Outback Queensland star astrotourism destination as Charleville opens state-of-the-art Cosmos Centre

For astronomer Mike Dalley, the opportunity to trade crystal clear waters of the Maldives for the red sand of outback Queensland was too good to refuse.

Three years ago, he packed his bags and headed west to Charleville, armed with a dream to turn the town’s Cosmos Centre into a world-class astrotourism attraction.

Friday was Mr Dalley’s last day as the coordinator of the centre, which he said was now unrecognisable compared with when he arrived.

“The word ‘centre’ for me is kind of a little bit weird to sit with this place now,” Mr Dalley said.

“I actually refer to it as more of a compound than a centre.

“That is, in my mind, how big the explosive growth…