Stargazing

When it comes to the best stargazing spots in Australia, here in WA we are very lucky indeed! We have some of the most pristine night skies in the world.

Perth is still the most isolated capital city in the world which means you don’t have to travel far to find terrific stargazing under dark Western Australian night skies. Galaxy Girl from the Stargazers Club WA recognises the WA Wheatbelt as the top spot in the state to look up and take it all in!!  

“#1 WA’s Wheatbelt: The night skies are filled with thousands of stars. On a moonless night you can see the Milky Way Galaxy stretch across the night sky.”

Stargazing in WA

Western Australia is home to some of the darkest night skies in the world and is the envy of stargazers in many other parts of the world including Europe, America and Asia. In some brightly lit cities, it’s impossible to see one star, let alone the billions and trillions that we can see from our backyard in WA. The first advantage WA has is that Perth is the most isolated capital city in the world which means it’s very easy to escape the bright city lights to experience wonderful dark night skies full of stars.

When you’re visiting Perenjori, it’s lovely to go to the Salmons on Bestry Road or the Golf Club in town near the Caravan Park. Here you’ll find a great place to gaze at the beautiful night sky.

The second great advantage WA has is that we’re located in the Southern Hemisphere. Here, you have the best views of the Milky Way Galaxy. From the Southern Hemisphere you can see the quintessential Southern Cross, the Magellanic Clouds (which are satellite galaxies to our own Milky Way Galaxy) and the beautiful Aboriginal constellation of the “Emu in the Sky”. On a moonless night, the stunning Milky Way Galaxy stretches across the night sky in all its glory. It’s something that everyone on Earth should experience more often.

When you head out to do some stargazing, remember to turn out all your lights. Artificial light destroys your ability to see the stars! The darker the night sky, the more stars you’ll be able to see.

Visit www.astrotourismwa.com.au to find us on the Astrotourism Map and how we’re helping to protect the dark night sky in Western Australia.