City: Exmouth

(g) Astronomy Dinner *SOLD OUT*

Please be advised this event has now sold out. Tickets are still available for the Fervor Dark Sky Dining Dinner on Sunday the 23rd of April at Four Mile Creek, Onslow.

There’s never quite been dinner under the stars like this before. The astronomical rarity of a solar eclipse, the canopy of the glittering WA skies, and the region’s incredible produce – with a Welcome to Country to initiate the evening. Beloved public figure and author, Broome astronomer Greg Quicke – known as Space Gandalf – will also be at the dinner to chat with guests and talk through the significance of the Dark Sky Festival.
Even the beautiful wines you’ll be drinking have been influenced by the stars. Made by Vanya Cullen of Wilyabrup’s Cullen Wines, she practises biodynamic viticulture; a method that recognises the link between plant growth and the rhythms of the cosmos. Her New Moon wine series will be served on this heavenly evening.
Bookings are essential for this spectacular event held on Thursday the 20th of April at Exmouth Yacht Club from 5:30pm – 9:30pm. Tickets are $200pp + booking fee. Please note that most dietary requirements can be accommodated and can be specified at the time of booking your ticket.

g(Astronomy) Dinner Menu

Canapés on Arrival
Half Shell Scallop, Sauce Ravigote

Chicken Rillettes, Pepper Berry & Herb Biscotti, Beetroot Relish, Smoked Horseradish
Seeded Cracker, Smoked Eggplant & Tahini Puree, Pickle Shallots, Coriander gf, df, vg

Tapas
Artisan Breads, Whipped Salted Butter & Olives
Pulled Pork Croquette, Paprika Mayo, Pickled Apple, Pork Floss, Cider Glazed Chorizo

Main Course
Brolos Western Rock Lobster, Local Snapper, Exmouth Prawns, Lemon & Dill Beurre Blanc gf

Vegetarian Option
Miso Glazed Eggplant, Grilled Halloumi, Zucchini & Eggplant Pickle, Roasted Tomato v

Shared Sides
Roasted Crushed Potatoes, gf, df, v
Whole Roast Cauliflower, Confit Garlic, Raisins, Toasted Nuts, Smoked Paprika, Manchego gf, v

Dessert
Chocolate Delice, Feuilletine, Peanut Crumble & Cherry Gel

Followed By
Gesha Coffee Co, The Queen’s Crown Plunger Coffee & T2 Loose Leaf Teas
Assam GFOP, Peppermint, Chamomile, China Green Sencha

Cullen Wines, ‘Supernatural’ Range
2022 Rose Moon sparkling on arrival
2022 Mangan Vineyard Red Moon
2022 Dancing In The Sun
2022 Dancing in the Moonlight

TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED HERE

*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program and (g) Astronomy Dinner menu is subject to change 

Fremantle Biennale’s First Light Drone Show at Town Beach

Join us for First Lights: Nyinggulu on Town Beach in Exmouth – a spectacle of light and sound that illuminates the night sky to share ancient stories of place. Guided by Baiyungu custodian Hazel Walgar of the Nyinggulu coast and Yingarrda-Wadjarri artist Sonya Edney, the spectacular Dreaming story of the great eclipse will resound across the night sky. This is the story born from silence, of Jirndarl and Willarda, the sun, the moon and their first encounter. Produced by the Fremantle Biennale, this is an epic-scale aerial choreography consisting of a fleet of 160 light drones.

Before the Drone Show, come down earlier to Town Beach to enjoy an Indigenous cultural event, with a selection of music and dance. From the Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation’s Jamba Nyinayi Festival, this event will feature innovative performances from community dance projects with the Coral Spawn Dancers, The Jundaru Bulgarbi Crew and the Pundarra Guntharri Dancers showcasing both contemporary and traditional dance. Original music performances with Olive Knight and John Bennet compositions that centre around the traditional Baiyungu story of the eclipse – the meeting of Willara and Jirndarl – and the Jamba Nyinayi Band performing, featuring Raymond Edney, Wesley Mongoo and Jenaya Lawrence. Proudly presented by the State Government of Western Australia in conjunction with Lotterywest and the Shire of Exmouth, tickets are not required for this event.

Catch one of the courtesy bus shuttles down to Town Beach to secure your viewing spot.
First Lights: Nyinggulu is on from 5pm – 8:15pm on Thursday the 20th of April.

You can find out more about the Fremantle Biennale’s First Light Drone Show here

Image credit: First Lights — Moombaki (2021). Courtesy of Fremantle Biennale. Photo: Duncan Wright

*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change

Scitech – in the Ningaloo Centre

Scitech will inspire audiences when they deliver a selection of their awesomely educational STEM-based shows and activities for kids at the Ningaloo Centre. Scitech’s events include:
Start Here, Go Anywhere
A hands-on experience that allows visitors to explore, investigate and discover the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Packed with interactive exhibits, brain-bending challenges and awesome tech, it’s guaranteed to ignite curiosity in kids and adults alike. Open from 9am – 4pm daily. Free! Just drop on by!
Science shows
These free shows are 30 minutes each and there’s no need to book.
Under Pressure (10am and 2pm daily)
Explore just how much pressure we’re really under as we use nothing but the ocean of air around us – and a little bit of science – to turn your world inside out and upside down. Although we can’t see it, air pressure is responsible for loads of everyday phenomena – everything from how to open jars, to how our lungs work, to what happens to humans when they go into space. Join our Science Presenters to investigate, ask questions, make predictions, and test our ideas to understand some of the more surprising and unusual effects it has on the world around us
Hot vs Cold (11am and 3pm daily – please note there will be no 11am show on the day of the eclipse, Thursday 20th of April)
Two temperatures enter, one temperature leaves – and the results are sure to surprise! Our science presenters explore how the hidden properties of materials affect how heat forms, flows and feels with this astonishing demonstration of thermodynamics. Audiences will make predictions and test ideas in this ultimate showdown between hot and cold.

*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change

Federation Park – Live Music, Yoga, Public Astronomy Talks, Giant String Puppet, Food Trucks, Market Stalls & More!

An all day & evening Picnic Zone for the whole family!
See below for Federation Park’s activity timetable

Federation Park is a ‘space’ for friends and family to chill out and engage with solar eclipse-themed activities during the Dark Sky Festival. Join us at Federation Park from 7 am on Wednesday the 19th, Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st of April for plenty of FREE events. There’s also delicious food trucks and live music all under the cloak of the magical Exmouth sky. Situated next to Paltridge Memorial Swimming Pool (open until 6 pm), gravitate to the lively atmosphere at Federation Park to refuel, refresh, and reinvigorate for your stargazing night ahead.

In the mornings we have free yoga sessions, Public Astronomy Talks and the incredible String Symphony – a large-scale, twinkling, interactive hand-woven puppet that’s brought to life by 12 audience members. Thank you to Lotterywest for being a supporter of this wonderful event. Then from 4:30pm, the buzz amps up with food trucks, live music, and market stalls! Check out everything on offer at Federation Park below:

Mornings
Free Morning Yoga 7am – 10am (free, but bookings are required)
Increase your connection to the eclipse. There are five free classes over Wednesday the 19th, Thursday the 20th (eclipse day) and Friday the 21st of April
Learn more here

Free Public Astronomy Talks 10am – 12pm (no bookings required)
We’ve invited guest speakers to chat about all things Solar Eclipse including topics ‘What is a Total Solar Eclipse?’, ‘Astronomy 101’, and ‘Stories From 18 Eclipses Around The Globe’. Join us on Wednesday the 19th of April and Friday the 21st of April – talks will start at 10am and go for 30 minutes each, with the final talk of the day on at 11:30am. There’s no need to book – just come along, grab a chair and learn even more about the fascinating world of eclipses
Learn more here

String Symphony Giant Illuminated Interactive Puppet 9-10am, 12-1pm, 6-7pm, & 8-9pm
String Symphony is a large-scale, twinkling, interactive hand-woven puppet that’s brought to life by 12 audience members. Participants manipulate the giant interactive installation so onlookers marvel at the beauty of this magnificent creation! String Symphony is for adults and kids alike to enjoy. We would like to thank Lotterywest as a Major Supporter of this wonderful.

Afternoons
Then from 4:30pm, join us for our live music festival, delicious food trucks and local market stalls!

Join us from 7am – 9:30pm daily at Federation Park on Wednesday the 19th until Friday the 21st of April for this fabulous FREE event. Federation Park is an alcohol-free space.

WEDNESDAY
7 AM – 9:30 AM ECLIPSE YOGA
9 AM – 10 AM STRING SYMPHONY GIANT ILLUMINATED PUPPET
10 AM – 12 PM PUBLIC ASTRONOMY TALKS
12 PM – 1 PM STRING SYMPHONY GIANT ILLUMINATED PUPPET
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM DJ NDORSE
5:30 PM – 5:40 PM WELCOME TO COUNTRY
5:40 PM – 6:20 PM BLUEBONE SOLO
6 PM – 7 PM STRING SYMPHONY GIANT ILLUMINATED PUPPET
6:40 PM – 7:20 PM MISS MAX
7:40 PM – 8:30 PM PRISCILLA
8 PM – 9 PM STRING SYMPHONY GIANT ILLUMINATED PUPPET
8:30PM – 9:30PM DJ NDORSE

THURSDAY
7 AM- 8 AM ECLIPSE YOGA
9 AM – 10 AM STRING SYMPHONY GIANT ILLUMINATED PUPPET
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM DJ FLO TATION
5:30 PM – 5:40 PM WELCOME TO COUNTRY
5:40 PM – 6:20 PM JIMMY MCGRATH
6:40 PM – 7:20 PM MISS MAX
6 PM – 7 PM STRING SYMPHONY GIANT ILLUMINATED PUPPET
7:40PM – 8:30PM BLUEBONE TRIO
8 PM – 9PM STRING SYMPHONY GIANT ILLUMINATED PUPPET
8:30PM – 9:30PM DJ FLO TATION

FRIDAY
7 AM – 9:30 AM ECLIPSE YOGA
9 AM – 10 AM STRING SYMPHONY GIANT ILLUMINATED PUPPET
10 AM – 12 PM PUBLIC ASTRONOMY TALKS
12 PM – 1 PM STRING SYMPHONY GIANT ILLUMINATED PUPPET
11 AM – 4:30 PM BREAK
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM DJ NDORSE
5:30 PM – 5:40 PM WELCOME TO COUNTRY
5:40 PM – 6:20 PM JIMMY MCGRATH
6:40 PM – 7:20 PM HAVE A GOOD DAY
6 PM – 7 PM STRING SYMPHONY GIANT ILLUMINATED PUPPET
7:40 PM – 8:30 PM BOOX KID
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM DJ NDORSE
8 PM – 9PM STRING SYMPHONY GIANT ILLUMINATED PUPPET

*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change 

Stargazing Sessions – with Astrotourism WA Astronomy Guides in Koobooroo Oval

What’s up in the night sky? The spectacular stars in the Milky Way Galaxy are waiting for you to see in these incredible stargazing sessions on our telescope fields at Koobooroo Oval.
Explore the night sky with Astrotourism WA Astronomy Guides and volunteers. See an amazing green laser pointer tour of the southern hemisphere night sky constellations. Everything you need will be supplied for you to view the incredible stellar objects, including Venus, the Southern Cross, Magellanic Clouds, star clusters, nebulae and much more.
This is a rare opportunity for this kind of stargazing in the glow of a solar eclipse – so don’t miss out! Bookings are not necessary. Sessions run from 6.45 pm to 9.15pm with the Green Laser Pointer Tours repeated at 7 pm, 7.45 pm and 8.30 pm nightly in Koobooroo Oval – just next to Federation Park.

*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change 

The Wallal Experiment and Einsteinian Physics – in the Ningaloo Centre

Emeritus Professor David Blair, Australian physicist and professor at the University of Western Australia and Director of the Australian International Gravitational Research Centre, will host a fun and exciting talk about the Wallal Experiment and Einsteinian Physics at the Ningaloo Centre.
The Wallal Experiment was a momentous event that proved Einstein’s theory of relativity – right here in WA! A family-friendly show, these talks delight everyone from primary school kids to grandparents, science enthusiasts to those starting out on their scientific understanding. Everyone is encouraged to bring friends – and questions!
Einsteinian Physics is an exhibition and a series of engaging, mind-bending, and intriguing STEM activities for children and families. See first-hand the Einstein First Team do live eclipse simulations and show you earth-moon orbital dynamics on the spacetime simulator!
No need to book – just come along!

*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change 

2022 Astrofest Astrophotography Exhibition at the Ningaloo Centre

Astronomy and Art – it’s all on at the Ningaloo Centre.
Visitors are invited to see an exhibition of Western Australian astrophotography at The Ningaloo Centre Tantabiddi Travelling Gallery, curated by Roger Groom. The exhibition will be on every day of the festival – and for the entire month of April. Roger has been the curator of Astrofest Astrophotography Exhibition for the last 3 years.
This is a wonderful opportunity to see incredible astrophotography produced here in WA and gain a deeper understanding of the works and astrophotography through discussion with esteemed astrophotographer Roger Groom
Free talks by Roger Groom:
He will be holding free talks at the gallery on
Sunday the 16th of April at 11am
Tuesday the 18th of April at 2pm
Then on Friday 9 am-12:00 pm join Roger for the BYO “Best of your eclipse” Event. This is designed to help enthusiasts get more from their own eclipse photography, in this workshop guests will learn from others, from Roger, and build up their astrophotography knowledge. Guests are welcome to arrive from 9 am to mingle with other astrophotographers. Roger will arrive at 10 am, encouraging all photographers to talk about their photographs, while offering his experience and suggestions on image processing and astrophotography tips. Enthusiasts can come and go at any time but Roger will be on hand until 12 pm

*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change

Roger Groom Astro Photography Workshops at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse *Sold Out*

Please be advised this event at Vlamingh Head Lighthouse has now sold out. There are free talks by Roger Groom at the Tantabiddi Gallery on Sunday the 16th of April at 11am and Tuesday the 18th of April at 2pm. Also, on Friday 9 am-12:00 pm you can join Roger and fellow astrophotographers for the BYO “Best of your eclipse photo” gathering. In addition, free stargazing will be available in our telescope fields on Koobooroo Oval with Astrotourism WA. Sessions run from 6.45 pm to 9.15pm, with the Green Laser Pointer Tours repeated at 7 pm, 7.45 pm and 8.30 pm nightly.

Shoot (for) the stars!
Roger Groom of Astro Photography Australia has been capturing astrophotography for over 20 years and will be leading workshops to help you enjoy astrophotography and achieve the best you can with your photography equipment. The workshops Roger will provide at Exmouth will include Astro Photography info sessions together with practical field workshops, and facilitating group discussion and sharing of your solar eclipse photography to inspire and improve your results.
Not only has Roger been active in the WA astronomy community with roles including Chairperson of the Perth Observatory Volunteer Group, but Roger has been curator of the Astrofest Astrophotography Exhibition from 2020 to 2022 inclusive. His astrophotography workshops enable others to enjoy the night sky through photography while offering fantastic hints and hacks in this incredible art form. Enjoy mentoring on your astrophotography techniques and methods and bring your equipment and questions for a fun star-filled night.
Bookings essential and tickets are for the heavily subsidised cost of $45 + booking fee
Must bring your own camera, tripod and head torch/torch
Join him at the Dark Sky Festival for one of his workshops:
*SOLD OUT*  Sunday 16th of April, 1-3pm (Theoretical workshop – Tantabiddi Gallery, Ningaloo Centre)
*SOLD OUT*  Sunday 16th of April, 7-9pm (Practical field workshop – Vlamingh Head Lighthouse)
*SOLD OUT*  Tuesday 18th April, 7-9 pm (Practical field workshop – Vlamingh Head Lighthouse)

Roger’s practical field workshops will be held at VLAMINGH HEAD LIGHTHOUSE

TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED HERE

*Please note the Dark Sky Festival program is subject to change 

Last Reviewed: 2023-04-17