The pursuit of dark skies

pmrid (Peter) · #1 31-12-2021, 09:11 AM

Since I sold my farm a few years ago and moved to an urban location by the sea, I have been looking with little success for a small block of land to buy for an observatory. But price and distance have been the problem. I was recently looking on Google Maps at a block that turned out to be in the hills west of Ballandean in the southern Granite Belt of Queensland. But while I was looking, I saw a marker for a business with the catchy name “The Folly”. Cute! It turns out to be a budding small cabins/caravans site located high on a ridge with 360 views.
I wrote to them via their web site and it seems that they aren’t yet ready for caravans but hopeful of getting there by March. Although it’s 300++ km from here, it does sound promising for next winter. They mentioned that they have already had several astronomers stay there and reported being very pleased with the site.
So I wonder whether there are any IIS members who can comment. For me, it would be a lot cheaper than buying land even though it would clock up some serious miles.

lazjen (Chris) · #2 01-01-2022, 01:15 PM

I've done some imaging in Girraween National Park and at Glen Aplin - that whole area is pretty good overall for dark skies. There are some parts that show light pollution, e.g. Stanthorpe glow, or the sports fields in Ballandean (you could possibly get in contact with the Twinstar Guesthouse & Observatory there for more details - https://twinstarguesthouse.com/ ).

Because it's quite dark in some places, it seemed to me that I noticed the light pollution more, but it still was quite a good location. And there's other non-astro stuff to do in the area, depending on your interests.

pmrid (Peter) · #3 02-01-2022, 08:49 AM

Thanks Chris. I’d check out Girraween NP but I wouldn’t be able to with my dog that travels with me. What’s at Gel AplIn? Is that one a private place?

Peter

Tandum (Robin) · #4 02-01-2022, 07:23 PM

Hey Pete. I'm guessing you've looked around Berimbah. West from your place and turn right near Yarraman. Lots closer. Maybe a farmer needs cash? And what about Layburn. RobF might be in the know there. Good Luck Mate.

pmrid (Peter) · #5 02-01-2022, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tandum

Hey Pete. I'm guessing you've looked around Berimbah. West from your place and turn right near Yarraman. Lots closer. Maybe a farmer needs cash? And what about Layburn. RobF might be in the know there. Good Luck Mate.

Yeah. I remember Barambah. I went to an astro camp there 10 years or so back. One of the environmental schools. Bloody good dark skies but limited space for imagers.

Leyburn is another good spot. I have a mate up there and could certainly get access to his place. Might give it a go.

Tandum (Robin) · #6 02-01-2022, 11:56 PM

Twas a Lions camp at barmambah I think.
I went there a couple of times.
Lots of dark sky around there.

Ron lives west of Maleny.
He's found a dark sky house.

lazjen (Chris) · #7 03-01-2022, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmrid

Thanks Chris. I’d check out Girraween NP but I wouldn’t be able to with my dog that travels with me. What’s at Gel AplIn? Is that one a private place?

Glen Aplin was a private place - west of the town itself. I could see the Stanthorpe sky glow from there, but all other directions were fantastic.