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Astrophotographers’ Paradise Dark Sky Stargazing Trail

Part of Dark Sky Stargazing Trails network

Lake Towerrinning Near Darkan West Arthur Credit Astrotourism W A 2 +1 Gallery
2WD
Trail difficulty
Easy
  • Length 630km
  • Est. time Multiple day
  • Return

Part of Dark Sky Stargazing Trails network

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The Astrophotographers’ Paradise road trip takes visitors through Western Australia’s southern Wheatbelt, where heritage buildings, granite outcrops, woodlands, lakes and dark country skies create striking opportunities for night-sky photography. Beginning around the Shire of West Arthur, the route includes Darkan, Arthur River, Hillman Siding, Six Mile Cottage and Lake Towerrinning before continuing towards Narrogin, Wickepin, Lake Yealering and Lake Toolibin.

By day, explore historic townsites, country heritage, nature reserves, walking trails and lakeside landscapes. By night, the trail becomes a playground for astrophotographers, with places such as Six Mile Cottage, Yilliminning Rock, Dryandra Woodlands and Lake Yealering offering atmospheric foregrounds for Milky Way images, long-exposure photography and relaxed stargazing.

Lake Yealering also features a Giant Planisphere to help visitors identify what is visible in the night sky. When you arrive in an Astrotourism Town, call into the local visitor centre or tourism information centre for current advice on stargazing locations, road conditions, local maps, events and any bookable dark sky experiences.

I’d replace the current version with this because it gives the route more purpose: heritage and landscapes by day, astrophotography by night, rather than just listing stops. Astrotourism WA specifically highlights Six Mile Cottage, Hillman Siding, Arthur River, Yilliminning Rock, Dryandra Woodlands and Lake Yealering as part of this itinerary. 

Shire of Wickepin

9888 1005

Shire of West Arthur

(08) 9736 2400

Shire of Narrogin

(08) 9890 0900

Astrotourism WA

Visitor Information Centres

National Parks

Other Links

Downloads

Viewing Notes

New moon nights
Best for Dark skies
Milky Way core
Best season Apr-Oct
Six Mile Cottage
Iconic foreground Darkan
Milky Way Arch
South-facing views Lake Yealering

Astrophotographers’ Paradise is made for visitors who want to capture the night sky, not just look at it. New Moon nights offer the darkest conditions, making it easier to photograph the Milky Way and subtle detail in the night sky.

From April to October, the Milky Way core becomes the main attraction. This is the season to plan shots around heritage buildings, granite outcrops, lakes, woodland silhouettes and open country horizons. Six Mile Cottage near Darkan is one of the standout locations, where the historic cottage creates a memorable foreground beneath the Milky Way.

This trail also gives photographers room to experiment. Yilliminning Rock, Dryandra Woodlands and Lake Yealering offer different compositions, from granite and woodland scenes to lakeside reflections. For something more creative, try star trails using a long exposure or stacked images to show the apparent movement of the stars across the southern sky.

Gallery:

Additional resources for this trail

Helpful resources for stargazing in Western Australia

Be trail ready

Here is everything you need to know before visiting this trail.

Time / Duration

As a driving trail, this can take up to 4 or 5 days.

Length

630km return

Fees

Park fees apply for some of this trail.

Trail Start

Perth

Get directions

Trail End

When to go

From April to October when the Milky Way is prominent in the night sky.

What’s the weather like?

What To Pack

Safety

Stargazing locations are best experienced after dark. Arrive before sunset where possible so you can check access, parking, uneven ground and your exit route before the light fades.

Facilities

  • BBQ Facilities
  • Camping
  • Car Park
  • Lookouts
  • Picnic Area
  • Public Toilet
  • Visitor Information Centre
More tips for being Trail Ready

Trail information updated
2nd June 2026

Important weather note for this trail.

Due to this trail spanning multiple regions, we recommend use of your own weather app for localised information, or visiting bom.gov.au for accurate updates.

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