Renowned for its multi-million-dollar wedding industry, Queensland's Sunshine Coast hinterland hopes to add stargazing to its tourism drawcard.
The Sunshine Coast Council is considering a proposal for the hinterland to become a Dark Sky Reserve .
The proposed reserve spans the Mary River catchment area and encompasses the townships of Maleny, Mapleton, Montville, Witta, Flaxton, Conondale, and Kenilworth.Astronomer Ken Wishaw, a passionate stargazer and convener of the Maleny Observatory for the Brisbane Astronomical Society, says the mapped reserve offers prime locations for stargazing and astronomical studies.
As the Sunshine Coast's population grows, light pollution is expected to increase, impacting on the quality of its night skies. Amateur astronomer Owen Benedict from Wappa Falls Observatory says reducing light pollution would be a win for the environment. "We've seen a growing interest in astrotourism as families look to getting back to basics due to tougher financial times," Ms Brown says."The more people that can support us, the better," Dr Wishaw says.Dr Wishaw says in a world increasingly brightened by artificial lights, the Sunshine Coast's Dark Sky Reserve offers hope and a glimpse into the natural wonder of the night sky.
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