Australia´s North West Holiday Planner 2024

DRIVE THE STAR WAY The wide-open starry night sky landscapes across Australia’s North West will take your breath away. Hit the open road and discover sunrises, sunsets and everything in between right across the region. From the protected boating waters around the Mackerel Islands and idyllic Onslow on the coast to the red sands of Tom Price and the National Parks of Karijini and Millstream. Let the stars be your guide on a journey like no other on Earth! DAYS 1-4: ONSLOW AND THE MACKEREL ISLANDS Fly in and grab your hire car or arrive after a leisurely road trip. The vibe in this town is cool, uncomplicated and relaxed. Onslow is one of the rare places where you can see both the sun and moon rise and set over the ocean. Head to Dreamers Hill to see sunsets and sunrises in all their glory. The Staircase to the Moon can be seen on full moon nights from April to October each year. Practise your astrophotography at local attractions, the Termite Mounds and Old Onslow Town. After a couple of nights in Onslow, catch the boat for some more adventures on the Mackerel Islands. DAYS 5-7: CHEELA PLAINS (270km/3.5 hours) Here’s the half way stop between the Ningaloo Reef and Karijini National Park. Camp, caravan or stay in the comfortable accommodation at Cheela Plains Station Stay . Here you’re completely away from light pollution to be dazzled by the night sky like never before. If you have a 4WD make sure to explore Beasley Gorge and see the ‘Great Oxidation Event - a rock timeline recording the rise of oxygen in the Earth’s oceans and atmosphere more than 2700 million years ago! DAY 8: PARABURDOO (95km/1.25 hours) OR TOM PRICE (115km/1.75 hours) If you’re ready for your next spot of astrophotography, stay overnight in Paraburdoo. An incredible art sculpture called Resilience will captivate you for an entire evening. If you travel through to Tom Price you’ll have a great stargazing night at King’s Lake. At the information bay on the way into town, one of the huge mining trucks is there to greet you and it’s ideally positioned to take your own astro-image with the stars and Milky Way behind. DAYS 9-12: MILLSTREAM CHICHESTER NATIONAL PARK (320km/4 hours) OR KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK (160km/1.75 hours) FROM PARABURDOO It’s time to decide which National Park to visit. Head north to Millsteam Chichester National Park and join Ngurrangga Tours to soak in Aboriginal culture and heritage and to experience the night sky through their eyes. The overnight tour explores Millstream Chichester and George Gorge. You’ll camp under the stars and learn more about connections for the Yindjibarndi people. Or make the journey to Karijini National Park and the incredible gorges. Take in the night sky once again at Dales Gorge Campground Astro Tours from April to September each year. Enjoy a night under the stars and see astronomical objects close up through telescopes. For additional information about the Star Way, check out www.astrotourismwa.com.au LET THE STARS GUIDE YOUR JOURNEY ACROSS ANCIENT LANDS EPIC PILBARA NIGHT SKY Resilience sculpture, Paraburdoo 60 | www.australiasnorthwest.com