Welcome To The Perth Observatory
Your Gateway To The Universe
Welcome to the Perth Observatory Website
Western Australia’s oldest observatory is located 35 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 for students from Year 3 – Year 6 and relate to the Australian National Curriculum. The students will participate in activities around the Observatory’s grounds and buildings to broaden their knowledge of astronomy and physics while seeing our range of modern and historical telescopes.
The maximum number of students that we can cater for in one tour is 60 and can only be managed if five or more activities are chosen. Please contact us if you are interested in a student tour outside the year levels listed or have more than 60 students so we can suggest ways to accommodate you.
Please Note: The booking group must consist of ten students or more except in special circumstances approved by the School Day Tours Subcommittee.
Our Out of School Holiday Care tours cater for children from 4 – 11 years old
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 $20 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: 1st of November
Virtual Star Parties
Time: Every second Wednesday at 7:30 pm
Price: It's free
Can't get to the Observatory of one of our night tours? Don't worry we also hold virtual star parties on YouTube where we can show you amazing stuff in our Southern Sky through one of our telescopes, some of which you can't even see with your own eye and a telescope.
Join us on our Discord Channel and ask questions while you watch the YouTube Live Stream.
Full Moon Night Tour
Dates: See web page for dates
When: 7:00 pm - 9:00 am
Price: $40 per adult, $30 per concession & $20 per child
Every society has created many myths and legends about our favourite satellite, from its creation to why it goes through phases throughout the month. This conversation series will take you on a journey to discover all the different facets of the moon and the cultural myths that surround it.
Join us for this first month’s discussion of some of the most known moon mythology, why many myths are similar across cultures and what we can learn about these societies through their interest in the moon. And, of course, have a good look at the moon through one of our telescopes. Finish the night with some tea or coffee and a conversation with our speaker for the evening.
Astrophotography One Day Workshop
Date: 12th of Dec
When: 1 pm to 10 pm
Price: $225.00 per person
Get started with astrophotography using your camera and a telescope. Learn what your equipment is capable of and how to make the most of what you have to get a start on astrophotography, as well as what equipment you may wish to consider in the future. The small group (max 12 participants) setting enables you to get maximum benefit from this workshop.
Geminids Meteor Shower Night
Date: 13th of Dec
When: 10:00 pm to 2:00 am (Gates at 9:30 pm)
Price: $25 per adult, $20 per concession & $15 per child
On the night of Saturday the 14th of December come up to the Perth Observatory and experience the southern hemisphere's best meteor shower of the year.
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.
Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn
Date: 21st of December
When: 7:45 pm - 9:30 pm
Where: Dog Beach – North Coogee
Price: Free
On the 21st of December, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will occur, Jupiter and Saturn will be in a Great Conjunction and will be so close, they'll appear as a single bright star. The last time the two planets were this close was on the 16th of July 1623 while Galileo Galilei the father of observational astronomy was still alive.
For this special occasion, Perth Observatory and Fremantle Sidewalk Astronomy will be heading down with telescopes to the picnic area at Dogs Beach in North Coogee so you can see Jupiter and Saturn from 7:45 pm to 9:30 pm
New Year's Eve 2020
Date: 31st of Dec
When: 8:30 pm and 10:15 pm
Price: $45 per adult, $35 per concession & $25 per child
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.
