State Heritage-listed Perth Observatory is a unique education facility and tourist attraction where science and history come to life in the beautiful Korung National Park. It is one of WA’s oldest tourist attractions and an iconic State institution, established in 1896 just before the Commonwealth of Australia was founded.
Perth Observatory hosts over 200 events annually including telescope viewings, heritage tours, school programs, star adoptions, public lectures, community events, Aboriginal-led tours and global astronomy. The Observatory was recognised recently as Finalist in the Premier’s Science Awards (Chevron Science Engagement), Finalist in the Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards (Tourist Attraction) and Winner of the Kalamunda Chamber of Commerce Tourism Business of the Year.
Perth Observatory’s status as a key tourist attraction is fast being cemented, particularly with a renewed focus on the Australian Space Age. The Observatory offers experiences not available elsewhere and its extensive 120-year history has resulted in a heritage collection identified by the National Library of Australia as “unique in Australia” and of “national and international significance”.
Perth Observatory’s survival is a testament to the power of the community to save and showcase the site. This former State Government Observatory is now managed by the Perth Observatory Volunteer Group (POVG), comprising almost 120 volunteers ranging from 18 to mid-80s, who last year contributed over 20,000 hours to the Observatory’s success.
Perth Observatory has an ambitious future. A recently awarded Lotterywest grant of $958,890 will establish a “Living Museum of Science and Technology”; heritage clocks will be set in motion, the museum redeveloped, photographic plates digitised, tales of scientific discovery captured, disability access improved, and interpretative signage shared. A dominant feature is the creation of an Aboriginal Astronomy Centre celebrating 60,000 years of Noongar celestial storytelling through public art in a project led by internationally renowned artists Peter Farmer Senior and Sharyn Egan.
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Night Sky Tours (NST) Fri, Sat & Sun, Oct-May, 7:30 – 9 pm* (*seasonal) |
Guided sky-tour, using telescopes of at least 6 objects on either a Dark-Sky (no moon), Moonlit (half-moon) or Full-Moon NST.
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| Exclusive Night Tours (ENT) $400 - $2,000 see website for more details |
As NST with an option to tailor elements, including:
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| Guided Day Tours Mon – Friday, 10 am – 4:30 pm $20 adult / $15 conc / $10 child |
Guided tour of the museum and historical telescopes, including:
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Star Adoption Tours
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Opportunity to “adopt a star” for 1-7 years to commemorative a loved one or special occasion. Star is selected in advance before private viewing for 4 people (up to 10 for a fee). Unique selling points:
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| Sunday Open Days 1st Sunday of the month, 2 – 4 pm $20 adult / $10 conc / $5 child |
The observatory is open to the public to book onto a Guided Day Tour or complete a self-guided tour via mobile app (free of charge).
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| Public Lectures Various – free and low-cost |
Educational and inspiring lectures given by well-known astronomer on the topic of interest. Unique selling points:
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| Special Events Various – low-cost/free |
Events held on amphitheatre or viewing area – not necessarily related to astronomy. Unique selling points:
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| Astrophotography Workshops Seasonal Approx. $200/person |
Educational workshops designed to provide an introduction to astrophotography. Unique selling points:
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Astroshop
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Wide-range merchandise for sale including books, “hands-on” science kits and souvenirs.
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Cloudy Nights Policy
Perth Observatory tours are designed to operate in clear, cloudy and wet conditions. Our tours contain a rich combination of star viewing, equipment tours, astrophotography, history and education delivered by a trained, enthusiastic group of staff and volunteers. The exact content of a tour will vary based on the weather conditions at the time to optimise the participant experience. Tickets booked for a tour will not be refunded when cloudy conditions are forecast in the lead up to a tour. It is extremely common that forecasted cloudy conditions will not eventuate to the extent that viewing is not possible. Exceptions:
- If a ticket holder previously attended a tour and that last attended tour was deemed by the observatory to be a cloudy tour, that ticket may be transferred to an alternate date.
- If the Bureau of Meteorology has in place a Severe Weather Warning for the Perth Metropolitan region, including Perth Hills/Bickley area, for the time of the tour, or within 6 hours of the tour start time (12-hour window around the tour), tours during the hours defined by the Severe Weather Warning will be cancelled.
In the event of a severe weather warning, the decision to cancel the tour will be made on the day of the tour and all ticket holders will be contacted using details provided during the booking process.
You will then be given the option to receive a refund or transfer the booking to an alternative tour date/time. (Please ensure that these contact details are correct).
If at the conclusion of a tour, Perth Observatory deems that the tour was considered cloudy, ticket holders of that tour will be provided a 50% discount code for a future tour. When attending that future tour the ticket holder may postpone to an alternative date if cloudy conditions are forecast. Perth Observatory will deem a night as being “cloudy” when:
No more than three astronomical objects are able to be viewed by participants through
- Telescopes, or
- At the discretion of Perth Observatory.
Pricing Information
Note: For Exclusive Night Tours, Star Adoption Tours - see rates.
More Information
Night Sky Tours operate most Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings (timing seasonal – please check website for availability – bookings are essential)