Alpana AstroCamp
Alpana Dark Sky Astro Camps 2024
Bookings are now open for the two Alpana camps scheduled for 2024.
Dates: Wed 1st May to Mon 6th May 2024, and Wed 31st July to Mon 5th August 2024.
Alpana Station is located just 5kms south of Blinman on the Wilpena-Blinman Road in the Flinders Ranges. The property is 505 kilometres from Adelaide, so, with rest breaks, allow at least 6 or more hours for the journey. The road is bitumen all the way.
The Flinders Ranges are truly splendid. They are ideal for bushwalking, and coupled with the amazingly clear air and dark skies, the Flinders Ranges are a perfect destination for an Astronomy camp. Explore the historic mining town of Blinman, take a walk to the Blinman Pools, see the spectacular Parachilna and Brachina gorges and drive through the scenic Aroona Valley. But don't forget that the real purpose of going to the Flinders Ranges is to enjoy the very dark star-studded skies.
What you need to bring
All meals, drinks & snacks. Blinman Hotel does cater for evening meals (Friday night is Pizza night) for those interested. Make sure you bring all provisions - although there is a small café in Blinman with some additional “grocery items”, their stocks are very limited and cannot be relied upon. Plan your meals as a means of deciding what you need to bring with you.
Swag, bedroll and/or sleeping bag, blankets and pillow for the onsite accommodation.
Clothing appropriate for the forecast conditions and sturdy footwear, as well as hat, sunscreen and sunnies. Make sure you bring warm clothing for observing. It gets very cold at night!
Telescope, extension cords, cameras, binoculars, charts, red torch, etc.
Accommodation
There are 6 double rooms at the Shearer’s quarters - each with 2 single beds with mattresses. There is also a 7th room at the quarters with a double bed and a bunk bed above. All rooms have small wall cabinet wardrobes, a small chest of drawers with a bedside light, a ceiling fan and power outlets. You need to provide your own bed linen & pillows – it can get quite cold at Alpana, so warm sleeping bags are a good idea. No heater blowers allowed, as they will overload the limited power and trip the fuse.
There are 4 ensuite van sites with power adjacent to the Shearer’s quarters. There is also limited space for 2 or 3 camping spots with access to the quarters.
The Shearers Quarters are very clean and also provide 2 shower and toilet rooms. There is a gas BBQ available outside for use by attendees, as well as a large dining and lounge area, and a large kitchen with fridges, gas stoves/ovens, a microwave oven, rain water on tap, and washing up facilities. All crockery, cutlery, glasses, cooking pots, frying pans, tea-towels etc are supplied.
ASSA attendees have exclusive access to the Shearer’s quarters during our stay.
Alpana Fees:
Note: due to our on-going relationship with the owners over many years, we enjoy a discounted group rate, and in turn, all attendees are asked to respect the owner’s property, and keep the accommodation clean and tidy.
The following fees are per night. Maximum of 5 nights, although you can book for less than 5 nights.
Rooms in Shearer’s quarters: - $35 per adult, $25 per child (>2 - <19)
Camping (unpowered) with access to Quarters' facilities: $23 per adult, $13 per child (>2 - <19)
Camping (powered) with access to Quarters' facilities: $25 per adult, $15 per child (>2 - <19)
Powered van site with ensuite bathroom and access to Quarters' facilities: $25 per adult, $15 per child (>2 - <19), $35 for a single person.
To make a booking, or if you require further information about the Alpana camps, contact Paul Rogers ozymandias@senet.com.au. These camps are very popular and usually book out quickly, so if you are sure you can/want to attend, let me know.