Don’t want to risk 50/50 chance of cloud cover on the coast. Secure viewing area runs North-South in an open paddock (field) looking directly east over an Australian country bushland setting toward Mount Lewis and the Great Australian Dividing Range. Bring your own camping gear, campervan, caravan, tent or swag. Toilet facilities only, no powered sites available.
All bookings are essential.
Bustard Downs terms and conditions of entry apply .
‘Special Event’ booking terms, conditions and prices apply.
Further details & prices can be forwarded after initial enquire.
These details may be subject to change, updates will be made as they arise.
Latitude : S 16’ 34.166 ~ Longitude : E 145’ 11.336
Eclipse details taken from Google Earth using Xavier M. Jubier’s calculations in Australian Eastern Standard Time (EST)
| 16° 34' 24.1" S -16.57337° | 2m03.0s (total eclipse) |
| 145° 11' 16.8"E 145.18800° | 1m59.9s (lunar limb corrected) |
| Umbral depth : | 84.80% |
| Obscuration : | 100.00% |
| Magnitude at mid eclipse : | 1.01565 |
| Moon/Sun size ratio : | 1.03691 |
Date Wednesday 14th November 2012
Australian Eastern Standard Time
| Event (ΔT=68.0s) | Time (EST) | Alt | Azi |
|---|
| Start of partial eclipse(C1 ) | 05:44:35.2 | +00.8° | 108.8° |
| Start of total eclipse (C2) | 06:38:07.3 | +13.0° | 105.4° |
| Mid eclipse | 06:39:08.6 | +13.3° | 105.4° |
| End of total eclipse (C3) | 06:40:10.3 | +13.5° | 105.3° |
| End of partial eclipse (C4) | 07:39:36.0 | +27.3° | 02.3° |
What is Bustard Downs?
Bustard Downs is a privately owned property consisting of over 200 acres or 86 hectares of partially cleared Australian natural bush land. The property faces South-East and looks toward the Great Dividing Range. Bustard Downs was previously a tobacco farm, now an Organic farm providing accommodation, camping , seasonally available home grown fresh produce and cottage industry products.
What to expect at Bustard Downs?
A spectacular Australian bush land setting with lots of space to watch the total solar eclipse. Good old-fashioned country hospitality. Clean fresh rooms and simply country style. World class farm fresh meals for Guesthouse guests. A flat open mowed section of paddock (field) running North- South looking directly east. Please download our visitor information sheet located on the web site.
Where is Bustard Downs?
Bustard Downs is directly west of Oak Beach, a 45 minute drive from Port Douglas or 1.5-2 hours drive from Cairns Airport. The roads are sealed bitumen highway all the way to our front gateway Date? November 14th begins at 5.44am, totality 6.38am Australian Eastern Standard Time (EST) International guests please keep this in mind when making your travel arrangements.
How do I get there?
By road in any conventional vehicle, you do not need a 4WD You will need to organize transport in advance. Access to Bustard Downs can be made 2 ways via the coastal Captain Cook highway, or via the towns of Kuranda & Mareeba via Mulligan Hwy. Hire a car, organize a driver, charter a helicopter.
Please press our LOCATION button for more information, maps and directions.
What will the weather be like?
Hot. Bustard Downs is ideally situated away from coastal humidity and the possibility of cloud cover decreases west of the coast and ranges. Weather patterns suggest a 50% possibility of cloud cover on the coast while inland is likely to experience less cloud cover than coastal areas.
