Camping Weekend at Warrumbungles – StarFest 2025

Name: Camping Weekend at Warrumbungles – StarFest 2025
Start: 2025-10-03T06:00:00+10:00
End: 2025-10-06T05:00:00+10:00
Location: Warrumbungles Mountain Motel

Schedule

Fri, 03 Oct, 2025 at 06:00 am to Mon, 06 Oct, 2025 at 05:00 am

UTC+10:00

Location

Warrumbungles Mountain Motel | Dubbo, NS

Join us for a long weekend under the stars in Australia’s only Dark Sky Park, camping together at Camp Blackman during StarFest 2025!
We’ll set up camp at Warrumbungles Mountain Motel for three nights (Camp Blackman was booked out!). Families, friends, and solo campers are all welcome! Bring your own gear. Warrumbungles Mountain Motel has hot showers, camp kitchen, swimming pool etc. Let Tsukasa know if you are coming so we can include you in the camping booking.
StarFest 2025 & See You In Dubbo Camping Highlights
⭐ Friday 3 Oct – Science in the Pub (Coonabarabran Golf Club, 6:30pm)
Kick off the weekend with a fun evening of cosmic conversations hosted by MC Matt Dodds and a stellar panel of astronomers (Sven Buder, Laura Driessen, Tim Bedding, Sarah Caddy).
⭐ Saturday 4 Oct – Open Day at Siding Spring Observatory (9:30am–4:00pm)
For one day only, Australia’s largest optical observatory opens its doors! Explore telescopes, talks, stalls, solar observing, kids’ activities, and more. Free entry, buses on site, food stalls available.
⭐ Saturday 4 Oct – The Bok Lecture & Dark Sky Park Event (Canyon Picnic Area, from 5:00pm)
ANU’s Prof. Christian Wolf shares cosmic wonders, followed by Q&A with the Dark Sky Committee, night-sky presentations, and telescope viewing. Dress warmly and bring a chair, torch, blanket, and thermos.
⭐ Sunday 5 Oct – Warrumbungles Walk
We’ll spend the day hiking one of the Warrumbungle trails together — options for different fitness levels. A chance to soak up the incredible scenery, enjoy some fresh air, and stretch our legs after stargazing.
⭐ Monday 6 Oct – Pack down & head home
Casual breakfast and coffee in town before making our way back to Dubbo.
Transport & Food
🚗 Carpooling can be arranged from Dubbo.
🍳 BYO food and gear – but we’ll also plan some shared meals around the campfire.
Friday afternoon/evening we will set up our tents and then head to the pub for dinner and the talk.
How to Join
✨ Let Tsukasa know you are coming so we can include you in the camping reservation at Warrumbungles Mountain Motel.
✨ Grab tickets for Science in the Pub and The Bok Lecture via StarFest.
✨ RSVP to this event so we can coordinate transport, shared meals, and campfires.
This trip is part of the See You in Dubbo community events – open to everyone who wants to connect, explore, and enjoy a weekend under the stars together.