What makes stargazing at Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley so special?

The sky from Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley is simply incredible. Nestled in the heart of the surrounding escarpments, the resort’s sky quality is similar to what you would see in the middle of the Australian outback: a clear, dark, densely populated sky.

Both contemporary scientific astronomy and ancient star tales are shared beside the campfire, creating the most intimate and existential human experience before modern times: stargazing. You can get up close and personal with the most striking jewels of the Southern Sky, with the help of a powerful telescope and astronomical binoculars.

Can you tell us about some of the planets, stars, constellations and even galaxies that guests might spy?

Some of the celestial highlights include the most famous constellation in the Southern Sky, the Southern Cross, as well as the closest star to our sun, Alpha Centauri. Depending on the seasons, you might observe Venus, Jupiter or Saturn, the Milky Way trailing its billions of stars above your head, or the lesser-known satellite galaxies to the Milky Way: the Magellanic Clouds. Your favourite star sign or ancient constellation might be visible, too!

Why is Southern Hemisphere stargazing unique?

The Southern Hemisphere sky is a confounding experience that will challenge your perspective of our universe. Unavailable to the eye from the Northern Hemisphere, the Southern Sky offers a unique perspective into the closest solar system to ours, into our own galaxy the Milky Way, whose Southern appearance is the most impressive due to its higher density in starry light, and into the closest galaxies to our Milky Way.

This unique and fortuitous position from Earth allows us to see the sky in three (or four) dimensions, star-hopping to bigger and further objects each time. The Southern Hemisphere is also home to some of the most recently named constellations, celebrating the age of exploration, intercontinental navigation, technical progress and exotic animals.

Tell us about your favourite star, planet or piece of starlore, and why you love it…

My favourite constellation is Ophiuchus, the Snake Bearer. The 13th star sign is associated with the father of modern medicine, Asclepius. Having killed the son of the emperor, Asclepius was sent to jail, where he learned the secrets of medicine from snakes. Later, he resuscitated the emperor’s son – a feat of great merit that laid claim to his own place in the sky. I perceive him as a comforting masculine figure, whose subtle presence carries wisdom and a tranquil strength and confidence.

Look up