Good observing sites in SA

[Daff]

Anybody have any good observing sites out of Adelaide?? Family live in Flinders Ranges so have access to some of the best dark skies in Aus however 5 hour drive a bit much to do every weekend. Looking for somewhere closer and north/east of the city.

Cheers

Daff

[GrampianStars]

First port of call Stockport(north)
http://www.assa.org.au/facilities/stockport/ good value established site
further north Saddleworth then Burra
East I liked Mt. Torrens then Mt. Pleasant and further east Walker Flat on the Murray was always good.
Just shutting down as clouds are rolling in here (6 hours east :thumbsup:)

[cfranks]

Your welcome to join me at Tungkillo, situated between Mt Torrens and Mt Pleasant. About an hour up the Freeway. Currently raining but still.....!

Charles

[astrospotter]

On a very rewarding trip to Australia March 2010 we came by car from Adelaide and the 1st night stayed in Port Augusta. This drive is of course a bit of a drive but smooth fast road. If you are thinking of going to the Port Augusta area for some reason my trip was through the wine country then down the steep pass towards the freeway that leads to Port Augusta.

I could not resist (1st night out there) so took binoculars back up after we settled in to our motel and went to a dirt parking lot that has a monument I think to John Horrocks if I recall. This lot is very close to the point where it drops off down the range towards Port Augusta as I recall. I bet observers in that area are likely to know about that place.

The site has around an 8 degree south horizon that rises to about 20 degrees to the south east (my estimate in notes). My sqm meter was back at the hotel so I only guessed at my NELM (using known stars) to be at least 6.3 but I suspect a little better.

The lot is mostly on a slight angle but I felt it had enough 'almost flat' space where you may need a slight wedge for a dob but tripods would be fine. It has some altitude there with not much nearby city lights. If I lived in Port Augusta that would likely be a fine choice at only 30km drive for ease of access and darkness. It is a very nice road along the ocean from Adelaide but it would of course take some hours to get there.

We then went on to Arkaroola and as you said, mighty nice. I was in heaven for 5 nights from 21.5 to 21.7 sqm nights with full usage all by myself of the observatory owned by Doug Sprigg's (a wonderful host to be sure). 5 stars for the resort there if you like astronomy and/or outdoor life in that wonderful Flinders range area.

I do miss those great sights you all have down there :thumbsup:
Mark Johnston

[Paul Haese]

Stockport and Tooperang are the Societies observing sites and we always welcome more members to our society. If you drive anywhere ffrom Adelaide over an hour your are going to get darks skies. My observatory at Clayton has 21.6 skies. The township has a no street light policy (only 5 in operation out of 20 odd). Point being there are plenty of good stops to observe close to Adelaide. Best of luck for your quest.

[Daff]

Cheers for all your responses guys. I joined ASSA about 3 months ago but have yet to meet anybody or ustilise any facilities due to work commitments. Looking forward to some dark skies!!

Daff