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: 2nd of August
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.
Astrophotography Workshops
Photographing Gas Giants
Date: 6th of August
When: 7 pm – 10 pm
Price: $90 per person
Winter is planet season and this year both Jupiter and Saturn are putting on a fantastic show! Let’s make the most of this and get some great shots for you, using your camera, of the gas giant planets.
Sold Out
Spring into Milky Way Workshop
Date: 24th & 25th of August
When: 7 pm – 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 NowLunar Photography Workshop
Date: 22nd of October
When: 6 pm – 10 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 NowHalloween Night Tour
Date: 31st of Oct
When: 8 pm to 9:45 pm
Price: $50 per adult, $35 per concession & $25 per child
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.
