[Wavytone]

Carlos...

From Sydney here's a list of places I've used over the years...

1. Sydney Observatory (obvious but about the worst site in terms of light pollution);

2. Randwick Girls High School oval, thanks to one of the IIS members here who occasionally arranges access;

3. Katoomba airfield (via Medlow Bath), as per Mental's post; reasonably dark and there's a cabin with a fireplace to warm up if its cloudy and cold (2 hours);

4. Kings Tableland, south of Wentworth Falls. From Hordern Rd turn left into Little Switzerland drive for 100m or so, there is a huge sandstone slab which offers a great spot to set up scopes. Reasonably good site and no dew. (1.5 hours)

5. Hargraves Lookout on the south side of Shipley Plateau, west of Blackheath. This is a very high, exposed site with the best conditions in the Blue Mountains but come prepared as it is also very cold if there is a breeze. (2 hours)

6. Mt Blackheath at the northern side of Shipley Plateau is also ok, near the paraglider launch (this is a patch of bright green Astroturf easily seen on Google maps). There are fireplaces and benches under the trees so can light a fire if you want to warm up. (2 hours)

7. Mt Banks, off Bells Line of Rd, use the second carpark on the right near the top. Small, only enough room for 2 cars plus scopes. (2 hours)

8. Mt Wilson, Cathedral Camping Ground (2.5 hours)

9. ASNSW's Mt Bowen site (Crago observatory). Suffering light pollution but it can give good steady seeing thanks to the national park in the west. (1h 45m)

10. Hassan's Walls, which is a high escarpment south of Lithgow (drive through the town and watch for the signpost saying Hassan's Walls). There are 4 good locations along the ridge, and offers the best conditions short of going much further afield. (2.5 hours).

11. Lake St Clair camping ground, Lake St Clair, 30 km north of Singleton. A very pretty lakeside camping ground that also happens to be a great spot for observing. Dark and sheltered from the wind. (3 hours)

12. ASNSW's site Wiruna, via Lithgow and Ilford (3 hours).

13. Barrington Tops, at the carpark on top near the peat bog. (4 hours)

14. Mt Kaputar, via Narrabri (8 hours) several places to observe. There is a beautiful camping ground near the peak among snow gums with spring water, hot showers aetc and a superb observing location a few hundred metres along the Barraba fire trail on the left hand side (you will need to speak to the ranger to obtain access as there is a locked gate). Short of Siding Spring, if the weather is good this is one of the best spots in the country. Spectacular views and things to do during the day make this park well worth visiting at least once.

My current preferences are 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.