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How to get to Siding Spring Observatory

From Sydney

Coonabarabran is about 500 kilometres north west of Sydney and Siding Spring Observatory is about 40km from Coonabarabran. Most people travel to Coonabarabran either by air or car, though other modes of travel (train, bus) are possible for the adventurous or those with time to spare.

Travel options

For detailed information on travel between SSO and Sydney, please refer to the AAO's Travel and Accommodation page.

Travelling by road - some advice

It is worth reminding people who travel to or from Coonabarabran by road of the main risks, which are:

• The standard of even the main highways in NSW varies from excellent to potentially dangerous and the journey from Sydney to Coonabarabran involves mainly secondary roads. There are several places where road conditions change rather suddenly and can catch drivers unaware, especially if they are travelling fast.
• Some stretches of road pass through countryside frequented by kangaroos which constitute a serious traffic hazard, especially in twilight and at night. Try to ensure that you start your journey early enough to avoid them when approaching Coonabarabran.
• The road journey between Sydney and Coonabarabran is quite long (around 7 hours). Drivers should be well rested before they embark on it, and should also stop for short rest breaks along the way.

From Mount Stromlo Observatory

By Air

There are no air services between Canberra and Coonabarabran but check the AAO's Travel and Accommodation page for air (and other) services between Coona and Sydney.

By Car

Stromlo staff and students travel by car from MSO to SSO. It should be possible for you to share a car with someone else going to SSO for an observing run. The trip takes about seven hours, so be prepared to share the driving and read the above warnings about driving on N.S.W. country roads.

If you have your own hire car, ask anyone at Stromlo for advice on directions to SSO.