Donna the Astronomer at Milroy Observatory — Attraction in Bugaldie

Donna is a local legend. The stargazing experience is an informative evening every time. She talks a lot, because she's passionate about it and knows her stuff, but likes people jumping in asking questions. It's never dull.

Despite the other comments, the communication is actually pretty good. You get text messages leading up to the evening telling you if there's unfavourable weather about. Sometimes the show gets cancelled with many hours notice, sometimes 30 minutes before it starts, sometimes, it's mid-show if the clouds roll in or else refuse to roll away. Donna is very capable, but she can't control the weather. If you're driving some distance that day, just factor that in. If you stay in Coonabarabran, still book ahead but be prepared to try another night if the weather is unsuitable.

Disappointingly, the big telescope has been out of action every time we've been (2020 and 2023) for unrelated reasons. The smaller telescopes are sufficient, although we've found there are too many people sharing them (we've found one telescope for every eight people, but sometimes one for every five). It means, in a 90 minute program, your time with the telescope is quite limited. Unfortunately groups of 15 to 18, with only two telescopes between them, doesn't provide the best experience. It's just too big a group. Our kids found the limited time on the telescope challenging, as they struggled to see the objects being described and didn't get much of a window to try again.

All in all a good experience if you want a astronomer to guide you through the stars for...

Donna wasn’t with us when we visited she was in hospital, our night could not have been better handled well and a brilliant night no clouds and optimum viewing. If doing on a cool night don’t forget gloves and jumpers and beanies it will be cold!

Even without Donna our night was bliss! We saw with telescopes many beautiful stars and planets. The view of the Milky way galaxy is priceless. The stories from not only astronomy but also the history of our original custodian’s interpretation of the shadows of animals in the sky were a delight. A fair bit of humour, understanding of astronomers finding pareidolia in what they see. It’s a joyous night indeed.

Turn your phone off or in theatre mode disable your alerts and anything that could create light and enjoy yourself.

There are lots of interesting things to buy and well worth it. The observatory is a delight to view albeit not currently active it will be a sideshow to what you will see on your night.

A text message is sent with in-depth details and will help you get to the observatory follow the instructions and be ready to follow the instructions. My 9 year old loved the ability to see through a telescope and see planets! We went in early August and it was cold...

Donna the Astronomer advertises that her show is family-friendly and she works hard to ensure everyone has a good time and it is absolutely true. My family of four (two adults and two 9yo kids) had a splendid time. She handled all our questions with grace and humour. Seated in front of us was a family with three generations, including an older lady using a walker, and Donna was most courteous and thoughtful.

We got to see a wide range of stars and planets through the telescope including Alpha Centauri (the "kissing stars"), the Toucan Galaxy (sounds like something out of Mario), Antares, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. She also pointed out things we could see with the naked eye including the Southern Cross, the Scorpion / Maui's Hook, the Dark Emu used by the Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri peoples.

Donna the Astronomer is ANU researcher Donna Burton who was the first Australian woman to discover a comet and she has a shed full of telescopes, some of which she designed and built herself, so she is...