Work-in-progress: Beta testing version
EXPERIENCE AWE, WONDER AND DEEP CONNECTION TO THE COSMOS ON THE INLAND ASTRO-TRAIL (IAT)
Join writer Dr Merrill Findlay and IAT friends as, together, we build Southeastern Australia’s Inland Astro-Trail, a mind-bending roadtrip through 65,000+ years of astronomical heritage, 4.8 billion years of planetary evolution and 13.8 billion years of cosmic creation … along thousands of kilometres of not-too-bad roads in 4 states: New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria … and the Australian Capital Territory.
DISCOVER THE IAT ROUTES HERE >>
OUR MISSION
- to inspire Awe, Wonder, Curiosity, and deep Connection to the Cosmos
- to celebrate Southeastern Australia’s rich astronomical and space science heritage, and our ongoing research, innovation and creativity
- to share the full glory of our big Inland skies and dark nights
- to establish the IAT as an internationally recognised astro-tourism, cultural heritage and educational roadtrip for people of all backgrounds
- to support small rural and remote communities along the IAT routes
And we want to do all this by 22 July 2028, when much of our region will experience a Total Eclipse of the Sun.
So join us on this truly cosmic journey to pioneer the IAT and share it with the world.
Please note, however, that this website, like the IAT itself, is a community-driven work-in-progress powered by volunteers. As of October 2025, most of our posts remain stubs awaiting expansion and elucidation. If you’d like to expand one or more of them — and you have expert knowledge and/or lived experience of your chosen astro-site — please read our Style Sheet and Contact us.
Also Contact us to receive our newsletters and invitations to special events, to become a member of IAT Inc., or simply to tell us about a site you’d like to see added to an IAT route. It’s all just a click away!
Captions
Feature image: Dr Merrill Findlay with her astro-van at the Amazing Sculpture near her home-town of Forbes, Central Western NSW. Photo by Sarah Hodge.
Gallery 1: Wiradjuri dancers perform at Gudyiwagagirri: Dhuluny Corroboree on Wahluu Mount Panorama, Bathurst, to commemorate the bicentennary of 1824 Declaration of Martial Law west of the Blue Mountains. Photo by Merrill Findlay, 14 August 2024.
Celestial Emu Rising Over Wattle Flat, 28 April 2019, by astro-photographer Niall MacNeil.
Starry Night exhibition at the Hawkesbury City Council’s Museum, Windsor, commemorating the work of local astronomer John Tebbutt (1834-1916). Photo by Merrill Findlay, 2023.
Gallery 2: Murriyang Parkes Radio Telescope at night by Niall MacNeil 2019; Spaceman at the Tamworth Space and Science Centre by Merrill Findlay, 2023; Entrance to the Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex, Tidbinbilla, Australian Capital Territory, by Merrill Findlay, 2025.
Acknowledgement
We gratefully acknowledge the traditional custodians of the Country on which we live and work. We recognise their continuing connection to sky, land, waters and culture, and pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging.