Crazy Astrophotographers Astromeet - 14th Feb 2026
🌌 Bombo Quarry Astromeet — Basalt, Sea & the Rising Milky Way
Join the Crazy Astrophotographers for our first Astromeet of the year Bombo Quarry, one of the most visually striking astrophotography locations on the NSW South Coast. Why Crazy? Because we get up at absurd times of the night to come and capture the Milky Way all through the year.
Scheduled during the early Milky Way season, this overnight gathering brings photographers together to shoot the night sky against a dramatic coastal landscape. As the Milky Way rises over the eastern horizon, the quarry’s towering basalt rock columns create an almost otherworldly foreground—rewarding careful composition, patience, and creative exploration.
📍 Why Bombo Quarry?
- 🪨 Iconic basalt columns and rugged coastal formations
- 🌌 Clear eastern horizon for early-season Milky Way alignment
- 🌊 Coastal atmosphere with minimal light pollution
- 📸 Strong foregrounds that invite creative nightscape compositions
🌠 What You’ll Explore on the Night
🌌 Astrophotography Fundamentals in the Field – Milky Way positioning, star trails, and night-sky movement
📷 Essential Night Camera Techniques – Long exposures, accurate focus, and low-light workflows
🔦 Astroscape Lighting – Using subtle, low-level light to shape quarry textures
📍 Composition & Perspective – Finding compelling angles among repeating rock forms
⚡ Night Shooting Skills – Managing lens fog, cold coastal air, and overnight conditions
🧭 Astro Safety & Etiquette – Moving responsibly through a rugged coastal site
🗓 Event Details
📅 Date: Saturday 14 February 2026
🕦 Meet Time: 11:30 PM
🌌 Galactic Core Visible: 23:40 – 05:31
📍 Location: Bombo Quarry, NSW
🚗 Parking: Bombo Beach Car Park
📍 Google Maps Pin: Bombo Beach Car Park
NOTE: If car park gates are locked, please park outside the entrance.
🌦 Weather & Conditions
- This Astromeet is weather dependent
- Heavy rain or storm activity may result in cancellation or rescheduling
- Friday 20 February is held as a backup date
- Cloud cover can still allow for creative night shooting and light painting opportunities around the quarry
🥾 Fitness & Terrain
🔹 Grade 2 – Moderate
- Uneven rocky and quarry ground
- Ability to navigate low-light terrain required
- A high level of personal awareness is essential
🎒 What to Bring
- Headlamp or torch (mandatory)
- Mirrorless or DSLR camera
- Wide-angle lens (fast aperture recommended)
- Tripod with quick-release plate
- Shutter remote or intervalometer
- Warm layered clothing
- Good hiking footwear with ankle support.
- Water and snacks
- Insect repellent
✨ Why Join This Astromeet?
- Photograph the Milky Way from a truly unconventional coastal location
- Shoot alongside a small group of dedicated night photographers
- Refine your nightscape approach in real-world conditions
- Experience one of NSW’s most visually distinctive astro environments
💡 Why Is There a Fee?
Your booking fee contributes to:
✅ Council / LGA commercial activity permits
✅ Public liability insurance
✅ Experienced and accredited guide
✅ Event planning, logistics, and administration
🌌 Join Us Under the Stars
As waves break beyond the quarry walls and the Milky Way climbs above the sea, Bombo Quarry offers a night of scale, texture, and atmosphere unlike anywhere else on the coast. Whether you’re chasing your first early-season Milky Way or adding a bold new location to your astro portfolio, this Astromeet promises a night of focused shooting and unforgettable surroundings.
📸 Basalt columns. Coastal skies. One extraordinary night.
🔗 Places are limited — secure your spot and shoot the night sky with us.
