Good astronomy weekend spots within 500kms of Brisbane

RobF (Rob) · #1 09-03-2011, 11:48 PM

A friend and I were discussing hitting the road for one of the next new moons in an effort to get away from the steady onshore moisture and cloud in SE Qld over the last 6-12 months. Last year was a tough one for me to get away, but I think May was the last unfettered extended astro fix I've had - suffering serious withdrawal

An ideal location would be west of the great dividing range, within 5-6 hrs drive of Brissy, away from bright towns or street lights, access to 240V power, place to camp (or inexpensive cabin etc), relatively private (there's only so much you can show someone when you have a CCD camera hanging out of the scope).

We were rough out a plan to go north west (in Roma direction) and plan to go SW (Inverell direction) so we could make a final decision a few days out as the latest weather reports rolled in. Does anyone have any suggestions re above?

I was wondering about the Jondaryan Woolshed out to W of Toowoomba as a possibility?

Thought about caravan parks, but its hard to know if you'll be annoying other people at 2am or have toilet block/road lights until its dark often. This would be a long weekend, so expecting to spend a couple of nights whereever we might end up.

DavidTrap (David) · #2 09-03-2011, 11:58 PM

Don't mean to "rain on your parade" but there's a lot of moisture out west at the moment...

I know some of the BAS guys stayed at a cabin/cottage near to Mark's site at Leyburn. They made the comment that they had facilities and it was still very dark. Only 2 hrs drive.

DT

Suzy · #3 10-03-2011, 12:21 AM

Hi Rob

When I was at Warwick a few months ago (around the time when Brissy was constantly clouded out), we got there and it was beautiful and clear. When I mentioned this to my friend there, she giggled as she said, "we can see Brissy from here, we feel so sorry for you'll because all we see is one huge cloud hanging over it."

So Rob, that's only a 3 hour drive and beautiful dark skies.

RobF (Rob) · #4 10-03-2011, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidTrap

Don't mean to "rain on your parade" but there's a lot of moisture out west at the moment...

I know some of the BAS guys stayed at a cabin/cottage near to Mark's site at Leyburn. They made the comment that they had facilities and it was still very dark. Only 2 hrs drive.

DT

I've never been up to Leyburn David, but believe they chose that sight for number of clear nights/year. I thought you really needed to be affiliated with a society though to use and had to have your own batteries? (but your talking about nearby cabin I see)

RobF (Rob) · #5 10-03-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

Hi Rob

When I was at Warwick a few months ago (around the time when Brissy was constantly clouded out), we got there and it was beautiful and clear. When I mentioned this to my friend there, she giggled as she said, "we can see Brissy from here, we feel so sorry for you'll because all we see is one huge cloud hanging over it."

So Rob, that's only a 3 hour drive and beautiful dark skies.

Warwick would probably be a bit too bright with streetlights though Suzy, unless you were well out of town. Confirms my thought though that it would be nice to get on the West of the ranges.....
Its bad enough we're clouded out with those Warwickians laughing at us dammit

astroron (Ron) · #6 10-03-2011, 12:53 AM

Rob, I don't want to rain on your Idea but we have this sort of weather all over the East of Australia for at least another Six weeks

Cheers

Suzy · #7 10-03-2011, 12:57 AM

Rob, half an hour down the road (apologies, I should have mentioned that), the sky was black black and the Milky Way was incredibly bright. When we left Warwick we drove for half an hour (inbound) to stop off for the Milky Way. That being said, my friend at Warwick said they have great skies right there in Warwick anyway. But you would have a better gauge on all this anyway as I'm sure you travel the dark skies plenty. All the best with your search and have fun, sounds like an exciting adventure.

Allan_L (Allan) · #8 10-03-2011, 04:57 AM

One of the best places I saw in Qld last year was at Maidenwell.
A very small town up in the mountains just west of Bris.
There is the Maidenwell Astronomical Observatory - star gazing at the stars above - if you want to use their scopes (Meade SCTs 12 or 14in)
Council bans outside lights! Dark as.
Good altitude.
And you can just set up your own scope in the free camping site behind the pub.
Any one else been there?

Analog6 (Odille) · #9 10-03-2011, 01:54 PM

There is a small caravan park at Spring Creek near Cliftom north of warwick. They have just one on site cabin (it's very comfortable and well equipped). There are very few lights around, I took some astro shots from there a year or 2 ago (only with camera on tripod). But there are also lots of empty roads and skies all round. Might be somewhere to consider.

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&s...h&z=11&iwloc=A

DavidTrap (David) · #10 10-03-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobF

I've never been up to Leyburn David, but believe they chose that sight for number of clear nights/year. I thought you really needed to be affiliated with a society though to use and had to have your own batteries? (but your talking about nearby cabin I see)

I've not had the chance to go there yet, but Mark seemed very welcoming.

The cabin suggestion was to allow for your 240v requirement. Have a look at the SAS or BAS newsletter - I THINK the cabin details are in there.

DT

jenchris (Jennifer) · #11 10-03-2011, 04:13 PM

SAS
Southern Astronomical Society - Leyburn dark sky pace
see monthly Event Horizon for details

RobF (Rob) · #12 10-03-2011, 10:19 PM

Thanks everyone for more great ideas
Ron, I realise we run the risk of cloud almost anywhere at the moment - this trip would be half boys weekend escape too I guess

I've been to Maidenwell and its a pretty little place - must visit sometime. Clifton and the area S of Toowoomba plenty of wide open spaces.

I might PM Mark re Leyburn - didn't quite understand how that worked - thanks JenChris.

cybereye (Mario) · #13 11-03-2011, 07:12 AM

Rob,

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Ballandean, just south of Stanthorpe. Cold, clear, dark, crisp nights during winter and beautiful days of tasting wines!

Now I ask you, what could be better than that!

Cheers,
Mario

RobF (Rob) · #14 13-03-2011, 11:37 AM

LOL
Sounds dangerous to me Mario - very little astro might get done!