Why astrotourism is shining bright in the travel sector

Words: Luke Slattery Producer: Louise Starkey

Astrotourism is an up and coming travel trend, with tourists seeking out the chance to admire night skies beyond the light pollution of big cities.

Alaska, Chile, New Zealand and the Nordic countries are tourism hotspots for checking out stars, supernovae, constellations and cannibal galaxies - the process of a galaxy ingesting star systems.

Tasmania is also making a name for itself, with its large tracts of unsullied sky above thinly populated coastal regions and national parks.

The smallest state in Australia will host a “shooting star soiree” at Spring Bay Mill in December, when the Geminids meteor shower is expected to peak.

Spring Bay Mill will also hold the Nocturna event during the Beaker Street Festival in August 2022, which gives onlookers a chance to view planets through a high-powered telescope.

The 10-day festival is known for exploring the intersection of art and science, as well as facilitating collaborations and connections between artists, scientists and the public.

On mainland Australia, a number of West Australian coastal and outback towns – including Bindoon, Carnamah, Cervantes and Mingenew – are magnets for astrotourists.

In NSW, west of Coonabarabran, Warrambungle National Park was designated Australia’s first Dark Sky Park in 2016.

Coonabarabran is also home to Siding Spring Observatory , with eight optical telescopes, including the country’s largest.

In Broken Hill, in the far west of NSW, outback astronomy offers stargazing tours and information nights.

In Victoria, stargazers head to Snake Valley in the state’s west, close to Ballarat, and the nearby Ballarat Observatory.

Twice a year, in March and December, the Astronomical Society of Victoria opens its Leon Mow dark sky site, near the town of Heathcote, to the public. Picture: Astronomical Society of Victoria

South Australia also has its 3200sq km River Murray Dark Sky Reserve, one of only 15 such sanctuaries worldwide.