I'm from Hong Kong. I'd like to have some comments from Mareeba local people. I will take a bus from Cairns to Mareeba and will arrive at about 6:30pm the day before. I will stay outdoor overnight. Since I don't drive, I won't be able to go too far away from the town centre.
I have found a potential observation site with clear eastward and westward view here: http://goo.gl/maps/kU8z5
There is a 24hr McDonald's nearby. I bet they have a toilet? I won't mind paying but staying there >12hr without a toilet is quite difficult.
Is it safe to stay there outdoor overnight? Any risk of robber or dangerous animal? In the worst case may I stay in the McDonald's?
Actually I can't see the McDonald's on google street (which photos were taken in 2008). Is it a new one?
Is there any better options, with a clear eastward view and a toilet?
Thank you!!!!!
Currently the McDonalds is not 24hr, but i can go in and ask if they intend to open 24hrs on the 13/14th Nov.
There is CCTV in the middle of the town, if you wish to park there overnight, but i don't know what the police would think.
We do have 3 of 24hr service (fuel) stations
I don't know of any dangerous animals in Mareeba except for snakes, spiders etc. we don't have large bears etc.
Mareeba is located on a plateau, but the google map you provided should see the sunrise.
Currently the McDonalds is not 24hr, but i can go in and ask if they intend to open 24hrs on the 13/14th Nov.
There is CCTV in the middle of the town, if you wish to park there overnight, but i don't know what the police would think.
We do have 3 of 24hr service (fuel) stations
I don't know of any dangerous animals in Mareeba except for snakes, spiders etc. we don't have large bears etc.
Mareeba is located on a plateau, but the google map you provided should see the sunrise.
I checked here http://mcdonalds.com.au/ and it says it's 24hr. If it was not, please help people like me to ask for that. Although fuel stations are enough but Mcdonald's is still preferred.
I made a simulation on Google Earth and there should be no obstruction at the position I indicated.
Be aware that a 24hr McDonalds may only refer to the drive through component. The actual shop itself will likely not be open so toilets not accessible.
Hi,
I am flying up from Adelaide on Tuesday, picking up a car and supplies for the night and drive to Ellis Beach area to find a good place to park the car for the night and eclipse. I plan on observing the night sky on Tuesday night and perhaps only sleep a few hours in the car before getting up early to observe the eclipse from the beach. I will have a few cameras, tripods, etc.
I need some advice from the NQLD locals. Is this a good plan? Will it be safe? Will there be be other people doing the same?
I checked here http://mcdonalds.com.au/ and it says it's 24hr. If it was not, please help people like me to ask for that. Although fuel stations are enough but Mcdonald's is still preferred.
I made a simulation on Google Earth and there should be no obstruction at the position I indicated.
I went to Mcdonalds today, and i asked if they will open 24hrs on 13/14th, she said no ATM, but she will talk to the store manager and see if they will open all night.
You see, the feedback so far in Mareeba is that there is going to be no one here at night and everyone will be up north.
I went to Mcdonalds today, and i asked if they will open 24hrs on 13/14th, she said no ATM, but she will talk to the store manager and see if they will open all night.
You see, the feedback so far in Mareeba is that there is going to be no one here at night and everyone will be up north.
Thanks so much. I just found more 24hr public toilets here http://www.toiletmap.gov.au/ and there is one near the police station.
Why people do not want to stay in Mareeba? For better weather or just for a longer total eclipse?
Since I don't drive, I don't really have many choices. Cairns Northern beach (e.g. Palm Cove), Port Douglas, Mareeba are the only locations with regular bus services. If weather is my first priority, is Mareeba better than the coast? (It seems so with the webcams)
I will be in Palm Cove, and I hope I will be able to find a suitable viewing spot. We arrive a couple days before so that I can explore. Are there any IceInSpacers setting up a group location in Palm Cove? I am hoping to use a computer/camera/telescope combination, but the priority is to simply "see" it with my family.
g'day Noel I have finally decided that I will be viewing the eclipse in palm cove also so I would love to join in with you and other peeps from here I will have my solar scope and camera
I'll be at Palm Cove with my family, just intended to walk down to the beach and setup a couple of tripods and cameras.
Hi Mike,
It is also a good opportunity to remind those who will be observing from
the beaches about the incoming tide which will be one of the highest of
the year.
At 2:28 AM, at Palm Cove, it will be at its lowest at 0.22m.
That is at a time when a lot of people will head down to the beach
and start to set up their equipment.
At 9:06 AM, close to 2 and a half hours after totality, it will be at a high of
2.96m.
Obviously those who are cognizant of the tide situation will estimate where
the high tide will come up to and setup their gear above that mark.
Those who are not might make the mistake of setting up lower
toward the water. Once the tide starts coming in, it will do so
quickly and one might find those who are about to get wet
start retreating back up the beach and into the path of those who
setup above the high water point.
So if you see someone setting up below you and below the
tidal mark at eclipse time, you may want to given them a friendly
reminder.
Failing that, you could remind them that the crocodiles love to
hunt for careless pray at night.
There are many mentions of people intending to view from beach spots such as Palm Cove - is this purely because that is where they are staying? There are other significant stretches of beach in Cairns such as Holloway's Beach - is there a reason not to go there?
Given the reminder from Gary about the tides and similar comments elsewhere previously, I was hoping to find some bit of land with a bit of height and a view to the east. I tried on Google Maps, but didn't find anything obvious. What I did see seemed to indicate "Palm Cove" is well named and has lots of palms to obstruct the view unless you are on the beach! I have never been to Palm Cove, so have nothing else to go by.
So, if others are on the beach, I'll probably do the same. I'll be staying at Silvester Palms, and bought a folding trolley to carry my gear to wherever I go. On the day of the eclipse I plan on getting out my Qld Astrofest shirt to help be seen. (I don't have an IceInSace one, and left it too late to try to get one!) Plus I'll have my wife and 5 year old daughter with me, and our IceInSpace eclipse gasses!
So Jen and others, I hope to meet up somewhere there on the beach!
there is only 4 easy ways to get from Cairns to the Tablelands.
from the south.
Palmerston Range: head south and turn right before Innisfail, and follow the signs to Atherton/Mareeba ( fog may be an issue early morning south of Atherton)
Gillies Range: head south and turn right at Gordonvale and follow the signs to Yungaburra/Atherton ( the range road is very windy )
Kuranda Range: head north and turn left at Smithfield and floow the signs to Mareeba, this is the most common road.
Rex Range: head north past the northern beaches, past the Port Douglas turn off, then turn left a few km after. Follow the signs to Mt Molloy
I'm from Hong Kong. I'd like to have some comments from Mareeba local people. I will take a bus from Cairns to Mareeba and will arrive at about 6:30pm the day before. I will stay outdoor overnight. Since I don't drive, I won't be able to go too far away from the town centre.
I have found a potential observation site with clear eastward and westward view here: http://goo.gl/maps/kU8z5
There is a 24hr McDonald's nearby. I bet they have a toilet? I won't mind paying but staying there >12hr without a toilet is quite difficult.
Is it safe to stay there outdoor overnight? Any risk of robber or dangerous animal? In the worst case may I stay in the McDonald's?
Actually I can't see the McDonald's on google street (which photos were taken in 2008). Is it a new one?
Is there any better options, with a clear eastward view and a toilet?
Thank you!!!!!
Please note: In a public place you will be asked to move on if you close your eyes and sleep.
g'day Noel I have finally decided that I will be viewing the eclipse in palm cove also so I would love to join in with you and other peeps from here I will have my solar scope and camera 
