The first Goldfields regional location begins dark sky tourism exploration. Menzies has iconic locations for astro-enthusiasts.
Stunning locations across the Shrie of Menzies are iconic destinations for stargazing enthusiasts.
Menzies, the first Goldfields town on WA’s Astrotourism Towns map, has recently identified several dark sky sites including the iconic Lake Ballard, Mount Owen, Niagara Dam and Kookynie which are magnets for astrophotographers. Framing unusual landscape scenery, such as Inside Australia’s Gormley sculptures on the bed of Lake Ballard, with the Milky Way is a popular activity for astrophotographers.
Over the past six years, Carol Redford, CEO at Astrotourism WA has been working with 18 innovative Local Governments to establish a stargazing trail across Western Australia, developing dark sky tourism and increasing overnight visitation.
“Regional WA has very low levels of light pollution, making our night sky one of the best in the world. Our State has one of the largest dark spaces in the world, which makes it ideal to roll out the welcome mat for visitors to experience our awe-inspiring views of the Milky Way above our iconic landmarks and attractions”, Ms Redford says.
Former Shire of Menzies CEO, Glenda Teede and Carol Redford, Astrotourism WA ready to launch Menzies as an Astrotourism Town.
In recent months, Ms Redford travelled through the Shire of Menzies in Australia’s Golden Outback to scout for new dark sky locations that would attract visitors for stargazing, astrophotography and amateur observing with telescopes.
The Shire of Menzies has recognised that dark skies are disappearing around the world and increasingly are highly sought after as natural wonders by thousands of people. The vision is to turn the spectacular dark sky along with the unique Menzies landscape into an economic asset for tourism.
Shire of Menzies Council President, Cr Paul Warner, said that the night time skies in the Shire are a spectacular sight and good for the economy at the same time. “There are both economic and community benefits to being an Astrotourism Town. Significantly, from an economic standpoint, dark sky tourism necessitates one or more overnight stays thereby increasing visitor spending in Menzies”, he said.
The nightscape view from Snake Hill looking across to Lake Ballard, an increasingly popular location for astrophotography.
Menzies and its attractions are on the Golden Quest Discovery Trail, a self-drive route in WA’s Goldfields, which is part of Australia’s Golden Outback. Tourism Development Manager of Australia’s Golden Outback, Ross MacCulloch, has welcomed the first Goldfields town to begin formal dark sky tourism development.
“Menzies already has one of the most highly rated Caravan Parks in the region (Tripadvisor) and this dark sky tourism location and associated activities will give visitors a unique interesting experience, when they stay overnight.” he said
Ms Redford is currently working with the Shire of Menzies community team to plan free family-friendly community stargazing evenings with telescope viewing. The Shire of Menzies owns its own telescope, and the event will raise awareness of stargazing in Menzies, protecting the night sky from artificial light pollution and dark sky tourism. All will be welcome and the date will be released in coming months.
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