Welcome To The Perth Observatory
Your Gateway To The Universe
Welcome to the Perth Observatory Website
Western Australia’s oldest observatory is located 25 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 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. The maximum number of students that we can cater for in one tour is 60.
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: 3rd of November
Astrophotography Workshops
Nightscapes Workshop
Date: 19th of October
When: 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Price: $180 per person
Lunar Photography Workshop
Date: 9th of November
When: 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Price: $75 per person
Get started with astrophotography using your camera for widefield astrophotography. 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 setting enables you to get maximum benefit from this workshop.
Halloween Night Tour
Date: 31st of Oct
When: 8:00 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.
Doctor Who Night
Date: 23rd of Nov
When: 8:00 pm to 9:45 pm
Price: $45 per adult, $35 per concession & $25 per child
Come up dressed as your favourite Doctor Who character to the Perth Observatory to celebrate everything Doctor Who on the night of Tardis Day. This 23rd of November the 55th anniversary of the debut episode of Doctor Who, we'll have Doctor Who characters at the Observatory and maybe even a dalek you really celebrate the world's longest-running science fiction TV series. Our telescope operators will be ready to show you stunning objects whether including massive nebulas, double stars, old and young open star clusters.
We'll also be giving out great prizes on the night for the best adult and child costume.
Abseiling At Perth Observatory
Abseiling
Date: Sunday 1st of Dec
Sessions From: 11:30 am to 2:00 pm & 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Price:
$35 per adult for 3 abseils
$30 per concession for 3 abseils
$25 per child for 3 abseils
Need a bit of thrill in your life? Perth Observatory is teaming up with Spacechameleon Adventure Co to organise a family friendly event where you can abseil our Lowell Telescope Dome. Each participant will get 3 abseils through the dome’s trap door and descend the full 12m in a controlled free fall to the ground.
New Year's Eve Night Tor
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 2019? 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.
