Is anyone intersted in a dark site trip this winter to central NSW (over the ranges and within a day's drive of Sydney or the Central Coast/Newcastle area)?
Bretti can be great, but it is subject to school holiday crowds, coastal weather patterns, and occasionally fog. I'd like to find a location, similiar to Bretti but much further west.
As a first up suggestion: Going through my Hema Atlas, the Camp7 book, and the internet, scouting locations, it is not an easy task to find a suitable place. Chaffey Dam is nice but gets sky light to the north-west from Tamworth, and really no better Sky Quality numbers than Bretti.
One spot that seems to be similiar to Chaffey but further away from any major town is Burrendong Dam, particularly the Mookerawa Waters Park Campground (Number 872 in the Camp7 book). Mookerawa is about 36kms south-east of the small town of Wellington NSW and and has amenities,phones, and is pet friendly. Orange and Mudgee would be the nearest larger towns and they are 50kms + away as the crow flies. There is a fee to camp there, similiar to Chaffey Dam.
The lake surface sits at 344 metres above sea level, a little higher than Bretti.
You'll notice its a big area, some trees and hills, however, (about half way through) that there are large flat open camping areas on the lake foreshore and there is no area lighting in these areas - very much like Chaffey , and Glenbawn Dam in the Hunter Valley.
I am not saying that this has to be the spot but would welcome similiar suggestions, the criteria being: big area, well away from major towns, pet friendly (for Toby, Bundy, Megs, and Jakob's dog) and dark!!!
Put your thinking caps on, and consider alternatives and post them up here. We need to do something about finding a suitable location further inland and less at the mercy of the coastal weather patterns. I'd be up for spending a week out there this winter.
A place I've been looking at is Yanda Yanda campground in Goobang NP. Obviously it isn't pet friendly, so doesn't fit the criteria of the OP, but I though it might be worth a mention. One end of the camping area looks to be treed but the other end it open, which is ideal. It is at 485m elevation. Nearest town is Peak Hill and it is about 45km in a straight line to Dubbo and 30km to Parkes.
I don't know about the sky quality. Where do you find the numbers?
Sky quality usually is measured at the site with a Unihedron Sky Quality Meter. Having spent a fair amount of time at Bretti and Chaffey Dam we know that they are around 21.77 on a good night with Bretti having a slight edge.
This is a screen shot from the Dark Sky app I have been using to find dark sky sites. All of our regular places are generally grey or close to black such as Bretti.
I did all my observing this week in the area north of the Golden Highway where the sky is generally black. I found many good observing areas, but it's hard finding a place where we can camp and observe in the same dark spot.
I stayed at a free park in Mendooran that has some facilities. The sky out there is very dark, but unfortunately they have a light near the toilet block that spoiled that spot.
Last night I went to Bracken Hut at Coolah Tops. I thought I would mention it because we talked about it last winter. That's a great spot at over 3000 feet elevation and has a very large cleared area to observe from away from the trees. But my guess is some of us would struggle to get there, as there is a creek to cross right at the end. I got stuck in it in the Tarago just as it was getting dark. Luckily I was able to reverse out and then take a run up at it the second time. Boy was I nervous driving across it again in the early hours. All the other spots at Coolah Tops I looked at were too wooded to see much sky. Anyway I'm glad I went there and had a look, but I won't be back there again.
I'm all for trying out new spots and will come along for a look at a new place.
Very keen on a westerly adventure... I've been toying with going somewhere very west to ensure more consistant weather and planning on a longer stay to make the trip work even if the weather isn't perfect for some of the trip.
I stayed at a free park in Mendooran that has some facilities. The sky out there is very dark, but unfortunately they have a light near the toilet block that spoiled that spot.
Last night I went to Bracken Hut at Coolah Tops. I thought I would mention it because we talked about it last winter. That's a great spot at over 3000 feet elevation and has a very large cleared area to observe from away from the trees. But my guess is some of us would struggle to get there, as there is a creek to cross right at the end. I got stuck in it in the Tarago just as it was getting dark. Luckily I was able to reverse out and then take a run up at it the second time. Boy was I nervous driving across it again in the early hours. All the other spots at Coolah Tops I looked at were too wooded to see much sky. Anyway I'm glad I went there and had a look, but I won't be back there again.
I'm all for trying out new spots and will come along for a look at a new place.
Yeh, that spot at Mendooran is OK but not nice. And, as you say, there is too much local light. Was the bloke opposite the pub in full flight? The night I was there his music could be heard 100's of meters away.
I was one who recommended Bracken hut, so sorry about the drama at the creek. I had completely forgotten about its existence. I drive a troopie so I just didn't register. How cold was it up there?
Quote:
Originally Posted by absolut
Hey guys!
Very keen on a westerly adventure... I've been toying with going somewhere very west to ensure more consistant weather and planning on a longer stay to make the trip work even if the weather isn't perfect for some of the trip.
Long drive from Sydney, good 10-11hrs best guess, but I'd look to stay for a week or so.
Any other ideas?
Willandra is nice and there are plenty of observing site, though you probably won't use the campground. There is a suitable clearing in the middle but my guess is that there would always be too many people about. There is space down near the old homestead but I don't know about lights there. There is also a clearing perhaps 4-500m the other way that would certainly be dark. If you like history you can spend a pleasant day looking around the old station. When I was there a birdwatching group from Sydney was there. There is also the river but I didn't have time to investigate swimming or fishing.
Another possibility out that way is Cocoparra NP. Much quieter than Willandra (except when they find a body on the access road like they did last week) but also less to do. Enough open space to have your scope at your camp, a picnic shelter and, hopefully, a water tank: the small ones at the toilets had been stolen but the big one at the shelter was still there a few years ago.
Weddin Mtns NP is also possible. If you camp near he gate you can have the scope at your site. Other campers will prefer the other end where there are more trees. There are a couple of walks and you can look at the ruins of the old farm but there is -no water-.
David you get around a bit by the sound of it. It was a little cold at Bracken Hut, but I had my freezer suit on which makes me impervious to the cold. I can imagine what it is like up there in winter, I believe they get snow most years.
Thanks for those suggestions but not really interested in being in or near towns, hoons, pubs, crowds, dead bodies, etc - makes Bretti look positively wonderful.
..... a NP would not fit the OP requirements, as far as I know they are all "NO Pets Allowed".
Well, I did say that in my first post. I just thought others without that requirement might also look at this thread. Then I responded to comments by 'absolut' about Willandra NP and his request for other ideas.
I would be keen to have a go at a more westerly site. I do not as yet have any suggestions but will talk to some friends who have traveled over a lot of NSW. Much prefer something that is less than a days drive to get there from Newcastle.
Well, I did say that in my first post. I just thought others without that requirement might also look at this thread. Then I responded to comments by 'absolut' about Willandra NP and his request for other ideas.
Sorry David, my apologies.
But anyway, some NPs can be expensive, in my experience...
Around here they have a $7 per day usage fee (per vehicle) and on TOP of that camping fees of $28 per night (up to 2 people) + $14 per person extra.
That is just ridiculous for an unpowered site IMHO.
But anyway, some NPs can be expensive, in my experience...
Around here they have a $7 per day usage fee (per vehicle) and on TOP of that camping fees of $28 per night (up to 2 people) + $14 per person extra.
That is just ridiculous for an unpowered site IMHO.
PS: Happy Birthday David !
Allan,
No worries. And thanks for the birthday wish - much appreciated.
Regarding fees: if you are going to visit NPs a bit then an annual pass is the way to go. There are a few different types. The camping rate you quote is pretty steep, and higher than what I just paid at two places on the far south coast, $10pppn; the third spot was free. It's either a high-cost area or the camping ground has higher class facilities. I haven't pitched a tent in a camping ground in so long I don't have a clue what they charge but I know cabins and motels are hideous - and much less pleasant than camping. Personally I don't mind giving a bit of money to the NPWS, they need it. Unfortunately wildernesses don't run themselves these days and there is a gap between the reasonable public expectation of what the NPWS should achieve and their budget.
Thanks David.
I already have an Annual NSW wide pass.
I considered NPWS a good cause too.
But an extra $28 per night is stretching a friendship.
(That is the rate at my closest park Munmorah
Quote:
Freemans campground
Vehicle entry fee: $7 per vehicle per day. Please note vehicle entrance fees are not included in your accommodation or camping fees. Purchase at the local office or buy an annual pass Camping fees:All campsites and site fee: $28 per night (2-person inclusive). $14 per night per additional adult (16 years+), $7 per night per additional child (5-15 years), infants free (0-4 years).
I assumed they would all be similar. Obviously not.
Either way, Free Camping is a lot cheaper and often just as good.
cheers
I have checked out the potential of Mookerawa Waters Park near Wellington NSW on the light pollution map and sadly it looks as if there is some light coming from that site. It can be viewed here:
Just move over to the Lake area,near Wellington, and zoom in on the southern end. Mookerawa looks to be the blue area at the bottom of the lake.
The main Lake campground is located to the north and there is green light coming from that area.
Conclusion is it is not in Bretti's category for darkness. And that is probably going to be the case for any campsite that provides lighted amenities buildings, shops, area lights etc.
How cold was it up there?
