Discover the perfect nights for skywatching @ Dark Sky Hill
Exclusively for Dark Sky Eco Retreat guests
Our dark sky park calendar highlights Coonabarabran celestial events for the best viewing periods.
Dark Skies—ideal for Milky Way (March to October) or stargazing constellations (November to February)—occur from 3 days after the full moon to 3 days after the new moon.
Enjoy optimal conditions: mild spring/autumn (5-15°C), warm summer (10-20°C), or chilly winter (0-5°C) rug up for added warmth.
A photo from the observatory using a Samsung phone. Borrow our tripod and try it yourself.
2026/2027 Rotating sky schedule
January 2027
Summer with planets, The Orion Nebula and Horsehead.
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
January 2027
Summer with planets, The Orion Nebula and Horsehead.
Dark Sky & Stars/Constellations: 29th Dec -11th Jan and 25th Jan - 10th Feb| Full Moon: 22nd Jan | New Moon: 8th Jan | Visible: Saturn (set ...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
February 2026
Summer with planets, The Orion Nebula and Horsehead.
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
February 2026
Summer with planets, The Orion Nebula and Horsehead.
Dark Sky & Stars/Constellations: 5th-20th Feb | Full Moon: 2nd Feb | New Moon: 17th Feb | Visible: Saturn (set by 9 PM EST), Jupiter, Neptun...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
March 2026
Autumn with Milky Way season starting. The last of the planets and the Orion Nebula and Horsehead.
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
March 2026
Autumn with Milky Way season starting. The last of the planets and the Orion Nebula and Horsehead.
Dark Sky & Milky Way: 6th-23rd Mar | Full Moon: 3rd Mar | New Moon: 19th Mar | Visible: Jupiter (set by 9 PM EST), Uranus | Nebulae: Orion, ...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
April 2026
Autumn with the Milky Way growing high in the south. Winter delights return.
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
April 2026
Autumn with the Milky Way growing high in the south. Winter delights return.
Dark Sky & Milky Way: 5th-21st Apr | Full Moon: 2nd Apr | New Moon: 17th Apr | Visible: Jupiter (set by 9 PM EST) | Nebulae: Eta Carinae | G...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
May 2026
Autumn with the Milky Way in full swing we are spoilt with Winter delights and cooler crisp nights.
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
May 2026
Autumn with the Milky Way in full swing we are spoilt with Winter delights and cooler crisp nights.
Dark Sky & Milky Way: 5th-20th May | Full Moon: 2nd/31st May | New Moon: 17th May | Visible: None (post-9 PM) | Nebulae: Eta Carinae | Galax...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
June 2026
Winter is here. Milky way season in full swing cool to cold nights needing layers to stay warm.
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
June 2026
Winter is here. Milky way season in full swing cool to cold nights needing layers to stay warm.
Dark Sky & Stars/Constellations: 3rd-18th June | Full Moon: 30th June | New Moon: 15th June | Visible: Saturn (set by 9 PM EST), Jupiter, Ne...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
July 2026
Winter and the Milky way season in full swing and cool to cold nights needing layers to stay warm.
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
July 2026
Winter and the Milky way season in full swing and cool to cold nights needing layers to stay warm.
Dark Sky & Milky Way: 3rd-17th Jul | Full Moon: 30th Jul | New Moon: 14th Jul | Visible: Venus (set by 8 PM EST) | Nebulae: Eta Carinae | Ga...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
August 2026
Winter is closing, the Milky way season is still in full swing, cool to cold nights needing layers
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
August 2026
Winter is closing, the Milky way season is still in full swing, cool to cold nights needing layers
Dark Sky & Milky Way: 16th-31th Aug | Full Moon: 28th Aug | New Moon: 13th Aug | Visible: Venus (set by 8 PM EDT), Neptune | Nebulae: Eta Ca...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
September 2026
Spring brings warmer conditions colour and the planets start with Venus then Saturn and Neptune .
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
September 2026
Spring brings warmer conditions colour and the planets start with Venus then Saturn and Neptune .
Dark Sky & Milky Way: 14th-30th Sep | Full Moon: 27th Sep | New Moon: 11th Sep | Visible: Venus (set by 8 PM EDT), Saturn and Neptune rise...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
October 2026
Spring brings warmer conditions colour and the planets start with Saturn and Neptune.
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
October 2026
Spring brings warmer conditions colour and the planets start with Saturn and Neptune.
Dark Sky & Milky Way: 14th-29th Oct | Full Moon: 26th Oct | New Moon: 11th Oct | Visible: Saturn , Neptune | Nebulae: Lagoon, Trifid, Dumbbe...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
November 2026
Summer with planets, The Orion Nebula and Horsehead.
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
November 2026
Summer with planets, The Orion Nebula and Horsehead.
Dark Sky & Stars/Constellations: 12th-28rd Nov | Full Moon: 25th Nov | New Moon:9th Nov | Visible: Saturn (set by 9 PM EST), Neptune, Uranus...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
December 2026
Summer with planets, The Orion Nebula and Horsehead.
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN
December 2026
Summer with planets, The Orion Nebula and Horsehead.
Dark Sky & Stars/Constellations: 12th-27th Dec | Full Moon: 24th Nov | New Moon: 9th Nov | Visible: Saturn (set by 9 PM EST), Neptune, Uranu...
DARK SKY HILL COONABARABRAN