Dark Sky Stargazing Trails

Western Australia is home to some of the best dark sky experiences in the world, with vast regional landscapes, low light pollution and welcoming country towns creating memorable places to stargaze. The Astrotourism Towns network helps protect these dark skies while guiding visitors to mapped observing sites, astrophotography locations and drive trails across regional WA.

This network brings together a collection of dark sky road trips, from easy escapes close to Perth through to longer adventures across the Wheatbelt, Mid West, Coral Coast, Gascoyne and Goldfields. By day, explore wildflowers, heritage towns, coastal landscapes, granite outcrops, red-earth ranges and local attractions. By night, settle in under the stars to look for the Milky Way, the Southern Cross, the Emu in the Sky, planets, meteor showers and other celestial highlights.

Many locations are suitable for naked-eye stargazing, picnics under the stars, binoculars, telescopes and night-sky photography. Some sites are close to town, while others offer darker skies further afield. Before heading out, check the moon phase, weather, local road conditions and access information. Around New Moon is best for dark-sky viewing, while Full Moon can be ideal for moonrise and softly lit landscape photography.

When you arrive in an Astrotourism Town, call into the local visitor centre or tourism information centre for current advice on stargazing sites, road conditions, events and any bookable dark sky experiences. Local knowledge can help you choose the best place to view the night sky during your visit.

For a more comfortable evening, bring warm clothing, insect repellent and any equipment you would like to use, such as binoculars, a telescope, camera or tripod. A red-light torch is useful after dark, as it helps protect your night vision while moving around safely. Stargazing locations are best experienced after dark, but arriving before sunset where possible can help you check parking, access points, uneven ground and your exit route before the light fades.