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.
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.
May The 4th Be With You
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!!!
Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo
With Apollo 16 Astronaut Charlie Dukes
Sunday, 13th May 2018
At Perth Concert Hall
Haviland Digital and Live on Stage Australia presents the Australian Premiere Screenings of the new film, Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo.
Following the film there will be an exclusive Q&A with retired Brigadier General USAF, legendary Apollo 16 astronaut and Moonwalker, CHARLIE DUKE who stars in the film together with the filmmakers of Mission Control, Live on Stage. Each show will be hosted by acclaimed Australian Astrophysicist, Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith.
This special event will include a special tribute to the late CAPTAIN GENE CERNAN, Apollo 17 Commander, who also stars in the movie and who toured Australia in 2016 to promote the award-winning film about his life, 'The Last Man on the Moon'. A strictly limited number of Charlie Duke MEET & GREET Packages are now available through Ticketmaster.
Towel Day
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
