The 2022 Astrofest Astrophotography Competition and Exhibition was a huge success! There were 380 entries from 76 different entrants and the winners of seven awards were announced at Astrofest on 29 October 2022.
Astrotourism WA sponsors the trophy for the Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape for images taken in the Astrotourism Towns localities. There were 27 images entered into the Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape Award (approximately 7% of all images entered) and featured images across 10 of the Astrotourism Towns including the Shires of Ashburton, Carnamah, Chittering, Dandaragan, Lake Grace, Narrogin, Northam, Three Springs, West Arthur and Wongan-Ballidu.
In addition to the trophy, two Local Governments support the Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape with wonderful prizes to encourage WA’s Astrophotographers to get out into the regions and take those amazing Milky Way images above some spectacular landscape.
Congratulations to the Winner and Runner Up Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape 2022
“Pilbara Skies” by Paul Harrison
Winner Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape Award
Sponsored by the Shire of Morawa and Mellenbye Station Stay
Paul’s image features one of the incredible termite mounds and the core of the Milky Way Galaxy rising in Karijini National Park in the Shire of Ashburton. See more of Paul’s images on his Instagram page.
Prize: trophy and four night’s accommodation (for 2 people) in a Motel/Apartment Unit (1 bed single/couple) at Mellenbye Station Stay plus a $50 voucher to spend at the delicious Wildflour Bakery in Morawa. Total value: $650
“Arch of the Windmill” by Luke Hetherington
Runner Up Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape Award Sponsored by the Shire of Carnamah
Luke’s image captures the beauty of star trails and their reflections against the backdrop of an iconic windmill in the Shire of Lake Grace. See more of Luke’s images of his Instagram page.
Prize: two night’s accommodation (for 2 people) in a Chalet at the Carnamah Caravan Park plus a $100 voucher to spend at the local Carnamah Hotel. Total value: $400
Who Were the Winners in the Other Awards and Categories?
In total there were seven awards and seven categories in the 2022 Astrofest Astrophotography Competition.
Award Winners
Best Astro Photo Winner: Carlos Taylor, Cosmic Statue
Best Astro Photo Runner Up: Graham Conaty, Fire In The Sky
SPIRIT Image of the Year 2022: Danny Barton, “NGC 3372 Carina Nebula”
Best Astro Photo taken with a Mobile Phone: Luke Busellato, Mobile Astro at the Pinnacles
Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape Winner: Paul Harrison, Pilbara Skies
Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape Runner Up: Luke Hetherington, Arch of the windmill
People’s Choice Award: Michelle Bennett
Category Winners
Best Deep Sky Photo: Carlos Taylor, Cosmic Statue
Best Solar Photo: David Gray, A message from the sun – Do not forget who is Boss!
Best Lunar Photo: Christopher Ball, Moon with ISS
Best Planetary Photo: David Gray, Mars
Best Nightscape Photo: Graham Conaty, Fire In The Sky
Best Timelapse Video: Samuel Chan, Last Light
Best Comet Image: Brett Turner, The Tail of Comet Leonard
Ready to enter the Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape Award in 2023?
The Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape Award is one of several awards and categories within the Astrofest Astrophotography Competition.
To enter the Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape Award, photographers must include the name of the Astrotourism WA Shire/Local Government locality in the submission; and feature terrestrial elements located in the Astrotourism WA Local Government locality. For the Astrotourism WA Award the eligible Local Government localities include those towns listed on the Astrotourism WA website.
These Local Governments have been instrumental in supporting an effort to raise awareness about WA’s incredible dark night sky.
Over 50 new places for astrophotography and stargazing have been mapped out for each location to encourage visitors to experience WA’s amazing dark country night sky. In a world where light pollution is destroying our view of the stars, WA’s Local Governments have recognised the important value of our natural asset and are working hard to protect and maintain it for generations to come.
We’re already looking forward to the 2023 Best Astrotourism WA Nightscape Award. Terms and Conditions for the 2023 Competition haven’t been released yet, but you can start to prepare by reading the 2022 Astrofest Astrophotography Competition terms and conditions.
Ready to be inspired?
Winners from the 2020 Astrofest Astrophotography Competition are presented in a beautiful online catalogue.