In keeping with our aim of offering the greatest flexibility for all travellers, we don't make bookings for the suggested trips in , but merely offer a small list of suggestions of what might be of interest to you during your stay in Sydney. The day trips in and around are also kept reasonably flexible, however firm bookings may be made for some trips, such as any private "inside tours" of observatories, where available.

• Sydney Harbour Ferry trip from Circular Quay to Given that most folks visiting OzSky generally stay up until Manly on the commuter ferry (much better than a the early hours of the morning observing, most of the dedicated Harbour Cruise!) optional day trips or activities will be planned to start • The Australian Reptile Park after midday, however some may require an earlier departure based on availability of bookings etc. • Taronga Zoo (also via ferry) • Bondi Beach Afternoon lectures and presentations are often enjoyed • Manly Beach on topics including general astronomy, prime observing • Palm Beach targets, Australian flora and fauna, geology aboriginal culture and more. • Royal Botanical Gardens • City Highlights Half-Day Tours Various day-hikes in the National Park • Guided / Unguided Tours of the Old Sydney and Pilliga State Forest are also available for all fitness Observatory levels. It should be noted, however, that the region • SCUBA diving around Sydney suffered extreme bushfires back in January 2013 and while many of the popular hikes and tourism areas have • Sydney Aquarium been re-opened, many still show the impact of those • WildLife Sydney Zoo devastating bushfires, even today. • Featherdale Wildlife Park • Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Information on many of the suggested walks is available from the local Tourist Information Office at • Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon Lookout Coonabarabran, however most of your official • Sydney Opera House volunteers will also be willing to offer first-hand • One of the many Harbour-side walks experience and advice about some of the more • The Rocks, Darling Harbour and Circular Quay popular destinations. • Customs House (amazing Scale Model of Sydney)

• The Australian Museum • The Museum of Sydney • The Powerhouse Museum • The National Maritime Museum • Observing the Southern Night Skies... • The Art Gallery of NSW - Need I say more? • The Museum of Contemporary Art • Day/Overnight Trips to The Blue Mountains In case of inclement weather (which is strictly prohibited!) a series of additional talks or presentations • Jenolan Caves may be available, however if you have any talks or • Hunter Valley or Mudgee Winery tours (great to do presentations of your own which you'd like to present to before or after OzSky, or enroute). the group, we would be delighted to include you in the talks schedule.

The OzSky Star Safari | [email protected]

• Group Photo (Please wear your OzSky T-Shirt) • Guided Wildlife Tours • Group Photo (at night) - Trust me, the result is • World's Largest Solar System Scale Model (NOTE: awesome! Pluto is located at !) • OzSky Welcome & Farewell BBQ Dinners (usually • Guided Birding Walks (early mornings are best) held on the second evening and last evening at • Pilliga Pottery (30-minute drive one way) OzSky) • The Wool Shop • *Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO), Siding • Coonabarabran Art Gallery Springs (NOTE: Closed shoes required) • Aboriginal cultural walks and tours • * Telescope National Facility at (NOTE: Closed shoes required) • Diprotodon display at the Visitor's Information Centre • The Sandstone Caves (Easy/Medium Hike, 2 hrs return) • Gem and mineral collection at Crystal Kingdom • Sculptures in the Scrub (Easy/Medium Hike, 2 hrs • Pilliga State Forest (30-minute drive, one way) return) • Warrumbungles National Park (30-minute drive, one • White Gum Lookout (Easy Hike, 1 hr return) way) • Grand High Tops (HARD Hike, 6 hrs return)

• Mount Exmouth (HARD Hike, 6 hrs return) • Belougery Split Rock (Medium/Hard Hike, 4 hrs return) • *Tara Cave Aboriginal Cultural Guided Tour • Mt. Kaputar National Park (2-hour drive, one way) (bookings required, 3 hrs return) • Dubbo Zoo, Old Dubbo Gaol (2-hour drive, one way) • Natural Artesian Hot Spas at Pilliga, Burren Junction, Lightning Ridge and Moree • Lightning Ridge Opal Mines (4-hour drive, one way) • Southern Sky Orientation (first two evenings) • "The Dish" - Parkes 64m Radio Telescope (4-hour drive, one way) • Guided Sky Tours of the Southern Highlights (first two evenings, then by request) • Wine Tasting at regional Wineries • OzSky Official Opening / Site Orientation One of the day trips which OzSky attendees are • History of the OzSky Star Safari sometimes able to enjoy is a visit to one or more of the • Southern Skies Highlights - "Sky Candy" observatories at Siding Spring, including the impressive • The Myth of the "Perfect" Polar Alignment iTelescope* remote imaging facility, the 2.0m Faulkes • The Argo Navis™ Digital Telescope Computer Telescope South* and the 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT)* if we are very lucky. • Venomous Australian Snakes • Spotty Stars As those facilities are fully operational professional • A Tale of Two Observatories observatories, the availability of tours is not guaranteed, • Blowing Bubbles - A Talk on Wolf Rayet Stars however every effort will be made to organise these where available. • Murrell's Horror List for Large Telescopes • Using a DSLR for Nightscapes However, the public visitor’s centre and viewing gallery • Australian Meteorite Impact Craters are both open from 10am – 4pm most days.

* Important: If these or any of the similar tours are available for our group, fully enclosed shoes are required for safety reasons – Anyone not wearing closed-toed shoes will not be permitted to enter.

Regardless of whether you choose to take the train to Dubbo, fly to Dubbo or Tamworth, or drive all the way from Sydney to Coonabarabran, you will need to drive at least part of the way to Coona. This guide sets out a few the most popular options and provides links to some handy online maps to get you there easily.

Additionally, several guides to the suggested day trips and tours during the OzSky week are also included for your convenience.

Oh, and just remember... we drive on the LEFT side of the road here in Oz!

DUBBO TRAIN STATION to OzSky Please note: the following suggested driving directions This is the most popular option and assumes that you will are provided courtesy of Google Maps and generally take the train from Sydney to Dubbo and pick up a rental represent the route most people choose to take, car at Dubbo. The drive is easy and quite scenic, with a however a number of alternative options may be drive time of approximately 2 hours. available depending on your particular circumstances or preferences.

If you use “Google Maps” on your smart phone or tablet, you can simply enter "The OzSky Star Safari" as the destination to get real-time, guided directions the whole way.

If you're using other brands of mapping software - or a dedicated GPS navigator - you can enter the address: "882 Timor Road, Coonabarabran" as the destination to obtain directions.

Note: Timor Road is sometimes also known as "National Park Road" or "John Renshaw Parkway" on some maps.

This guide provides links to the driving directions for the following popular routes:

• Dubbo Train Station to OzSky or Dubbo Airport to OzSky

• Sydney Airport to OzSky or Sydney CBD to OzSky

• Tamworth Airport to OzSky

• Coona Clocktower to OzSky

DUBBO AIRPORT to OzSky Alternatively, if you fly into Dubbo airport, you can find those driving directions here.

The OzSky Star Safari | [email protected]

SYDNEY AIRPORT to OzSky This is the second most popular option and assumes that COONA CLOCK TOWER to OzSky you will pick up a rental car at Sydney Airport and drive This is a route which you will likely be taking almost daily all the way to Coonabarabran. as it is the only route between Coonabarabran and our observing site. The drive time is less than 10 minutes. Once you have left the confines of the city, the drive is moderately easy, but long and extremely scenic, with a • From the Memorial Clock Tower on the Newell drive time of approximately 6 hours. Highway, head west on Dalgarno Street for 450 metres (0.3 miles). • Turn right onto Namoi Street and continue for 400 metres (0.2 miles). • Turn left onto Eden Street which becomes John Renshaw Parkway (aka Timor Road aka National Park Road) and follow for 8.5km (5.4 miles). • The OzSky Star Safari, (at the Warrumbungles Mountain Motel) will be on your right at 882 Timor Road, Coonabarabran NSW 2357

SYDNEY CBD To OzSky

Alternatively, if you are planning on driving from Sydney CBD (assuming Railway Square), you can find those driving directions here

TAMWORTH AIRPORT to OzSky This relatively unused route to OzSky is slowly growing in popularity and is provided here for reference only. This scenic route has a drive time of just over 2 hours.

Location: 80 km (50mi) drive from OzSky

Drive Time: 70-90 minutes (30km gravel)

Duration: 2km loop (~2 hours)

Grade: Easy/Medium

Cost: Free (self-guided walk)

Rating:

Comments: Suggest taking food/drink as the location is quite remote. BBQ facilities are available, and it is a lovely place for a picnic lunch. One of the impressive astronomy-themed sculptures

The Sculptures in the Scrub walking track, in Timallallie The Sculptures in the Scrub are one of the recent National Park, is one of our favourite hikes during OzSky additions to Warrumbungle Region’s landscape, and takes in the award-winning Sculptures in the officially opened to the public in 2010, and have Scrub, a project that was four years in the making. become a regular destination for OzSky Star Safari folks since then. Each sculpture is the result of an artist collaborating with local Aboriginal Elders and young people on a The unique sculptures are a popular tourist attraction piece that tells a story of local Aboriginal history and at Dandry Gorge, in the heart of the , north culture. Take some time to look at these works - you’ll of Coonabarabran. find some information about the artist’s background and the methods used to create the sculpture, along The impressive artworks are made from bronze, stone with its deeper meaning. and stainless steel, with the largest creation standing up to 3.5 metres tall. It’s a good idea to put sunscreen on before you set out and remember to take a hat and take plenty of The sculptures were developed by Australian artists drinking water – and of course check road conditions Brett Garling, Col Henry and Ken Hutchinson and before setting out. Aboriginal artist Badger Bates, and were funded by Gawambaraay Pilliga Co-management Committee. You can take a self-guided walk at your own pace however, this unique place is also a great experience The sculptures have been strategically placed at on a guided tour with an Aboriginal Discovery Ranger. Dandry Gorge to provide an opportunity for visitors to Tours can be booked at Pilliga Forest Discovery Centre view these works of art against the beautiful vista of the in (Tel: 02 6843 4011). Dandry Gorge and the ruggedness of the Pilliga scrub.

The OzSky Star Safari [email protected] | www.OzSky.org

Sculptures in the Scrub is in Timallallie National Park, north of Coonabarabran. The site is relatively new, and signposting is gradually developing.

From the Clocktower in Coonabarabran: • Head north along the main street of Coonabarabran towards Narrabri and follow for 5km. Don’t miss this turnoff! • Turn left onto the (A39) towards Narrabri and follow for 37km. • Turn left onto the Number One Break Road (signs for Baradine) and follow for 18km • Turn left onto Top Crossing Road and follow south for 9km • Turn left onto Sculptures in the Scrub trail and follow east for 1.6km to the carpark.

Location: 16 km (10mi) drive from OzSky

Drive Time: 15-20 minutes

Duration: 1km return (~1 hour)

Grade: Easy

Cost: Free (self-guided walk)

Rating:

Comments: This short hike can be done in as little as a few minutes, but the view is spectacular and is definitely worthy of a longer stay The view from White Gum Lookout

Spectacular views of the volcanic landscape of From here you can see across to the main attractions Warrumbungle National Park await you at White Gum of the Warrumbungles National Park – The Grand High Lookout. Tops, Mount Exmouth, The Breadknife and of course the vast volcanic remains which make up the Be sure to take a hamper or thermos flask with you, Warrumbungle Ranges. there are picnic tables adjacent to the car park where you can enjoy a picnic or a ‘cuppa’ (cup of This is a very easy walk (and is also wheelchair tea/coffee) while taking in the view and snapping accessible) and a great way to introduce yourself to some photographs. It is a short 500m stroll from the the Warrumbungles without too much effort. carpark to White Gum Lookout along a sealed pathway.

OzSky guests exploring White Gum Lookout

The OzSky Star Safari [email protected] | www.OzSky.org

From the OzSky Star Safari: • Turn right (west) and follow Timor Road / John Renshaw Parkway for 16km (10mi). • Turn left into the White Gum Lookout carpark

Location: Between Dubbo* (for most of you) and Siding Spring Observatory

Drive Time: ~3 hours, including stops

Cost: Free (self-guided drive)

Rating:

Comments: This is great to do en-route to the OzSky Star Safari from Dubbo

Saturn – Up Close and Personal

The World’s Largest Virtual Solar System Drive was an Local talent was contracted for the design, fabrication idea generated by Coonabarabran astronomer John and installation of the 4 metre by 4 metre billboards. Shobbrook in 1997. The focus of the project is to develop a sustainable The aim was to provide a unique opportunity for tourists tourism industry and boost economic development in and students to experience first-hand the vastness of the region. our Solar System and develop an interest in astronomy and science. The Solar System Drive contributes to the NSW road safety campaign by providing incentives for travellers A decade later the project became a reality following to stop at rest areas and Visitor Information Centres as Council’s successful grant they journey through regional . through the Federal Government’s AusIndustry Australian Tourism Development Program. The Solar System Drive is a daytime experience where visitors are encouraged to stop at each planet in a Council’s tourism and economic development unit safe manner, taking care when pulling off and back teamed together with local astronomy enthusiasts to onto the roadway. kick start the half-a-million-dollar project.

The OzSky Star Safari [email protected] | www.OzSky.org

Planet Location Distance Time

Pluto Dubbo Visitor Centre, Newell Hwy 190km 2.5 hours Neptune Gilgandra Cooee Heritage Centre, Newell Hwy 119km 1.5 hours Uranus Tooraweenah Rest Area, Newell Hwy 79km 70 mins Saturn Camkeena Rest Area, Newell Hwy 40km 40 mins Jupiter Timor Road, west of Coonabarabran 21.5km 20 mins Mars Timor Road, west of Coonabarabran 5.5km 5 mins Earth Observatory Road, west of Coonabarabran 4.1km 3 mins Venus Observatory Road, west of Coonabarabran 1.9km 2 mins Mercury Observatory Road, west of Coonabarabran 1.2km 1 min The Sun Siding Spring Observatory 0km 0 min

http://www.solarsystemdrive.com | http://www.solarsystemdrive.com/pdf/map.pdf

Location: 150 km (90mi) drive from OzSky Drive Time: ~90 minutes each way Cost: Free Rating: Comments: Suggest taking food/drink as the location is quite remote and there are no nearby facilities.

Or you can dine in Narrabri after the tour Important: Closed-toed shoes are MANDATORY for this optional tour Note: This is often one of the scheduled, guided tours available during the OzSky Star Safaris, however it is not always available during the OzSky week.

Independent visits are welcome, however public access is only available to the main visitor’s centre. ATCA Antenna #4 covered in tiny OzSky folks

The Array welcomes visitors from the general public The Australia Telescope Compact Array is a radio and includes a Visitor's Centre where the operations of telescope operated by the CSIRO at the Paul Wild the array can be observed in comfort and shade, as Observatory near Culgoora, ~25km (16 mi) west of well as informational displays and audio-visual Narrabri. presentations, while the surrounding grounds have displays and activities for visitors. The telescope is an array of six identical 22-metre (72ft) diameter dishes, which commonly operate in Open Days are run regularly, and to mark special “aperture synthesis” mode to produce radio images. events such as the anniversary of the first Moon landing, or major anniversaries of the telescope itself. Five of the dishes can be moved along a 3km (2mi) railway track. The sixth antenna is situated 3km (2mi) Subject to availability, participants at the OzSky Star west of the end of the main track. Each dish weighs Safari are often treated to special inside tours of the about 270 tons. Array and Control Room. If we are lucky enough to get one of these tours this year, please ensure you The Compact Array is a part of the Australia Telescope have suitable (closed-toed) footwear, as we are not National Facility network of radio telescopes, and this permitted to enter the facility under any array is frequently operated together with other CSIRO circumstances with open-toed footwear. telescopes, as well as the 64-metre (210 ft) dish at the and a single 22m (72ft) dish at The photo above shows a number of OzSky Star Safari Mopra (a few minutes’ drive west of The OzSky Star participants climbing the superstructure of Antenna #4 Safari), to form a Very Long Baseline Interferometry to enter the Feed Horn room and the surface of the (VLBI) array. dish itself. No cricket being played here though...

The Australia Telescope Compact Array is located on the Wee Waa – Yarrie Lake Road, ~25km west of Narrabri. Narrabri is about 120km north of Coonabarabran on the Newell Highway

Important: Make sure you take the Newell Highway turnoff, just 5km north of Coonabarabran. It’s easy to miss!

Once you arrive in South Narrabri there are limited signposts to the Australia Telescope.

From the Clocktower in Coonabarabran:

• Head north along the main street of Coonabarabran towards / Narrabri and follow for 5km. • Turn left onto the Newell Highway (A39) towards Narrabri and follow for 120km. Do not continue straight ahead towards Gunnedah! • At the second roundabout, turn left onto Mooloobar Street (becomes “Wee Waa – Yarrie Lake Road”) and follow for 19km. • Turn right into the Australia Telescope National Facility’s Paul Wild Observatory and follow for 2.5km, veering right to par your car near the Visitor’s Centre. • Returning home, consider stopping in at Narrabri for a late lunch / afternoon tea.

Location: 18 km (11mi) drive from OzSky Drive Time: ~20 minutes each way Cost: $20 per person fee applies for inside tours (if available) Free access to visitor’s centre and public viewing gallery Rating: Important: Closed-toed shoes are MANDATORY for this optional tour Note: This is often one of the scheduled, guided tours available during the OzSky Star Safaris, however it is not always available during the OzSky week. The 3.9m Anglo-Australian Telescope Independent visits are welcome, however public access is usually only available to the main visitor’s centre and public viewing gallery

The AAT was one of the last large telescopes built with an equatorial mount. More recent large telescopes The Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) is a 3.9-metre have instead adopted the more compact and equatorially mounted telescope operated by the mechanically stable altazimuth mount. The AAT was, Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) and is however, one of the very first telescopes to be fully situated at the Siding Spring Observatory, at an computer-controlled and set new standards for altitude of a little over 1,100 m. pointing and tracking accuracy.

In 2009, the telescope was ranked as the fifth highest- Subject to availability, participants of the OzSky Star impact of the world's optical telescopes, while in 2001– Safari often get up close and personal with the 3.9m 2003, it was considered the most scientifically telescope - inside the dome, beyond the limits of the productive 4 metre-class optical telescope in the general public. Our tours sometimes also include the world based on scientific publications using data from main Control Room and the all-important aluminising the telescope. chamber.

The telescope was commissioned in 1974 with a view During our tour, we may also get to experience the to allowing high quality observations of the sky from “iTelescope SSO” facility in a nearby building, which the southern hemisphere. At the time, most major houses a range of imaging telescopes from 8” to 32” telescopes were located in the northern hemisphere, diameter which can be time-rented and used leaving the southern skies poorly observed. remotely. We are also sometimes privileged to gain access to the impressive “Las Cumbres Observatory It was the largest telescope in the Southern Global Telescope (LCOGT)” which has a 2.0m hemisphere from 1974-1976, then a close second to telescope, two 1.0m telescopes and two 0.4m the Victor M. Blanco Telescope from 1976 until 1998, telescopes. when the first ESO VLT was opened. If we are lucky enough to get any of these tours this The AAT was credited with stimulating a resurgence in year, please ensure you have suitable (closed-toed) British optical astronomy. It was constructed by footwear, as we are not permitted to enter the facility Australia and the United Kingdom but has been under any circumstances with open-toed footwear. entirely funded by Australia since 2010. Observing time is available to astronomers worldwide.

From the OzSky Star Safari:

• Turn right (west) and follow Timor Road for 13.5km. • Turn right onto Observatory Road and follow for a further 4km to the carpark on your left at the base of the Visitor's Centre.