Astrotourism Towns
Our local communities are creating welcoming dark sky places across country and outback Western Australia where the stargazing is spectacular. These towns are helping to protect dark night skies so you can experience starry night skies at their very best.
Ashburton
The Shire of Ashburton is a big place for the stars and there's so much to explore. Onslow is one of the rare places in Western Australia where you can see both the Sun and Moon rise and set over the ocean! A very astronomical place, indeed! There’s a relaxed vibe in...
Cervantes
Cervantes became an Astrotourism Town in August 2018. The first visit on 21 August 2018, included meeting staff at the Shire of Dandaragan. Cervantes is a coastal town and it’s great to be able to add a couple of great locations for you to visit for observing and...
Coorow
The Shire of Coorow became an Astrotourism Town in July 2019. After a meeting with Shire and Community Resource Centre staff on 9th July 2019, we conducted an extensive search for a suitable observing site and astrophotography hot spot. There were many surprises in...
Darkan
Darkan, in the Shire of West Arthur, joined the Astrotourism Town network in July 2019. Shire staff have a wealth of information to share about a variety of special locations for stargazing and astrophotography. What’s particularly special about the Shire of West...
Gascoyne Junction
What a wonderful community at Gascoyne Junction. The Junction Pub and Tourist Park is the central hub where visitors and locals gather to meet and share stories. You may be booked in to stay for one night, but that could easily become two or three as you kick back and...
Lake Grace
The Shire of Lake Grace joined the Astrotourism Town network in July 2019. After a meeting with the Shire team and interested community members on 5th August 2019, we visited many of the towns to select places for observing and astrophotography. The Shire of Lake...
Menzies
In the heart of WA’s Goldfields, you’ll find a night sky sparkling with billions of stars overhead. Menzies is a starry location where time stands still, and the Universe stretches out far beyond your imagination. A welcoming community will make you feel right at...
Mingenew
Mingenew is surrounded by breathtaking breakaway country, and boasts stunning clear night skies for stargazing and astrophotography. From August to October, wildflower season explodes with colour. A top location for wildflowers is the Coalseam Conservation Park. The...
Morawa
Morawa became an Astrotourism Town in July 2018. On the first visit we met with Shire staff to talk about places we could invite visitors for casual observing and astrophotography. We’re working with the community to reduce artificial light pollution in order to...
Narembeen
Narembeen is the perfect place to base yourself for a week to explore the stunning eastern Wheatbelt by day and by night. The Shire of Narembeen joined the Astrotourism Towns network in 2021 and is an easy drive from Perth. Step back in time to discover pioneer...
Narrogin
It was exciting to welcome the Shire of Narrogin to the Astrotourism Towns network in July 2020. The town is only a short drive from Perth and offers some wonderful locations for stargazing and astrophotography. Being just under 200 kms south east of Perth, the night...
Northam
Northam became an Astrotourism Town in July 2019. We met with Shire staff at the Bilya Koort Boodja Centre for Nyoongar Culture and Environmental Knowledge on 8th July 2019 to discuss locations for visitors to enjoy stargazing and astrophotography. When you’re in...
Perenjori
Perenjori became an Astrotourism Town in July 2018. The first visit on 17 July 2018, included meeting staff at the Shire of Perenjori and committee members of the local tourism association. We discussed various locations to use for observing and astrophotography. The...
Shark Bay
It's the ocean and marine activities by day and the stars by night in and around the delightful town of Denham. Not only does Shark Bay's rich maritime history of navigation by the stars await, but this stunning area is also home to the world famous Monkey Mia resort...
Three Springs
Three Springs became an Astrotourism Town in July 2018. The first visit on 18 July 2018, included meeting Shire staff and the Three Springs Shire Councillors. It was great to hear their ideas about places we could use for observing and astrophotography. The level of...
Wickepin
Home to spring wildflowers, walk trails, rolling pastures, big skies, scenic lakes, rich heritage, and rural respite, the picturesque Shire of Wickepin is made up of five areas - Wickepin, Yealering, Harrismith, Tincurrin and Toolibin and covers an area of 2,042...
Wongan Hills
Wongan Hills became an Astrotourism Town in August 2018. The first visit on 10 August 2018, included meeting staff at the Shire of Wongan-Ballidu and committee members from the local tourism association. There was a great discussion on various locations to use for...