Astronomical observatory proposal for Mt. Woodroffe

Did you know…that there was a fairly serious proposal to construct an astronomical observatory on the summit of SA’s Mount Woodroffe?

It seems the idea first appeared around 1959. In July of that year, Native Patrol Officer R. Macaulay led a small group that visited and evaluated the site.

Prospects were good enough that in 1961, a group set up camp on the summit with a telescope and other instruments to better assess the observational qualities.

Had this happened, I wonder if it would now be easier to access the mountain? :) At any rate, a good road all the way to the top would have been required. But that doesn’t guarantee tourists would be welcome these days!

Information about the 1959 visit (pg.s 123 through 125):1959 docs

Information about the 1961 visit (pg.s 134 through 181): 1961 docs

(Everything posted here is from the Nat'l Archives of Australia thus there should be no copyright issues.)