Dark Skies Open May 25-29

The Dark Skies Festival opened for schools on May 25 and tickets for the general public on 26 – 29. Special programs were available which included canapés, a dining experience, astrophotography workshop, and overnight sunset to sunrise VIP Astro adventures.

This very unique and specialised event has limited tickets and brings together the best astronomical experiences formulated over decades of Outback celestial observations. We look forward to seeing you at the Dark Skies Festival.  Food and beverages available. Check out the Dark Skies Calendar of events below which included General Admission and Ticketed Events.

Sunset 2 Sunrise May 26, 27, 28

(Ticketed Event)

Join this sensational experience of witnessing the majestic heavens roll above your head from the comfort of raised star bed, This program is the only one of its kind in the world and is a must for all cosmic enthusiasts 

special celestial guests

11 pm Saturn

2 am Jupiter

2 am Mars

Live Music : GONDWANA May 25-29

 Charlie returns to the Earth Sanctuary for Dark Skies Festival in 2022 and will be establishing a unique celestial soundscape for space presenations. Joining Charlie is Pasko Shravamade, keyboardist and dynamic member of Gondwana.  For over 20 years Charlie McMahon's assertive didgeridoo playing style has remained an obvious (and usually unacknowledged) influence for many well known didgeridoo players. Currently he can be seen performing, mainly solo, on the world music festival circuit in Europe, Japan, Russia, the United States, and Australia.

He has two acts: one set featuring the seismic sensor he calls The Face Bass the other is a playful exploration of the musical and experimental tone possibilities of the didjeribone.

Dining Under The Stars May 29

A spectacular astronomy evening awaits with Earth Sanctuary's signature Dining experience Under the Stars. Includes complimentary welcome drink, 3 course gourmet BBQ dinner and entertainment, before entering the Festival.

Over 18 guests only. 

*Bookings essential.



Astrophotography Workshop May 25

This 2 hour workshop is a rare opportunity to learn astrophotography during a Dark Sky night, capturing stunning pictures of the Milky Way Galaxy, and then enjoy the Dark Skies Festival. 

Leading the workshop is Jayden O'Neill. He is a self taught Photographer from the East coast of Australia whose photography focuses on Wildlife, Astro and Landscapes. He aims to use his Scientific background and access to remote areas of the world to showcase its breath-taking natural beauty, and to connect people back to nature.
Jayden has travelled widely across the Australian continent, engaging with the natural environment and using his lens to bring awareness to the stunning scenery captured in his images.

Your astrophotography workshop ticket entitles you to General Admission entry on one night between Thursday 26th and Sunday 29th May, during the main festival period. The workshop is being conducted on an exclusive night for local School students.

Bush Foods Canapés May 26

commences 5:30pm

Join Rayleen Brown from Kungkas Can Cook for some of her famous Bush Tucker cuisine. Rayleen’s insistence on using only wild harvest bush tucker sourced directly from the women who gather the food, as a way to support livelihoods and the continuation of connection to story and country, is well known and respected.

Rayleen has also contributed to much research in her region around the growth and development of bush foods and their potential. See Menu below for details.

Dark Skies Canapés May 28

Enjoy sunset canapés and complimentary welcome drink overlooking the East MacDonnell Ranges with musical performances by Charlie MacMahon of Gondwana
Space themed cocktails also available for purchase. 



Please contact us if you would like to combine your Dark Skies Canapés experience with our Sunset to Sunrise, for the ultimate outback astronomy experience.