Darksky Melilas – Your Milkyway & Dark Sky Stargazing Adventure
🌌 Dark Sky Melilas Adventure 2026
📍 Kampong Melilas, Ulu Belait
📅 Saturday, 16 May 2026 (2 days 1 night)
🔭 Event highlights: Milkyway Hunting
💲 See Price List Below
ℹ️Limited Slots Available
Participation is on a first‑come, first‑served basis and open to the public
Organiser: The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD)
Supported by: Majlis Perundingan Kampong (MPK) Melilas, Ulu Belait
In Collaboration: Brunei Overland and Expedition Group (B.O.E.G)
🔗 Booking: https://bruneiastronomy.org/web/darkskymelilas/booking/
⌛Deadline: Saturday, 09 May 2026 (including full payment to confirm)
Updates
Updates will be posted here. Please check back soon.
Apr 27, 2026: Optional boat ride activity has been added to the itinerary; please contact Programme Coordinator Arif +673 814 0260 (WhatsApp) if you have an existing booking and wish to participate. (See below for details).
A special stargazing and milky way observation from a pristine darksky location in Brunei Darussalam – an experience which will forever change the way you see the Bortle-scaled-2 night sky.
Discover the stars as you’ve never seen them before. Join PABD in Kampong Melilas for a premier stargazing and Milky Way observation at Brunei’s most remote dark-sky site. A unique travel package blending adventure, education, and the serene beauty of the night sky – perfect for the curious at heart.
Our Journey
The trip takes you deep into the jungle, ending at the Julangan Titah Rumah Panjang, a longhouse where the road literally ends. While a tarmac road now exists, it is often full of potholes, making a 4WD vehicle highly recommended for the 3-4 hour trek.
Prepare to settle in at the historic Julangan Titah Longhouse or pitch your tent at our rugged wilderness campsite adjacent to the long house. This is a true “back-to-basics” escape far from the city grid, where the jungle sets the pace and the stars provide the light.
One of the few spots left in Brunei Darussalam with a Bortle 2 dark sky – Melilas in the rural Belait District provides a “Typical Truly Dark Site,” offering exceptional stargazing with a naked-eye limiting magnitude between 7.1 and 7.5. On a clear night, the location features a highly structured Milky Way, visible zodiacal light, and numerous deep-sky objects, including the Andromeda Galaxy, that are distinct to the unaided eye.
Escape the city glow and immerse yourself in a darksky-class stargazing experience. Under these pristine conditions, you won’t just see the stars; you’ll feel them.
What Awaits You:
- The Milky Way in High Definition: Witness the galactic core with such clarity that it casts a subtle shadow, revealing intricate dust lanes and vibrant star clouds.
- Deep-Sky Treasures: From the glowing Orion Nebula in the evening to the distant Andromeda Galaxy at predawn, view Messier objects and iconic constellations with the naked eye or through optics.
- Earth-grazer meteors: The Eta Aquariids are active from April 19 to May 28. Even outside the maximum peak May 5, you can catch these meteors during the pre-dawn hours if the skies remain clear.
- The Messier Marathon Challenge: Test your skills in a race against the dawn to spot as many deep-sky wonders as possible in a single night. Download and print the list here.
- Astrophotography Practical: Bring your gears! Capture the cosmos. Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, the lack of light pollution provides the perfect canvas for breathtaking long-exposure shots.
Note: All observations are subject to weather and atmospheric conditions. Free Stars and Milkyway Chart Here
What to see at the stargazing sessions? A wide variety of wonderful things to observe throughout the night (see star chart above) free from major city light pollution – probably look near the horizon for the best naked eye wonders the Milky Way galaxy glows in the evening on a moonless night.
But there are more! – Learn the patterns of stars (known as constellations); Observe through our telescopes at closeup of beautiful star clusters & bright nebula; Push your navigation skills to the limit – aim to track as many deep-sky objects from sunset to sunrise at Messier Marathon; Or learn the techniques to capture photo and take a selfie of your own with the Milkyway’s brightest core as it gets higher in the sky after midnight.
Let’s hope for clear skies from one of the best dark sky in Brunei.
Itinerary (Tentative)
More Infomation
| Item | Description | Per Pax |
| Stargazing & Milky Way Hunting | PABD volunteers will guide you through the cosmos from the Milky Way to viewing through the telescopes, and assist with night‑sky photography. Activities are subject to weather conditions. | FREE |
| Transportation | Participants will travel via shared 4×4 vehicles from the allocated meeting point (Jerudong) to Melilas for the overnight stay and return journey. Subject to availability. | BND 40.00 |
| Accommodation | Participants will be accommodated at the Julangan Titah Longhouse or at the designated campsite nearby. As facilities are basic, please bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, tent – if you opt for camping, and personal essentials for a comfortable stay. | FREE Welcome Donation |
| Meals | Optional: Dinner ($20) and breakfast ($10) upon request, prepared locally by the villagers as part of the community support arrangement. | BND 30.00 |
| Boat Ride (morning) (Estimated 30 minutes) | Optional: A short boat ride along the Melilas River offers a serene immersion into Brunei’s untouched wilderness. Participants can witness a thriving gallery of Belait’s flora and fauna along the river landscape. Subject to availability and weather. | BND 10.00 |
| Jungle Trekking (morning) (Estimated 1 hour) | Optional: Explore detailed guides, exciting trails, and expert tips to experience Melilas’ rich rainforest and wildlife. Subject to availability and weather. | BND 30.00 |
- Price is indication and subject to change.
- To secure your slot, please fill in the booking form, and complete your payment.
- Bookings are confirmed only after payment is made.
- Please note that meals, accommodation, and event activities are contribution-based. Donations are greatly appreciated to cover costs and support our local hosts.
- Weather Policy: While we aim for perfect skies, we cannot control the elements. No refunds will be issued for activities that are altered or cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
Stargazing Checklists:
◾Friends and family
◾Telescope, eyepiece and accessories (if you have a telescope)
◾Binoculars
◾Digital SLR Camera / Smartphone Camera with tripod
◾Red flashlight (to provide visibility while your eyes are dark-adapted)
◾Star maps/smartphone app (Free Star Chart Here )
◾Messier Marathon List and Charts Here (download or print)
Camping Checklists:
◾Tent
◾Toiletries and personal care
◾Medicine / First Aid Kits
◾Sleeping Bag, blanket or small portable chair
◾Beach towel (to lay down on the ground)
◾Mosquito/Insect repellent
◾Weather-appropriate clothing & rain gear
◾Prayer mat (for Muslims)
◾Food and drink
◾Power banks – to charge your phone / camera
Inclusive Arrangements:
The organiser will work closely with our collaborators to provide you with:
- PABD: Expert astronomical guidance, stargazing sessions;
- BOEG: 4×4 transportation upon your request and subject to availability;
- MPK Melilas: Accommodation, additional activities, meals (dinner and breakfast) upon request and subject to availability.
To secure your slot, please fill in the booking form, and complete your payment. Bookings are confirmed only after payment is made. Please note that meals, accommodation, and event activities are contribution-based. Donations are greatly appreciated to cover costs and support our local hosts.
No Cancellations: Once payment has been processed and confirmed, no cancellations will be
accepted.
Participation: Only participants with cleared payments by the deadline will be permitted on
the trip.
Light Pollution & Night Vision Policy: To ensure the best viewing experience for all participants and to protect astrophotography and stargazing sessions:
- White Light Ban: The use of white light flashlights, headlamps, or “bright” phone screens is strictly prohibited at the observation area.
- Red Light Only: Only red-filtered flashlights or red LED headlamps are permitted.
- Vehicle Protocol: Using headlights in the main observation area is forbidden.
Equipment & Safety:
Personal Responsibility: Participants are responsible for their own gear (telescopes, cameras, tents etc). The organizers are not liable for any damage or loss of equipment.
Trip Hazards: Cables for powered telescope mounts must be taped down or marked with red glow-tape to prevent tripping in the dark.
Weather Policy & Refunds: All astronomical observations are subject to weather conditions. Please note that no refunds will be issued if the celestial objects are obscured by cloud cover or unfavorable weather.
Availability: Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Slots are strictly limited.
Transportation: Upon request, the organizer will coordinate 4×4 off-road transport subject to availability. Please note that payment for this service must be made directly to the assigned driver.
Catering: Breakfast and dinner are arranged in collaboration with MPK Melilas upon request, subject to availability. Payment for meals must be settled directly with MPK Melilas.
Site Conduct & Ethics
Leave No Trace: Participants must pack out all trash. The campsite/accomodation must be left in its original condition.
Noise Control: As a “Quiet Zone” event, loud music and boisterous behavior are prohibited to respect both fellow observers and local wildlife.
Liability Waiver: Participants agree to assume full responsibility for their own health and safety. While we strive to provide a managed environment, the organizer assumes no liability for personal injury, loss, or accidents at any time during the event.
Organiser
Proudly organised by:
The Astronomical Society of Brunei Darussalam (PABD)
www.bruneiastronomy.org
Programme Coordinator Arif +673 814 0260 (WhatsApp)
Financial Manager Fathin +673 829 4300 (WhatsApp)
pabd@bruneiastronomy.org
Supported by:
Majlis Perundingan Kampong (MPK) Melilas, Ulu Belait
In collaboration with:
Brunei Overland and Expedition Group (B.O.E.G)