Meet Matt Dodds, your Stargazing at the Skywalk host at Minerama 2026. For Matt, looking up isn’t just a hobby – it’s a lifelong obsession that started in the Blue Mountains and followed him all the way to the big skies of the New England. Whether he’s capturing the smokey hues of distant nebulas or passing around four-billion-year-old meteorites in regional classrooms, Matt is on a mission to prove that space is for everyone. Ahead of the Stargazing at the Skywalk event at this year’s Minerama, we caught up with Matt to chat about Jupiter season, the rock-space connection, and why you don’t need a thousand-dollar telescope to start your own cosmic adventure.
Let’s start at the beginning – where did you grow up, and what do you treasure most about your upbringing?
I grew up in the Blue Mountains, in Leura. It was beautiful. I used to go hiking and camping a lot, just staring at the stars while going to sleep, whether it was through my bedroom window or out in the bush. I had a small telescope when I was young; I always loved being outside and looking up.
Was there a moment that love for the stars turned into something more?
When I became an adult, that passion evolved from just looking at the stars to taking photos of nebulas – that’s taken my family to some incredible places, too. In 2012, back when my wife and I were first dating, we watched the transit of Venus, an event that only happens every 120 years. Then, a couple of years ago, I was invited to speak on a P&O Cruise to watch the Solar Eclipse off the coast of Exmouth. They brought the whole family along, which was pretty special.
You’re also a science teacher in Glen Innes – how do you bring that passion into the classroom?
I’m a high school science teacher, and I do a lot of outreach at primary schools across the New England. I love showing students the sun through a solar telescope. Until you see it that way, it’s hard to imagine – it’s not just a white ball; it’s vibrant and dynamic. I also love passing around meteorites. There’s something wild about a kid holding a chunk of material that’s older than the Earth itself. One I use is a two-kilogram iron-nickel meteorite. It landed on Earth in 1516 AD, just over 500 years ago, but as a piece of material, it’s over four billion years old. When people feel how dense and heavy it is, it really makes them think about the formation of the solar system.
Word on the street is you’ll be bringing your space wisdom to Minerama this year too – how did that come about?
That’s right! I was at Minerama last year selling my astrophotography images and got chatting with the organisers who immediately saw a link with what I do and the interest our Minerama visitors have in astronomy and astrophotography. There’s a real connection, from meteors to the stories that the night sky tells us – this is a special opportunity during the Minerama weekend.
What can people expect to learn from you at the event this year?
We’ll be doing some stargazing, while also hosting an astrophotography presentation on the Saturday night up at the Standing Stones. It’s going to be magical. I’ll have my astrophotography prints there and I’ll be talking about how to get into the hobby. It’s a bit of a beast because it can be complex, but it’s also more accessible than people think.
Do you need a lot of fancy gear to get started?
Not at all! You don’t even need a telescope. I really enjoy just lying down and looking up. If you want to see satellites, the best time is usually before 11pm. You can even use an app called ISS Detector to see when the International Space Station is passing over. If you do want a telescope, you can get a very good ‘Dobsonian’ type for under $1000. It’s basic, but the best for beginners. Or you can purchase a computerised telescope like the Seestar S30Pro to begin imaging Nebula’s straight away from home.
What about taking photos? Can we use our smartphones?
Absolutely. The newest iPhones, Google Pixels and Samsung Galaxy are incredible in low light. The most important thing is a tripod, even a $30 one from somewhere like JB Hi-Fi, to keep the phone steady for a 30-second exposure. It really is that accessible to get started, even the big national astrophotography competitions have smartphone categories now.
Is there a ‘best’ time of year to look up in the New England?
Right now, we’re in Jupiter season, so Jupiter is incredibly bright. It’s also Orion season – the constellation with the ‘saucepan’. Winter is typically the best time for the Milky Way in Australia, in fact anytime from late March till October. But around June is when the Milky Way is rising from the east just after sunset. I use an app called Stellarium for all my planning. You can change the date and direction to see exactly what will be up when.
Any final tips for people heading out to look at the stars?
Warm clothes, a beanie and a red light head torch so you can navigate around in the dark without wrecking your night vision. You want to be comfortable so you can really soak it in and enjoy the moment.
Stargazing at the Skywalk will be held on Saturday 7 March at the Glen Innes Skywalk, with pre star talk and refreshments at Crofters Cottage at the Australian Standing Stones. For tickets and more information, click here to visit the Minerama website.
Steph Wanless
Editorial Director. Grammar-obsessed, Kate Bush impressionist, fuelled by black coffee, British comedy and the fine art of the messy bun.
