Queensland town hopes dark sky certification attracts stargazers to the outback
16 hours ago
- #Queensland
- #Dark Sky Community
- #Astro-tourism
- Winton, Queensland, has been certified as an International Dark Sky Community.
- The town has taken measures to reduce light pollution, including installing warm-colored streetlights and implementing outdoor lighting policies.
- Residents and officials believe the certification will attract tourists interested in stargazing.
- Winton is the first town in Queensland to receive this certification, joining the nearby Jump-Up, which was certified as a Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2019.
- The certification process involved community engagement and retrofitting the town with night-friendly lighting.
- Tourism operators hope the dark sky certification will complement Winton's existing attractions, such as dinosaur fossils and the Waltzing Matilda Centre.
- There are aspirations to create a 'dark sky highway' through outback Australia to boost tourism.