Gippsland Dark Skies Project is an exciting new astro-tourism experience.

The project connects 13 East Gippsland and Wellington destinations that provide exceptional observational sites for the night sky, due to their low light pollution.

Underpinning this environmentally sustainable experience is the Aboriginal interpretation and storytelling of land and skies.

The project will consist of 13 sites, 11 of which are in East Gippsland Shire:

• Mallacoota
• Cann River
• Point Hicks
• Orbost (Newmerella)
• Cape Conran
• Marlo
• Buchan
• Bruthen
• Omeo
• Lake Tyers
• Nowa Nowa

There are two sites are in Wellington Shire - Dargo & Loch Sport.

Project scope

• Physical infrastructure: signage at the sites and a proposed portable observatory at the Mallacoota site.
• Online infrastructure & marketing: A website that promotes Aboriginal interpretation and storytelling, conservation of night skies, logistical and visitor experience information. This will be supported with marketing photography, and resources.
• Industry development and training: to assist tourism businesses in nearby towns to capitalise on this opportunity with training including packaging; development of related experiences such as tours and night-time offerings; provision of resources and toolkits.

One of the key objectives of the Dark Skies project is to encourage year-round visitation outside of traditional summer peak periods, as well as engaging visitors and locals with indigenous story telling that showcases this area's cultural heritage in new ways.

Like to know more?

If you have any questions about the Dark Skies Project, contact Destination Gippsland's Phoebe Graham at pgraham@destinationgippsland.com.au.

Upcoming workshops

Mallacoota
10th October - 10am -12pm
REGISTER HERE

Cann River
10th October - 3pm - 5pm
REGISTER HERE

Orbost
11th October - 10am - 12pm
REGISTER HERE

Buchan
11th October - 3pm - 5pm
REGISTER HERE

Bruthen
12th October - 10am - 12pm
REGISTER HERE

Omeo
12th October - 3pm - 5pm
REGISTER HERE

Nowa Nowa, Lake Tyers Beach
13th October - 10am - 12pm
REGISTER HERE