A ‘one-of-a-kind observatory that frames spectacular views of the constellations by night and the rolling green hills and mountain ranges of the Northern Rivers by day has opened to the public’ in Mallanganee, near Casino.
In media release by Kyogle Shire Council, they say Mallanganee ‘is situated at the top of the Richmond Range, [and] the observatory features an armillary-like sphere built out of galvanised steel and pre-cast concrete’.
‘The semi-enclosed design provides the perfect vantage point to take in views across the Richmond Range and beyond to the Border Ranges and Wollumbin.
‘At night, the dark sky and the observatory’s position on the precise latitude the centre of the Milky Way arcs directly overhead every day, means the celestial views are breathtaking’.
Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mulholland said the idea for the observatory had originally come from a member of the Mallanganee community and had been incorporated into the Mallanganee village master plan.
‘The observatory is positioned to increase tourism to the area and cultivate Mallanganee’s standing as a destination for visitors seeking genuine nature‑based experiences’, Cr Mulholland said.
‘With growing interest in dark/night‑sky tourism across Australia, we are looking forward to an increase in visitor numbers’.
‘A tourism boost will bring real benefits not just to Mallanganee but also to its neighbouring West of the Range villages.
‘The $3.34 million observatory project also included the construction of a new amenities block, upgrades to sections of Bulmers and Lookout roads, and construction of internal paths. While the observatory is now open to the public, some areas of the site have yet to be re-grassed and remained cordoned off.
‘Construction of the observatory was supported by a $2.067 million Regional Tourism Innovation Fund grant from the NSW Government, with Council contributing the remaining funds’.
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