Outback Astronomy

18817 Barrier Highway, Broken Hill 2880

Experience a sky show with Outback Astronomy, just 10 minutes' drive from Broken Hill. 

Guests are typically novice to intermediate stargazers who seek to learn more about the night sky. The sky guide explains the view with real-time commentary, heard through personal audio units distributed on the night.

Guests choose how they are seated, either reclined in a comfortable chair or seated upright in a director's chair or bench seating.

Milky Way Hangout and Hang out with the Stars® are popular sky shows held on clear dark nights.

The Sky Tonight features a crescent moon. Dinner with the Stars is scheduled several nights a month.

The day programme features See the Sun.

All bookings must be made online. Weather conditions and sky show status are texted to guests on the day of their event. Guests select the level of experience they seek when booking, including seating, food and drinks. Guests have access to binoculars and telescopes. 

Naked eye viewing is spectacular from the open-air, purpose built stargazing site. The Outback Astronomy views are unobstructed.
 
Guests can bring blankets, other warm gear. In winter wear seven layers and in summer plan to wear three layers. Sleeping bags may be hired in combination with reclined chairs.

If cloudy, rescheduling is possible, or if not, refunds are available.

View events on the sky show calendar on the website.

Options

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Milky Way Hangout

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Enjoy stargazing in comfort.

Observe the dark, unobstructed outback sky in Broken Hill. This is a dark sky event hosted mainly during cooler nights, generally from autumn through winter and into early spring, in the southern hemisphere.

A sky guide provides live commentary, explaining the view. See the dimmest stars possible. Discover nearby galaxies, star clusters and nebulae. Events may feature special viewings, like planets, a rising moon, and sometimes comets. Be surprised by "shooting stars".

The telescope operator engages a variety of optical instruments to facilitate wonderful views of the sky. However, it is naked eye views of the Milky Way Galaxy and its hazy band overhead that creates the most memorable experience.

No astronomy or science knowledge is required. The commentary explains the magnificent view above.

The sky guide is heard via a personal audio unit loaned to you. Bring your own cabled 3.5mm ear phones or buy online when booking. Outback Astronomy supplies equipment, live commentary, various seating options, including upright and reclined chairs, as well as food and beverage options that can be selected when booking online. Guests are encouraged to hire the reclined chair and sleeping bag combination during the very cold winter months.

Woman looking into telescope — Telescope stargazing

Plugging ear phones into audio unit at Outback Astronomy — Plugging into Outback Astronomy audio unit

Man on top of his sleeping bag while viewing through binoculars — Winter Stargazing with Outback Astronomy

Lady looking into an eyepiece — Using a telescope at Outback Astronomy

Wine bottle and glasses — Boutique wines served at Outback Astronomy

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Dinner with the Stars

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Your evening is sorted tonight - join Outback Astronomy for dinner and stargazing.

Dine outdoors next to a big pot belly heater. Two courses are served with a hot beverage included. After dinner, gaze up from the comfort of a reclined chair to hear your sky guide explain the sparkling view above. If it's cold, dinner guests can snuggle into a sleeping bag on their chairs.

The dinner is limited to fewer than 20 persons (additional guests may join in for the sky show but the whole group is capped between 20 and 40, depending on time of year). A telescope and binocular viewing are included.

However, the naked eye views of the Milky Way Galaxy and its hazy band create the most memorable experience.

No astronomy or science knowledge is required. The commentary explains the magnificent view above.

The sky guide is heard via a personal audio unit loaned to you. Bring your own cabled 3.5mm earphones or buy online when booking. Outback Astronomy supplies equipment, land ive commentary. Main course is selected when booking online. Text service for guests on the morning of the event with directions, weather updates and arrival time.

Two people eating outdoors — Outback Astronomy Dinner with the Stars

Woman looking into eyepiece — Telescope gazing at Outback Astronomy

Girls in reclined chairs in sleeping bags using binoculars — Snuggly stargazing at Outback Astronomy

Plugging in ear phones with round connector — Audio used at Outback Astronomy

(show below)

Hang out with the Stars®

(hide below)

Enjoy stargazing in comfort.

Observe the dark, unobstructed outback sky in Broken Hill. This is a dark sky event hosted mainly during warm nights, from late spring through to early autumn in the southern hemisphere.

A sky guide provides live commentary, explaining the view. See the dimmest stars possible. Discover nearby galaxies, star clusters and nebulae. Events may feature special viewings, like planets, a rising moon, and sometimes comets. Be surprised by "shooting stars".

The telescope operator engages a variety of optical instruments to facilitate deep space views. However, it is naked eye views of the vast outback sky that creates the most memorable experience.

No astronomy or science knowledge is required. The commentary breaks down the complexity of space.

The sky guide is heard via a personal audio unit loaned to you on the night. Bring your own cabled 3.5mm ear phones or buy online at the time of booking. Outback Astronomy supplies binoculars, telescopes, live commentary, a variety of seating options, including upright and reclined chairs, as well as food and beverage options that can be selected when booking online.