Dark Sky Sanctuary Proposal Report
Read our recent report evaluating the economic value of protecting dark skies in Southwest National Park, Lutruwita / Tasmania.
Southwest Sky Country
Dark skies in Lutruwita/Tasmania hold ancient cultural stories, support natural ecosystems—and need protecting.
Lutruwita/Tasmania is home to astoundingly dark milaythina wurangkili—sky country in palawa kani—particularly in the South West of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Protecting the night from light pollution is critical to the environment, wildlife and people’s wellbeing.
The Wilderness Society is campaigning for the Southwest National Park to become a Dark Sky Sanctuary, certified by Dark Sky International. Read on to find out more about the significance of dark skies in the Southwest, and how you can get involved in their protection.
Why do we need a Dark Sky Sanctuary?
Geographically isolated, night time in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is incredibly dark, unspoilt by light pollution. This is especially so in the Southwest National Park, where ecological function remains as it always has been, unimpeded by artificial light.
Palawa/Tasmanian Aboriginal People’s connections to milaythina wurangkili (Sky Country) hold important teachings about place and spirituality. Protecting the night—liwari in palawa kani—from light pollution is critical to the environment, wildlife and our wellbeing.
‘Conditions are clear’ for the Southwest National Park, in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) to be certified as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary: a classification certified by Dark Sky International (DSI), which acknowledges the rich, organic night skies of the most remote (and often darkest) places in the world.
Achieving Dark Sky Sanctuary certification would be an immediate success, preserving dark skies that contain significant Palawa stories and cultural heritage, elevating opportunities for astro science and astronomy, and protecting the Southwest’s unique night environments that are sanctuaries for iconic threatened species like the Tasmanian Devil. Importantly, it would be a national and international statement of the value of Tasmania’s dark skies, and would lead to significant tourism and economic benefits for the state.
In this guide to the Southwest Sky Country, find out more about the importance of Dark Sky Sanctuaries and how the Tasmanian government can and should protect the night skies of south west Lutruwita.
You'll also find out what wildlife thrives in the dark skies here, from Tasmanian devils to masked owls—not to mention microbats, glowworms and bioluminescent plankton.
Pack your binoculars and telescope, download the Wilderness Society's guide and make your way to Southwest Sky Country.
Dark skies, bright returns: the economic value of protecting dark skies
Beyond the immeasurable value of cultural, public health and ecological benefits of a Dark Sky Sanctuary in Southwest National Park, there are also significant economic benefits that strengthen the case for protection.
In the following report, 'Southwest Sky Country - Dark Sky Sanctuary Proposal', economic analysis shows that for every dollar spent on establishing and maintaining a Dark Sky Sanctuary in Southwest National Park, an estimated $4.30 in benefits is returned to the surrounding region and to Lutruwita / Tasmania.
Get involved!
Citizen science has always been vital in protecting wilderness. Whether that's searching for massive trees in logging coupes, surveying tagged-out development sites on the South Coast Track, or filming critically endangered wedge-tailed eagles soaring above Lake Malbena.
Now, we're asking you to get involved in the campaign to create a Sanctuary for Southwest Sky Country in Southwest National Park! All throughout 2025, The Wilderness Society Tasmania are running a citizen science program to measure the darkness of nights in places across Southwest Lutruwita.
To support the case for a Dark Sky Sanctuary, and to monitor and manage ongoing light pollution in the Southwest National Park and surrounding areas, we need to establish baseline data. Using simple tools called Sky Quality Meters we can obtain an accurate measurement of the amount of light present in a given location. We have identified a network of 13 key locations to measure (see the map below) and are putting the call out to citizen scientists to borrow a Sky Quality Meter (SQM) on their next trip into the Southwest.
The ‘Eyes on the Sky’ locations range from simple car camping areas through to remote wilderness walks. Taking measurements is simple, and the SQM is light and small (it’ll easily fit into your pack), however you will require a clear night with no moon. We recommend planning to gather data around the new moon, and you might need to get out of your tent in the early hours of the morning to get an accurate measurement!
In helping us to gather this data, you’ll experience these special and fragile night time environments for yourself (you might even see nuyina—the Aurora Australis in palawa kani). Together, let's make the future less bright and create a Sanctuary for Southwest Sky Country☺
To find out more and to get involved, contact [email protected].
