SCIENCE
IN THE
STARS
Journey beyond the stars to understand the science and significance of stargazing in Australia’s most remote destinations. WORDS Shaney Hudson
Luminous, ethereal, and infinite: no matter where you stand on this earth, one of life’s simplest pleasures is to look up towards the heavens and gaze at the stars. However, with increasing urban pollution, it’s becoming harder to see them shine. Luckily, Australia boasts some of the most spectacular places in the world to stargaze, some of the most fascinating natural phenomena governed by celestial influences, and some of the most remarkable ways to experience the latest travel trend: astro-tourism.
NINGALOO REEF Scientists have discovered that each year the world is getting brighter, as urban pollution grows, infrastructure develops, and the world switches to a 24-hour cycle. Findings from a 12-year citizen science project published in June 2023 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science reported that the average night sky brightened by 9.6% each year, eroding our view of the stars above.
The appeal of remote resorts like Sal Salis, located in Cape Range National Park on the fringes of Ningaloo Reef (Nyinggulu), is their stargazing potential. A long way from the big city lights and accompanied by the sound of the Indian Ocean lapping the shore, it’s the perfect place to kick back in a hammock and take in the night sky: even dinner each evening is alfresco served under the stars. However, each night the lights around the luxury eco tents are specifically kept dimmed, not just to appreciate the night sky free of light pollution, but also to protect the nesting turtles that lay eggs on the beach each season beginning in October, just shy of when the resort closes in mid-November. Five of the world’s seven species of sea turtles visit Ningaloo Reef, an important rookery for turtles, including the endangered loggerhead turtle.
Many creatures around the world rely on starlight to navigate, breed and feed. Turtles, for example, rely on moonlight for navigation and struggle with the artificial light from beachside structures, which can disorient smaller hatchlings and lure them away from the water’s edge, leaving them easy prey for scavenging predators. While Sal Salis simply dimming the lights might seem like a small concession, it makes a big difference to the turtles who return to lay eggs on the same beach they hatched on.
Stargazing with the waves crashing nearby and sand underfoot surely makes the whole experience that much more special. Book a stay at this luxury, eco-friendly haven, and get ready to be immersed in nature.
THE GREAT BARRIER REEF Not only does Reefsleep allow you front-row seats to a night sky laden with stars and far from light pollution, but it also offers the chance to experience one of the most fascinating natural phenomena governed by celestial influences.
The importance of the lunar cycle extends not just to sea creatures, but also to the coral that supports other marine life. Occurring just once a year at night, a spectacular and critical phenomenon happens far from the shores of the East Coast of Australia and the light pollution of the shore: the Great Barrier Reef’s annual coral spawn. All along sections of the reef, the coral spawns in one gush over a few hours, releasing tiny eggs and sperm into the ocean current: a flourish of white, yellow, red and orange bubbles that creates a thick slick on the surface of the ocean, before settling to help create new reef structures. While it is hard to predict to the day, it usually occurs two to six days after the full moon in October or November, and when ocean temperatures have been a steady 26 degrees (or above) for at least one lunar cycle.
Normally this phenomenon, which lasts just a few hours, is only seen by scientists. However, the new Reefsleep experiences allow guests staying overnight on a suspended floating pontoon on the Great Barrier Reef to be well and truly in the thick of it, witnessing the annual eruption for themselves: either from below, in the incredible sunken suites beneath the ocean’s surface, or from above, on a rooftop bed that is open to the stars.
Stargazing from the middle of the Great Barrier Reef probably can’t get much better but if you’re lucky it will time with the Great Barrier Reef’s annual coral spawn for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“One of life’s simplest pleasures is to look up towards the heavensand gaze at the stars.”
IKARA-FLINDERS RANGES NATIONAL PARK Back on the mainland, many organisations are championing moves to preserve the quality and darkness of the natural night sky. Located in the Flinders Ranges is Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, an official Dark Sky Sanctuary, located around 600 km north of Adelaide. Deemed as having “an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights” by the International Dark Sky Association, it is a nocturnal environment that is deemed worthy of protection for its social, scientific, natural, cultural and educational value.
During the day, guests on Outback Spirit’s 14-day Outback South Australia & Kangaroo Island (Karta Pintingga) tour take a 4WD Ridgetop Tour along the 300-million-year-old ridgeline, before settling down for some guided stargazing at one of the Sanctuary’s three astronomical observatories.
Guests can even go high-tech for ultimate comfort, using Arkaroola’s custom-designed, reclining robotic stargazing chairs with astronomical binoculars to see the stars. Best visited on either side of the dark moon, the dramatic cliffs provide a spectacular backdrop for the heavens to turn, and an entirely different outback experience at night.
Join Outback Spirit’s 14-day Outback South Australia & Kangaroo Island tour to experience guided stargazing at one of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary’s three astronomical observatories. It’s an incredible change to visit an official Dark Sky Sanctuary.
THE RED CENTRE The flat terrain of Central Australia, the low humidity, and the lack of light pollution due to low population density make the outback one of the most incredible places to view constellations like the Southern Cross and Milky Way.
As dusk settles, those travelling on Outback Spirit’s Red Centre Spectacular aboard The Ghan are treated to a cathedral of stars. At the Sounds of Silence experience, one of the highlights of the outdoor dinner overlooking the Uluru – Kata Tjua National Park is a chance to listen to a star talker decoding the southern sky, explaining how Indigenous storytelling is linked to the stars.
For many Indigenous communities, the stars were markers for changes in the season, used for navigation, indicators for animal behaviour, when to plant food and an important part of the social structure. The Sounds of Silence talk includes the story of two brothers, Nuruguya-mirri and Napiranbiru; the elder brother sacrificing his life to save his little brother after their canoe overturned. In this story, the brothers shine bright as stars just above milnguya: the Milky Way. Beyond the legends, anthropologists maintain Indigenous oral storytellers have not been given proper credit for their expert skills as astronomers; many argue Indigenous Australians are the only people in the world who have described variable, pulsating stars in their storytelling.
Lay your eyes on constellations like the Southern Cross and Milky Way, and learn about Indigenous stories of the stars at the Sounds of Silence dinner on Outback Spirit’s Red Centre Spectacular tour.
TASMANIA For many, seeing the rare and elusive Aurora is a bucket list item; yet it’s something commonly thought of as a Northern Hemisphere event. However, the Aurora Australis is frequently seen in Tasmania and occurs year-round.
Tasmania is situated within the Aurora Oval, the geographic range where the aurora can be seen. In May, a huge solar storm hit Earth and was so fierce and bright that it could be seen for hours in Hobart, a major capital city with significant light pollution. But even with moderate aurora activity, Tasmania remains one of the best places in the world to chase the aurora, with many deep dark places throughout the state to view the aurora.
Most significantly, 2024 is a solar maximum: a time when solar activities peak, offering the best opportunity to see the aurora in both the southern and northern hemispheres. Passengers on Journey Beyond’s Indian Pacific Tasmanian Temptation tour give ample time at sea away from light pollution, maximising your chances of seeing the aurora.
While the aurora can be seen year-round, it requires low levels of light pollution, is highly weather dependent, and is largely unpredictable, but that’s what makes it so special: it’s entirely up to chance. And even if you don’t see it, you’ll still be awed by a kaleidoscope of stars above.
Explore the breadth of the Tasmanian outdoors with a Tasmania Wilderness Explorer tour.
“For many Indigenous communities, the stars were markers for changes in the season.”