17/06/2026
An evening under the Southern sky — and it's free
South West Arts invites Riverina communities to a one-night event combining world-class astrophotography, live music, astronomy talks and supper under the stars.
This June, South West Arts is taking Deniliquin residents on an evening they won't forget — by free bus, into the Riverina countryside, for a night of art, science and genuine human connection under some of the darkest skies in Australia.
The Night Sky Wellbeing Project: Art, Astronomy and Connection takes place on Saturday 27 June 2026, beginning at 5:30 pm at Booroorban Hall with the opening of The Southern Sky — a major astrophotography exhibition featuring the best images from the 2025 David Malin Awards, presented in partnership with the Powerhouse Museum and CSIRO. Guests will browse the exhibition over canapés while harpist Roderick McLeod sets the mood with live music.
At 6:30 pm, the evening moves to Burraburoon Farmstay — a working sheep property on the edge of the outback — for the second chapter of the night. Around a campfire, guests will hear from two of Australia's foremost voices in astronomy and dark skies advocacy: Dr Fred Watson AM, Australia's first Astronomer-at-Large and former Astronomer-in-Charge at Siding Spring Observatory, and dark sky advocate Marnie Ogg. Artist Mel Anderson will lead hands-on light painting and smartphone astrophotography workshops — practical, accessible and genuinely fun for all ages and skill levels. Supper, more live music, and the kind of conversation that only happens around an open fire round out the evening.
Buses return to Deniliquin at 9:30 pm.
South West Arts Project Coordinator Carlee Rundell-Gordon said the event was born out of a simple idea: that people in regional communities deserve access to the kind of cultural experiences usually reserved for cities.
"We have something extraordinary out here that most people never slow down enough to notice — these incredible dark skies. This evening is about bringing the community together to look up, make new connections, and feel genuinely good about where they live."
The event is free. Buses from Deniliquin depart at 4:30 pm and seats are limited — bookings are essential.
Book now at https://www.trybooking.com/DMWBT
Event details
Date: Saturday 27 June 2026
Time: 5:30 pm onwards (free bus departs Deniliquin 4:30 pm)
Venues: Booroorban Hall, then Burraburoon Farmstay, Booroorban NSW 2710
Cost: Free — ticketed, bookings essential
Bookings: trybooking.com/DMWBT
Media enquiries
Carlee Rundell-Gordon, Project Coordinator
South West Arts
Ph: 0438 413 270
Email: [email protected]
Photo by Rob Embury
