Images: supplied
As millions of stars light up the night sky after each sunset, one little spot in South Australia is making the most of its unique position as Australia’s first Dark Sky Reserve.
The extraordinary darkness has created a growing opportunity for astro-tourism, and River Murray Dark Sky Tours and Juggle House Experiences owner and founder Kelly Kuhn who has turned it into a successful tourism business that continues to reach new heights.
Working in the industry for 30 years, Kelly is no stranger to tourism and having grown up along the river, the venture felt like the right move after the Dark Sky Reserve became accredited in 2018.
“I have been referred to as a trailblazer in astro tourism, but this stargazing business found me,” Kelly said.
As one third of the world’s population lives within cities, it makes it impossible to see the true beauty of the night sky.
“Once I saw the emotional connection the region’s night sky has on visitors who have never seen stars before, I was hooked.”
That connection inspired Kelly to create a place where visitors could properly experience the stars.
Together with her husband and longtime friends Ryan and Lauren Krollig, who own a farm at Walker Flat, Kelly built Ted’s Astronomy Site from scratch through a series of Sunday working bees, and of course, roping in their children to help along the way.
“We named it for Ryan’s grandfather Ted, who farmed that land for decades. Ted passed away nine years ago at 98 and his wife Audrey, still lives in Mannum today. It felt right to carry their name forward,” Kelly said.
Since officially opening in January 2025, the site has hosted 105 astronomy sessions, with one of its newest additions giving visitors an even more unusual way to take in the stars.
Images: Dave Hartley
The Star Bath experience involves 16 repurposed bathtubs, that have been set within a corrugated iron frame, allowing guests to lie flat and stargaze with cosy blankets and cushions.
“It solves the sore neck problem of standard stargazing, and it’s the most relaxed and engaging way we’ve found to watch the sky.”
No matter which experience is booked with Kelly’s touring group, each group has the same version of feedback from the starry night.
“They’re in awe of the raw beauty of the River Murray.”
Towering golden cliffs, birdlife and scrubland in the surrounds make it easy for visitors to lose themselves in nature.
“Then night falls, and the magic of the sky takes over, and visitors say they’ve never seen stars like it,” Kelly said.
“It’s not manufactured for tourists. It’s real, and they feel that from the moment they arrive to the moment they look up and switch off from their everyday lives.”
Away from the glow of city lights, guests can see stars and different planets of the night sky with the naked eye that are difficult or impossible to make out from metropolitan areas.
An astronomer then guides the group through what is above them, using a laser pointer to identify stars, constellations and other objects before giving visitors a closer look through a telescope.
For Kelly, that combination of an exceptionally dark sky and someone explaining exactly what guests are seeing is what sets the experience apart.
“Because it’s not a show you watch, it’s a sky you stand under,” Kelly said.
“We’re based in Australia’s first International Dark Sky Reserve with a dedicated purpose of protecting our area from light pollution for the benefit of wildlife and humans.”
It’s not just a great excuse to see the stars but also protect the environment and those who live in it.
River Murray Dark Sky Tours
For more information or to book, click here.
