Hi James,
Mate, in many ways this is the best time of year for observing: Cooler atmosphere makes for better seeing conditions, and some of the best jewels in the sky are at our disposal.
Here is a short list of items you might like to ping. These are visible from home too, so you might like to track them down from home first if you have time, and compare the view from Katoomba:
*Omega Centuri, NGC 5139- the best Globular Cluster in the sky.
*M4 - another Globular cluster, one of my fav's. In Scorpio, so best a little later at night for this month.
*NGC 5286- another GC in Centaurus. Much smaller and will give you a little challenge to spot. Makes for a contrast to Omega.
*M83 ( The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy) & M104 (Sombrero Galaxy). They are not far from each other, in Hydra and Virgo respectively.
*Centaurus A, NGC 5128 (The Hamburger Galaxy). Tricky to spot from Sydney now, but doable. A good target to use your averted vision to actually find the object. From Katoomba, I've seen these three galaxies through a 30mm finder.
*Eta Carina Nebula, NGC 3372- A monster nebula very close to the Southern Cross. So bright you might be able to spot it naked eye from home. Look at this link posted by Robh, it will give you some insight into the various structures visible in this monster. It is such a busy place:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...65&postcount=2
*NGC 3918 (the Blue Nebula)- while you are near Eta Carina, move across to this really bright and striking Planetary Nebula near the Southern Cross.
For instructions on getting to the Airfield, look down at reply No. 5. I've expanded on how to get there. As Steffen wrote, you can also google-map 'Katoomba Airfield'.
Just remember, BYO power and it will get cold there. Tucker wise, there is a good hamburger place at Wentworth Falls, and a very good pizza shop also at Wentworth Falls.
See you there.