Awesome Phil, I was there for my first time 3 weeks ago and it certainly won't be my last. I loved it, and as you say Maria was very obliging when I asked if we could turn the lights off. A fantastic place to setup a telescope and appreciate the night sky!
this is a link to my post on Pilliga a few weeks back
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=103548
best regards,
Carlos.