Menzies invests in dark sky tourism development

Framing the iconic Lake Ballard sculptures with the Milky Way has become a popular activity for astrophotographers as the Shire of Menzies begins exploring dark sky tourism development.

The first Goldfields town on WA’s Astrotourism Towns map, Menzies recently identified several dark sky sites including Antony Gormley’s Inside Australia sculptures, Mount Owen, Niagara Dam and Kookynie as magnets for astrophotographers.

Recognising dark skies were disappearing across the world and becoming increasingly sought after as natural wonders, shire president Paul Warner said the vision was to turn the dark sky with the unique Menzies landscape into an economic asset for tourism.

“There are both economic and community benefits to being an Astrotourism Town,” he said.

“Significantly, from an economic standpoint, dark sky tourism necessitates one or more overnight stays, thereby increasing visitor spending in Menzies.”

For the past six years, Astrotourism WA chief executive Carol Redford has been working with 18 innovative local governments to establish a stargazing trail across WA.

In recent months, Ms Redford travelled through the Shire of Menzies to scout for new dark sky locations that would attract visitors for stargazing, astrophotography, and amateur observing with telescopes.

“Regional WA has very low levels of light pollution, making our night sky one of the best in the world.

“Our State has one of the largest dark spaces in the world, which makes it ideal to roll out the welcome mat for visitors to experience our awe-inspiring views of the Milky Way above our iconic landmarks and attractions,” Ms Redford said.

Ms Redford said she was working with the shire to plan free family-friendly community stargazing evenings with telescope viewing.

Australia’s Golden Outback tourism development manager Ross MacCulloch welcomed the first Goldfields town to begin formal dark sky tourism development.

“Menzies already has one of the most highly rated caravan parks in the region (according to Tripadvisor) and this dark sky tourism location and associated activities will give visitors a unique interesting experience, when they stay overnight,” he said.