Five amazing stargazing spots around Australia
Planet Earth is surrounded by stars and has been since time began. If you're fascinated with what lies beyond, why not check these locations out for your next stargazing road adventure.The only problem with stargazing in a city, large town or any populated area is that they are difficult to see thanks to light pollution that dims their magnificence. The solution? Head out to Australia’s wide-open spaces and explore one of these fabulous stargazing spots.
Jump Up Dark Sky Sanctuary, Winton, Queensland
Dinosaurs were around a while ago, but not as long as the stars. What’s the connection? Well, at Winton’s Age of Dinosaurs museum in outback Queensland they also have Australia’s first accredited Dark Sky Sanctuary – one of only 15 in the world. So while fossils have been dug out of the ground there, the endless skies, low light pollution and lack of humidity also make for perfect stargazing. The museum is located on The Jump Up, a plateau raised 75 metres above the plain that provides a perfect view. So bring a picnic and binoculars after dark and you’ll feel at one with the Milky Way.
Lake Tyrrell, Sea Lake, Victoria
This salt lake is massive and remote by Victorian standards (it covers 208 square kilometres and sits 360km northwest of Melbourne) and while often dry, when covered by a thin film of water is famous for its amazing reflections and is beloved of Instagrammers. Another thing: the wide-open horizons and distance from civilization makes it brilliant for stargazing and to that end, the locals have installed a circular array of upward-pointing lollabouts called the Sky Lounge. Make it part of your Art Silos tour, bring a blanket and enjoy the galaxies – then retire to nearby Sea Lake for a hearty pub meal.
The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park, Western Australia
A 200km drive from Perth is nothing by WA standards and The Pinnacles make the trip doubly significant. These limestone sentinels poking out of the sand are both stately and eerie but at night they take on another dimension. The clear desert skies seem to magnify the intensity of the stars, so much so the nearby town of Cervantes is officially recognised as an Astrotourism Town and has plenty more to offer during the daytime too.
Murray River International Dark Sky Reserve, South Australia
Take your pick of places to go stargazing in this officially accredited Dark Sky Reserve – it’s fully 3200 square kilometres in size, so there’s plenty of choice! The night sky up near the Victorian border rated a velvety dark 21.97
and the Swan Reach Conservation Park’s 2000 hectares of largely untouched Mallee bushland is the perfect place to experience it.Warrumbungle National Park, NSW
The Australian National University set up the Siding Spring Observatory in the Warrumbungles back in the 1960s so there’s a fair bet this area is a stargazer’s paradise. The National Park is near Coonabarabran, a good six-hour drive from Sydney, and the combination of isolation and altitude makes for crystal-clear skies. The area is an officially designated Dark Sky Park so either visit the observatory or better still pitch a tent, turn your gaze heavenwards and enjoy the show.
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