The night sky comes to life with an expert astronomer leading the way. Here’s how Blue Mountains Stargazing are creating unforgettable tours through the cosmos.

 

Shot by Rob King

 

It was during the Covid lockdowns in 2020, after a stint of vanlife together, that Dr Dimitri Douchin and his now-fiancée Caroline Boulom dreamt up Blue Mountains Stargazing.

With a PHD in Astronomy & Astrophysics and 10 years of astronomy guiding under his belt, Dimitri knew that he had a passion for sharing the universe with others. But it was only after running a coaching business and a nature getaway marketplace company called ‘Rewildin’ that those plans began to take shape and lead to the company it is today.

 

Shot by Rachael Tagg

Shot by Rachael Tagg

 

Dimitri is also exploring cultural connections to the night sky as an Adjunct Fellow at Western Sydney University, where research involves understanding how Aboriginal communities understand, use and connect to the night sky, both in the past and now.

Watch Astrophysicist Dimitri’s Ted Talk: Under One Sky: our Humanity in the Stars

As a strong advocate for preserving our sky, Dimitri is the co-founder of The Blue Mountains Dark Sky Initiative, which works to preserve the dark of the night to ensure everyone can experience the wonder above.

Now, alongside Co-Founder Caroline and their team of astronomers and co hosts, the company is running award-winning stargazing tours in the Blue Mountains every night and beach stargazing in Jervis Bay every Friday night and on weekends, with many more special events on for summer.

I’m going to dive into the best night time viewing news happening in this galaxy (and beyond).

 

Shot supplied by Tourism Australia

What’s a Stargazing Tour Involve?

If you’ve never done one before, the first thing you’ve gotta know about stargazing is that it’s a real ‘if you know, you know situation’. Sure, you might be able to recognise the Southern Cross or Orion, but in the hands of a passionate and knowledgeable astronomer you’ll be transported into the constellations.

Blue Mountains Stargazing and its sister tour in Jervis Bay start with tips on the basics to help you find your way around the night sky (assisted by a big laser to point things out).

You’ll have a different experience depending on where you go. In the Blue Mountains expect crisp mountain air, endless horizon views and the valley views of Wentworth Falls lookout in the Heritage World-listed National Park. You’ll also get a creamy barista oat hot chocolate!

In Jervis Bay expect to lie on the sand, listen to the waves and potentially even see bioluminescence on the waves, which comes multiple times a year (so keep your eye out!). You’ll also get a Night Sky Souvenir photo.

Shot by Katie Rivers

Shot by Zoe Martin

Once you’ve got your bearings by viewing the planets, stars, satellites and galaxies on display with your naked eye and then binoculars, you’ll learn how to identify stars and learn the stories behind some of the famous constellations above you through the lens of different cultures and civilisations.

Then it’s time for the big guns – there will be a state-of-the-art telescope for you to look through and depending on the time of year you might see Saturn (visible now and this Summer), Jupiter (visible this Summer), the Moon and its mesmerising craters, double stars, galaxies and more.

What about shooting stars? Well, while they can’t be guaranteed, Dimitri reckons they’re almost a given when you pay attention for long enough. Good luck!

 

Shot by Liam Foster

Shot by Liam Foster

Summer Celestial Moments for Your Calendar

Saturn’s Visible, Jupiter’s coming

From October to February you’ll be able to see Saturn through a high-powered telescope like the ones Blue Mountains Stargazing have at their tours. Having personally experienced this phenomenon I’d say it’s a must see.

Jupiter and its moons are visible from January onwards.

Corona Borealis

No Mexican beer here, the Corona Borealis is a constellation and a star named T CrB is a nova. This means it ‘erupts’ every 70 years or so. A faint new star was supposed to appear between March and September this year, but it’s late! On a tour you might get some intel on where to look.

Geminids Meteor Shower

On the 13th of December the biggest meteor shower of the year is hitting, with an expected rate of 150 shooting stars an hour! Blue Mountains Stargazing are running a special event, book now.

Featured Event

Belangoloopy – Paddy Pallin Intro Rogain

  • Start Date: Jun 15, 2025
  • Venue: Belanglo State Forest

Come enjoy a classic 6 hour Paddy Pallin rogaine that is only a short drive from Sydney or Canberra! We’ll be using our navigation skills to explore stunning native forest. There will be plenty of route options for all ages,...

See Event Details See More Events
Belangoloopy – Paddy Pallin Intro Rogain, NSW Rogaining

What tours are on offer?

Use code WAESTARS for a discount on your tour!

Blue Mountains

Jervis Bay

Byron Bay

 

Photo supplied by Tourism Australia

We share news on topics relevant to our mission of getting people outdoors and protecting the environment. We choose carefully to cover the topics we reckon you’ll find interesting or need to know about, this means quirky stories as well as the hard-hitting ones. We're all human here, so occasionally you'll get our writers' opinions as well. We’re proud to follow our Editorial Standards in every article we publish.