The stars on our doorstep: A guide to Port Macquarie’s astronomically cool Observatory

Port Macquarie is often referred to as a “small town”, but go to Rotary Park above Town Beach and you can look up at the sky and explore infinity.

At Port Macquarie Observatory you can see nebulas, moon craters, and solar flares three nights a week – depending on the weather, of course. And it’s all due to the efforts of a group of local astronomy enthusiasts known as the Port Macquarie Astronomy Association.

“[I] had a wonderful evening there when I was about 12,” local resident Steve Robb tells the Mid North Coaster. “I saw Saturn's rings. I was gob-smacked.”

The evolution of Port’s stargazing hub

Port Macquarie’s first observatory was an amateur construction by a banker named William John MacDonnell, who completed the project in 1885. He built it, conveniently enough, just behind the Bank of New South Wales – which he managed.

Almost 70 years later, an upgraded, scientific “real deal” observatory was built in 1962 by Albert York, described as “a retired master builder and architect.” This new development was started after Rotarians coaxed York out of retirement to draw up plans for a structure to house a five-inch telescope “lying in disuse” at a nearby hospital.

At the inaugural meeting of the Port Macquarie Astronomical Association (PMAA), Albert York was nominated as its first president. He held this position until 1983, when he was 93-years-old. The PMAA has around 50 active members and oversees the administration of the Observatory and all associated activities.

The Association’s patron is Professor Fred Watson AM, an English-born astronomer and popular scientist.

Over the years, the original five-inch telescope was replaced with a 13-inch model and an auditorium was added. The old-school, 35mm slide projectors were upgraded to modern digital projectors as well.

The recent rebuild

Last year, the Observatory was rebuilt with $5,709,897 in funding from the federal and state government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund. Although the Observatory was not directly impacted by bushfires, the funding was part of an effort to promote the recovery of the local economy. 

At four times the size of the original, it hopes to bring in 20,000 visitors a year.

“For sixty years the old observatory at Rotary Park was a drawcard. This new centre builds on that success and takes it to another level,” NSW Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty told Destination NSW.

What can I do there?

The observatory’s dome houses telescopes - with impressive names like Celestron, Skywatcher and Coronado - that can reveal the planets, solar flares on the sun, the craters on the moon, and enable astrophotography snaps of all of the above. 

On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 7:30pm the Observatory runs “Sky Stories”, which includes a presentation and a look through the telescope starting at $26 a pop ($15 for kids). 

Its facilities include advanced telescopes, an exhibition area with a smartboard and projector, and a workshop and auditorium for up to 100 people.

If you visit the Observatory during the day time you can even see the fiery elements on the surface of the sun through the new “solarscope” AKA the Coronado Solar Max III 90 mm Telescope.

“Dreams can come true,” PMAA treasurer Robert Brangwin said of the new equipment.

The dark sky site

You might be wondering where the dome from the original observatory has gone. The answer is: not far.

Volunteers and members of the Astronomical Association have painstakingly established a “dark sky” site at Moripo Park in Hyndman’s Creek, about halfway between Wauchope and Long Flat. The dome is being restored here, and it will soon be joined by the 13-inch telescope, “Cassegrain”.

A dark sky site is a location intentionally preserved or designated for its exceptional quality of starry nights, with minimal light pollution.

Astrophotographers and PMAA members Paul Lloyd and Steve Phelps have already utilised Moripo to take some extraordinary photographs, such as this ⬇️

Funding for solar panels

Peter Treseder OAM and the PG Dukes Foundation have assisted the Astronomical Association to establish the Moripo site but say more funding is needed to acquire solar panels to power it. Once power is available, the Cassegrain telescope will join the dome at Moripo.

The Astronomical Association aims to change the exhibitions every four months. 

What’s on for the school holidays

“With a bit of luck the school holidays will be filled with warm sunny days and clear crisp night skies,” the Observatory’s secretary Emilie Cooper told the Mid North Coaster.

So far, so good.

Here’s what’s on over July and August:

• “Sky tours” including a presentation and telescope experience every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday night at 7:30pm

• Telescope-only nights on Thursday 10 July and 17 July from 7:30pm

• On 23 August from 6:30pm Professor Jonti Horner is presenting “Rocks from Space”

All upcoming events are listed here. 

Images have been taken from the Observatory’s website or Facebook page, with permission.