Good observational spots in Melbourne

[NCRAW]

Isnt there anything good around Hurtsbridge, Sugarloaf reserve, The wineries (like around Yerring station, they would have a great view)

[peterbat (Peter)]

Hi Mick and ncraw,
should be up there around an hour before dark...
Peter

[pgc hunter]

Originally Posted by Alchemy

for those interested theres a park at the end of DEE Rd in MILGROVE, on the southern sides of Mt Ben Cairn/ Donna Buang, its for a new walk along the old aquaduct great open view of the skies a reasonable distance from melbourne, no lights, parking for 15 ish cars, couple of tables. no toilet facilities but trees couple hundred metres away if desperate.

just wait until the fires have passed

Melways 289 A1

great, I might make use of this site. So it's free of disturbances and is safe at night?

[DavidU (Dave)]

Originally Posted by bojan

If I go out of Melbourne, usually I go to Daylesford (a friend of mine has a farm close to it) and the skies are pretty good.. So I imagine Chris's location is also similar, if not even better (there are some annoying trees on that farm) :-)
Yes, I am for it, especially if there are more people there..
However, I am not sure for the end of this month, since it is almost 2 hours driving for me... and John's Hill is only 45 minutes.. (however it does not compare in darkness to any of those darker locations..)

I had a look at Johns Hill reserve and it looks good (for a 20min drive for me). I will pop up there if it ever stops raining.

[erick (Eric)]

Yes David, it's better than the suburbs! West is pretty washed out up high in the sky. East and South is good.

[bojan]

Perhaps I will be there too... when weather permits, most likely Friday, Saturday or Sunday :-)

[DavidU (Dave)]

Originally Posted by bojan

Perhaps I will be there too... when weather permits, most likely Friday, Saturday or Sunday :-)

sounds good. Perhaps I should PM you if the weather looks good.

[bojan]

I am going there on 18th..
Anyone interested?

[HolyWars]

I think I may have to come out on one of the next outings

[bojan]

Originally Posted by HolyWars

I think I may have to come out on one of the next outings

I was there on 18th..
And we had beautiful weather, almost exactly as forecast by Skippy (http://www.skippysky.com.au/Australia/), a bit windy but very clear before the clouds roll in about midnight.

I will try to go there in January, when Moon is out of the way.. and I will certainly let you know :-)

[HolyWars]

Excellent man, sounds good

[alistairsam]

hi,
any gathering planned in jan 2010?

I'm in camberwell, have never been to a DSS, been to Briar in mornington.

any updates on good sites in melbourne within 100k from the cbd?

[erick (Eric)]

There won't be any good dark sky sites within 100km of Melbourne's CBD

You will need to go at least 100km from Melbourne's outskirts to get to the whole sky being darkish.

[Moon (James)]

any updates on good sites in melbourne within 100k from the cbd?

The ASV site out at Heathcote is ~120kms from the CDB and is very dark and has power on the field.

[HolyWars]

Originally Posted by alistairsam

hi,
any gathering planned in jan 2010?

Good call man, hope to get a response from bo tonight or tmrw for tmrw night. I might see if next time (Sat 13th feb or so) if nothing is going on, I will see if the old man is cool (he would be) with perhaps the possibility of a night in Tallarook which is 100km north of Melbourne (up the hume) at his vineyard.....if we have no other places

[bojan]

I was really looking forward to tonight, but Skippy Sky says it will be cloudy in Melbourne...
http://www.skippysky.com.au/Australia/
So nothing of gathering this weekend, at least not for me

[HolyWars]

yeah its not looking good

[bojan]

Anybody going to Johns Hill this sat?

[DavidU (Dave)]

Sounds good ! I will check with the SHMBO. I can't go to snake valley as there is too much work on so this may be good.

Originally Posted by bojan

Anybody going to Johns Hill this sat?

[bojan]

It might be good, according to SkippySky.
I plan to do some wide imaging (with 200mm), as a test for next weekend in Daylesford (if weather permits).