Observer Travel and Accommodation

Want to book your travel for your next observing run? Use our Observer Travel Notification Form.
Back to Observer travel and accommodation information.

Accommodation on Siding Spring Mountain

Accommodation on Siding Spring Mountain is at the Lodge, which is run by the Australian National University (ANU). Bookings must be made well in advance of the observing run, and you should provide the following details when you book:

arrival and departure dates
name(s) of the person(s) requiring accommodation

Bookings for the Lodge are made automatically for you when you select the lodge on our Observer Travel Notification Form.

The current Lodge tariff is $113.30 (including GST) per day, including meals.

If you are requesting that payment for accommodation be made by AAO please indicate this on the Observer Travel Notification Form - NOTE: This is subject to approval.

If you are not entitled to have AAO cover the cost of accommodation, then payment should be made directly to the Lodge , and can be paid with a Credit Card (VISA/MASTERCARD/BANKCARD), in Australian dollar traveller's cheques or Australian currency.

Partners can stay at the Lodge for an extra charge (1 or 2 larger rooms are available), but children are not allowed at the Lodge. Observers bringing partners and children to the mountain can book Bingar Cottage for $77 per night, but should arrange this well in advance. The cottage is self catering, though you are able to request meals at the Lodge ahead of time. Lodge meals will be charged extra. Enquiries about availability of Bingar should be made directly to The Lodge staff
(Tel +61 2 6842 6246, Fax +61 2 6842 6252).

Lodge staff are usually able to cater for special dietary needs or preferences, but prior arrangement should be made. Alcoholic beverages may be consumed at the Lodge, but strictly on a BYO (Bring Your Own) basis. There is a bottle shop in Coona. The Lodge reading room has a range of recreational reading matter, including the latest newspapers. A washing machine, dryer and ironing board are also available.

Information on other accommodation in the Coonabarabran area can be found here