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 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. 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. 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.
Holiday's Parent/Child Tours
For adults with children aged 7 – 11 years old
Come along with your child or children (maximum of two children per adult) and enjoy a morning at the observatory. The adults will engage in an interesting and informative adult tour while the children do astronomy related activities in small groups with volunteers who currently work on our primary school day tours.
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate or Milo will be available halfway through the tour. Bookings close Thursday the 28th of September
Tour: Tuesday 3rd of October, from 9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Cost: Adult $15.00; Child $10.00
Celebrate Halloween
This 31st of October put your costume on, get on your broomstick and head up to the Perth Observatory for an amazing Halloween Night and Dark Matter Day.
The Observatory will be decorated and the volunteers in costume for this special night. We'll also be giving out great prizes on the night for the best adult and child costume so please come in a costume.
We'll be showcasing ghostly objects on the night so book now.
2017 Geminids Meteor Shower
On the night of Tuesday the 13th of December come up to the Perth Observatory from 11pm to 2am (Gates open at 10:30pm). 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.
