General information

Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, is the location of CSIRO’s ASKAP project and a number of other innovative radio-astronomy projects including the MWA and EDGES. It is also the site for the SKA Low telescope currently under construction.

The site is approximately 370km from the Murchison Support Facility in Geraldton and is centred on Boolardy Station, an ex-pastoral property. Formerly referred to as the MRO, the site now has a dual name: Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory.

Access to the Observatory is limited to maintain its radio quietness, enable compliance with existing agreements, including the Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA), and to limit the disruption to normal work being carried out at the site. Please see our MRO-Boolardy Visitor Access Protocol for further information.

All contractors, employees and visitors to the Observatory are requested to undertake Cultural Heritage training to ensure they understand and comply with the objectives and provisions of the ILUA . The training is arranged by contacting the Site Entity. More information on cultural training requirements can be found in the Aboriginal Heritage Protocol.

All activities conducted on the Observatory are to be undertaken in compliance with relevant HSE policies, procedures, plans and legislation. This applies to all types of work undertaken by staff, contractors, consultants, service providers, transport operators and visitors.

All activities at the site and Boolardy are to be conducted as per the Observatory Radio Frequency Interference Management Plan.

All persons driving to/from Geraldton and the Observatory site or Boolardy should have appropriate 4WD training.

Visitors are advised to dress appropriately for the climate. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 45°C (113°F) in the shade. Long sleeved, lightweight shirts and long trousers are strongly recommended as is a wide brim hat. Visitors must supply their own sunscreen.

Visitors are advised to bring sufficient supplies of drinking water for their use whilst at the observatory. Supplies of drinking water at Boolardy are limited.

Smoking is not permitted in any CSIRO building or vehicle.

Fuel is not available from the site or Boolardy without prior arrangement with CSIRO. Unleaded petrol (ULP) is not kept or available at either the telescope site or Boolardy. The closest supplies are at the Murchison Settlement and Mullewa. No accommodation is available at Inyarrimanha Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory. Staying overnight is prohibited.

Boolardy Accommodation Facility

To support the Observatory, CSIRO operates the Boolardy Accommodation Facility (BAF) for CSIRO staff and affiliates who need to work at either the telescope sites or Boolardy. The accommodation facility is located approximately 40 kms from the ASKAP and MWA telescopes.

Most of the accommodation is in dongas (demountable/transportable units). The dongas are furnished with a king single bed, small fridge, fixed furnishings and an ensuite bathroom. Each room is supplied with linen, towels, pillows, internet connection, alarm clock, soap, insect spray and a torch.

The common areas consist of:

• laundry (laundry powder is provided);
• gym room;
• Wittenoom cottage (visitor recreation area with two bathrooms, kitchenette, First Aid room, open-plan office, meeting room, mud room);
• canteen (two dining areas + kitchen + outdoor shaded deck area);

Fully catered dining options are available (hot breakfast, morning tea, lunch and dinner plus juice and coffee/tea).

The accommodation facility does not carry supplies of alcohol or a licence to supply or sell liquor.

Pets are not to be taken to site. Registered Guide Dogs may be taken to site with prior notification.

Limited accommodation is utilised at Boolardy Homestead, however adjacent farm buildings are not available for access by visitors to the site. 

Booking your accommodation

Requests for accommodation can only be made online with the ATNF Reservation System. This system must be used to book all visits to the Boolardy Accommodation Facility, the telescope site and to the Murchison Support Facility in Geraldton, including day visits not requiring accommodation. Note that confirmation of your accommodation arrangements for Boolardy is not authorisation for any proposed work activities nor confirmation of availability of on-site staff resources (refer to the above-mentioned MRO-Boolardy Visitor Access Protocol and in particular the “workflow” diagram for more information).

The notice period for booking accommodation is ideally 2 weeks in advance. This is primarily due to food delivery schedules to the BAF. We may be able to accommodate bookings on shorter notice but this is not guaranteed. Please try to submit your request as early as possible.

If you need to make any changes to a booking that is already in the system, please email accommodation@atnf.csiro.au to make the necessary changes for you and your group (including alerting catering staff at Boolardy).

Contact Information

Boolardy Kitchen – 08 9923 7800

Boolardy Site Manager – 08 9923 7860

Boolardy Site Manager – 08 9923 7861 (emergency backup phone)

Boolardy Duty first aider – 08 9923 7888

ASKAP Control Building – 08 9923 7900

ASKAP Site Manager – 08 9923 7950