The Central West region of New South Wales has a long standing continuous connection to the stars that spans thousands of years. Yarrabandai Creek Homestead is situated on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri people. Archaeological evidence indicates that the Wiradjuri people have been occupying the area for at least 7150 years, however it is likely that they were living here for many thousands of years prior to that. The Wiradjuri people used the stars to understand the world they were living in, the relationship between the sky and land and as a tool to teach how to utilise the landscape and environment.
That connection continues through the European invasion of Australia where the stars were used to navigate through this hostile and unfamiliar land. In July 1969, the Parkes Observatory in the Central West of NSW played an integral role in receiving and broadcasting the images of the moon walk around the world.
July 2019 marked the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission and the first moon landing and the first moon walk by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. To celebrate this milestone and the important connection of our region to the stars and in televising the moon landing to over one fifth of the world’s population in 1969, Yarrabandai Creek Homestead hosted our first spectacular evening dining under the hypnotic stars on this date. Due to the pandemic in 2020, we have had to cancel this event, but look forward to its return on 10th July 2021
Winter is one of the best times to see the Milky Way in the Southern Hemisphere and the lack of light pollution and natural environment at Yarrabandai Creek Homestead provides a spectacular and uninterrupted view of the night sky, which is unrivaled in most parts of the world.
Guests will be treated to a magical alfresco fifteen course bush tucker meal provided by new Wiradjuri caterer, Mimosa catering from Young. During the dinner, PhD Researcher on the Wiradjuri Cultural Astronomy Project and Director of Dark Skies Downunder, Trevor Leaman, will decode the southern skies and delight with stories about the Aboriginal Dreaming and of the Great Celestial Emu.
Accommodation in our luxury self contained heritage inspired cabins is through our website.