CHEELA SPACE SAFARI

           EVENT FOR 2021 HAS BEen CANCELLED

Learn astrophotography under the best dark sky in Australia.

Join us for an introduction to astrophotography under the magnificent night sky of the Pilbara. Everything from landscape to deep-sky astrophotography will be covered. We will introduce the techniques and equipment you will need to get great shots of the Milky Way, stars, planets, galaxies and nebulae. Cheela Plains offers stunning private gorges, secret springs and iconic views all around and we're privileged to share locations with you not available to the general public. 

ABOUT THE EVENT

WELCOME

Cheela Space Safari will be held over three epic nights giving you the chance to learn from our skilled team, share your work and techniques and develop new skills with other enthusiastic photographers. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to experts. You are also welcome to bring your own equipment or work with our cameras and telescopes.

Some of the latest and greatest astrophotography equipment will be available, including:

    • SkyWatcher Esprit 120 ED Apochromatic Triplet telescope.
    • ​Celestron 9.25” Schmitt-Cassigrain telescope.
    • Canon 5D Mk 3 & 4 SLR cameras.
    • Sony a7R Mk 2 mirrorless camera.
    • Dedicated ZWO astrophotography cameras.
Image

TOPICS

Astronomy

    • Navigating the night sky.
    • An introduction to the objects of the night sky.
    • Using astronomy software to find targets & plan ahead.

Wide-angle & landscape astrophotography

    • Understanding ISO, shutter speed & aperture.
    • Choosing the best cameras, lenses & filters for the conditions.
    • Understanding tripods, tracking mounts & wedges.
    • Using triggers and software to control image capture.
    • How to apply the 500 rule to control star trails.
    • Achieving perfect focus.
    • Colour versus black & white photography.
    • Composition of subjects, what works & how to achieve it.
    • Using image processing techniques to enhance your photos.
    • Using Photoshop to edit and perfect your photos.

Deep-sky astrophotography

    • An introduction to deep sky objects & the challenges they pose for photography.
    • Optimal telescopes & lenses for deep-sky astrophotography.
    • How to choose, setup and control astronomy mounts.
    • Monochrome vs. colour cameras.
    • Filters, filter wheels & how to use them.
    • Using software for focus, tracking, polar-alignment, plate solving and image capture.
    • Software image stacking techniques.
    • Using Photoshop to fine-tune your photos.

ABOUT THE EVENT

WELCOME

Cheela Space Safari will be held over three epic nights giving you the chance to learn from our skilled team, share your work and techniques and develop new skills with other enthusiastic photographers. All skill levels are welcome, from beginners to experts. You are also welcome to bring your own equipment or work with our cameras and telescopes.

Some of the latest and greatest astrophotography equipment will be available, including:

    • SkyWatcher Esprit 120 ED Apochromatic Triplet telescope.
    • ​Celestron 9.25” Schmitt-Cassigrain telescope.
    • Canon 5D Mk 3 & 4 SLR cameras.
    • Sony a7R Mk 2 mirrorless camera.
    • Dedicated ZWO astrophotography cameras.
Image

TOPICS

Astronomy

    • Navigating the night sky.
    • An introduction to the objects of the night sky.
    • Using astronomy software to find targets & plan ahead.

Wide-angle & landscape astrophotography

    • Understanding ISO, shutter speed & aperture.
    • Choosing the best cameras, lenses & filters for the conditions.
    • Understanding tripods, tracking mounts & wedges.
    • Using triggers and software to control image capture.
    • How to apply the 500 rule to control star trails.
    • Achieving perfect focus.
    • Colour versus black & white photography.
    • Composition of subjects, what works & how to achieve it.
    • Using image processing techniques to enhance your photos.
    • Using Photoshop to edit and perfect your photos.

Deep-sky astrophotography

    • An introduction to deep sky objects & the challenges they pose for photography.
    • Optimal telescopes & lenses for deep-sky astrophotography.
    • How to choose, setup and control astronomy mounts.
    • Monochrome vs. colour cameras.
    • Filters, filter wheels & how to use them.
    • Using software for focus, tracking, polar-alignment, plate solving and image capture.
    • Software image stacking techniques.
    • Using Photoshop to fine-tune your photos.

TRAVEL PACKAGES

SPACE SAFARI EVENT -  $1,440*pp

Over 3 nights, your Cheela Space Safari event only package includes:

    • Friday Dinner and all meals Saturday and Sunday including morning and afternoon teas. Complimentary beverage for the evening meal.
    • Complimentary access to coffee, tea, chilled water and ice during the event.
    • Safari Bus transfers to all 3 venues over the event; no need for guests to use their vehicles.
    • Air conditioned comfort rooms for rendering of photos during the day.
    • The opportunity to access wilderness areas of Cheela Plains Station not available to other guests.
    • Complimentary airport transfers to and from Paraburdoo airport on selected flights arriving 8.15am Friday and departing 8.55am Monday AM
    • Charging stations for equipment whilst at Cheela Plains Station
    • Access to the Safari team to answer all your questions regarding astrophotography
    • Assistance in how to use your camera to obtain stunning astro images.

*  Prices are per person and exclude accommodation.

BOOK NOW

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Cheela Plains Station Stay offers Queen Ensuites, Double Rooms, King Single Rooms and powered campsites. The Double Rooms, King Singles and powered campsites utilise shared ablutions and shower facilities. All of our accomodation share laundry facilities, include Gorge Safari Self Drive 4X4, meals and Telstra mobile coverage, just to name a few. The grounds are situated 900 metres south of the highway and are accessible by a two-wheel drive vehicle.

BOOK NOW

GETTING HERE

  • Direct Qantas flights to Paraburdoo Airport from Perth: 
    8.15am Friday and departing 8.55am Monday AM
  • Driving to Cheela Plains Station Stay:
    • From Paraburdoo: 1 hour.
    • From Tom Price: 2 hours.
    • From Exmouth: 6 hours.
    • From Carnarvon: 6 hours.
  • Car hire:

TRAVEL PACKAGES

SPACE SAFARI EVENT -  $1,435*pp

Over 3 nights, your Cheela Space Safari event only package includes:

    • Friday Dinner and all meals Saturday and Sunday including morning and afternoon teas. Complimentary beverage for the evening meal.
    • Complimentary access to coffee, tea, chilled water and ice during the event.
    • Safari Bus transfers to all 3 venues over the event; no need for guests to use their vehicles.
    • Air conditioned comfort rooms for rendering of photos during the day.
    • The opportunity to access wilderness areas of Cheela Plains Station not available to other guests.
    • Complimentary airport transfers to and from Paraburdoo airport on selected flights arriving 8.15am Friday and departing 8.55am Monday AM
    • Charging stations for equipment whilst at Cheela Plains Station
    • Access to the Safari team to answer all your questions regarding astrophotography
    • Assistance in how to use your camera to obtain stunning astro images.

*  Prices are per person and exclude accommodation.

ENQUIRE NOW

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Cheela Plains Station Stay offers campsites and accommodation all of which utilise shared ablutions, shower and laundry facilities, self drive 4x4 tours, meals and Telstra mobile coverage just to name a few. Single rooms, Double rooms and Family room, are available along with 25 campsites. The grounds are situated 900 metres south of the highway and are accessible by a two-wheel drive vehicle.

BOOK NOW

GETTING HERE

  • Direct Qantas flights to Paraburdoo Airport from Perth: 
    8.15am Friday and departing 8.55am Monday AM
  • Driving to Cheela Plains Station Stay:
    • From Paraburdoo: 1 hour.
    • From Tom Price: 2 hours.
    • From Exmouth: 6 hours.
    • From Carnarvon: 6 hours.
  • Car hire: