Devastated by a severe bushfire in 2003, the Mount Stromlo Observatory no longer undertakes active astronomical observations. Instead, it has become the headquarters of the ANU (Australian National University) Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Despite the destruction caused by the bushfire, the ruins of the observatory domes are worth visiting.
History
The first telescope installed at Mount Stromlo was the 9-inch Oddie Telescope (so-called because it was gifted to the Commonwealth by James Oddie, a wealthy Victorian businessman and philanthropist.). Following the Oddie’s findings that this was a suitable location for an observatory, the Commonwealth Solar Observatory was established in 1924. Up until the Second World War, its primary focus was solar and atmospheric physics.
During the Second World War, the observatories’ workshops manufactured gun sights and other optical equipment.
Post war, the observatory commenced the study of stellar and galactic astronomy. Renamed The Commonwealth Observatory it continued these studies until 2003.
2003 Bushfire
On 18 January 2003, the devastating Canberra firestorm hit Mount Stromlo (which was surrounded by a plantation pine forest), destroying five telescopes, workshops, seven homes, and the heritage-listed administration building. The only telescope to escape the fires was the 1886 15-centimetre Farnham telescope.
The fire was so intense it melted the optical glass of some telescopes. It was decided that the observation domes and telescopes would not be rebuilt and all observations are now undertaken at the Siding Springs Observatory. However, the workshops were replaced and now produce state of the art astronomical instrumentation.
Getting There
Driving to Mount Stromlo takes around 20 minutes from Canberra, with a carpark located next to one of the burnt-out domes. The last section of road is two-lane but narrow and winding. Cyclists use this section so be careful if you need to pass them on either the uphill or downhill section.
What to See
Unfortunately, both the Visitor Centre and Cafe were closed during our visit (January 2024). However a self-guided Heritage Trail loops through the area, enabling you to see experience the area. Walking the trail takes you past all of the domes, several of which are accessible. Information boards placed throughout the observatories’ ground detail the history of the area and the devastation of the 2003 fires.
The damaged caused to the area is very sad, considering the amount of scientific work that was undertaken here. Preserving the ruins however was a great idea, as you still get a feel for what was achieved as well as the loss.
Small outreach telescopes are available for hire with a private star gazing session. Public star gazing is available from April to September each year.
Dome of the 74 inch reflectorLaser range finding facilityOutreach telescopes used for public outreach and education including public stargazing nightsThe repaired dome of the Reynolds Telescope 30″Commonwealth Solar Observatory and observation domeRuins of the 50″ Great Melbourne TelescopeInside the ruins of the Yale Colombia TelescopeLooking out of the window in the Yale Colombia TelescopeInside the ruins of the Yale Colombia TelescopeStorm Trooper mural at Mount StromloMan on the Moon sculpture
Located a 40-minute drive from the centre of Canberra, ACT Australia, the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex (CDSCC) is an important part of NASA’s tracking network. Construction at the site in the Tidbinbilla Valley commenced in June 1963 and operations started in December 1964. Chosen due to it’s proximity to Canberra Tidbinbilla’s surrounding valley walls also shield it from stray radio signals.
Since it’s early beginnings, CDSCC has been integral to the success of the moon landings and space probes sent to the outer planets. As these probes travelled further from Earth, antennae have been upgraded and additional ones of greater diameter and therefore able to receive weaker signals added.
How to Get There
Driving is the only real option to get here, as there is no public transport. The complex has a large car park outside the front gate.
What to See
During our visit (February 2024) the visitor centre was closed so access into the site was unavailable. Despite this, the information board around the car park gave a great history of the CDSCC. Relocated near the entrance, several decommissioned tracking dishes are impressive because of their size. These dished are visible from the access road as you drive in.
Deep Space Station 43 (DSS-43)Deep Space Station 46 (DSS-46)Information BoardsDeep Space Stations 43 and 46
What Did We Think?
The setting of the huge dishes in the Australian bush is impressive and a great sight to see. Had the Visitor Centre been open the visit would have been better, but was interesting and education nonetheless. A great place to drop into, especially if you have visited Mount Stromlo or are on your way to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.
Located in the central west of New South Wales, Dubbo was our first main stop during our road trip. A five hour car trip from Sydney, or a three and a half hour trip from our home in Singleton, stops along the way are needed. The first European settlement was established in 1828, but aboriginal history dates back over 40,000 years.
With so many attractions to visit in the area, we planned a two day stay here, to see as much as we could, without rushing.
Attractions
Dubbo Visitors Information Centre
Our first visit was the Visitors Information Centre, so that we could get a map of a street walk of historical buildings in town. Only available here, it was also a good chance to see if anything else was happening in town, that had not been mentioned online.
Outside the visitor centre is an information board detailing the dwarf planet Pluto. This forms part of a giant solar system model, centred on the Siding Springs Observatory in Coonabarabran. We passed the position of Neptune at Dunedoo.
Outside the centre is a medicinal garden growing plats that the Wiradjuri People used. An information board describes the uses of the plants.
Pluto Information Board
Medicinal Garden
Town Centre
Following the Dubbo Heritage Trail, we got from the Visitor Information Centre, we found some nice old buildings spread through the centre of town. With 37 buildings and locations, there is a lot to see, but we decided to only find ones that interested us.
Of interest was the old post office, which was designed by the famous architect James Barnet. Another great building was the Old Bank, which is now a pub and restaurant, where we had dinner.
Dubbo Courthouse
Colonial Mutual Building
Old Dubbo Post Office
Westpac Bank Building
St Brigid’s Catholic Church
Catholic Presbytery St Brigid’s
Street Art
Spread all over town, is a variety of street art and sculptures. We noticed them while driving around, but were not aware how many there were.
Aboriginal Street Art on the Overpass Near the Visitor Information Centre
More Aboriginal Street Art on the Overpass Near the Visitor Information Centre
Aboriginal Street Art on the Overpass Near the Visitor Information Centre
Cockatoo Art Work at the Visitor Information Centre
Aboriginal Street Art in the city centre
Statue of William Ferguson, a Champion of Aboriginal Rights
Sheep Silhouettes in the City Centre
Rhino Statue at the Entrance to the Airport
Taronga Western Plains Zoo
Taronga Western Plains Zoo is the most popular tourist attraction in the Dubbo area because of its collection of endangered animals in an open range setting. To view all of the exhibits, we spent a full day at the zoo, walking between enclosures. Your entrance ticket is valid over two days, so you can return the next day if you want to see more. To read our full blog about our visit, click on the link above.
Black Rhinoceros
Old Dubbo Gaol
Old Dubbo Gaol is one of the locations on the heritage trail and is a popular attraction for many tourists. Maintained in excellent condition and easy to access from the centre of town, it’s a fun place to visit and learn about the gaol’s past. The buildings are all close together, so a visit here only took us an hour. The blog of our visit can be found here.
Male Prison Building
Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden
If you like Japanese gardens, you will love this one. Rated one of the best in Australia, the Shoyoen garden is beautiful to walk around and very relaxing. The other section of the Regional Botanic Garden display’s local flora, so if you want to see some without bushwalking, this is a great place to visit. Our full blog can be found here.
Japanese Gardens
Old Bank
The Old Bank Restaurant and Bar is, as the name suggests a converted bank. Bookings are essential, as we were lucky to get a table when we arrived. To read our blog on the Old Bank, click here.
Main Meal Lamb Rump
Western Plains Cultural Centre
The Western Plains Cultural Centre is a combined museum and art gallery, showcasing local talent and history. From high school students’ art, international artists, aboriginal artefacts, and old horse drawn carriages, there is something here for everyone.
Wilkins Kennedy and Spence Coach Builders Buggy
Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Centre
The RFDS Visitor Centre is a new, state of the art museum which details the RFDS history. Not only does it have old equipment and two aircraft on display but uses large screens and interactive video to tell its story. We enjoyed our visit and spent longer than we had originally anticipated because it had so much to offer.
de Havilland Fox Moth VH-UQM Replica
War Memorials
As with most towns across Australia, a war memorial commemorates those who were killed fighting for their country. Dubbo is no exception, but’s its Shrine of Remembrance is huge and surrounded by several other memorials. One of these is in memory of a local pilot who earned the Victoria Cross flying a bomber during World War Two. Although he was killed, he saved the lives of five others onboard, while flying the plane home despite being severely wounded.
Shrine of Remembrance
Memorial to Pilot Officer Rawdon Hume Middleton, who was awarded the Victoria Cross (V.C.) in World War Two.
Macquarie River and Emile Serisier Bridge
Located near the Visitor Centre, the Emile Serisier Bridge caught our attention because of its solid steel work construction. It spans the Macquarie River, so while looking at the bridge, we had a look at the river too.
A better view is available on the opposite side of the river, where you can walk under the structure.
Rail Bridge Over the Macquarie River
Rail Bridge Over the Macquarie River
The Macquarie River
Dubbo Observatory
We booked tickets ahead if time for the observatory, opting for the 10:30PM to 12:30AM visit. This allows visitors to use their own cameras on the telescopes to take photos. Unfortunately, the sky was cloudy so our session was cancelled(with a full refund), so next time we are in Dubbo we will try again.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.
