It’d be a cracking spot.

Col Maybury, Astronomical Society of the Hunter president, said it’d be a “magnificent site”.

“It is big enough to have multiple lookouts and conservation areas, a central observatory with car parks hidden in close valleys and a planetarium for schools and tourists,” Col said.

“I used to live in Cardiff just below Munibung and for 10 years rode my horse over Munibung. It was magic.”

Col says the views from the hill to Lake Macquarie are superb.

Also impressive are the views from the hill across the old Pasminco site and west towards Mount Sugarloaf.

“I can see a tourist asset of great value. I have asked astronomical experts overseas for their opinions and they are full of praise,” Col said, of the observatory plan.

The Munibung Hill Conservation Society has released a document that proposes an observatory and planetarium as part of a five-fold vision for the hill. 

It said this could be a learning and research place, especially for children.  

Poetically, it added that the night sky was a “magic ball of glitter, except that the glitter – in this case – is millions of stars in the Milky Way”.

“Munibung Hill is a magnificent observation point from which to experience the wonders of the universe. 

“We have a dream that Munibung Hill will be the site for an observatory and planetarium equal to that of Auckland Stardome.”

The society also wants Munibung Hill to be declared a conservation park with tracks and trails and a cultural and geological heritage site.  

“With a 251 million-year history, Munibung Hill can tell us a lot about how Australia came to be what it is. Indigenous people lived on and around Munibung Hill for thousands of years.

“Situated in Awabakal nation land, this site contains caves and species that deserve protection and our respect.”

Now, let’s shift our attention from Munibung Hill to Worm Hill.

Topics reported last Monday about the legend of the Lambton Worm.

Reader Ken Phelan told us that he was born near Lambton in County Durham in England. He commuted past a place called Worm Hill for five years. Worm Hill is a bit of an enigma. Located on the bank of the River Wear, legend has it that the hill was where the Lambton Worm coiled itself.

In a folktale from the Crusades, the Lambton worm grew into a massive dragon-like beast, threatening villagers and killing stock. The worm was a threat to Lambton Castle, so the castle’s lord appeased it with the milk of nine good cows. Eventually John Lambton – the heir to the Lambton family estate – killed the beast in the River Wear.