# Event Details

- **Event Name**: GROUND TO THE STARS: A Winter Solstice Celebration of Skycare & Landcare.
- **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 20 Jun, 2026 at 04:00 pm – Sat, 20 Jun, 2026 at 09:00 pm
- **Event Description**: PUBLIC STARGAZING EVENT AND WORKSHOPS
Join us for a spectacular evening celebrating the longest night of the year under some of the world's darkest skies. The River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve (RMIDSR) and Mid Murray Landcare SA invite you to Swan Reach for a free, family-friendly celebration of our spectacular nocturnal environment.

Winter in the River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve brings some of the crispest, darkest skies in the world—but true nocturnal conservation starts right here on the ground. This Solstice, we are bringing you a fully weather-proofed event designed to foster local connection, support regional wellbeing, and link land management directly with the preservation of our pristine 3,200 square kilometre Dark Sky Reserve. We are proud to bring this community pilot event to life with the support of Mid Murray Our Town.

WE ARE CELEBRATING A DAY EARLY!
The precise astronomical winter solstice actually occurs on Sunday, 21 June this year. We are officially holding our community celebration one night early on Saturday, 20 June to ensure families, locals, and road-trippers have the weekend window to travel, stay, and enjoy the night without a Sunday night rush. See you all on the Saturday!

RAIN OR SHINE, THE CONNECTION IS 100% ON!

Winter weather can be unpredictable, but we have designed a completely weather-proof evening using a seamless transition plan between the Swan Reach Area School Gym and the school oval. Whether the winter skies are crystal clear or completely clouded over, our program is 100% locked in to deliver massive educational value.

EVENT DETAILS
Where: Swan Reach Area School Gym and Oval.
When: Saturday 20 June 2026, 4:00 PM — 9:00 PM.
Cost: Entry is entirely FREE, but registration is essential.

Planning to look around town before the stars come out? We encourage you to grab a meal from the Swan Reach Hotel or the Dark Sky Takeaway to support our brilliant regional small businesses.

EVENT TIMELINE
4:00 PM: Gates Open
4:30 PM: Skycare Discovery Hub & Presentation Series Open
6:00 PM: Swan Reach CFS Gourmet BBQ Fundraising Feast Opens
6:30 PM: All-Weather Stargazing & Field Photography Clinics Commence
8:30 PM: Giant Skycare Conservation Raffle Draw
9:00 PM: Event Close

WHAT TO BRING

� Warm Layers: It is the Winter Solstice, and the river air will be very cold once the sun goes down. Please dress in your warmest layers, beanies, and jackets.

� BYO Seating: Please bring your own camp chairs and blankets so you can sit comfortably during field workshops.

� Red Lights Only: To protect our pristine darkness and everyone's night vision, please use red-light torches or red phone apps where possible.

� Astro Gear: Bring your smartphone, DSLR camera, tripod (required for DSLR clinics), a sense of wonder, and your appetite. Please note: spaces for the hands-on DSLR clinics are limited.

SKYCARE RAFFLE: WIN FROM OUR $1,635 MULTI-PRIZE POOL!

Our winter raffle is officially LIVE, and every ticket sold directly supports our ongoing Skycare conservation projects to keep our 3,200 square kilometre reserve dark and healthy. You do not even need to attend on the night to win—we welcome support from anywhere in Australia.

With incredible prizes up for grabs, your ticket enters you to win:

� 1st Prize (The Digital Astro Pioneer): DWARFmini Smart Telescope Kit from DWARFlabs, including a mini tripod with hydraulic head and custom carry bag. Capture deep-space nebulae and galaxies directly onto your smartphone. (Valued at $895)
� 2nd Prize (The Dark Sky Getaway): A restorative 1-night stay at the Gateway to the Galaxy, perfect for experiencing our pristine nightscape firsthand. (Valued at $300)
� 3rd Prize (The Guided Experience): A River Murray Dark Sky Tours Double Astro Tour voucher for an unforgettable, expert-led night under our Gold-Tier canopy. (Valued at $260)
� 4th Prize (The SRO Astronomy Experience): A Double Pass for a Swan Reach Observatory tour and dark sky experience. (Valued at $160)
� 5th Prize (The Astro-Fuel Deal): A local Dark Sky Takeaway burger and coffee voucher to fuel your next night out. (Valued at $20)

Winners will be announced live at the event on Saturday, 20 June at 8:30 PM. If you win from outside the region, we will work with you to arrange collection or delivery to your door.

This event is made possible through the support of an Instant Impact Grant from Mid Murray Our Town (MMOT). Our public programs are designed by the community, for the community, combining technology, regional tourism, and conservation.

By keeping entry entirely free, we aim to remove financial barriers, fostering local connection, regional pride, and a shared sense of awe and wonder under our shared dark skies.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/murray-bridge/ground-to-the-stars-a-winter-solstice-celebration-of-skycare-and-landcare/200030174704736
- **Event Categories**: workshops, food-drinks, charities
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 56

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Murray Bridge
- **state**: SA
- **country**: Australia
- **location**: 8 Showground Rd, Swan Reach SA 5354, Australia
- **lat**: -34.57145
- **long**: 139.60429
- **full address**: 8 Showground Rd, Swan Reach SA 5354, Australia, 8 Showground Rd, Swan Reach SA 5354, Australia, Murray Bridge

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: GROUND TO THE STARS: A Winter Solstice Celebration of Skycare & Landcare.
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/67e8a987e6242b1bec8e743f9e67da0ee5023f116f051f7e4937a3ce9fda89c8-rimg-w1200-h1200-dc48332e-gmir?v=1781945357

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is GROUND TO THE STARS: A Winter Solstice Celebration of Skycare & Landcare. being held?
  - **A:** GROUND TO THE STARS: A Winter Solstice Celebration of Skycare & Landcare. takes place on Sat, 20 Jun, 2026 at 04:00 pm to Sat, 20 Jun, 2026 at 09:00 pm at 8 Showground Rd, Swan Reach SA 5354, Australia, 8 Showground Rd, Swan Reach SA 5354, Australia, Murray Bridge.
- **Q**: Who is organizing GROUND TO THE STARS: A Winter Solstice Celebration of Skycare & Landcare.?
  - **A:** GROUND TO THE STARS: A Winter Solstice Celebration of Skycare & Landcare. is organized by River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** GROUND TO THE STARS: A Winter Solstice Celebration of Skycare & Landcare. is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Murray Bridge, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. With 50+ people already showing interest, this is clearly an event worth adding to your calendar - don't miss out.

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