|
AstroAnarchy and SEQAS often have monthly star parties at Watts Bridge Airfield, about 20 minutes outside of Esk. I've found the seeing conditions to often be a bit soft, and certainly there is some horizon sky glow from Brisbane which is noticeable, but the skies are more than reasonable. I believe some groups head out to Maleny, but I've never been so I can't comment on that. Moogerah dam is another site, but I haven't been there in several years and by all accounts the number of punters driving around with their headlights on is a real deterrent. I recently went to Boondooma (about 4 hours SW of Brisbane) with SEQAS and the skies there were very good indeed - very steady seeing conditions and significantly darker skies than Watts Bridge. I believe they're only looking to do that trip 1-2 times a year - certainly I don't think my gear could take many more trips, as the roads get pretty ropey in parts. I'm sure others will have different alternate sites (around Laidley for example) that they can comment on. Unfortunately, anywhere remotely decent will involve at least a couple of hours in the car these days I reckon.
|