Sponsored by Ramelius Resources, the Mount Magnet Astro Rocks Fest is a free three-day weekend of activities for the community, designed with a focus on astronomy, geology and tourism.

Celebrate the clear night sky and ancient rocks and gems in the Murchison Geo region of Western Australia.

Mount Magnet in the Murchison Region is at one with astronomy. Aboriginal astronomy stories of the Badimaya, the Aboriginal people here - still speak to the present age. From ancient Aboriginal observations, to present futuristic radio astronomy projects in Murchison Region - Mount Magnet celebrates the importance of astronomy and rocks.

Friday 20 September 2019

• “Treasures of the Earth” rock display at the Visitor Centre

• Wirnda Barna canvas and quilt art Exhibition

• ASTROFEST evening

Saturday 21 September 2019

• Down to Earth markets and pop up cafe between Outdoor Picture Theatre and Seniors Centre from 8.30am-12pm

• Bus tours - seats are limited, register at least 24 hours before by email.

  • The Granites - Badimia Aboriginal heritage tour (departing 7am and 8am)

  • Ramelius Resources mine site tour

• Exhibitions:

  • “Treasures of the Earth” rock display at Visitor Centre

  • Wirnda Barna canvas and quilt art at Wirnda Barna Art Centre

  • “The Universe - Yours to Discover” astro-photography exhibition at ANZAC Hall

  • “Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones” at ANZAC Hall

  • “Reeds Prospecting Display” at ANZAC Hall

  • Mount Magnet District High School displays

  • Geo Parks and Murchison Geo Region Trail display at ANZAC Hall

• Saturday morning presentations at ANZAC Hall

  • MICROBLITZ presented by UWA Winthrop Professor Andy Whiteley

  • “Symphony of the Soil” film

  • “Dating old rocks: the Boogardie Orbicular Granite“ presented by Michael Wingate GSWA

• Activities in Federation Park, includes: a live interactive reptile display, Reeds Prospecting and Detecting demonstrations, the Kalamunda Lapidary Club, a rock climbing wall, Bidi Bidi art for children, Astro Rocks pop up art studio by ARTeHUB, and Bundiyarra - Badimaya language activities.

• Saturday night festival films

Sunday 22 September 2019

• Ramelius Resources mine site bus tours - seats are limited, register at least 24 hours before by email.

• Exhibitions:

  • “Treasures of the Earth” rock display at Visitor Centre

  • Wirnda Barna canvas and quilt art at Wirnda Barna Art Centre

  • “The Universe - Yours to Discover” astro-photography exhibition at ANZAC Hall

  • “Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones” at ANZAC Hall

  • “Reeds Prospecting Display” at ANZAC Hall

  • Mount Magnet District High School displays

  • Geo Parks and Murchison Geo Region Trail display at ANZAC Hall

• Presentations at ANZAC Hall:

  • “Earthquakes in WA - present, past and way back” presented by Klaus Gessner GSWA (who will then lead a 4wd Field Trip to a local geosite)

  • “Prospecting and Detecting” presented by Aaron Raddock, Reeds Prospecting

  • Live interactive reptile educational talk by West Aussie Reptiles.

  • “Cosmos, Culture and Landscape”

  • “Introduction to Astro-landscape photography” workshop with Dr John Goldsmith followed by evening field trip. Places are limited and must be pre-booked by email.

• Activities in Federation Park, includes: a live interactive reptile display, Reeds Prospecting and Detecting demonstration, MICROBLITZ Workshop with Professor Andy Whiteley, a rock climbing wall, the Astro Rocks pop up art studio by ARTeHUB, “Stars in the Park” market stalls and more.

  • Blessing of the roads 1:30pm

  • Community cook-up at 4:30pm

This event is free and open to the public.