Australia’s first and only dark sky park has banned all light pollution in the area to preserve the beauty of the constellations and the animal populations that roam this outback NSW region. No night pollution means viewing the Milky Way with no obstructions, just like we did hundreds of years ago.

This 64-metre-wide telescope stands proudly about 370 kilometres west of Sydney and now opens its doors to visitors. Known as the Dish, it’s one of the largest single-dish telescope in the southern hemisphere and has assisted in thousands of scientific discoveries. Just seeing this monster up close is a thrill in itself, and exploring the universe in a high-definition 3D experience even more so. Kids will relish the telescope’s sheer size and enjoy completing a scavenger hunt of the night sky. It’s the perfect chance to engage in a little piece of space history.

The experts at the ranch will take you on a guided tour of the sky with their Sky Shows that explain phenomena in space and tell you what to look for when you give it a look for yourself. After your fun-filled education session, head out to the remote bushland for a guided tour to learn about constellations and spot them for yourself from the perfectly dark desert plains

The Algohgarrng Experience (Yellow Water under the stars) is a beautiful cruise led by an Indigenous guide where nocturnal animals and Dreamtime Aboriginal stories abound. The 90-minute tour will teach you about the sky’s spiritual and cultural connections with the landscapes while you float through starry reflections in the beautiful waterway. You may even meet eyes with a crocodile going for a float himself.

Arkaba’s almost 25,000 hectares of conserved bushland offers endless opportunities for helicopter rides, safaris and animal spotting, but it’s the night-time offering that really stands out. With the vast bushland excluded from light pollution, you can view the night sky like it was intended – completely clear and bright – and not to mention, from the comfort of a specially constructed raised timber deck, between crisp cotton sheets in the heart of the Flinders Ranges.

Their extensive list of tour options means there’s something for everyone, with bus tours, Doctor Who-themed tours and New Year’s Eve tours among the most popular. Passionate tour guides will give you a glimpse into historic and modern telescopes as well as into the world of space science.

On a dark night you’ll be amazed at the wondrous sky that fans out around you.The area is known for limitless views which makes for unobstructed sky. This may be a bit of a trek from Perth’s city centre, but the remoteness of Wave Rock makes for the clearest of night skies, away from any pollution. A stargazing lounge is even in construction, planned for completion soon. So get ready for a luxurious and relaxing stargazing experience at one of Australia’s most beloved monuments.

Though it’s important to be mindful of anything that may come in the way between you and this colourful light spectacular – mountains, buildings, trees and light pollution.You may be able to experience the phenomenon from all over Tasmania, but we recommend a trek up Mount Wellington in the heart of Hobart for those unobstructed views. Remember to wait for a dark, clear night, preferably winter when the lights can last until as late as 10pm. The higher you climb, the more beautiful your view will be, so ascend high up the beautiful hillside to your awaiting front row seat. For other viewing spots, follow the Tasmania Astronomical Society calendar for meet-ups all around this miraculous island.

The Cosmos Centre in Charleville holds its iconic Astronomy by Day events where visitors can hold meteorites, experience space travel in the Cosmos Theatre and look at the sun through a filtered telescope. Get to know the wonders of the sun and see it up close at this extraordinary star-gazing experience – the sun is just a big star after all. If you get the chance to stay after dark, have a look through the telescopes in the observatory and learn something new from an Aboriginal night-time story session.

The Starry Southern Skies program, put on by the observatory, gives a glimpse into the movements of the Moon, stars and distant planets, while guides can take you to the roof for a further look around a rotating room that opens up onto the Australian night sky on all sides. The Melbourne Observatory is one not to miss, but if you’d like to take your astral knowledge further, head over to the Melbourne Planetarium for an interactive and digital starry-sky experience.

But let us be clear that stargazing is an absolute must. Visit the Alkina Lodge where the vast skies of rural Victoria strike all of those who view it. These quaint lodges are nestled among 40 hectares of Australian bush and make for the perfect spot for clear views of the Milky Way. Grab a blanket and a hot chocolate and take in the boundless views from the lodge’s telescopes and lounges on the back patio.