Coonabarabran
Coonabarabran is in Central NSW and is located within two hours drive of the regional cities of Dubbo and Tamworth. It is located at the junction of the Newell and Oxley Highways, midway between Melbourne and Brisbane. Known as the ‘Astronomy Capital of Australia’, Coonabarabran is the gateway to Warrumbungle National Park. Coonabarabran has one of the darkest skies in Australia and is the home of Australia’s largest optical astronomy research facility, Siding Spring Observatory. The area around Coonabarabran is ideal for stargazing with high altitude, low humidity, a non-turbulent atmosphere for viewing clarity, clean air and an average of 70 per cent clear night skies. A dump site is available for free usage 24 hours in Coonabarabran, on Essex Street adjacent to Neilson Park at GPS Latitude 31 degrees 16’16.34 South, Longitude 149 degrees 16’47.07 East. Coonabarabran is located in the Warrumbungle Shire region.