Remote Aussie islands are the best place in the country for stargazing
Considering its size and its remoteness, Western Australia is maybe one of the best places in Australia for stargazing.
And as more Aussies embrace the trend of 'noctourism' - exploring destinations after dark - WA is the place to go.
With a new experience just opened in Exmouth, Dark Sky Tourism is taking off in the state.
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Ningaloo Stars shows off the beautiful night sky. Tourism Western Australia
The Ningaloo Reef has always been a popular travel spot for Aussies who like the great outdoors, thanks to its amazing underwater world and abundant marine life.
But now the Western Australian region has something to offer outside of the water, too.
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Ningaloo Stars takes advantage of the desert darkness and very low light pollution to offer travellers a chance to immerse themselves in the night sky.
As a UNESCO World Heritage region, Exmouth offers crystal-clear skies, minimal light pollution, and breathtaking views of the Milky Way.
WA has very low levels of light pollution. Tourism WA
From the Kimberley in the north to Albany down south, WA offers plenty of stargazing experiences that make the most of the state's low light pollution.
"Communities around WA are working to keep the night sky as dark as possible by reducing light pollution, says Carol Redford, CEO and founder of Astrotourism WA, says.
"At the same time, we're growing our understanding of how stargazing brings people together."
The skies above the Abrolhos islands are incredibly clear. Tourism WA
Here are some more places to go stargazing in Western Australia:
Cruise the Abrolhos Islands
Elevate your stargazing adventure with the five-day Astro Tourism Cruise by Eco Abrolhos. This unique journey takes you through the secluded Abrolhos Islands, renowned for their pristine, light-pollution-free skies.
Guided by guest astronomer Donna Vanzetti, the cruise features three extraordinary nights of stargazing, offering views of celestial wonders like Saturn's rings and Jupiter's bands with exceptional clarity. The experience also delves into ancient Aboriginal astronomy, providing a profound connection to the stars.
Perth Observatory
Just outside of the city, and a lot easier to access than other Outback spots, this is WA's oldest observatory. You can do a Night Sky Tour with guided sessions using telescopes to explore celestial objects like nebulae, star clusters and planets.
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The Pinnacles is just north of Perth. Tourism Western Australia
Outback station stays
Some of the state's Outback stations are the same size as small countries, and their epic landscapes provide optimal conditions for stargazing.
Some popular options include El Questro in the Kimberley, Wooleen Station near Geraldton, Quobba Station near Carnarvon and Bullara Station near Exmouth.
The Pinnacles
Just 2.5 hours north of Perth, Lumineer Adventure Tours hosts guided stargazing sessions among the otherworldly limestone formations of the Pinnacles.
Guests enjoy a sunset BBQ and cultural storytelling, including Aboriginal Astronomy and Dreamtime stories passed down through generations.
