Adult: $25
Concessions: $20
Child: $15
Carers: Free

Did you know that Perth Observatory offers guided day tours of our heritage site and beautiful bushland setting for schools, community groups, and other organisations?

Our tours typically last around two hours but can be tailored to shorter or longer time frames as required. During your visit, you’ll experience a fun and informative journey through our unique observatory, including:

  • Stepping back in time to see how astronomers photographed the night sky using our Astrograph Telescope, which was involved in the production of the Astrographic Catalogue and took over 28,000 glass photographic plates between 1901 and 1999. It even contributed 10% of all ground-based positions for Comet Halley – the largest contribution made globally.
  • Inspecting our iconic Lowell Telescope, which was constructed at the Observatory in the 1970s as part of NASA’s International Planetary Patrol program and made various discoveries, including the ring system on Uranus.
  • Have the opportunity to explore our Indigenous Astronomy Centre and discover the rich stories and traditions behind the breathtaking paintings on display.
  • Learning about our range of modern telescopes, which are used on our Night Sky Tours to share the delights of the southern hemisphere skies with our customers.
  • Exploring our heritage museum, which celebrates the Observatory’s unique and rich history as an astronomical research facility whose primary role was time-keeping and survey positioning in the newly established Western Australian Colony. You’ll marvel at globally significant and rare timepieces, including Shortt Synchronome Clocks, Victor Kullberg Astronomical Regulators, Marine Chronometers, an original Atlas Coelestis produced by John Flamsteed in the early 1700s, and one of the oldest and faster-travelled objects on earth – an iron meteorite that has travelled billions of kilometres through the universe.
  • Enjoying the beauty of the surrounding John Forrest National Park and native wildlife, including our resident family of kangaroos and joeys, a wide variety of bird life, and the occasional emu.
  • Visiting our Astroshop, which offers a large collection of astronomy and space science-related products, along with Perth Observatory branded gifts to serve as a memento of your visit. We also have a selection of drinks and snacks available.

Our museum, shop, and grounds are wheelchair accessible, although the historical Astrograph and Lowell Telescope domes are accessible only by stairs. You can also take the opportunity to visit one of the many neighbouring wineries, breweries, or cider houses within the beautiful Bickley Valley or the nearby City of Kalamunda.

To arrange a guided day tour of the Perth Observatory, please get in touch with us. We’d be happy to discuss the details and help you plan a memorable visit.

What If It’s Cloudy

If it’s going to be cloudy or raining on the night we, unfortunately, won’t be able to safely show you the sun through a solar telescope but we can still provide you with a guided tour of the museum and historical telescopes.

If it’s raining on the day and you’re wanting to use the barbecues, It’s still okay to use are they’re undercover and you and your group can use the kitchen and presentation room to enjoy your lunch.

If you do want to reschedule your tour because it’s going to rain, please call us on 08 9293 8255, email us at info@perthobservatory.com.au or even message us on our Facebook page up to the day before the tour.

Rain CTA

What if it's Rains

When Can We Do The Tours

For groups of more than 10 people, tours can be arranged at your convenience anytime between Monday to Friday.

For groups of less than 10 people, tours are available on Wednesday mornings (subject to volunteer availability).

As all tours are volunteer-led, bookings are essential. There is free entry for carers who visit with a holder of the WA Companion Card.

When we do tours CTA

When We Can Do Tours

Terms & Conditions CTA

Terms & Conditions

Our new museum. Image Credt: Matt Woods
Volunteer Terry talking about the Astrographic Telescope. Image Credit: Matt Woods
Group walking around lowell dome. Image Credit: Geoff Scott
Volunteer Ed talking about the lowell telescope. Image Credit: Geoff Scott
People viewing the sun safely. Image Credit: Geoff Scott
The Sun on the seeing the sun activity. Image Credt: Matt Woods
Day tour group walking to the Meredian Telescope. Image Credit: Matt Woods
Volunteer Arthur gives his astronomical presentation. Image Credit: Matt Woods
Day tour group having lunch under marquees. Image Credit: Matt Woods
Barbecue area. Image Credit: Rob Kennedy
Kangaroos in the bush. Image Credit: Matt Woods
Day tour group photo next to the Meredian Telescope. Image Credit: Matt Woods

Enquire Today

To allow us to help you plan for your upcoming Guided Day Tour, please take the time to fill in your details in our booking form below. We will contact you shortly after receiving your submission during business hours to assist you