[Wavytone]

Made the trip many times in the early 1980's.

Where: Camp at Dawsons spring, this has powered sites, camping sites, fresh water and hot showers.
Why: because its set in a snow gum forest near the peak, and has a permanent spring.

Stargazing: You can set up at anywhere that is immediately obvious including outside the telecoms/TV relay tower, but there are better places, see maps.google.com in satellite view.

1. There is a fire trail with a locked gate (the Barraba fire trail) leading due east (left) off the Kaputar main road just before the turnoff to the Dawsons spring campsite. Walk along this 200-300m and plunge through the brush on the left of the road (north side of the road). What you will find is a smooth lava field like concrete the size of a small oval, surrounded by the tall trees which offer some wind protection. This appears as a white patch on Google Maps. Ideal for telescopes. This also serves as a helipad, if needed.

Try asking the ranger for access to this gate.

2. There is another rough trail visible on Google Earth that comes out onto a large clear area north of the TV tower, between the campsite and the tower. Should be accessible and OK for a scope.

3. Lindsey Rock Tops track. Lindsey Rocks is the top of a columnar basalt formation, huge undulating domes of stone. Very exposed.

4. The trig station on the Kaputar peak itself, if your gear is compact enough to lug up there (a few tens of metres).