ADSR Gold Level Dark Sky Town ( Island )

If you don’t know what that means, just look up after sunset.

Norfolk Island is a Gold Level Dark Sky Town recognised for its “excellent dark sky – suitable for deep sky observing and astrophotography”.

This follows Norfolk Island Tourism’s successful application to the Australian Dark Sky Register (ADSR) in which this popular holiday destination for Australians and New Zealanders joins a select group of locations that provide great views of the night sky which are accessible to everyone.

Norfolk Island proudly has little or no light pollution and boasts one of the darkest skies on Earth.

Hundreds of kilometres from the closest landmass, Norfolk has minimal light pollution – giving the stars, and the moon, their chance to shine.

Not only is this an environmental accolade, but it is also a unique selling point to attract a niche market of travellers.

ADSR is a voluntary organisation founded in January 2015 with the aim to improve on and promote the preservation of the environment and the night sky through efforts by individuals, groups and communities to reduce light pollution caused by bad lighting practices.

The Australian Dark Sky Register designated the island a Gold-level – its highest status – Dark Sky Town in 2019 and it’s become a draw for amateur astronomers and dreamy stargazers alike. Head somewhere remote, such as Mount Pitt or Mount Bates (the island’s tallest peaks), to make the most of the heavens’ 360-degree nightly show.

Norfolk Island Stargazing tour operator, Peter Davies, runs the island's astro experiences and brings stargazing groups to the Island annually. Go to https://www.norfolkisland.com.au/tours/norfolk-island/norfolk-island-star-gazing

Review the Australian Dark Skies Register here: http://australiandarkskyregister.org/