Overview:

Thanks to the generous support of EMC Technologies, the AAQ has been granted open access to their Open Area Test Site (OATS), near Peak Crossing, Boonah. NOTE: The OATS site is locked and alarmed - please do not attempt to access the site without pre-arrangement by a member of the AAQ Council or Visual observing Director.

This facility allows AAQ members both evening and night time access to this superb facility only an hour from Brisbane. At the site there is a hard standing for telescopes with superb horizons in all directions and entry to the nearby house with toilet and kitchen facilities and most importantly - Power. Rest and relaxation space is also ample within the house which makes the site perfect for those late night sessions.

Don't be fooled by the proximity to Brisbane, this site offers mag 6+ skies and very few line of sight external light sources (one!) The site has Telstra NextG reception, but no Optus. (please add to this list after visiting...)

Directions:

455 Woolooman Road
Milbong, Near Peak Crossing
QLD 4310.

GPS: 27 52.1145 S, 152 46.2147 E - Elevation 107.6m

The Oats Site is very easy to find if you follow these instructions:

From in the region of Ipswich...

Exit the Ipswich Motorway to take the Cunningham Highway.

Exit the Cunningham Highway at Yamanto, Signed Ipswich/Boonah (plenty of road works here at the moment)

Turn left towards Peak Crossing / Boonah on the Ipswich-Boonah Road. Travel about 15km to Peak Crossing. At Peak Crossing go straight on, do not deviate...

Take the 3rd on the left (Woolooman Road) it is about 12km after Peak Crossing. There is a very large signpost on the lefthand side of the road.

Continue along this road for about 4km. After about 1km the road turns into dirt. After a further 2.5km, the road forks into two. Stay left. DO NOT take the right fork (Faulkener Road).

After only a few hundred meters more, OATS, 455 Woolooman Road is on the left. It is the GREY house through the gate - right beside the telegraph pole. A post box has the numbers 455 and 457 on it. Travel through two farm gates to get to the site. There are cattle at the site, so close the gates after you!

See you there!