Advice for Coonabarabran trip please.

[gary]

Originally Posted by erick

By the way, Google Maps wants me to go up the "Great North Road", through Central Mangrove, Kulnara, Bucketty, Laguna, Wollombi, Paynes Crossing, Broke and onto the Golden Hwy at Mt Thorley. Looks OK on Google Street View. Any experience anyone wants to share?

Hi Eric,

That's exactly the way I go. And in chatting to many AAO staff such as Fred
Watson, that is the way a lot of them tend to go.

However, be advised that the section from Wollombi to Broke is at times narrow and
winding. There are a few one lane bridges they have been upgrading and they have
been widening the road in some other sections and possibly by the time you go up
they may have sealed the last remaining 100m of unsealed road just north
of Wollombi. Personally, I like the stretch from Central Mangrove to Broke as it
is scenic, quiet and makes you feel as if you have finally left the chaos of Sydney.
But because it is winding particularly in the locality of Wollombi, it is not
everyone's cup of tea. You will have the trailer so just watch for vehicles
coming the other way around some blind corners where the road is narrower.

Alternatively you can stick on the F3 and turn off to Cessnock at Freemans Waterhole,
track via Branxton to the Golden Hwy and then onto Mount Thorley. It is longer
but it is all freeway and highway.

If you track via Broke, just north of there you will see some of the gigantic open
cut coal mines where essentially they have shipped huge chunks of the Hunter Valley
in bulk carrier ships to China.

We tend to have lunch either in Sandy Hollow or Merriwa. Merriwa is arguably a little
more up-market for lunch opportunities.

If you have SatNav in the car, watch that it does not want to take you via
what appears to be a short cut through Cassilis. Instead, stay on the bitumen just
for a few more k's and then take the signposted right turn to Coolah into Vinegaroy
Road. The "short cut" via Cassillis has a rough unsealed section that is not
pleasant. The way you have indicated is sealed all the way except for that
100m I mentioned just north of Wollombi which every time I go up expect them to
have finished so one day soon it must come true.

Just north of Coolah, look out for the rest stop which historically was said to be the
place of the original proverbial "Black Stump" as in "Beyond The".

Watch out for wildlife particularly at night on the stretch from Coona to the Motel.
Collisions with kangaroos and emus are common there and there have been driver
fatalities.

Word a few weeks ago is that the food at the Imperial Hotel in Coona has gone
off and the prices have gone up, so there is the Golden Sea Dragon Chinese, neighboring
Bowling Club, Subway or fish and chips in town or cheaper still load up with some steaks and beers at the new,
well stocked Woolworths and cook back on the gas BBQ's at the Motel. There is a popular bakery
in town for takeway breakfast or several sit-in cafes with full table service.

[mishku]

I'd love to do a trip to Coona, but it's not in the immediate future for me (at least not until JJJ has gone on ahead and set up provisions for midnight snacks ). There's some brilliant advice here from seasoned Coona-goers, any chance we could take advantage of it by making this thread sticky?

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by erick

By the way, Google Maps wants me to go up the "Great North Road", through Central Mangrove, Kulnara, Bucketty, Laguna, Wollombi, Paynes Crossing, Broke and onto the Golden Hwy at Mt Thorley. Looks OK on Google Street View. Any experience anyone wants to share?

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Eric,

That's exactly the way I go. And in chatting to many AAO staff such as Fred
Watson, that is the way a lot of them tend to go.

However, be advised that the section from Wollombi to Broke is at times narrow and winding. There are a few one lane bridges they have been upgrading and they have been widening the road in some other sections and possibly by the time you go up they may have sealed the last remaining 100m of unsealed road just north of Wollombi. Personally, I like the stretch from Central Mangrove to Broke as it is scenic, quiet and makes you feel as if you have finally left the chaos of Sydney.

But because it is winding particularly in the locality of Wollombi, it is not
everyone's cup of tea. You will have the trailer so just watch for vehicles
coming the other way around some blind corners where the road is narrower.

This way is the shortest in distance but it is not the fastest, in terms of time. It is a more scenic drive than the other route, but, as Gary mentions a couple of one lane bridges and very twisty and windy in parts. The scenic part is not a major part of the trip either. This is the route Mal Leyland would take each and every time, not me.

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Eric,

Alternatively you can stick on the F3 and turn off to Cessnock at Freemans Waterhole, track via Branxton to the Golden Hwy and then onto Mount Thorley. It is longer but it is all freeway and highway.

This is the way I go and whilst it's a little longer distance wise, I think it is probably 20 mins quicker time wise; and a lot flatter, smoother, less windy and most importantly SAFER. Going this way I do Coona in about 4 hrs and 10 mins from Bateau Bay on the Central Coast.

Originally Posted by gary

If you have SatNav in the car, watch that it does not want to take you via what appears to be a short cut through Cassilis. Instead, stay on the bitumen just for a few more k's and then take the signposted right turn to Coolah into Vinegaroy Road.

In addition to this some Sat Navs will try to take you all the way to Dunedoo and then up the Newell Hwy and in to Coona. The one in my Kluger does and the one in my Lexus before that did as well. As Gary mentioned take the Coolah exit which is about 5 kms past the exit to Cassilis (Cassilis Road). Do not follow your Sat Nav and go all the way in to Dunedoo and then up the Newell Hwy. This adds about 40km and 30 mins to the trip.

Cheers,
John B

[erick (Eric)]

Many thanks, Gary and John.

And I think I've solved one "problem". My wife will come up for a visit the weekend before so I may be completely free to travel as planned. A win-win!

Eric

[gary]

30 Oct 2011

Received news today that the Warrumbungles Mountain Motel has been sold to
new owners and it is believed that the new owners will take over in December 2011.

The information we have is that the motel will continue to operate as a motel.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Thanks for letting us know, Gary. I am planning a trip up to Coona around March/April next year.

Hopefully the change in ownership won't cause a problem for the contingent of northern visitors you will be hosting in February??

[Zaps]

So how's the weather in this place? I guess it must be pretty okay if all of those observatories are sited there, but you guys with local knowledge can probably say what the odds of cloud are.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Hi Zaps, Coona is far superior to most other locations in Australia, weather-wise. Like all things, the choice was a compromise, and no doubt there are spots where there are more clearer nights per annum. However, the conditions are certainly excellent.

On all of the occasions I have observed at Coona, I have had more clear nights than not. Indeed, the last full week I observed there, I had clear nights throughout, which meant I was wrecked by the end of it!

There have been a number of occasions in recent years where the conditions have been very poor (thick clouds/rain) at Ilford (the NSW Astro Society's site south of Mudgee), but at Coona, just 2 hours away, the conditions have been clear and pristine. I have had numerous reports of this when talking to the US contingent who often drop in on SPSP, from where they are staying at Coona.

Let us know how you go, assuming to take the plunge and head out there!

[gary]

Originally Posted by Rodstar

Thanks for letting us know, Gary. I am planning a trip up to Coona around March/April next year.

Hopefully the change in ownership won't cause a problem for the contingent of northern visitors you will be hosting in February??

Hi Rod,

We're hoping that they will continue to be able to host us and be able to support
some of the special requirements we have regarding the shielding of lights onto
the area presently used for observing. Donna will be making contact with the
new owners as soon as they take over. We will certainly post any additional
information as soon as it comes to hand.

The previous owners, Michael & Sarah, certainly went out of their way to make
it arguably the most astronomy-friendly motel in Australia.

[gary]

Originally Posted by Zaps

So how's the weather in this place? I guess it must be pretty okay if all of those observatories are sited there, but you guys with local knowledge can probably say what the odds of cloud are.

Hi Zaps,

Here are some statistics for Coonabarabran from the Bureau of Meteorology.
There you can find month by month averages for number of clear and cloudy
days, average rainfall and so on.

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averag...w_064008.shtml

As Rod points out, there are other places in Australia where the weather tends
to be clearer. As I like to point out, the interior of Australia is not mostly desert
without good reason and Coona is definitely not in the desert.

But it has the amenity of dark skies with excellent seeing and the convenience of
a nearby service center. When you consider that from the Warrumbungles Mountain
Motel it is only 15 minutes drive away from being able to push around a shopping
trolley in a modern supermarket, as mundane as that sounds, the practical
realities are that you don't have to go far to buy a fresh set of batteries for
some piece of your equipment, or fresh food to keep the energy levels up during
many late nights of observing. A good cup of of coffee in town is always welcome
in the morning at any one of the numerous cafes and 15 minutes up the road
in the other direction you have the largest optical telescope in Australia and
the Warrumbungles National Park and an hour away at Narrabri, the largest radio
telescope array - so there is plenty to see and do as well during the daytime.

The AAT was sited where it is as a compromise because it was close to a major
service center.

So you may find more cloud free nights at the back of beyond in a more remote
location, but in my experience often more flies and discomfort to go with that as
well and it can be then a long drive to the nearest town for that decent cup of coffee
or a shower.

[Poita (Peter)]

Hill end and Sofala are also nice spots with dark skies, as well as the observatory 10 minutes out of Mudgee, and the observing site at ilford, 30 minutes from Mudgee on the Sydney side. You get to view at night and tour a vineyard or two by day.
I've done some photography out at the Rosby Guesthouse and the skies are pretty good there and you have all the amenities including power and wireless internet.
http://www.rosby.com.au/accommodation.htm

[gary]

Just an update on this Coonabarabran thread.

As reported on 30 Oct 2011, the Warrumbungles Mountain Motel changed hands.

We had a group of about 19 stay there at the end of Feb 2012, including twelve
visiting US amateurs and I am pleased to report that the new owners are also
attentive to the needs of amateur astronomers, so the motel still forms a good base
for observing enthusiasts seeking dark sky accommodation in the area.

I also note that the Skywatch Observatory tourist attraction just on the outskirts
of town is for sale. Listing here -
http://www.realestate.com.au/propert...bran-106946228

[erick (Eric)]

Good news. It is on my list for a visit. Maybe in the depths of winter - nice crisp skies?

[Rodstar (Rod)]

I am heading up to the Coona area for New Moon in March with a few others. We will be staying here: http://www.pilligapottery.com.au/acc...breakfast.html

It is about 20 mins north of Coona.

I will let you know how we go. Fingers crossed the current weather system relents before we head up!

[jamskof (James)]

hi guys, my name is james, i have just joined the community and was wondering if i could ask you for some advice? i noticed that you had been to warrumbungle national park.

i am currently planning a week long timelapse "holiday" to warrumbungle national park.

at the moment, my plan is to hire a camper and stay inside the national park. at one of the camp grounds, does anyone know if i would be allowed to go wandering onto the trails at night to do some photography? or do rangers not permit it?

basically i am wanting to shoot some epic mountain ranges, moonlight casting over rocks etc.. very similar to what tom lowe did with timescapes.

most of my timelapses will be sun setting / sun rising.

are there beautiful landscape viewing areas there that i could access at any time of day?

any tips on best times to go, where to check conditions and general astro photography advice for the area is very much appreciated, i hope to spend a lot of time on this forum over the coming weeks as i organise this trip.
thankyou so so much in advance, any information no matter how small is very much appreciated.

regards

james.

[gary]

Hi James,

Welcome to IIS.

Originally Posted by jamskof

at the moment, my plan is to hire a camper and stay inside the national park. at one of the camp grounds, does anyone know if i would be allowed to go wandering onto the trails at night to do some photography? or do rangers not permit it?

No problem.

You are only permitted to camp in designated areas but you can walk the tracks
in the evenings. Not all the designated camping areas are necessarily open and some
are reserved for large groups, but when you check in at the park headquarters,
they will inform you as to which grounds are open to you.

are there beautiful landscape viewing areas there that i could access at any time of day?

The views from the Grand High Tops would provide a fabulous background
but it is quite a hike up and no camping is permitted at the top itself.

However, you can stay at the Balor Hut which is not far from the top -
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/...ground/camping

Alternatively you can stay at one of the other backcountry campsites such as Hurleys or Dow's
but you should call the park office and book.

A Petzl head lap would be recommended but you need to watch your footing
up near the top.

any tips on best times to go, where to check conditions and general astro photography advice for the area is very much appreciated, i hope to spend a lot of time on this forum over the coming weeks as i organise this trip.
thankyou so so much in advance, any information no matter how small is very much appreciated.

It can get very hot there in summer and hiking there at any time of year requires
a reasonable intake of water to replace what you lose sweating. Think in terms
of carrying 4 litres per person up to the Grand High Tops for just the walk up and back.
Then you will need extra if staying a night.

Even the view from the Whitegum lookout, which is only a short walk from the
car park off the main road as you first come into the park, provides a sensational
backdrop.

Another nice view is afforded from atop of Split Rock. It is a very short walk
from the Belougery Split Rock carpark. Be careful on this walk at night as
some chains are involved.

Also don't overlook the Coolah Tops National Park as well. It is far less visited
but has some beautiful scenery. The roads into it are gravel, but are accessible
by 2WD vehicles except when very wet.

[Deeno]

G'day James

I took a camper trailer to the Warrumbungle National park back in May.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=89920

I set up in Camp Wambelong, an open campground in the shadow of Bald rock. I was lucky enough to have the entire campground to myself most of the four days I was there! This particular campground you need to be self sufficient as there are no facilities or power apart from drop loo's. The other campgrounds for camper trailers are all penned off into fenced designated camping.

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/Na....aspx?id=N0035

Plenty of bush walks and wildlife but , I was there mainly for the dark skies. A truly beautiful spot that I must return to.......

Cheers
Deeno