How to see Canberra’s celestial skies with a new and informed eye
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Ever looked up at our pristine starlit skies and wondered which star exactly is twinkling in which galaxy?
The team behind the award-winning Blue Mountains Stargazing, Jervis Bay Stargazing and Byron Bay Stargazing is thrilled to announce the launch of Canberra Stargazing, offering guided astronomy experiences to help us understand what’s happening far, far above us.
Located just beyond Canberra’s western edge, along the Murrumbidgee River, just 25 minutes from the city, the new tour experience is deeply immersed in nature and will encourage locals and visitors to connect with the universe through laser-guided tours, telescope viewing of celestial wonders, and storytelling that blends science and wonder.
Photo by Brendan Neaton
“We’re so excited to bring our passion for the night sky to Canberra,” said Dimitri Douchin, co-founder of Canberra Stargazing. “The ACT offers some of the clearest and most accessible dark skies in Australia, and we can’t wait to share that experience with the community.”
The launch marks an expansion of the company, whose mission is to make astronomy accessible, immersive, and inspiring. Each 90-minute session includes a complimentary hot chocolate to sip under the stars with the comforts of blankets and cozy Moon chairs.
Dimitri, a French-Australian astronomer with a PhD in Astrophysics and Astronomy, is a TEDx Speaker with more than 1000 stargazing tours under his belt (including at the Sydney Observatory, Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley). He is also an Adjunct Fellow at Western Sydney University, focusing on Cultural Astronomy and collaborating with Aboriginal communities to help recover traditional astronomy.
He helps inspire guests to look inward by looking up, taking them on a journey of discovering the sky through ancient constellations and modern science and as the business grows he is keen to connect with local astronomers keen to host tours themselves. Started in the Blue Mountains in the midst of winter 2020, the company has grown rapidly by attracting thousands of sky-curious visitors and now has over 900, 5-star reviews on Airbnb Experiences, TripAdvisor and Google Reviews.
Photo by Tourism Australia
Caroline Boulom, Managing Director of Canberra Stargazing, said she was thrilled to open in the nation’s capital. “Canberra is great for stargazing because the skies are dark and clear. It’s higher location and dry air make the views even sharper. We’ve chosen spots with very little light, perfect for looking at the night sky yet close to the CBD.”
She said Canberra Stargazing experiences are suitable for all ages and are perfect for families, couples, schools, and corporate groups and can be booked at canberrastargazing.com.au
The company is also recruiting astronomy guides who are passionate about science and storytelling to join the team. Interested applicants can learn more here.
Main image by Brendan Neaton.
