Dark sky not suspected, Road Trip Diary

[glend (Glen)]

I am on abit of a road trip to visit my son's family in Queensland. No I was not in lockdown. One of the many benefits of living at Lake Macquarie, is that it is not part of Greater Sydney, more like Greater Newcastle, if it has to be Greater anything. I had filled in my Old Travel Declaration and given the green page to go. I am doing this trip in short hops, as at my age I can no longer drive all day for any reason. It rained of course, most of the day, another East Coast Low; but the sky cleared as I arrived in Coffs Harbour ( and I have to say this is one of the few clear skies I have seen at Coffs over the years). The clear sky revealed a great sunset. Sitting out on my balcony of my stop over spot for tonight, at the Opal Cove Resort north of Coffs , I enjoyed a wonderful star field layed out above me. This was an honest good dark sky, just maybe ten kilometres north of Coffs. So i will not bad mouth Coffs again, as the rain capital of the NSW north coast, as it can reveal this wonderful surprise.
Tomorrow I am off to Coolangatta, to a place right on the beach for a couple of nights. Being it is at the southern end of the Gold Coast, I don't expect much astro wise, but now I am prepared to be surprised.
I have to mention the almost deserted M1 on the trip north. With all of the Sydney LGA (local government area), locked down it was a most pleasant trip despite that early rain). All of the over head traffic warning signs on the M1 warned of restrictions, Qld border passage requirements, etc.
Life above the lock down seemed pretty chilled. Tomorrow the Border.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Enjoy your road trip Glen, [Envious]

[xelasnave]

It is a nice day for traveling...I need to follow your lead on my trips and include stop overs rather than do it all in a rush.
Alex

[Startrek (Martin)]

Glen,
Enjoy the trip and it’s safer to drive during the day in short 3 or 4 hour hops than big hauls
I’m only 61 but the eyes aren’t what they use to be so 4 hours is my limit ( during the day )
Weather looks better up north , my brother lives in Tormina 6km south of Coffs and the skies are pretty good. I’ve done a bit of observing up there over the years
Martin

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Glen, safe travels

Tonight might be clear, so head up to Snapper rocks... should only be a short walk if you're on the beach at Coolie.

But yeah, dark sky is prolly a bit of a reach, although you'll be at the southern end of the 1 million-folk sprawl that is GC-Tweed these days. Maybe just look east or up and enjoy the view

[glend (Glen)]

From my hotel balcony in Coolangatta I can count thirteen orange street lights in one block, incredible. The Beachcomber tower building, right across the street, is totally blocking the southern sky, taking Dunk's advice I walked down south on the beach, away from the lights, and yes the stars were still there. Out to the East, over the dark Ocean, the usual suspects were rising. If I lived here my scope would always be pointed East.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Glen, the sad thing is, in the Scenic Rim, behind the hinterland, the sky is beautifully dark…it’s just very difficult to get to from there by car…a helicopter would be mighty handy.

FWIW, the Sunshine Coast council is fitting new developments with Dark Sky Alliance approved streetlights.

Brisbane on the other hand, just seems intent on creating as large a light dome as possible, despite the number of lumens being detrimental to the health of its residents (human and wildlife).