Good Dark Sky Location Near brisbane

[Grimmeister]

Hi All,

During Christmas I have the opportunity to get away for a night or two and I am looking for a good spot no more than 3 hours from Brisbane that I can drive out to set up my gear and do some AP from and stay overnight. I didn't want to look at a camping ground as such but more of a public/national park away from civilisation that I don't need to book in advance.


I would like the following if possible:

Not a camping ground as I plan to do an all nighter and can crash in the back of the car if I need a nap.
I Don't need any facilities as I can bring these with me.
No more than 3 hours from Brisbane
Away from Light sources
No need to book in advance or pay to stay (want to be able to cancel easily if cloudy)
I will be running a 4 Stroke generator so needs to be away from people that could hear this.
An open area that has good sky views (e.g. not in a deep valley or surrounded by trees
Even if someone knows someone that has a large block of land that wouldn't mind someone parking down the back and setting up would be great, I will be quiet (e.g. no parties etc) except for the generator and thats not too loud and this would not be needed if there was power in the area.

Any ideas would be most welcome :)

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Anthony

[Baddad]

I may have something.
I need to check with the owner. Its near Black Butt, Banarchan. Excuse the spelling.
Will get back to you tomorrow.

Cheers

[Grimmeister]

Hi Marty,

That would be awsome :thumbsup:, as long as I would not be putting anyone out or disrupting their Christmas.

Let me know after you've had a chat to them.

Many Thanks

Anthony grimshaw

[hotspur]

You can use my observatory Anthony,although it looks like it could be cloudy,on top of the Blackbutt Range.There is even scopes and AP gear in there-hardly ever been used!-all this cloud:shrug:

[naskies]

I'm also very interested in any recommendations for spots to take wide field images with a portable set up... most of the places close to Brisbane that I've checked via Google Street View have high trees near accessible bits of road.

[hotspur]

Yeah,plenty locations up here,can help ya out,no where near roads.

Only sounds are dingos howling.

[Grimmeister]

Hi Chris,

Thats an awsome offer, even if you have vehicle access a bit of flat ground and a power outlet this would be great.

I will PM you all my contact details and we can talk about a suitable time :), fingers crossed the skys are clear just after Christmas:D

Cheers

Anthony

[Grimmeister]

Hi Chris,

Thanks once again for letting us use your place last night to do some imaging, some really good skys, a few good pictures and pleasant company, what better a way to spend an evening.:thumbsup:

Cheers

Anthony

P.S. This is a single unedited frame of Eta Carina, how good was the viewing :)

[naskies]

Thanks again Chris for a great night under the stars, not to mention good company too. It was good to know that Anthony was closer to the paddock - and whatever lurks in the dark - than me... kidding! :lol:

Nice job on Eta Carina, Anthony!

[hotspur]

It was a great pleasure to host both Anthony and Dave,I hope you two gentlemen come back for another dark sky viewing night next year,The night past all too quick!

Some good images obtained by all,Dave-congratulations on your ability to gather images of such a high quality,I appreciated the 2.30am tut on DSS,while waiting for clouds to pass.

Anthony,the Eta Carina image looks wonderful!,Great work!

Here is a winter time wide field image,to tempt you chaps! (one frame at 848 sec iso 500,using 10-22 at 10 mm on EQ mount)

[naskies]

Chris, you have a fantastic set up there - I'm sure it's the envy of many, many astronomers. That's an awesome shot - I think I shall have to return for another visit in Winter!

[Grimmeister]

Hi Chris,

Yes went far to quick and definitly hope to see you up there again. That is a great shot of the MW by the way :)

Cheers

Anthony

[HazzaStar]

Hi all,

I am trying to find a place for the up coming meteor shower. Any suggestion?

I could not go too far, so an hour drive within Brisbane CBD would be great.

Thanks guys

Harry

[nebulosity.]

If you guys want to come out to the darling downs we have some beautiful skies, I live about an hour west of Toowoomba in the farming area, dead flat and no trees :thumbsup:

Lots of paddocks to set up in and the farmers wouldn't mind.

Jo

[Benjamin]

Sounds ideal! The Winston Churchill quote encapsulates something of the search for the fainter DSOs in suburban Brisvegas.