Since most of us live in cities and towns, unfortunately dark sky sites
are usually inversely proportional to convenience.
Some forum members are somewhat luckier in this regard and
have the amenity of rural properties and sometimes their own
observatories.
The following is my personal take on what I term a dark sky site.
Since there is no dictionary definition, other opinions may vary.
For example, if one lives in the northern part of Sydney, Kulnura might be a
convenient observing site, but it is not one that I would term a truly "dark sky site".
Places such as Katoomba also fall into this category as there is still too much light
pollution. Doesn't mean you won't have a great time observing from either,
but it does mean neither will come up in your top all-time best places
you have observed from during an observing lifetime.
Anecdotally, once you are away from any large towns or cities, the
difference in the darkness of the night sky across most of NSW is relatively minor,
even when measured with a meter. Also keep in mind that since the Milky Way is
at the zenith at these latitudes, meter readings are not the best things to go by.
What really then becomes more important is the number of clear nights and
the average seeing at any one place. It is for this reason coastal areas or mountain
areas where cloud or fog occurs don't rate so highly, as you get out there and even
though the skies are potentially dark, you can't see them because of cloud.
As mentioned, Coona is a great spot. Keep in mind that it was not the first choice
for the observatory but they needed it to be close to a service center. In any case,
away from the town, the Coona and Warraumbungles are good dark sky locations
and have delivered good skies for this writer and his colleagues over the years.
Not to mention the countless professionals who use the nearby AAO facility.
A relatively short distance away is Mount Kaputar near Narrabri and because of its
altitude and seeing, it is probably the best place I have observed from in NSW.
Recommend you consider joining ASNSW which gives you access to their site near
Ilford. Not quite as dark these days as some other parts of the state, but the
amenity and company of fellow enthusiasts is hard to beat. It is nice to be able
to observe with like minded people who are sensitive to the importance of
not having a blazing camp fire or porta lamps going. Something unfortunately
you can't always bet on at other publically accessible dark sky sites
such as National Park camping grounds.
Best regards
Gary Kopff
Mt, Kuring-Gai
)
. Camp Blackman in Warrumbungle NP is an excellent site, with a large open area to the South - and the local Ranger seems to really enjoy his Total Fire Bans! 
