The Sunshine Coast Hinterland has been officially designated Queensland’s first Dark Sky Reserve – and only the second in Australia – opening up a new dimension for one of the country’s most accessible nature destinations.
Covering 870 square kilometres of the Blackall Range and surrounding townships including Maleny, Montville, Mapleton and Kenilworth, the reserve offers night sky visibility that is virtually impossible to replicate closer to the coast. Up to 2,000 stars are visible to the naked eye on a clear night, compared with fewer than 10 from most Australian city centres. The Blackall Range’s elevation naturally buffers skyglow from coastal and urban areas, and the designation sits alongside the Sunshine Coast’s existing UNESCO Biosphere status.
The proximity to the coast is part of the appeal: visitors can be in the surf by evening and under the Milky Way less than 40 minutes later.
To coincide with the accreditation, Sunshine Coast Stargazing has launched a 90-minute small-group experience combining astronomy, astrophotography, storytelling and mindfulness, led by guides Nate and Kavita. Participants use high-powered telescopes and a laser-guided sky tour to locate planets, star clusters and galaxies. Priced at $160 per person, the experience includes refreshments and a take-home gift.
For agents looking to package the experience, Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat – where the stargazing takes place – has released a Starstruck package from $2,100 per couple. The two-night stay includes daily breakfast, sparkling wine, a cheese platter, gourmet BBQ hamper and a gourmet picnic pack for a self-guided day through the hinterland’s rainforest walks and waterfalls.
