max, perhaps further for less casual observing.

Unobstructed views of the horizon probably more important than real dark skies ( Living on the side of a hill much to the south and east is obscured for me) plus of course minimal ambient lighting would be good.

MikeD

[citivolus]

I would think you could get good views nearby from up on Mt. Coot-tha. West of Ipswitch would also likely have some good spots, as well as norh-west of the Gap, as the hills would isolate you from the city lights somewhat.

[pirate of skies]

I live at Tanah Merah, south side of brisbane. It hides behind a small hill, but still gets city glare. Also light from the south east is always intruding.. I have found one of my local parks has a very low level with a wide sky angle and no street lights to be seen !.
The first night I went there the police came around and asked what I was doing. I didnt have the scope there, as I had just found the sight. I am sure they had heard it all up to this point. It was public property, so no worries there.

:)

[Rod66]

There are some very good spots east of beenleigh in the stayplton area. I quite often find some very dark areas in there away form the city lights and lots of sugar can farms so the sky is uninterrupted.Anywhere east of the M1 in that area is good.

[pirate of skies]

Hey Rod66,
Do you have any areas in mind, I have been out there, but nothing that would be public land ???

Do you live that way and would like some observing company ?

[dizzy2005]

I might give 17 mile rock park a go. I couldnt see any street lights when I was there with my kids the other weekend.

Will have to pop round one night and see if theres much ambient light.

It has a faily good horizon (at least compared to my yard).

Mike

[pirate of skies]

Good Point.
It shouldn't be hard to find something that's better than my yard. I have no West, no low south or low north, and only a small window east. I am trying to learn all the constellations and I only get 1/4th of the sky ???
Rod and I are going to hit Stayplton area on saturday night (27/06/09) if the weather holds out. Do you want to join ?, or is it too far ? Maybe a few hours observing with a few drinks ? Seems like it would be coffee as it might be a tad cold.

[Dennis]

There is a lookout at Warrill View (see attached Google Earth screen copy) that I have used on a couple of occasions in the last 3 to 4 years when I wanted a good W and S horizon. N isn’t as good as you’re looking in the direction of Brisbane.

It is approx 3 to 4 km off the main road. I’ve been alone and it can be a bit spooky when other cars drive up, but these have just turned around and gone out again without bothering me. There are a couple of covered tables up there if I remember correctly?

I think that the AAQ used to meet there?

I would recommend going in a group just in case, as it is a little off the beaten track. It used to take me approx 1 ¼ hours to drive from SE Brisbane.

Cheers

Dennis

[Rod66]

Warrill View looks like its far enough out in the boonies to be nice and dark. That looks about the same distance out as Stanley River near Somerset dam where some astro societies hold their monthly dark sky nights. Its got excellent vision around the whole sky, even south where Brisbane is.

[Dennis]

Yes, and the Hazledene (http://www.bas.asn.au/bas/hazelden.htm) venue (Stanley River Environmental Education Outdoor Centre) has the advantage of bunk house accommodation, toilets, showers, kitchen, mains power, etc. and is a safe location.:thumbsup:

Cheers

Dennis

[hotspur]

If you chaps want a observing site,you could visit our property

2 hours drive,but i have recently had AAQ DSO here,and last friday

other Brisbane astronomers enjoyed pristine viewing conditions.

regards Chris

[dizzy2005]

I cant decide if its going to be clear tonight or not, one minute its clear skys and bright sunshine the next its clouded over.

What time are you meeting up and whats the location like? Anywhere specific in mind?

Mike.

[Rod66]

Well its turned out to be a fantastic night for star gazing. I had a few wife issues that I had to take care of so we couldn't meet up. But I have been out in the last hour now that I'm home again and got to try out the new telescope. Very impressive. Jupiter has come up so that was cool and I've managed to finally see the Sombrero galaxy which is a thrill for me - first time..
Definitely have to make this dark sky thing work very soon..

Rod

[pirate of skies]

Yeh, I did a little myself, but I kept frosting over. I currently trying to work on some dew relief projects. Rod, I am glad you finally got your scope, and I hope you are happy with it. Do you want to look at some future date for a meet up ?

[Rod66]

Yes most definitely. The sky was great from my backyard late last night, but with a dark sky - I am going to positively wet myself. Actually - how does tonight sound? If the weather holds - it should still be good even with a little bit of moon early..

I am interested in some dew relief projects as it looks like its really heavy going on last nights attempt.

Give me a call if tonight suits..

Rod

[pirate of skies]

Rod,
Give me a call or email, and we will catch up.
Got a few mods to show you for your dob.


Rob.

[rider]

I always though you had to get over the ranges to get good skys in SE Queensland, but on Monday morning I was passing through Warrill-View at about 3:30 AM (not by choice, I was on my way to an early work start in Warwick)

Anyway, I decided to stop and check the sky quality. There was some bloom in the NE from Brisvegus and ipswich, but the sky was much better than I thought it would be. - I was a bit peaved that there were two clouds in the south spoiling my view, Until I realsed that they were the LMC and the SMC and were just super bright.

I'm definately going to give that area a go, (also the temperature was a balmy 5 degrees, whilst up on the range, Warwick was zero!)

Rider