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 between 1pm and 4 pm.
Discover what Perth Observatory looks like in the day whilst walking our grounds and learning about our amazing history.
Tours will run at 1:30 pm, 2 pm, 2:30 pm and 3 pm.
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.
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.
2021 Summer Lecture
Date: 27th of February
When: 8:00 pm (Gates open: 6:00 pm)
Price: $25 per adult & $15 per concession/child
There is a long standing tradition at the Perth Observatory. Every year, we invite hills and city folks alike to come along on a warm summer evening to hear what's new and what's exciting in the world of Astronomy and Space Science.
This year we're thrilled to have Marnie Ogg the CEO of Australian Dark Sky Alliance and Dr Kellie Pendoley who is a Marine Ecologist and Vice President of the International Dark-Sky Association as our speakers on the night and they'll be talking about the effects of light pollution not only on the night sky, but on humans and animals as well.
Astronomy 101 Course
Starts: 17th of March
Time: 7 – 8:30 pm (Across 5 weeks)
Price: $225 per person
We've organised a 5-week beginners course so you can learn about our amazing universe. Each week we'll go through a different topic including ancient astronomy, space exploration, the life cycle of a star, the planets and how to use a telescope. We'll then have a Q & A session with tea and coffee before we head up to the telescopes for some hand on practical experience.
On completion of the 5 week course, each participant will receive a special Perth Observatory certificate
Astrophotography Workshops
Lunar Photography Workshop
Date: 28th of March
When: 7–10 pm (Doors open: 6:30 pm)
Price: $90 per person
This promises to be a fun relaxed evening of photographing the Moon on some fantastic telescopes using your camera.
Book NowSpring into Milky Way Workshop
Date: 20th & 21st of April
When: 7–9:30 pm (Doors open: 6:30 pm)
Price: $180 per person
This workshop is strategically timed to prepare you for the Spring Milky Way season so you know how to get the best shots of the Milky Way.
Book NowLowell 50th Anniversary
Date: Saturday, 24th of April
Time: Talk starts at 7 pm (Doors open at 4:30 pm)
Price:
$25 per adult
$15 per concession/child
The Lowell dome and telescope are turning 50! Join us at the observatory for a tour of the birthday dome, new museum displays, presentations and food!
Celebrate WA Astronomical history and see Perth Observatories most famous telescope and the wonders it has discovered.
May The 4th Be With You
Date: 4th of May
When: 7:30 pm to 9:15 pm
Price: $50 per adult, $35 per concession & $25 per child
This 4th of May put your Jedi robes on, clip on your Lightsabre(s) and make a lightspeed jump to the Perth Observatory to celebrate Star Wars Day. Our telescope operators will show you stunning objects whether it's a planet the Death Star could destroy, or a massive nebula to launch an attack from.
We'll have prizes for the best adult and child costumes. So please come along to our May 4th event at the Perth Observatory in your fav intergalactic gear. There could even be a Star Wars character on site, you never can tell!!!
Towel Day Night Tour
Date: 25th of May
When: 7:30 pm to 9:15 pm
Price: $50 per adult, $35 per concession, $25 per child
Don't Panic!!! Towel Day is an annual celebration on the 25th of May, as a tribute to the late author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams (1952-2001). On that day, we fans around the universe carry a towel in his honour and this year Perth Observatory will be holding a Night Sky Tour in his honour.
We'll have prizes for the best adult and child costumes. So please come along with a towel to our Night Sky Tour on Towel Day
