Dark Sky Hub · Coonabarabran NSW
Journey to Australia’s first Dark Sky Park
The world’s largest virtual solar system. Scaled 3D billboards along five scenic routes, from Pluto to the Anglo-Australian Telescope — connecting Country, the cosmos, and the Dark Emu in the Sky.
1 : 38 million
Scale of every billboard
5 routes
All roads lead to the Sun
600+ km
Of bitumen across NSW
2008
Formally opened
The Drive
Two hours from Pluto to the Sun
Billboards are precisely 38 million times smaller than reality, so the drive itself becomes a visceral lesson in scale. Start at the dwarf planet on the outer edge. Finish under the AAT dome — the physical Sun of the model — in Australia’s first International Dark Sky Park.
01
Pick a road
Five well-signed branches — from Moree, Tamworth, the Hunter, Mudgee or Dubbo — all converge at Coonabarabran.
02
Spot the planets
Dark-blue 3D boards from Pluto inward. Stop, photograph, mark them off. Search “Planet Solar System Drive Town”.
03
Arrive at the Sun
The Anglo-Australian Telescope stands for Sol. Stay for nightfall — some of the darkest skies on Earth.
Worlds
Spot the planets
Click on a planet to locate, learn and visit
Five roads
All routes lead to the Sun
A schematic — not a street map. Choose the arm that matches your approach, then follow distinctive dark-blue boards all the way to Siding Spring.