A new observatory overlooking the Richmond Range has opened to the public at Mallanganee, offering visitors a unique vantage point to take in sweeping landscapes by day and striking celestial views by night.
Perched high on the Richmond Range, the structure features an armillary-style sphere constructed from galvanised steel and pre-cast concrete, designed to frame both the surrounding environment and the night sky.
The semi-enclosed design allows visitors to look out across the rolling green hills of the Northern Rivers, with views extending to the Border Ranges and Wollumbin, while also providing a distinctive space for stargazing after dark.
Its location has been carefully chosen, sitting on a latitude where the centre of the Milky Way passes directly overhead each day, creating exceptional viewing conditions for visitors.
According to the architects, the sphere locates individual stars, constellations, galactic starfields, dark nebulae while also registering satellites passing overhead. During the day, carved apertures within the sphere allow for curated views out to key landmarks within the Richmond Ranges, dissolving the boundaries of the spherical form whilst maintaining the allusion of the whole. Further apertures are carved into the roof of the spere, creating intricate overlapping geometries which track the paths of significant stars.
Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mulholland said the project had grown from a community idea into a major tourism asset for the region.
“The observatory is positioned to increase tourism to the area and cultivate Mallanganee’s standing as a destination for visitors seeking genuine nature-based experiences,” Cr Mulholland said.
“With growing interest in dark/night-sky tourism across Australia, we are looking forward to an increase in visitor numbers.
“A tourism boost will bring real benefits not just to Mallanganee but also to its neighbouring West of the Range villages.”
The $3.34 million project also included a new amenities block, upgrades to sections of Bulmers and Lookout roads, and internal pathways to improve access across the site.
While the observatory is now open, some areas remain under development, with sections still being re-grassed and temporarily cordoned off.
The project was supported by a $2.067 million grant from the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Innovation Fund, with Kyogle Council contributing the remaining funding.
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