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The observatory caters mainly for schools and groups, and features a new 200 seat theatrette planetarium as well as an observatory with a 14 inch telescope for night viewing, bookings essential.~
~The original Bathurst Observatory has become the Bathurst Observatory Research Facility and studies continue at this site.
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The complex is located 35km southwest of Canberra (Tourist Drive 5) and is a major link in NASA's Deep Space Network. Tidbinbilla sends and receives radio signals from distant spacecraft as they explore our Solar System and beyond. The centrepiece is the 70 - metre antenna. The Visitor Centre incorporates audio/visual presentations, exhibits, models and images from the spacecraft. A highlight is an actual Moon rock. There is also a cafe and giftshop, where meals and souvenirs are available.
Address: Tourist Drive 5, Discovery Drive (off Paddy's River Rd), TidbinbillaBack to Contents
The homestead has accommodation for couples to large groups. Chesleigh offers observing to patrons through a 12 inch reflector telescope, taking full advantage of its clean, dark sky site.
Address: Chesleigh Homestead, 319 Hill End Rd, Sofala 2795Back to Contents
This observatory is operated by the Astronomical Society of NSW. It is located on Bowen Mountain near North Richmond (north west of Sydney). It houses a 40cm Dobsonian telescope. The observatory is open on Saturday nights (nearest to Last Quarter Moon phase). Visitors are most welcome.
Address: Burralow Fire Trail, Bowen MountainBack to Contents
The famous Parkes observatory, 'The Dish', is located 20km north of Parkes (just off the Newell Highway). This landmark radio telescope is 45 years old, but still considered to be one of the best single dish radio telescopes in the world. As well as a great view of the telescope, the visitors centre has displays, audiovisual and 3D presentations. There is also the Dish Cafe and a picnic area with free gas barbecues. Souvenirs and educational material are available.
Address: Radio Telescope Visitors Centre, Telescope Rd (PO Box 276), Parkes NSW 2870Back to Contents
The observatory is located on Observatory Road (off the road to Mt. McDonald) Darby Falls, Cowra. It offers one of the largest telescopes accessible to the public, a 500mm Newtonian. Also available are 400mm, 300mm and 200mm instruments, a 6" refractor and a flat screen planetarium.
Hours: Winter: 7 - 10pm, Summer: 8:30 - 11pm, or by appointment. Coaches and schools welcome.Back to Contents
Dubbo's 'Star Attraction' is located next to the world renowned Western Plains Zoo. Stage one of the observatory is running, which includes viewing the night sky through three 300mm Schmidt Cassegrain telescopes and large binoculars. There is a well-stocked gift shop. An eighteen hole mini-golf course with an astronomical theme is open during the day.
Address: 13L Camp Rd (PO Box 308) Dubbo NSW 2830Back to Contents
The Gilgandra Observatory is in the centre of town, just off the Newell Highway, opposite the Three Ways Motel. It provides a 31cm telescope for public use. Tours of the night sky are held each night except Sundays. During NSW School holidays daytime by appointment. Booking is advised.
Address: Willie Street, Gilgandra NSW 2827Back to Contents
The observatory is operated by the Sutherland Astronomical Society (SAS) in Sydney. The two buildings house 41cm and 35cm telescopes. Visitors are welcome any Thursday night, with guest speakers on the 1st Thursday of the month. The society also run regular open nights for the general public.
Address: Cnr Green Point&Caravan Head Roads, Oyster Bay (PO Box 31, Sutherland NSW 1499)Back to Contents
This observatory is located 60km south of Bathurst and is run as a non-profit organisation. The facility caters for amateur astronomers who are looking to use large aperture telescopes under very dark skies. The facility boasts a C14, a 12.5 inch Newtonian, Meade LX-200s with astrophotography and CCD cameras. The observatory has on-site accommodation, sleeping up to eight people.
Cost: $120 per personBack to Contents
The observatory is located in the Blue Mountains at Wentworth Falls. It offers dark skies while still close to Sydney. It is open to any interested people or groups. There is a flat screen planetarium and two modern telescopes in a dome. Classes for the Nepean Community College are also conducted on the night sky, astrophotography and telescopes. It is also open on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm for solar observing.
Hours: Flexible to meet demandBack to Contents
Located on the border of the Central Coast and Lower Hunter, the centre is no more than two hours from most Sydney and Newcastle suburbs. Bookings are essential. Koolang staff have also developed curriculum and theme based presentations to cover all school levels K-12.
Address: Great North Road, Bucketty NSWBack to Contents
WSAAG (Western Sydney Amateur Astronomy Group) holds two observing nights a month, where anyone can drop in and look through their telescopes. Observing nights are usually held on Saturdays closest to the New Moon. Dates can be obtained by visiting the WSAAG website.
Address: 105 Glossop Road, Linden NSW 2778Back to Contents
Located on the Macquarie University campus at North Ryde, this observatory is open to the public on Friday nights unless raining from March to November inclusive. Astronomy students will guide you with a range of telescopes. On cloudy nights, the program includes slide shows and Solar System demonstrations.
Address: Macquarie University via Culloden RdBack to Contents
Situated three hours drive south of Sydney, Magellan Observatory has an extensive range of equipment for hire and comfortable accommodation in a dark sky location. Equipment includes a 24" computer controlled telescope in a 4 metre dome , an 18" telescope used for their 'Sky Tours', a Borg 5" APO refractor on a Takahashi mount, and a 10" f3.5 astrograph on a Losmandy mount in a 2.3 metre dome. Also a wide variety of cameras for CCD, DSLR or film imaging.
Address: 461 Covan Creek Road, Lake Bathurst NSW 2580Back to Contents
The oldest fully operational research observatory in Australia, Mt Stromlo Observatory (along with its sister observatory at Siding Spring) is part of the Australian National University. Once housing telescopes dating back to 1868, Mt Stromlo Observatory was devastated by the fire storms on 18 January 2003. However, Mt Stromlo Observatory is rebuilding and the site is now open for visitors. Self-guided walking tour brochures are available from the Visitor's Centre. BBQ facilities are also available.
Address: 15 minutes from Canberra City, Mt Stromlo Observatory, off Cotter Road, Weston Creek, ACT (On Tourist Drive 5)Back to Contents
This facility, operated by the Port Macquarie Astronomical Association, is situated in Rotary Park (opposite Town Beach) Port Macquarie. A multimedia presentation is given and celestial objects can be viewed through the 14 inch telescope. Special nights can be arranged for groups.
Address: PO Box 1453, Port Macquarie NSW 2444Back to Contents
As well as providing accommodation in self contained log cabins, Ryder Homestead offers guests guided star gazing tours. Located 30 minutes north of Bathurst the Homestead enjoys very dark country skies.
Address: 130 Thompson Street, Wattle Flat NSW 2795Back to Contents
Siding Spring is home to eleven telescopes, including the Anglo-Australian Telescope - the largest in Australia. A 12th observatory, Skymapper is under construction. Siding Spring nestles into the Warrumbungle's at the entrance to the national park, 30 minutes west of Coonabarabran. Their visitor's centre includes a cafe, The Exploratory, and Sun viewing through a telescope. The Exploratory offers hands on displays, videos, and interactive computers and much more.~
~Guided tours are available Monday to Friday at 11am as well as on the Easter and October long weekends. Special tours are available upon request. An open day is generally held in October in conjunction with the Festival of the Stars. Astrocamp for High Schools is also held in May.
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Skywatch Observatory is in Coonabarabran, the home of the Siding Spring Observatory. It is open to the public day and night and is located on Timor Rd, 2km west of the Coonabarabran Clock Tower. During the day the exhibition features hands-on activities, a theatrette, computers and displays. At night there is guided telescope viewing. There is also Astro Mini-Golf, a planetarium and a restaurant/cafe.
Address: Timor Rd, 2km west of the Clock TowerBack to Contents
This is Australia's oldest observatory, situated near The Rocks on Observatory Hill and overlooking Sydney Harbour. It offers a 3-D Space Theatre and telescope tours, fascinating historic and interactive displays and night telescope tours (which include stargazing through the observatory's telescopes). There is also a mini-planetarium on offer during wet weather. Day tours include the 3 - D Space Theatre, a dome tour and solar viewing (weather permitting). Sydney Observatory is part of the Powerhouse Museum.
Address: Watson Road, Observatory Hill, The Rocks SydneyBack to Contents
The Australia Telescope operates in the radio region of the spectrum. It uses high technology to combine the signals from a number of dishes, to obtain the performance of a single theoretical dish a number of kilometres in diameter. The Compact Array is located at the CSIRO's Paul Wild Observatory near Narrabri. It consists of six 22m dishes five of which are spaced along a 3km track with the sixth a further 3km to the west. From the visitor's centre there are great views of the dishes, displays and video presentations.
Address: Locked Bag 194, Narrabrai NSW 2390Back to Contents
The Canberra Space Dome (Planetarium) is a virtual reality star theatre. Experience night sky simulations, interplanetary space flight, and explore the night sky. The observatory features research-grade telescopes under domes.
Address: Hawdon Place, Dickson (off Antil Street)Back to Contents
The UWS Observatory is open to the public and runs public astronomy nights, school programs, holiday programs, and group programs during the day or evening. It features a 0.6 metre (24 inch) telescope which is available for night viewing by the public.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday&Thursday 9am - 3pmBack to Contents
Operated by the University of Wollongong, this public science centre includes a planetarium (BlueScope Steel Star Theatre), observatory, laser light shows, extensive interactive exhibits, demonstration theatre (Illawarra Coal Science Theatre), and a gift and resource shop. The BlueScope Steel Star Theatre has a state of the art Zeiss ZKP3 star projector, laser projector and full-dome show projector. The observatory houses a high quality computer controlled telescope which is used to observe the Sun and stars.
Address: Science Centre, Innovation Campus, Squires Way, Fairy Meadow 2519Back to Contents
The Spirit of the Night Sky is an acclaimed presentation of the southern night sky. This enthralling presentation will give you a new perspective of your place in the universe through factual and practical information and cultural storytelling.
Address: 90 Petrick Rd, Alice Springs NT 0870Back to Contents
The observatory, situated approximately 6 km South of Bundaberg, is operated by The Bundaberg Astronomical Society. The 6 metre dome houses a 480mm Newtonian telescope and a 14 inch computerised Meade telescope with CCD imaging using ST8E and Starlight Express technology. The observatory opens to the public on Friday nights. Midweek opening can also be arranged for large groups.
Address: PO Box 4221, South Bundaberg Qld 4670Back to Contents
The public observatory is located on Cunnamulla Rd, near the airport. The centre includes an observatory for night viewing of the Cosmos and during the day, two theatre presentations, seven interactive displays and a meteorite collection. Sun viewing is also available.
Address: PO Box 681, Charleville 4470Back to Contents
The observatory is located in the heart of Maidenwell, near the Bunya Mountains, 2.5 hours drive NW of Brisbane. They are open to the general public in the early afternoon (other times by appointment) Thursdays - Tuesdays and conduct stargazing sessions 7 nights a week. Star Theatre showtimes 2pm and 4pm Thursdays to Tuesdays (Wed. by appointment). Live video images of the Sun in Hydrogen Alpha light are projected onto a giant screen. At night viewing is through three Meade LX200 GPS 14" telescopes. They give special audio/visual presentations to schools and social groups and have full wheelchair and amenities access. Camping and cooking facilities are close at hand on site. The roll off roof observation deck can seat up to 30 people at a time. They sell astro equipment and conduct a basic astronomy course once a year.
Address: Main Rd, Maidenwell Qld 4615Back to Contents
Springbrook National Park is only a 45 - minute drive from Surfers Paradise. The observatory is open to the general public, astronomical groups, schools, and researchers by appointment. This facility has a C14 with Titan Robotic Mount, C11, 5.0", 4.5" refractor, CCD equipment, hydrogen alpha filter for solar prominence observation and sunspot viewing.
Address: 2337 Springbrook Road, Springbrook Qld 4213Back to Contents
Situated on Hamilton Island, the observatory is open to the public regularly during the dry months from April to November although the 2007 program may be interrupted by development work in the area. Viewing is complimentary. New for 2007 is a 6 metre portable planetarium showing full dome films suitable for all the family. This will operate regularly, particularly during school holidays; modest charges apply.
Address: PO Box 40, Hamilton Island Qld 4803Back to Contents
This world class planetarium is located in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mt Coot-tha, at Toowong in Brisbane. Programs are presented in the Cosmic Skydome which has an artificial sky projected onto the interior of a 12.5m dome. The Planetarium has been upgraded and is now in a digital format. All shows include a current night sky tour recreated in the Skydome. The display areas contain interesting astronomical and space items, short videos run in a mini theatre, and the shop has astronomical and educational products. The Planetarium observatory has a variety of telescopes and sessions must be pre-booked. School shows are also available during weekdays.
Address: Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, Mt Coot-tha Rd, Toowong Qld 4066Back to Contents
Located in the heart of the northern Flinders Ranges, Arkaroola have Advanced Ecotourism accredited ridgetop, waterhole and astronomy tours. There are also many guided and unguided bushwalks. They have three astronomical observatories offering two Celestron 360mm and three Meade Maksutov-Cassegrain computer assisted telescopes. There are also three 'star chairs' with 20x80 astro binoculars, spare piers and wedges suitable for BYO telescopes and astrophotography/CCD equipment.
Address: Private Bag 106, Port Augusta SA 5710Back to Contents
The CANGAROO III telescopes are used for high-energy astrophysical studies of pulsars, supernovae, gamma ray bursts and black holes. Their four 10m diameter light collecting telescopes which are used for detecting optical light produced when very high energy gamma-rays reach our atmosphere. The telescopes are located inside the Woomera Security Area. There is a display in the Woomera Heritage Centre.
Web: http://www.physics.adelaide.edu.au/astrophysics/cangaroo/index.htmlBack to Contents
The Heights School Observatory is located at the Heights School, Modbury, Adelaide. It was formed primarily for students of the school with an interest in astronomy, but anyone is encouraged to join. There are two main telescopes and a classroom. During the day solar observations are made.
Web: http://theheights.webzone.net.au/observatory.shtmlBack to Contents
The planetarium has sessions for primary/secondary schools as well as the general public. Sessions are by appointment only. An open to the public session is available on the first Saturday of the month at 2:45pm.
Address: University of South Australia, Building P, Mawson Lakes CampusBack to Contents
The observatory houses a 10 inch LX200 Meade, an ST7 CCD and 35mm accessories. The telescope is controlled by computer with either Sky IV or Cartes du Ciel. BYO flash drive or floppy disc if CCD imaging.
Address: PO Box 161, Woomera SA 5720Back to Contents
The planetarium is in the Queen Victoria Museum in Wellington St.
Address: Queen Victoria Museum, Wellington St, Launceston Tas 7250Back to Contents
The Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology is offering public 3D tours through the Universe in the Virtual Reality theatre during the school holidays.
Address: The Virtual Reality theatre is in room AS406 on the fourth floor of the Applied Science building. Enter from Burwood Road.Back to Contents
The observatory contains three historic telescopes: The Jelbart - a 125mm refractor, the Oddie - a 220 mm Newtonian, the Baker Great Equatorial Telescope - a 650mm Newtonian (commissioned in 1886) and a 300mm Newtonian. The Adcock-Federation telescope (406mm Cassegrain-Springfield) has disabled-access. They are open every Friday and Saturday evening, other times bookings are required. There are regular events at other times, updates on website. Astrotour 3D Movies are available in conjunction with Swinburne University of Technology.
Address: Cnr of Magpie and Cobden Street, Mount Pleasant, Ballarat East~Back to Contents
The observatory is approximately 250km west of Melbourne, on a dark sky site 20km south from Stawell, off the Western Highway. A 356mm SCT robotic telescope, which includes computerised CCD imaging technology was previously planned for 2006. Due to the 2006 bushfires, this is now planned for 2007. Regular weekend viewing by interested persons or groups and accommodation is available by prior arrangement.
Contact: Robert&Kerrie FreundBack to Contents
This is Australia's first digital planetarium and is at Scienceworks in Spotswood. The theatre seats 135, and produces shows for all ages. The planetarium is open seven days a week from 10am (except Christmas Day and Good Friday) and runs special evening sessions from January to March.
Address: 2 Booker St, Spotswood VicBack to Contents
The historic Old Melbourne Observatory is located in the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. There is a Monday night program called the 'Southern Night Sky Experience' and a program focused on the moon, called 'Lunar Tours'. Bookings are essential for both programs. The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne has a visitor centre, function rooms, Observatory Cafe, Terrace Tearooms and a Gardens Shop.
Address: Birdwood Avenue, South Yarra Vic 3141Back to Contents
The observatory is located next door to Talbot Post Office. Talbot is a small town in a dark sky site between Ballarat and Maryborough. The two observatories house a 0.5m Cassegrain reflector, and a 15cm long focus refractor for planetary work. There are nightly sky tours and informal talks. Comfortable accommodation is also available (two bedroom unit).
Address: 9 Camp St, Talbot Vic 3371Back to Contents
Situated in the Darling Ranges, 40km inland from the West Coast, Perth Observatory conducts international standard astronomical research and wide ranging educational outreach activities.~
~Star Viewing Nights are conducted as part of the observatory's public education program, using a dedicated facility with several large telescopes. The observatory also has transportable telescopes to conduct Astronomy Field Nights at remote sites.~
~Guided tours in the day time are also conducted and can include viewing of historical astronomical artefacts in our museum, a demonstration of the operation of old and new research telescopes, a safe view of the Sun with a dedicated solar telescope, and a general or specific astronomy computer presentation.
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This facility specialises in the presentation of astronomical information and the viewing of the night sky through their telescopes. The observatory is one and a half hours drive from Perth. The property is Sunarise, 25 Pingelly Heights Rd (off Aldersyde Road), Pingelly. Astro Ventures caters for schools, various community organisations and private parties on request.
Address: PO Box 512, Pingelly WA 6308Back to Contents
The Southern Cross Cosmos Centre is an observatory situated in the Shire of Gingin, an hour north of Perth. Their main instrument is the 25 inch Brodie-Hall telescope. They have five other telescopes ranging from 11" to 16" as well as six pairs of binoculars. The SCCC specialises in school programs and community groups.
Hours: See web site for costs and times.Back to Contents