Coonabarabran

[Octane]

Hi all,

Can anyone give me a pro tip on where to stay in/near Coonabarabran?

I have stayed at the Timor cabins in the past. This time, I need clear and unobstructed views to the north. Timor cabins have one of the Warrumbungles in their backyard which obscure north.

Also, I require power.

Thanks in advance for tips.

Regards,
Humayun

[Outbackmanyep]

I know the "Mountain Motel" has a lower horizon than Timor, it probably only cover about 10 to 15 degrees of the northern horizon from memory, mind you it was dark at the time!
The rooms back onto a nice open area at the back, take an extension cord!

[gary]

Hi Humayun,

The rock to the north of the cabins is Timor Rock.

Though the views north from the Mountains Motel are less obstructed than
from the cabins, except for some patches of sky in the north-east and north-west,
the northern view is still mostly obstructed. You glimpse constellations like
Leo in those patches. For our visiting American guests, this is not a problem
as they are more interested in spending observing time between the zenith and the
southern horizon.

Essentially there is high terrain north of the road all the way from town
to the western extremity of the National Park.

Unobstructed northern views from within the National Park itself are uncommon
and when you cross multiply that with the requirement for mains power,
non-existent.

The luckiest people are the astronomers at Sidings Springs who
mostly have unobstructed northern views.

Once you go beyond the western boundary of the Park in the direction of
Gulargambone (a ghost town in the making?) the northern skies open up
again, but it is all rural private property with no where to stay and again no power
even if you were to observe from the side of the road.

So no advice above I am afraid except the suggestion that I would recommend
you consider options beyond the precincts of Coona. Places such as Mount Kaputar
have no power from the spots at which one could use a telescope. Perhaps
a generator or a few sealed lead acid batteries and an inverter might provide
some additional flexibility. Good luck!

Best Regards

Gary