The clear night skies of the Avon Valley provide some incredible stargazing opportunities.

The Avon Valley region is far enough from the bright city lights but close enough for a day trip or weekender. Our suggestion? Visit for the day, stay for the night and make the most of your country escape.

By day, wander among nature on one of the region’s many walking trails, discover historic architecture, feast on local produce (jams, olives, chocolate and honey, to name a few), meet the locals and immerse yourself in authentic country charm. Then, once the sun sets, look up to the sky and see the stars twinkle into view as darkness falls over the valley.
We've pulled together the ultimate list of stargazing hotspots to help you plan an out-of-this-world adventure to the Avon Valley region. The best part? You can camp, caravan or stay overnight in accommodation at most places.

Beverley 

1.    First up, Beverley. The heritage wheatbelt town of Beverley is 130 kilometres east of Perth on the Avon River. On the outskirts of town, the Beverley Airfield offers wide open space to set up a telescope or tripod for some excellent astrophotography. 

2.    The historic Avondale Farm has an abundance of space, farmland and native bush reserve for clear sky viewing. Unwind, reconnect with nature and soak up the farm life with an overnight stay in one of the quaint cottages.

3.    Hit the road and drive 32 kilometres from Beverley to the Yenyening Lakes. The Yenyening Lakes are a hotspot for photographers wanting to capture spectacular astrophotography shots with no light pollution. The backdrop of the large salt lakes, the surrounding farmland and the diverse ecosystem make for a dreamy, tranquil setting. 

Goomalling

4.    The Slater Homestead is one of WA’s best-kept secrets. This country retreat is a stunning historical venue with accommodation that provides guests with an early-world experience. The Slater Homestead is just two kilometres from the town of Goomalling and is the perfect place to stay and stargaze late into the night. 

5.    For the wild at heart, the Walyormouring Lake and its surrounding reserve is a beautiful natural setting for stargazing in the Shire of Goomalling. Explore the waterways and rocky outcrops, go fishing, walk the trail loop, and then set up camp and delight in the magical night skies. 

6.    Halfway between Goomalling and Wongan Hill sits the small town of Konnongorring. There’s no light pollution and for a small donation, you can camp overnight at the Konnongorring Recreation Reserve on the old football oval, surrounded by nothing but beautiful untouched bushland. 

7.    The Gabby Quoi Quoi Lookout is also an idyllic spot, with hundreds of thousands of trees planted by locals and panoramic views of the surrounding farmland, bush and wide-open skies. It’s free to camp and four-legged friends are welcome. 

Northam

8.    Northam became an Astrotourism Town in July 2019. In the heart of the Avon Valley, start your stargazing journey at the Bilya Koort Boodja: Centre for Nyoongar Culture & Environmental Knowledge. The centre is centred on the six Nyoongar Aboriginal seasons. As you move through the centre and the seasons, you’ll discover the deep understanding Aboriginal people have of their land and climate. Here, you can also learn about the Aboriginal connection to the night sky and how it connects to their beliefs and culture. 

9.    Bert Hawke Oval is the perfect site to set up a telescope or use binoculars to watch the ever-changing night skies. The Avon River is on one side and only a few streetlights shine from the road. Plus, it’s conveniently close to overnight accommodation in town.

10.    Northam has a wealth of areas to capture breath-taking photographs of the night sky, but scenic Katrine Road is one of the ultimate spots. With no light pollution, abundant natural beauty and historic buildings, including the ruins of Glenfield Homestead, Katrine Road offers the ideal backdrop for the perfect night sky shot. The drive along Katrine Road is full of surprises and interesting history that make it an ideal astrophotography destination.

11.    For the ultimate heritage experience, stay overnight in the manor, glamping village or cottages at the historic Buckland Estate. The property has so much to offer from the amazing views of the rolling hills and farmland to the grand home, old buildings and stone cottages. The owners of the 1836 Victorian Georgian manor welcome travellers with telescopes and cameras, and you’re free to roam the 55-acre property as you please. The Buckland Estate is 12.5 kilometres north of Northam – its secluded darkness is perfect for stargazing weekend getaways. 

Toodyay

12.    In Toodyay, the view from Pelham Reserve is impressive no matter the time of day. But at night, it’s a peaceful spot to stargaze. Take a stroll along one of the reserve’s walking trails to find the perfect place to admire the starry night sky.

13.    The Avon River provides a magical experience to stargaze where the sky meets the water. Year-round pools such as Millard’s Pool and Red Bank Pool along the Bilya Walk Track are locations where you can admire both the sky and the river.

14.    Book a dreamy weekend at the Heyscape Tiny Cabins near the vibrant town of Toodyay. Nestled among 1000+ hectares of picturesque farmland with peace, quiet and sweeping views of valleys and rolling hills, this is the perfect place to switch off and stare at the sky for a while. Or, for something a little closer to nature, experience a stay at Heavenly Waters. Named after a Southern hemisphere constellation and situated on the bank of the Jimperding Brook, Heavenly Waters is a Luxury Eco couples camping experience, located along the pioneer heritage trail just an hour from Perth and 15 minutes drive to the historic town of Toodyay. 

York

15.    The country skies of York are filled with thousands and thousands of stars. In winter, stay at Laurelville Manor Greenhills Inn, Lavendale Farmstay, Hillside Country Retreat or White Gum Farm and stargaze sitting around the warmth of a fire pit. Don’t forget the marshmallows.

16.    Watch the sunset from Mt Brown Lookout. It’s located 342 metres above sea level and overlooks the township of York and its surroundings. Following sunset, be prepared for unbelievable night skies. Mt Brown is located within an easy five-minute drive of the York town centre, and there’s a great walking track from the historic swinging bridge.

17.    Forrest Oval offers a large open area with dark skies - perfect for stargazing. Park at the Recreation & Convention Centre, sit back and enjoy nature at its best. Keep an eye on the Shire of York website for updates as Forrest Oval is home to several free astronomy events throughout the year.

18.    At Gwambygine Park, you can experience stargazing in a bush setting along the banks of the Avon River. Gwambygine Park has one of the few remaining permanent pools of the Avon River and is home to a variety of local wildlife. It’s free to camp here for 24 hours and is pet friendly.

The Avon Valley region is home to so much more than gorgeous starry night skies. The region has something to offer for every explorer all year round. Discover walking and wildflowers trails, public art, local producers and picnic spots, road trips, adventure activities and charming accommodation options – all just over an hour from Perth.

Discover the universe with Destination Perth. Pack your telescope, camera and an overnight bag and head to the Avon Valley region for world-class stargazing experiences.

Hero Banner Image Credit: Virat Shah Astrophotography