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Old 03-01-2012, 06:11 PM
Murat (Mark)
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Short family dark sky holiday (+ something for the family)

Hi folks,

I think my title really says it all, need I continue with the question?

I was hoping the IIS members who might stumble upon this thread might be able to tell me if they were aware of a dark sky location for a brief (approx two night three days) location where one can holiday with their family and also have access to a smorgasborg of daytime activities to entertain kids and wife, of course well an truly away from Sydney light pollution.

Am willing to travel up to max six hours by car (the kids can't be kept sane beyond four hours and I will have to resort to the use of antipsychotic medication (one for each child and one the misses and I).

Ideally, a location close to the coast for beach activities, though I am uncertain how much sea mist can affect visibility and negate the benefit of this elusive "best of both worlds" concept I devised. Perhaps a very nice riverside country location???

Any ideas would be appreciated.

regards
Murat
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Old 03-01-2012, 06:39 PM
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renormalised (Carl)
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You could try Kangaroo Valley, which is near (inland from) Nowra. There's a few places in the valley which have short stay as well as long stay places. You could try Millers Springs Farm Stay....don't know if they cater for kids as well but they do have some facilities which the kids would like.

You might like it that much there, you'll end up buying a property and moving to the valley

What's best is it's only 2 or so hours from Sydney.
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Old 03-01-2012, 06:46 PM
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renormalised (Carl)
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Then again, when I first read this, I thought, "Ah...he wants a holiday somewhere with dark skies for a family all under 5 feet tall"
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Old 03-01-2012, 07:00 PM
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Rodstar (Rod)
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Murat, I have just booked the following for a family holiday in March. It looks very promising for both night time astronomy, and day time activities for the kids: www.barkalafarm.com.au/

It is situated 28km north of Coonabarabran, so about 5 hours drive north west of Sydney.

No beaches, unfortunately.

I have also had some wonderful family/astronomy camping holidays at Wee Jasper Reserves, about 4 hours drive south west of Sydney (40 minutes due south of Yass):

www.weejasperreserves.com.au/
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Old 03-01-2012, 09:17 PM
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AstralTraveller (David)
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Kangaroo Valley - great location, lousy viewing potential. A mate used to live there and said the valley often filled with cloud at night. You'd be better off up on the highlands but it still isn't far enough out to be truly dark.

Wee Jasper - very good prospects. The camping reserve near the town would be great for observing but there isn't much for the kids on site. I know less about the four reserves near the river but they could be OK if they aren't too crowded. We were there one January and those grounds were wall to wall tents. I've no idea about the cabins etc.

Wombeyan caves? I'm not sure about local lights. Google maps street view indicates there might be a few outdoor lights.

Jervis Bay is nice but I'm not sure where would be best. There is very little light pollution but a local street light could ruin you night. If memory serves, the view from the top of the hill on Wreck Bay Rd would be nice but I think the lights of the airfield would interfere. You could go down to the old lighthouse or out to the once-planned nuclear reactor at the end of Jervis Bay Rd. BTW Google maps shows a lot of tracks which are not open to the public. [I did my honours thesis there and I did have a key I spent weeks in total in the bush above Steamers Beach - then back to a comfy bed each night at Wrights Beach.]
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Old 03-01-2012, 09:59 PM
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Rodstar (Rod)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AstralTraveller View Post
Wee Jasper - very good prospects. The camping reserve near the town would be great for observing but there isn't much for the kids on site. I know less about the four reserves near the river but they could be OK if they aren't too crowded. We were there one January and those grounds were wall to wall tents. I've no idea about the cabins etc.
David, I have been there every March for about 4 years, and at that time of year, there is barely anybody there. I usually stay at Micalong Reserve- last time I set up there, we were the only people there for the first day! However, I am aware that during the school holidays it can get a bit crowded there...

By the way, the skies are excellent at Wee Jasper when it is clear.
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