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If I want really dark I will head out to Leyburn with other SAS members (exactly 2 hours from my place), but you can get between 80 and 90% of the dark skies for some much shorter trips. I have a contact in the Lockyer Valley that I trip out to and is only 3/4 of an hour from my place at Parkinson. This is perfect around last quarter moon as I can go out there and observe and when the moon rises have a quick peak at it, packup, and then be back home at around 1am.
I would be interested in finding any other sites close to home and gathering with others too. I need to get out under some stars soon (its been a while) and would welcome the option for a quick (but dark) session that is less likely to interrupt family / work commitments.
The SAS hold their meetings at the Pimpima school, but don't usually do any serious observing from there. If you attend the meeting there and the sky is clear you can usually view through the society's hire scopes which are setup outside.
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