Welcome To The Perth Observatory
Your Gateway To The Universe
Welcome to the Perth Observatory Website
Western Australia’s oldest observatory is located 25km east of Perth in Bickley. The Observatory has served WA for 119 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. We have great plans for the Observatory in the coming years and we are looking forward to inspiring the people to look up at the wonderful night skies of Perth
Winter Night 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.
We offer group bookings and gift vouchers so contact us to find out more.
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.
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.
Inspirational Winter Nights
This winter, the Perth Observatory is holding a series of inspirational premium lectures for the public. The talks of one-hour duration will be given by special guest speakers who will delve into astronomical subjects that will inspire you to look at the night sky with fresh eyes. In these cold and cloudy winter months make the most of the armchair astronomy and let us take you on a journey through the universe. A maximum capacity of 30 people ensures this will be an intimate setting to inspire your astronomical mind. Following the lecture, you'll be able to talk with the guest speaker and fellow attendees while sampling some of the great produce and wine from the local area.
Neil deGrasse Tyson
A Cosmic Perspective
On the 22nd of July 2017 Think Inc. brings the return tour of "Your personal Astrophysicist" Dr Neil Degrasse Tyson to Perth in his in new talk A Cosmic Perspective
In 2015 Dr Tyson delved into scientific literacy to spaghettification, from gravity to God, and from the climate status of the 'planet' to the 'planet' status of Pluto, just to name a few. In 2017, the discussion will open up to a quiver of new queries: Are we likely to encounter alien life, and will they be protected by the same ethical codes we apply to each other.
