Sliding Springs Observatory

Coonabarabran NSW 2357 (Pop 3 000)

Coonabarabran is known as the ‘Astronomy Capital of Australia’. Located 450 km n-w of Sydney on the Castlereagh River & Newell Hwy, it is also the ‘Gateway to the Warrumbungles’ a rugged mountain range that surrounds the city to the west, north and east. By 1870s the town had developed into an important transport centre. Coonabarabran markets last Sun each month. Carnival (Easter), Festival of the Stars (Oct).

Tourist Attractions & Info: 
Visitor Information Centre, Newell Hwy features the unique Diprotodon Display. The skeleton of the largest marsupial that ever lived was found in a creek bed nearby. The Centre also features the Aboriginal Dreamtime history of the Warrumbungles

Nearby:
Warrumbungle NP (35 km west) great diversity of fauna (wallabies, koalas, emus, kangaroos) & prolific birdlife (wedge-tailed eagles, parrots, kookaburras). The ‘Grand High Tops’ circuit is a 4-6 hour walk of beautiful mountain views. The track circumnavigates the ‘Breadknife’, a 90 m high rock wall, only 2-4 m wide. Easy walks include Whitegum Lookout (1 km) and Gurianawa Trail (1 km). Siding Springs Observatory, Timor Rd (28 km west), home to the largest optical telescope and optical astronomy research centre in Australia.  Open (9.30am-4pm) 7 days. Piliga Scrub (44 km n-w) scenic forest drives & walking trails through some of the 450 000 ha of ironbark and white cypress trees, heath and scrub.

Accommodation:
Coonabarabran has over a dozen motels, 3 hotels, a B&B, 3 holiday cottages/units, two farmstays and 3 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Newell Hwy. Tel (02) 6842 1441 or 1800 242 881.

Airport:
Coonabarabran Airport (COJ) off Oxley and Newell Hwy. (12 km south).

Hospital:
Coonabarabran District Hospital, 101 Edwards St. Tel (02) 6842 2211.