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I just wanted to thank everyone for their comments so far. I have taken a photo with my ASI120MM camera - this image is about where the spa currently is, at a height of about 1m.
Regarding getting rid of the pool - I did find from google that someone has had experience with the pool removal, which was about $10k including removal of the concrete and putting back filler and topsoil - so I will see if I can get a quote from the same people who did this one.
Ok - my wife said that if I touch the spa, I should get rid of the pool - no half measures...
Re the rural site, we did go for a drive down south, and headed west from Mittagong - after an hour of those winding roads, my wife was against getting anything around there. I.e. all those blind corners on a single lane unsealed road with the mountain side dropping away on one side or the other. So it looks like, some place that is reached without winding roads, or steep dropoffs.
Peter, yes, we are on a corner - the tree is very tall so my view to the west would be very limited. The pool area has no sensor lights so probably the best place for me. Direct lighting from streetlights - only one is visible, and that one has the bezel hanging down off a chain - must have come adrift, but easy to block off. The neighbouring house nearest us is the garage - so no lights.
Matt, if there is a astro society nearby that would allow semi-permanent telescopes, that would certainly be an option.
Least of all, Rob - thanks for your comment - I would love to go live in a rural area, away from the city lights, but I don't think my family are quite up to this as yet. 5 hr round trip sounds good - but around Sydney, there is really nothing affordable within about 3 hrs drive that doesn't require me to sell the house.
Maybe what I should do, is to actually get the telescope outside near the spa, and try doing some observing and imaging instead of just talking about it.
-John
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