Siding Spring

[Aerostar (John)]

Hi All,

Do any of you regularly go to siding spring or indeed other outer western NSW locations for observatory nights? If so, how do you normally get there, via light aircraft charter, car, bus??

Thanks
John

[rider]

About once every 2 years I do a bit of driving for my job. (quick 3 month trip around every state in OZ to update 50+ remote computer systems)

I always time my run so that I stop at Coonabarabran for the night.

There is a combined Tai restaurant, mini golf, and Observatory there called "Skywatch Observatory and Astro Mini-golf".

Bit of a weird combination, but if you like great Tai food, and looking at dark skys, its a fun night. (can't say I've sampled the mini golf).

The skys round there are SOooo dark, but the down side is its B'cold.
(how cold? well, I went for a training bike ride to Siding Springs at 4am and my water bottle froze solid 10 km out of town!)

There's a wayside park / camping ground about 5k out of town towards the Warrumbungles that has no lights around it - looks like it would be a good stay if you had a tent and a scope with you.

Rider

ps. ask for "Meryls Special" at the restaurant

[Karlsson]

On average we go to the 'bungles about twice a year and camp and observe there for a week or so - takes us about 5½ hours to get there by car. Have been to Mt Kaputar twice, but both times bad luck with the weather... Many other places out West that we have visited, but not often enough to say whether they are reliable venues or not - a few months back we had a very good night at Lake Burrendong, but when things get busy there there might be a lot of light around...

[StarLane]

I lived in Tamworth for most of my life and travelled to and through Coona regularly (2 hours from Tamworth), I have rels in Gilgandra. Both Gilgandra and Coonabarabran are great for observing, the Warrambungles (spelling) are slightly better due to the altitude. Terowina (spelling again) is a great camping spot (between Coona and Gilgandra) although not up on the mountain range still very dark skies, watch the friendly kangaroos at the camp site, they eat everything, and the possums, and the kookaburras.

Now Coonabarabran is a nine hour drive from the Gold Coast. If I can make it down, I usually stay in Tamworth for a night before continuing on to Coona. I go back to Tamworth quite often, but sadly Coona has missed out recently.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Originally Posted by Karlsson

Have been to Mt Kaputar twice, but both times bad luck with the weather...

I've been to Kaputar 4-5 times and I can't remember it being clear. Mostly it was for general holiday camping so perhaps the clear skies didn't register. I know there were daily thunder storms and continuous cloud last time I was there. I also spend a wet few days there at an ASNSW astrocamp back in the 80's. Perhaps this is a hint as to why such a tall peak doesn't have an observatory.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by rider

There is a combined Tai restaurant, mini golf, and Observatory there called "Skywatch Observatory and Astro Mini-golf".

Bit of a weird combination, but if you like great Tai food, and looking at dark skys, its a fun night. (can't say I've sampled the mini golf).

I have just returned from four days at Coonabarabran, and am sorry to advise that the Skywatcher Observatory has closed. I understand from the locals that another observatory was opened up further down Timor Road which has taken away a lot of the business, and unfortunately, in a small place like Coona, there aren't enough tourists to keep two such businesses alive. It is a real shame because my 9 year old was looking forward to playing some astro mini golf!

In terms of whether there are star parties etc up there, I understand that there was at one time a star party each year that was a real hit for the first few years, but it fizzled out long ago.

I agree that the skies are simply superb. A few notches up even from Ilford, which is saying something because I have always loved the skies at SPSP.

[Aerostar (John)]

Hi All,

If anyone from Sydney wants to go to siding springs for night viewings (coonabarabran), I can arrange to take you there in a twin engine piper aerostar for $250 pp return based on minimum 4 passengers. Departure will be ex Camden airport. Or I can arrange to take you to any location of your choosing for night observations.

Regards
John

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally Posted by Rodstar

I have just returned from four days at Coonabarabran, and am sorry to advise that the Skywatcher Observatory has closed.

I am sorry to hear that