It’s not every day you come across a light aircraft in your local park! That’s what the locals have in Gascoyne Junction! An historic Cessna has been donated by a local pastoralist who helped shape aerial cattle mustering into what it is today. The plane sits proudly in Two Rivers Memorial Park in the centre of town and makes for a great fun astro-image! The plane is illuminated at night, but make sure you drop into the local Community Resource Centre to ask if the lights can be turned off and you’ll have a great time taking images of the plane and the Milky Way!
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Facilities: Toilets, BBQ’s, playground.
Mobile coverage (Telstra): Good.
Sky Quality Meter Reading: 21.08 magnitude per arcsecond2 recorded at 8.49pm on 28th August 2022. What is a Sky Quality Meter Reading?
Looking for More Astrophotography Hot Spots?
Travel further afield and you’ll find some other terrific astrophotography hot spots to try out in the Shire of Upper Gascoyne.
Burringurrah (Mount Augustus)
Ready for the opportunity to take an image of the world’s largest rock, Burringurrah (in the local Wajarri language) or Mount Augustus? Planning is paramount. There are two lookouts that take in the vista. Emu Hill Lookout gives you and excellent view looking to the south east, so timing your visit in April/May when the Milky Way is rising would be ideal.
Near the Mount Augustus Tourist Park at Yalaweerie Lookout, you’ll be able to capture the entire length of the rock with a view that looks to the south west. Mid year and onwards would be advantageous for an nightscape image here.
Whenever you make your visit, try to coincide it with a crescent or quarter Moon. The light from the Moon will illuminate the surface of the rock and make it a feature of your image.
Facilities: Picnic tables are at each lookout.
Mobile coverage (Telstra): Good.
Sky Quality Meter Reading: Yallowerie Lookout – 21.07 magnitude per arcsecond2 recorded at 8.01pm on 29th August 2022. What is a Sky Quality Meter Reading?
Stargazing & Tourism Information
Observing Site
The local community welcomes you to use telescopes and binoculars or enjoy an evening of stargazing here.
Astrotourism Town
How are WA communities protecting dark night skies for your world-class stargazing experiences?
Visitor Centre
For accommodation, meals and other sightseeing in the local area, check in with the local visitor centre.