Welcome To The Perth Observatory
Your Gateway To The Universe
Welcome to the Perth Observatory Website
Western Australia’s oldest observatory is located 25 km east of Perth in Bickley. The Observatory has served WA for over 120 years and remains actively involved in the service of public education. In recognition of its scientific, cultural and historical significance, the Observatory was entered on the state’s Heritage Register in 2005. The Observatory is now run under a community partnership agreement between the Department of Parks and Wildlife and the Perth Observatory Volunteer Group.
Night Sky Tours
Our experienced and passionate tour guides will operate our unique collection of modern and historic telescopes to give evening visitors a glimpse into the fascinating world of astronomy, space science and astrophotography.
Viewing targets will differ depending on the month, the weather and the lighting conditions (dark, moonlit and full moon). Types of objects usually seen through the eyepiece include globular clusters, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Sometimes satellites and meteors flash across the sky unexpectedly too.
School Day Tours
Our primary school day tours have been designed for primary school excursions and relate directly to the Australian National Curriculum. The students will participate in activities around the Observatory’s grounds to broaden their knowledge of astronomy and physics while seeing our range of modern and historical telescopes.
Our day tours can be adapted for other groups of children aged between 7 and 12. Please contact us with full details if you are interested in a student tour outside this age range.
Adopt A Star
Looking for an awesome gift for that special someone?
Our star adoption program provides a unique gift and is a way to recognise a family member or friend through the adoption of a star. All available stars in the program are between stars that are visible to the naked eye or stars that are visible in binoculars, all in the Southern Hemisphere.
Sunday Guided Day Tours
Wondering where to go for your Sunday drive? Meander through the beautiful Bickley Valley and join us for a special Guided Day Tour of the Perth Observatory.
Discover what Perth Observatory looks like in the day whilst walking our grounds and learning about our amazing history.
Sunday Guided Day Tours from 2 to 4pm on the first Sunday of each month.
Prices are just $15 adult, $10 concession, $5 children. There’s no need to book, just pop in and we’ll meet you. The AstroShop will be open for drinks, ice cream, novelties or a memento of your visit.
Next Tour: 2nd of September
Doctor Who Night
Come up dressed as your favourite Doctor Who character to the Perth Observatory to celebrate everything Doctor Who on the night of Tardis Day. This 23rd of November the 54th anniversary of the debut episode of Doctor Who, we'll have Doctor Who characters at the Observatory and maybe even a dalek you really celebrate the world's longest-running science fiction TV series. Our telescope operators will be ready to show you stunning objects whether including massive nebulas, double stars, old and young open star clusters.
We'll also be giving out great prizes on the night for the best adult and child costume.
TEDx Perth Salon 3: Space!
Date: Saturday the 8th of November
Time: 8:00 pm to 11:30 pm (Gates 7:00 pm)
Where: Perth Observatory
Price: From $20.00
TEDxPerth is exploring that void we call space in its very first open air Salon. Guest curated by Dr Luke Davies from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy, Three out of this world speakers will take you to distant galaxies and find out how WA is leading in astronomy and space exploration.
Food trucks will be on hand if you feel the need to feed. 150 lucky people can the Observatory's telescopes with guided tours to see the night sky in all its glory (Telescope Viewing Tickets are Sold Out).
2018 Geminids Meteor Shower
Date: Fri, 14th Dec 2018
Time: 11 pm to 2 am (Gates open at: 10:30 pm)
Where: Perth Observatory
On the night of Friday the 14th of December come up to the Perth Observatory from 11 pm to 2 am (Gates open at 10:30 pm). Experience the southern hemisphere best meteor shower of the year at the Perth Observatory.
Rug up, bring outdoor chairs and enjoy hundreds of meteors flash past over you in our amazing southern sky. Hot drinks will be provided on the night and we'll also have some telescopes set up on some of the amazing stellar objects in our sky.
New Year's Eve 2018
Looking for something different to do to farewell 2018? Then come along to a pre-fireworks night tour at the Perth Observatory. Our telescope operators will be ready to show you stunning objects whether it's a single star, or a massive nebula.
Then to welcome the New Year, you can drive to one of the Perth Hills many lookouts and take in all the fireworks from around Perth at the stroke of midnight.
