Seeing stars: the astronomical rise of Australian dark-sky tourism

In an Aboriginal dreamtime tale, Kambughuda protects her younger sisters by using fire magic at the foot of Kambughuda.

The story is told not only in the oral traditions of the oldest cultures on Earth but also in the night skies. In Western astrology tradition, the hunter Nyeeruna has been renamed Orion. Kambughuda’s fire magic can be seen in the constellation Pleiades and the red star Aldebaran.

Krystal de Napoli, the Gomeroi astrophysicist, told us this story, which shows that Indigenous Australians were aware of the variable stars surrounding Orion before European astronomers, at Nocturna, the dark-sky party on Tasmania’s eastern coast, which concluded Hobart’s Beaker St science and art festival.

De Napoli states that the constellations are “our books.” This library is hidden from view by light pollution.

Light pollution is a major problem for the night creatures. Light pollution is not only harmful to humans but also threatens animals of the night. This includes bats, moths, turtles, and Fireflies.

As “sky glow” obscures more and more stars, Australians & New Zealanders seek out the darkness to observe the stars.

Since 2012, the Mackenzie Basin and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand’s South Island have been designated an International Dark Sky Reserve.

Landon Bannister is the president of Dark Skies Tasmania. He says that the growth of astrotourism was organic. He believes it is part of a larger shift towards reconnecting with nature.

“It is important to embrace the darkness.” It’s beautiful to take your time and let your eyes adapt to darkness when you are stargazing. “We spend so much of our time in artificial light.”

Rural communities benefit from the desire to see the stars. Light pollution is caused by urban billboards, multi-story buildings, and car parks that are lit throughout the night.

Bannister claims that you need to drive three hours to reach the Milky Way from major cities such as Melbourne and Sydney and even more from the US and Europe. In places like New Zealand or Tasmania, however, it only takes 30 minutes to get out of the city to see the Milky Way.

Bannister says that astrotourism has a low impact and is important for protecting the night skies. It creates awareness, and by creating awareness… people begin to appreciate what they already have. Then, people will start taking action to protect what they have.

Bannister claims that light pollution is one of the easiest pollutants to eliminate. Light pollution is not as difficult to stop as air or water pollution. The stars are still there… it’s literally a matter of flicking a switch.

Light pollution is a problem that can be reduced by using warm, low-level artificial lighting. Nocturna had a snake-like yellow light that guided visitors from one area to another. Also, timers that turn off unnecessary lights are helpful.

Even though the very low lighting requires some adjustments and careful footwork, events such as Nocturna and Dark Sky places that are held all year long show how you can get by with much less light at night. We open up new possibilities by doing this.

Alpha Centauri could be seen even in cloudy conditions thanks to Nocturna. Looking through a Schmidt Cassegraine telescope with a long focal length, I see a speck of the universe magnified more than I’ve ever seen it before.

Matthew McDonnell of the Astronomical Society of Tasmania urged me not to stop looking. Alpha Centauri, a double-star, is two stars orbiting each other and gravitationally bound together. There was indeed a second circle directly behind the original.

McDonnell claims that double and triple stars, which make up 80% of stars in space, are the norm. However, you will need a powerful telescope to see the split.

Nocturna’s talks were always centered around the wonder that the night sky can inspire, whether we are looking at it through a scope or with our naked eyes.

Bannister says, “The stars have always been there to inspire us to dream bigger and to excite our imagination. But they also remind us of how small we are within the universe.” “It’s really a human experience.”

Stars in the sky

Australia has three “dark skies places,” as defined by the International Dark Sky Association. This accreditation includes categories like parks, reserves, and sanctuaries. The dark sky is equivalent to a world-heritage listing; these places are also great for stargazing.

If you want to see the sky come alive, visit during a meteor shower. The Orionids’ peak in 2022 will be between 21 and 22 October, while the Leonids’ peak will be between 17 and 18 November. The Geminids’ peak will occur from 14-15 December.

The Dark Sky Park at Warrumbungle, New South Wales

• The Warrumbungles refers to itself as the “astronomy capitol of Australia.” In 2016, it became Australia’s first ISDA Dark Sky Park and home to the country’s premier astronomical observatories.
• The national park is a great place to hike around the rocky volcanic mountains during the day. The sky at night is as clear as a jewel box thanks to the strict measures taken to prevent light pollution.
• Mudgee is located approximately six hours north-west of Sydney. Those coming from the East can stop at the wine and food hub to break up their trip. You can stay in Coonabarabran (30 minutes away) or camp in the National Park (though bookings are required several months in advance). Many holiday homes are equipped with telescopes.

River Murray Dark Sky Reserve South Australia

• The Reserve, which was accredited by ISDA in 2019, includes 80km along the Murray River as well as small towns and conservation parks.
• Adelaide is just 90 minutes away, but Mount Lofty Ranges act as a natural barrier to protect the Reserve from the urban light.
• There are many water activities, including canoeing and fishing. You can also take a cruise along the Murray.

Jump-Up Queensland

• The Jump-Up was named an ISDA dark skies sanctuary in 2019. It is located approximately 270m over sea level on a plateau known as the Vindex Range. From here, stargazers are able to appreciate the vastness of the galaxy.
• The Jump-Up Museum is part of Australia’s Age of Dinosaurs Museum. This museum houses the world’s largest collection of Australian dino fossils. The museum offers a free viewing area called the Star Gallery, which is open all year round.
• The site is located on the outskirts of the outback city of Winton, 600km south-west of Townsville.

Bindoon (Western Australia)

• The town of Perth, located less than an hour’s drive away, has played a significant role in the history and development of space travel. The Muchea Tracking Station was located here, and it communicated with astronauts orbiting in the early 1960s.
• Brockman Centre is an observation area where you can set up a telescope to view the stars reflected in the water of Spoonbill Lake.
• You can visit the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory in Gingin if you do not own a telescope.

East Point Reserve Northern Territory

• The Reserve, located just a few kilometers from Darwin, is famous for its saltwater swimming year-round at Lake Alexander. It also provides a great view of the stars in the night sky.
• You can continue your stargazing adventure in the Northern Territory by visiting Uluru. Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and Katherine offer almost pristine skies.

Snake Valley Victoria

• Snake Valley, less than two hours away from Melbourne, is an official Australian dark sky site. It’s located between Ballarat and Beaufort, to the west of the state.
• Join the Snake Valley Astronomical Association for monthly club nights and semi-regular classes in astronomy, or visit the nearby Ballarat Observatory.

Taroona

• Tasmania is close to Antarctica, and you can catch the southern lights (aurora australis) at any time, but they are most frequent from the winter equinox to spring.
• Taroona, only 15 minutes from Hobart’s capital, is a great place to enjoy stargazing. But for the best chances to see the aurora, drive two hours south to Cockle Creek.