Feature Event: Stargazing and Wildlife Adventure in Dryandra Country

Enjoy a day of telescopes and wildlife as you take in the wonders of the beautiful Dryandra Woodland and the Wheatbelt town of Narrogin.  Take a picnic to Dryandra Woodland and go for one of the many walks, then finish a perfect day with stargazing at the Thomas Hogg Oval in nearby Narrogin. Look through amazing telescopes to see marvellous Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and more. Enjoy a sausage sizzle at sunset before taking a tour of the constellations with Stargazers Club WA. Hear about WA’s incredible Square Kilometre Array Telescope and enjoy talks from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research!

Before stargazing, take some of the wonderful walks around Dryandra Woodland.  Keep your eyes open for local kangaroos and other wildlife, especially the State’s faunal emblem, the numbat, which is not a nocturnal animal so can be seen during the day!

Accommodation is filling fast, so book early. Local accommodation options are available via the Dryandra Country Visitor Centre in Narrogin. Or you can stay in Dryandra Woodland at either the Lions Dryandra Village, or at the fantastic camping facilities in the park – see the links provided below.

Sausage sizzle and telescope viewing: A free sausage sizzle will be available at the Thomas Hogg Oval from 6.00pm. Head over to the telescopes at any time during the evening to take a closer look at our Universe and chat with local WA astronomy guides. 7.30pm/8.15pm/9.00pm.

Green laser pointer tour of the Constellations: A spectacular show that points out what constellations are up in the night sky. Tour includes stories of the stars and introductory astronomy. Choose the time that suits you: 7.30pm/8.15pm/9.00pm.

Did you know WA is a world centre for radio astronomy? Astrophysicists from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research are revealing the hidden universe using different wavelengths of light. Our researchers will explain the soon-to-be-built Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope and what we expect to find with this powerful new instrument. Choose the time that suits you.

In case of wet weather, this event will still go ahead and you will be advised of the alternative undercover venue.

This event is supported by the WA Parks Foundation as part of Spring into Parks and is run in collaboration with Stargazers Club WA, Lions Dryandra Village, Lions Club of Narrogin and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attraction’s Parks and Wildlife Service.

You can experience a nocturnal wildlife tour at the Barna Mia Centre within the park if you want to stay on for another day – as the tours are in the evening they will be at the same time as this stargazing event. All the more reason to stay an extra day at Dryandra or come back again in the future, to experience the magic of the Barna Mia Centre nocturnal wildlife tours.  As numbers are limited, advance bookings are essential at Barna Mia.

Dryandra Woodland is less than two hours’ drive from Perth on sealed roads. Roads within the Woodland are unsealed, but accessible by all vehicles. There are numerous walking trails you can take to discover the diversity of life in Dryandra Woodland. Ranging from 1km to 12.5km, there is a trail to suit everyone. Go to TrailsWA for more. The 23-kilometre self-drive Darwinia Drive Trail includes five pull-over bays where interpretive information is provided on the complexity and interdependence of natural systems at Dryandra. Pack a picnic lunch or take a short walk to search for orchids near the granite outcrop at stop five.

Accommodation is available at the Lions Dryandra Village or you can camp overnight at Dryandra at Congelin Campground or Gnaala Mia Campground which have campsites suitable for tents, camper trailers and caravans.  Camping fees apply.

A variety of accommodation is also available in Narrogin, about a 25-minute (31km) drive from Dryandra. Visit the Narrogin (Dryandra Country) Visitor Centre for help with accommodation bookings and information about this historic and beautiful Wheatbelt town.

Book your place here!

Cost

Stargazing event and sausage sizzle is free, but registration is required. No park entry fee; camping fees apply.

Date

Nov 07 2020

Time

6:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Location

Thomas Hogg oval
Bannister Street, Narrogin WA