North Queensland observing

[beefking (Nathan)]

hey all,

I've recently moved to Cairns, so I just wanted to see how many forum people are up this way, and if there are any observing nights or good dark sites (here or on the tablelands) that are easy to get to.

It still seems a bit cloudy at the moment, but I've been pretty excited to see how far above the horizon some northern stuff gets.

It clears up later in the year, right?

right

[duncan]

Hi Nathan,

I'm native to the Tablelands (Atherton),but i work up in Weipa and only get home about a week every Month plus.
Best bet close to Cairns would be Mareeba to Dimbula. Thats within 2hours drive. Mareeba boasts 300 days a year of sunshine.
Best i've found in the north is Chillagoe. If you are married /Partner,make a w/end of viewing and do some caving as well. Chillagoe is only a tiny place so no light pollution.
Hope this helps you.
Cheers,
Duncan

[beefking (Nathan)]

Thanks Duncan - I've seen that sign outside Mareeba, and I've been wondering if "300 sunny days" really translates to 300 clear nights?

if so, I'm moving. eventually.

[duncan]

Yep there's a lot to be said about Tablelands weather. Not so good in Atherton which is only 35kms down the road but 300mtrs higher..Out towards Dimbula is flatter country and a lot drier. Southwest of Atherton is Mt Garnet, it is also very small and has a racetrack (Horses). The track is about 8-10klms out of town and lots of flat area. Enjoys a lot of clear nights as well..Best bet is to go for a drive on a w/end to check it all out.I hope i've given you plenty of ideas. Also on the southern half of the Tablelands are a lot of waterfalls (Milla Milla through to and just beyond Ravenshoe). These are best seen at this time of year due to rainfall.
Cheers,
Duncan

[Liz]

Hi Nathan .. Duncan has helped you out a bit there
Cairns has an observing group - give me ahoy if you cant get in contact with them.
Prob cloudy for awhile then we have beautiful winter skies
Pop down to Tville to say hi. We have an active group here.

[beefking (Nathan)]

Thanks everyone. I'm definitely looking forward to the wintertime skies.

[duncan]

Hi Nathan,
By the end of this month the crap should start to clear, maybe earlier if this cyclone goes well south.
Enjoy Gods Country,
Specially west of the Tablelands.
Cheers,
Duncan