Winton Is Certified Dark Sky, but the Dark Is at the Jump-Up

“In March 2026, Winton became Queensland’s first International Dark Sky Community, recognising the town’s commitment to protecting its night sky from light pollution and promoting astro-tourism.”

“Ms Harrison said there was no minimum quality requirement for the certification.”

“In February 2025, Winton Shire Council introduced a comprehensive Dark Sky Lighting Policy, later resolving to amend its Planning Scheme in November 2025, becoming the first local government in Queensland to embed Dark Sky provisions.”

“The Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History is situated atop The Jump-Up Dark-Sky Sanctuary, a towering mesa located approximately 24km southeast of Winton in Central West Queensland.”

“Winton has now joined the ranks of the Jump-Up Dark-Sky Sanctuary at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs museum (about a 20-minute drive outside of town), and is the eighth Dark Sky Place in the country.”

“A Dark Sky Community accolade is achieved through a town's implementation of policy and education initiatives with broad community support.”

“The first was the Jump-Up at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum, a 25 kilometre drive from Winton, which was recognised as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2019.”

“Winton is an Outback town of vast horizons, rugged mesas, and wide-open plains that create some of the darkest and clearest night skies in the Southern Hemisphere.”

“The Winton community was required to retrofit the town with night-friendly lighting and limit future developments, including illuminated signage and unshielded light fixtures.”

“The town adopted responsible outdoor lighting guidelines, conducted audits and retrofits and ran community education programs on light pollution.”

“The town has committed to managing its light pollution and installed warm bulbs in its streetlights.”

“Residents and visitors participated in nighttime events to measure sky quality and raise awareness about protecting the night sky.”

“Use warm-coloured LED lights with a colour temperature of 3,000K or lower.”

“It has taken three years and the effort of many but with our exceptional dark skies and strong community support, Winton has made it happen.”

“The Museum team also monitors and protects the night sky, tracking sky brightness both onsite and in Winton, ensuring the region’s dark-sky status remains protected.”

“This close proximity of a Dark Sky Community alongside a Dark Sky Sanctuary is very rare and will firmly establish Winton as Queensland’s Dark Sky heartland.”

“the sanctuary also offers a free viewing area that is open year-round.”

“At the Gondwana Stars Observatory, visitors can explore one of the darkest night skies in the world through the Deep-Time Astronomy tour, featuring telescope viewing opportunities and stories connecting the history of Earth with the universe above.”

“Situated 178 km northwest of Longreach and more than 1,300 km from Brisbane”

“Longer visitor stays, especially during low-light Moon phases”

“1 June – 30 August 2027** Open seven days”

“The Museum is located 24km southeast of Winton on a sealed road. Caravans can be towed to the Museum and parked at the Reception Centre carpark while visiting.”

“Obviously there's some streetlights and things, but in terms of a town with people living in it, it has extraordinarily dark skies”

“with a long-term goal of creating a ‘Dark Sky Highway’ along the Outback Way, connecting communities across Australia.”

“EMBARGOED UNTIL 4.30am (AEST), Friday 6 March 2026”