Astrofest
Queensland Astrofest is held annually in July or August for ten days at the Lions Camp Duckadang near Linville, Queensland, about 2 hour’s drive northwest of Brisbane. Catered meals are available at a very reasonable cost, and accommodation is available in dormitories or camping. Activities include presentations by visiting astronomers, vendor sales and novelty events. Astrofest is a great occasion to catch up with fellow astronomers and get ideas from others on how to improve your setup, in addition to having access to great skies and the opportunity to carry out observations or astroimaging at any hour knowing you are in likeminded company. Please check the Astrofest Website for dates!
The Queensland Astrofest has been the major star party in Queensland since its inception in 1993, and is open to all amateur astronomers. It is convened by the South East Queensland Astronomical Society, the Brisbane Astronomical Society, the Astronomical Association of Queensland, the Amateur Telescope Makers of Queensland, the Southern Astronomical Society, and in 2013 we were delighted to welcome another local astronomy club, Star Gayzers, to take part in Queensland Astrofest and to inject some new energy into the event. |
 | LOCATION The Queensland Astrofest is held annually at Lions Camp Duckadang, Linville, Queensland – situated 166 kilometers north-west (within 2 hours) of Brisbane and under dark skies. Accommodation consists of three dormitories equipped with beds, toilets and a common room each. Camping sites for tents and caravans are also available. There will be a well-equipped camp kitchen available next to the dining room complex with gas rings, microwave ovens, toasters and electric frypans, some pots and pans. |
| FACILITIES Also available in/around the building are crockery, cutlery, dishwasher, fridge and freezer. At the rear of the kitchen is the laundry with an automatic washing machine and dryer (bring your own detergent). Other facilities are a large assembly hall (table tennis, indoor bowls) and a bar-b-que in the rotunda. Outdoor facilities include three compact tennis courts, a swimming pool, an adventure trail and a rope course. A deep reach of the Brisbane River below the complex is suitable for fishing and canoeing (canoes provided) and there are orienteering tracks for the energetic.
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| ACTIVITIES At the Queensland Astrofest, attendees will be able to mingle under the broad band of the Milky Way at the zenith, where expertise, techniques and friendship are shared and blended in a typically Queensland way. Each year the Astrofest has attracted many interesting guest speakers and there are talks and workshops on equipment, tools and techniques throughout the week. On the Saturdays, the group photograph will be taken, and that other great tradition will also be held… the Counter-Weight Toss. Early afternoon will be the Guest Speaker Address, and the ATM Awards are presented during the evening meal. The Astro Feast (as it is called) allows attendees to enjoy a great meal while the presentations occur and the Raffle is drawn. |
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ASTROFEAST
While the rest of Queensland Astrofest is an astronomical delight, on our last Saturday together we take a little time off to partake of some gastronomical delights!! The Astrofeast is a chance to share in some camaraderie, see who wins the raffle prizes generously supplied by our sponsors and generally talk about astronomy and related subjects. For some years now the Astrofeast has been held during the afternoon instead of an evening dinner to allow more time for astronomy on the last night. The Astrofeast will also feature the main speaker |
Important: Note the much earlier date for the Astrofest than the traditional July / August dates. This was done at the request of Astrofest long timers to see a different part of sky. The dates will give an opportunity to observe Leo / Virgo while the Milkyway will still be available later in the night. The camp will take place at Lions Camp Duckadang, Linville, Queensland – situated 166 kilometres north-west (within 2 hours) of Brisbane Details and updates to Queensland Astrofest will appear on our website, Facebook page and in “Ice In Space”. If you have any questions, you can contact the Registrar on the email address below. Contact Email: registrar@qldastrofest.org.au Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QLDAstrofest There is virtually no mobile reception on site and guests must make alternate arrangements. A landline phone is available for emergencies only. |