Good Camping Sites near Sydney for Astronomy

[CoolhandJo]

I was just wondering if anybody can recommend some good camping sites or parks within about a 3 to 4 hour drive from Sydney for Observing? (apart from Lostock)?

Prefer ammenities etc..

Thanks in advance

[Barrykgerdes]

Why not come to Wiruna again. Its only 2.5 hrs away. Maybe 3.5 from your place!

Barry

[Analog6]

There are good spots down towards the Snowy Mtns but I'm not sure about actual amp spots with amenities. Great dark skies though.

[tlgerdes]

I was going to say the same thing.

Why go to some OTHER god forsaken desolate spot, when you can come to OUR godforsaken desolate spot and enjoy good company.:D:D

[madwayne]

You could try Wollondilly River on the road between Mittagong and Wombeyan Caves, take the Mittagong exit off the freeway and drive through town and keep going. Facilities are pretty basic to non existent the last time I was there, a couple of years ago. They had a fire and burnt down the shower block. The river was great for having a tub in each day. You will need a generator to charge batteries though.

If it were me I'd be saying hi to Trevor and Barry and heading straight for Wiruna. I love that place.

Wayne

[Rodstar]

Try the Wee Jasper Reserves, about 40 mins drive due south of Yass (NW of Canberra). Fantastic camping grounds with nice dark skies. I have now been there 3 times, and will be returning again in the future.

[sheeny]

Burraga Dam (-33.935756,149.554061) is a very dark sky site. Amenities might be a little spartan though. There is a toilet, but not a shower as far as I know (it's been a couple of years since I've been there). You can swim in the dam though.

Abercrombie Caves would be another possibility for camping and good amenities but from memory it's very deep in the valley so the view of the sky is limited to the highest parts only. Not sure if Wombeyan Caves are any better:shrug:.

Boyd River Camping ground in Kanangra Walls NP has toilets only, but the creek runs through the campground - might be difficult to find a good clear view of the sky due to trees though.

Flat Rock camping area is too close to the road for astro IMO.

Al.

[CoolhandJo]

GReat suggestions thanks! I will look them up! Barry, you going up to Wiruna anytime soon? I am thinking over new years eve? Anyone else going up then|?

[Allan_L]

Maybe check out the star parties forum!
Mangrove Mountain is on regularly.
Special jaunts occasionally
Bretti (in January)
Chris has offered Cooma previously
Dunedoo has some very dark skies.

[tlgerdes]

I am thinking of driving up to the "house" at Wiruna on New Years Day, depends on the weather. :sunny::stargaze:

I know there will be people up there over the weekend.

Barry wasnt planning to go, but things always change, especially if friends or events influence.:lol:

[tlgerdes]

Plus "the house" at Wiruna has water, h+c showers, kitchen, solar power with batteries, heater, clear level site for imaging, dark skies and beds 8+ people if you dont want to camp.:thumbsup:

The only think we have lacked recently has been clear skies........ and we dont have an oven, so you cant bake anything.

[CoolhandJo]

Excellent Trevor. May see you up there!

[tlgerdes]

Barry is now contemplating going, as long as I'm driving. He is waiting on a package from OS. If it arrives we will go regardless of weather.

Will let you know early next week.

[CoolhandJo]

That would be great Trevor!

[yusufcam]

i had a similar question a few weeks back, but was more interested in going to places that i could get to using public transport and cycling near Sydney (a convergence of hobbies :))


Taking a tent and a 80mm Bosma refractor overnight.

i came across the following webpage and the Murphy's Glen campsite seemed like a possible candidate.

http://www.visitnsw.com/Astronomy2009_p3487.aspx

just need some consistently clear skies for a while, so we can try it out.

regards
Colin

[GraemeT]

Where's Wiruna?

[tlgerdes]

Hi Graeme,

Wiruna is the Astronomical Society of NSW dark sky site, halfway between Lithgow and Mudgee at Ilford.

http://asnsw.com/wiruna/index.asp

This is where they hold the South Pacific Star Party each year as well. The next being at the begining of April.

It is 3hrs drive from Sydney.

Definately worth the membership fee.:)

[GraemeT]

Thanks Trevor, I've driven through Ilford many times, knowing the site was there but without realising it had a name. Google maps hasn't heard of it.
Cheers
Graeme

[multiweb]

Googlemap... yeah... the first time I went there I ended up in Hill end. Missed the turn or misplaced pin :P Just another 60km of dirt road (and back) . Easy peasy :doh:. Go to Ilford take first left to go to sofala. Then about 14km from intersection in tara loop road.

[tlgerdes]

Wiruna is the name of the property, not a town.

I think everyones first trip has an "experience" attached to it.

We drove through every other back road except Tara Loop for 2 hrs before we found it.

Tara Loop has two entrances, you take the 2nd one. You can google Old Ilford Rd which the property is on.