Time spent gazing at the night sky — counting the stars, watching for meteors, and looking for constellations, is time well spent. While you can admire the night sky from anywhere, even amidst the rush of Sydney’s urban landscape, there is one remarkable location in NSW that stands out, offering perhaps one of the most extraordinary stargazing experiences in the southern hemisphere. If you’re beginning to draft your summer bucket list, consider a trip to Coonabarabran in the Warrumbungle region of NSW. Referred to as the “Astronomy Capital of Australia“, this small country town may appear unassuming at first, but the magic unfolds under the stars at night. It’s the perfect trip for the school holidays with plenty to do for kids and adults including museums, observatories, campgrounds, forests, local pubs, and more. Here are some of the best things to do in Coonabarabran.
Coonabarabran, NSW
Coonabarabran has the perfect ingredients for dreamy stargazing in NSW: crisp clean air, little to no light pollution, high altitudes, and some of the clearest skies in Australia. It’s also far from any urban areas, so you don’t have to worry about any light or noise pollution. Visit for the stargazing but stay back for the museums, walking trails, character-filled pubs on its main street, and excellent national parks. Here are some ways to enjoy the small town to its fullest.
1. Visit the Warrumbungle National Park
Warrumbungle National Park needs no introduction. A must-visit on every stargazer’s itinerary, the park offers amazing bushwalking trails and stargazing opportunities galore. As Australia’s first-ever dark sky park, this is the place admirers of the cosmos go for a night of truly unmatched stargazing. It’s also the major drawcard for Coonabarabran thanks to its proximity to the town — it only takes about 30 minutes to get to the national park. The park is also home to the Warrumbungle Range, an incredible chain of mountains that acts as the perfect backdrop to the glowing night sky. Read more about the Warrumbungle National Park here.
2. Head to the observatories
Given its reputation as Australia’s astronomy capital, it’s no surprise that Coonabarabran has a number of excellent observatories. Make your way to Sliding Spring Observatory, near the national park, and see Australia’s largest optical telescopes up close. The research facility is the largest optical observatory in Australia and an excellent place to learn more about the region and its cultural significance. Find more information here.
Another local gem is the Milroy Observatory where you enjoy the planets, galaxies, nebulas, and stars with an astronomer. The observatory hosts tours where you can journey through the night sky and experience the cosmos like never before. You can also opt for the OzSky Star Safari for a more intimate stargazing experience.
3. Check out the local museums
Kids and kids at heart will love the spattering of museums around town, each offering something fun and unique. Crystal Kingdom is a small museum that packs a punch thanks to its collection of crystals, fossils, and minerals from the Warrumbungles. It’s home to some of the world’s rarest and most colourful zeolite crystals and fascinating rare fossils. From here make a beeline to an equally interesting local museum — the Australian Museum Diprotodon Exhibition, within the Coonabarabran Visitor Information Centre and see the fossilised skeleton of the largest marsupial to have ever lived, the Diprotodon. Free guided tours of the display are also available and you can contact the visitor centre for more information about organising one.
4. Hike the Burbie Canyon Walk
With such exceptional national parks and natural landscapes at its doorstep, it’s a given that Coonabarabran would also offer some splendid walking and hiking trails. If you want to enjoy more of nature, hike the local trails and soak up the solitude and wilderness of the area. The Burbie Canyon Walking track is a relaxed 2km stroll through a sandstone gorge and a flowing creek that is perfect if you’re travelling with family. It’s also popular among birdwatching enthusiasts. For more birdwatching, you can also head into the forest of Pilliga Nature Reserve and find dedicated trails to explore along with lush forest and sandstone hills, some engraved with ancient Aboriginal rock art.
Another popular walk is the 1.1km Wambelong Nature Track which although shorter, is slightly more challenging with steep stairs and an incline but the incredible surrounding vistas are well worth it.
5. Grab a drink at the pubs and cafes
Visitors will find some cosy pubs and eateries along the main street of Coonabarabran. Head to the Imperial Hotel and dig into traditional pub fare at the onsite bistro or stop by the Coonabarabran Hotel for country entertainment and hearty food. Other local cafes and eateries include Cardians Coffee Lounge for homemade cakes, light meals and beverages, Shady Rock Nursery where you can enjoy coffee and cake in a lush garden setting and Coona Chicks for charcoal chicken, kebabs, burgers and more.
Read more about Coonabarabran and find accommodation options here.
What is the best time to visit Coonabarabran?
The best time of year to visit Coonabarabran is from September to December and February to April when the weather is warmer and the days longer. Keep an eye on the weather here before planning a trip as you’ll want clear skies for an optimal stargazing experience. You can also time your visit to coincide with any meteor showers or major celestial events. The town also hosts the Coonabarabran Show which is a vibrant local event showcasing horse, cattle, sheep and more, it is usually held in March each year.
Getting there
Keen to plan a visit? Sydney to Coonabarabran is a 5.5-hour drive via the Blue Mountains. Public transport options are also available, catch the train from Central Station to Lithgow Station then hop on the 573 bus towards Baradine from Lithgow Station to Coonabarabran Coach Stop, the journey would take you around 7.5-8 hours.