Outback Astronomy Returns Full Focus to Stargazing After Years of Unexpected Battles

After several years navigating challenges posed by Hydrostor’s proposed Silver City Energy Storage Project (SCES), Outback Astronomy’s owners and operators are ready to re-immerse themselves fully in the business they love, delivering magical outback stargazing experiences to travellers and locals in Broken Hill.

For more than two years, Outback Astronomy’s team has faced an unexpected distraction as they worked to defend their business against a proposal for an energy storage power station.

Unlike a clean energy initiative, this project is expected to be a net greenhouse gas emitter. Additionally, its potential light pollution, the introduction of permanent new noise, and increased traffic and accommodation strains during its long construction period, raised significant concerns for Outback Astronomy.

In our advocacy, we urged NSW Planning to address each of these issues thoughtfully:

• Light Pollution: Outback Astronomy called on NSW Planning to apply its Dark Sky Planning Guideline (first published in June 2023) to minimise artificial light pollution that could disrupt the natural darkness essential for quality stargazing.
• Noise Impact: Noise from the facility was another concern, as our stargazing experiences rely on the quiet and tranquil environment of the outback. Measures to reduce noise levels were strongly recommended as was regular noise monitoring.
• Traffic and Accommodation Strain: With increased construction and operational traffic, we advocated for plans to manage road congestion and ensure that local accommodations can still welcome travellers visiting Broken Hill for stargazing experiences.

With NSW Planning now reviewing submissions on the project, we’ve done everything we can to protect our beloved stargazing environment and business.

The team at Outback Astronomy is ready to roll up its sleeves and get back to creating unforgettable night-sky experiences under the vast and spectacular outback sky.

Refocusing on a Bright Future

This renewed focus comes at an ideal time, as travellers head to Broken Hill and the outback during the summer holidays. Outback Astronomy is ready for a busy season with a new planet viewing event in summer. The popular stargazing events – Hang out with the Stars®, Milky Way Hangout and The Sky Tonight – and dinners during the cooler months will be scheduled throughout 2025 as usual. Keep a watch out as our stargazing calendar of scheduled events grows. Sign up to our newsletter for our monthly inbox updates. All these events serve to enrich the Broken Hill and outback visitor experience.

Outback Astronomy co-founder and operator Linda Nadge says:

“The past few years have reminded us of how special this business is to us and our visitors. We’re here because of our passion for the night sky and the desire to share it with everyone who journeys through Broken Hill. As we await the final decision on the Hydrostor project, we’re fully committed to delivering inspiring, educational, and entertaining experiences.

“Thank you to all who have supported us during the past few years of difficulty. We hope you will return and continue to help us recover from this awful but necessary “pause” in our delivery of astronomy-themed hospitality experiences.”

A Fresh Start for Stargazers

With the “battle” for the skies and our tranquil outback environment in the hands of NSW Planning, Outback Astronomy is looking forward to reuniting with its community of stargazers and travellers who appreciate the serenity and magic of the dark night sky. The team has curated a series of events and experiences for the coming months to make Broken Hill an even more memorable stop on any outback road trip.

Travellers can expect:

• Heightened stargazing sessions that tell a story: Featuring western mythology’s well known cast, including Perseus, Andromeda, Orion and his dogs and Taurus the bull, throughout the summer night skies.
• Special summer planet-viewing sessions: Ideal for families, couples, and solo adventurers wanting to experience a night to remember with wonderful telescope views of visible planets, including Jupiter and Saturn. See our calendar of events in December, January and February for Planet Viewing.
• A warm welcome back: After a year of challenges, Outback Astronomy is here and ready to inspire. Ask us anything you wish to know about the last few years and how we have dealt with the issues before us – that will be best done when you attend our day time café which is set to reopen from early 2025.

The Outback Astronomy team invites everyone travelling through Broken Hill to take a moment, pause, and experience the wonder of the outback night sky. It’s more than just stargazing—it’s a journey into a world of celestial beauty that remains one of outback Australia’s most remarkable natural wonders.

As Outback Astronomy returns to what it loves most, the team is more passionate than ever about creating experiences that share knowledge and inspire awe, wonder and a deeper connection with the stars.

Image:  Milky Way Galaxy viewed from Outback Astronomy’s front verandah, looking WSW. Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS C/2023 A3 is in the low western sky, Venus at altitude 5° is in Scorpius low in the centre (Canon EOS 6D f/4.5 15.6 sec exposure).