Perth Observatory image

Perth Observatory

Tourist attraction Tour operator Observatory Museum of space history

One of the Top rateds in Bickley


Address

337 Walnut Rd, Bickley WA 6076, Australia

Website

www.perthobservatory.com.au

Contact

+61 8 9293 8255

Rating on Google Maps

4.80 (530 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 10 am to 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 10 am to 4:30 pm
  • Thursday: 10 am to 4:30 pm
  • Friday: 10 am to 4:30 pm
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: 1 to 4 pm
  • Monday: 10 am to 4:30 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: night (26) volunteers (22) tour (22) experience (20) great (12) amazing (12) knowledgeable (11) telescopes (10) stars (9) time (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Moni L. 2 years ago on Google
    Great family outing in the hills. Affordable and enjoyable. Volunteers are very welcoming and full of knowledge and history of the Observatory. Granted 400k per year for the next 4 years, thanks to our State Government, to hopefully inspire students from all over
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Sharon T. 8 months ago on Google • 240 reviews
    Lovely place with more to see on the night tours i hear. Spent an hour here. No entry fee during the day while night tours must be pre-booked online and i hear it's usually booked out for a month!

  • 5/5 Oliver C. 1 year ago on Google
    The volunteers are always willing to share their knowledge and show you the grounds and telescopes. Tour the museum for some great history of WA's commitment to Astronomy and the space race.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 obioma o. 2 years ago on Google
    Great spot for Astronomy lovers to appreciate some real classic and modern telescopes, without the effect of light pollution. Book a tour online, drop in and be mesmerised by the content on offer.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 J T. 1 year ago on Google
    Fantastic experience. We visited and joined the Perth Winter Nights tour. Doors opened at 7 and we could take a look around the museum and gift shop. Tour started at 730 with the volunteer guides walking us through the museum before we headed up to the domes where we viewed several celestial objects.. Really amazing experience.. Look out for the Emu in the sky! Unfortunately I don't have more pictures.. Would have loved to take some at the domes, but it was dark (can't see stars if it isn't dark!) and the phone light would kill my night vision 😅
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Georgina A. 1 year ago on Google
    Had an amazing experience on the moon tour. Highly recommend! The volunteers go above and beyond!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jo H. 11 months ago on Google
    Attended the Star Trek theme night up there. It was really good, the volunteers know so much and are so happy to answer all questions. Would recommend going up there for any guided tour.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Caue R. 1 year ago on Google
    Perth Observatory is absolutely fabulous. It is completely run by the volunteer group and all money received is used to maintain and improve the Observatory. The volunteers are amazing people passionate about space and the Observatory, they love sharing knowledge and the tours are fantastic.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 peter m. 1 year ago on Google
    The thing about looking through a telescope is it's fairly underwhelming for mister Joe Blow compared to the fantastic detailed sky photography that is presented as reality based on hundreds of exposures, each lasting many minutes, computer combined to a single image then artificial colour added derived from radiation sources we cannot see, what you'll see on the night through the telescopes is generally bright smudges. The night tour started at 19:30, the sky is impressively dark looking away from Perth's glow, the Milky Way, our galaxy, is truly amazing, Having never seen it before, too much city light pollution, it's an emotional experience. Groups are formed from attendees, named alpha, beta, delta, gamma etc - you get the drill, then admitted to each telescope in turn twice to view selected objects, nebulae, cluster galaxies - the most impressive through the 30" Obsession telescope. I would have preferred to have been given a list of the objects viewed, the volunteer staff vary in knowledge, some brilliant others just learning - the information provided is generally more interesting than the viewed objects. Go and look at the amazing Milky Way - and be stunned.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 N T. 7 months ago on Google • 139 reviews
    These guys are doing there a fantastic job. Amazing experience. I really wished we could see some planets but nevertheless, jewel box was the winner of all...

  • 5/5 Sarah Speight P. 9 months ago on Google • 134 reviews
    I did the day tour here and had a great time! All the volunteers were lovely and our tour guide Patrick was very informative about the history behind the telescopes. Another volunteer Bryn? (forget exact name sorry) showed us the sun through a telescope, which was cool as. I've seen a lot through a telescope in the past but never the sun :) Definitely recommend this place for a visit!

  • 5/5 Tanya B. 2 months ago on Google • 97 reviews New
    We went on the night a storm came through but still the team tried to make it the best for us. We learnt alot about each telescope. The service was great. And a special thanks to Nadia for her hospitality

  • 5/5 Peter B. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely loved the Halloween 🎃 star gazing adventure, despite being lightly cloudy we still saw Saturn, Jupiter, and Venus. The volunteer staff were very helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. Can't wait to use my cloudy night discount for a return visit. Some young kids in my group had audibly awesome night! Thanks to all the volunteers again!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 jaswant s. 10 months ago on Google
    I brought my wife and 2 teen boys for the night tour . All of us had a fantastic time . It was so much more than we expected. The guides were knowledgeable and super helpful. After the trip, my older boy has decided to go ahead to pursue astronomyin the uni . I plan to visit this place again.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 KM 1 year ago on Google
    Went on a night tour with my girlfriend and we had the most fantastic time. Very lucky to have booked on such a clear night, it was beautiful. Learnt so much from very knowledgeable, lovely, passionate staff and volunteers. I've lived in the hills for years and never thought to visit but I can't recommend it highly enough.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 susan h. 4 months ago on Google • 58 reviews
    Awesome place day and night! Interesting museum and shop. We were lucky to be part of a group who camped overnight. Nice walk through area during the day observing the wildflowers and reading the information signs outside the various buildings. At night there is a golf buggy to drive you up to the various observatories. We opted to walk. We got a chance to see Saturn, the moon and various star clusters. It was a full moon which was great but difficult to see some stars as the moon was too bright. The volunteers were very knowledgeable. Afterwards we had a BBQ, great music and sat around a camp fire. Great experience! 👍👍👍

  • 5/5 Scott E. 3 months ago on Google • 33 reviews New
    We did the night tour. Little cloudy our night, but the volunteers worked around it. Love the passion of the volunteers. Their museum is great. I loved the old clocks, great history. The precision of these machines is almost inhuman. Picture of the shortt time piece

  • 5/5 Chris A. 3 months ago on Google • 32 reviews New
    If you're after something different then the Observatory is well worth a visit. The night tour was awesome, very well organised and the team of volunteers handled some technical difficulties well. Got some amazing views of Jupiter and Saturn, including the rings, as well as viewing and learning about various constellations, nebulae and stars along with a heap of interesting facts and figures from the super knowledgeable team. Saw 2 space stations as well!

  • 5/5 Beth Cameron (. 2 months ago on Google • 25 reviews New
    Went here on New Years Eve. Amazing experience. They have a lot of big telescopes and domes, nice museum and pictures. Highly recommend. Really clear sky’s so great views through the telescopes.

  • 5/5 Razib “Zib” M. 9 months ago on Google • 11 reviews
    We were awestruck by the night sky filled with stars visible by the naked eye. It took us to a different realm when looking through the different telescopes. It is heartening to know that the volunteer guide have deep knowledge in astronomy. We also enjoyed buying Perth Observatory souvenirs. We will never get the experience back home.

  • 5/5 Kristy B. 2 years ago on Google
    The fact that this place runs on volunteers alone is great. The fact that they have so much knowledge and are friendly is just a bonus. Can't wait to go back.

  • 5/5 Carol B. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely worth the visit, if you are interested in the stars and beyond. And were a wealth of information about the equipment, you only need to ask. Thank you.

  • 2/5 Dave S. 5 months ago on Google
    Took my partner to the night sky tour. Coming back again for the first time since I was a kid, I was hoping for a different experience than what I remember. Sadly, this didn't live up to my expectations. The volunteers who run the tours are passionate and knowledgeable, answering any questions you have about the cosmos. But with how far technology has come when it comes to sky gazing, seeing a black and white outline of Saturn and mutiple versions of the same star cluster just doesn't cut it for the $50 price point per ticket. The museum is like walking back into the 70s, with a historical charm but a small shop.

  • 5/5 Michiel H. 6 months ago on Google
    A great experience for young and old. See the stars, close up of the moon and we also saw Saturn and a few of its moons. A couple of telescopes are set up for your viewing, probably about 30 people there split across 5 groups. Plenty of viewing opportunities for all. Be sure the dress warm, jacket and jumper for sure. It's cold at the top of the observatory hill! The experience last over 2 hours and hosted by volunteers. Must book ahead.

  • 5/5 Joshua C. 2 years ago on Google
    Had a great time during my visit. The volunteers were knowledgeable and passionate about their field. As many people as possible need to support this treasure in our hills.

  • 5/5 Frankie 2 years ago on Google
    Such a richly vibrant experience! Marvellous volunteers shared their passion and knowledge with humour, comfort, confidence and personality. Top that off with a somewhat cloud-covered view of Venus, Jupiter and 4 lined-up stars and Jupiter, it was a wonderful experience for my 7 year-old and me. Thank you, Lexie and co. We loved your work!

  • 5/5 Joanna R. 8 months ago on Google • 5 reviews
    We had the BEST night here!!! We saw many different types of star, nebulae, the moon... it was absolutely amazing! The staff and volunteers were incredible - very knowledgeable, entertaining, and so passionate about the universe! We will be back for the gas giants tour and Star Wars night FOR SURE. Thank you all so much. You really made it an unforgettable experience.

  • 5/5 Julie R. 2 years ago on Google
    Great night out. The children in the group were well catered for but its very cold this time of the yr. if I had of known I would have dressed for the Antarctic. The volunteers were excellent and very knowledgeable. Saw a good range of planets stars and a galaxy

  • 5/5 Rocio Ramirez B. 2 years ago on Google
    Amazing night sky tour where we got to see some planets and other celestial objects with awesome huge telescopes. Remarkably, it's all run by volunteers. Big thanks to them who made a beautiful experience.

  • 5/5 Akmal H. 10 months ago on Google
    Had an amazing and educational time during our Night Sky tour. Our hosts (all of them volunteers) were very knowledgeable and passionate about astronomy. The evening was well spent looking at the stars through telescopes of varying magnification strengths, all while our hosts shared interesting facts and personal anecdotes related to the matter at hand. Definitely an activity I’d recommend, whether you have an interest in astronomy or otherwise.

  • 5/5 Laurina F. 10 months ago on Google
    Had an absolute blast here! The volunteer were amazing, the tour was amazing, the knowledge, history and whole experience was amazing! I highly recommend this! My favourite was the Jewellery Box and the Sombrero Galaxy! Truly mind blowing. Thank you for this experience

  • 5/5 Quinton A. 2 years ago on Google
    Been twice on night tour, volunteers are friendly and enthusiastic about what they are sharing. Clouded tour and clear sky tour were both really good and worth doing. We went with a 12 yr old, 16 yr old and an 88 yr old and they all had fun. The few ladder steps were still ok for nan as long as we helped guide and support her.

  • 5/5 Gerald W. 1 year ago on Google
    Night Sky tour was great! Volunteers were knowledgeable, enthusiastic and helpful. I thoroughly recommend it!

  • 4/5 Michael M. 1 year ago on Google
    Was out for midweek Sunday drive through the hills and called in on off chance when nearby. Arranged a guided tour with a volunteer and while very interesting found the $20 per person concession price a little excessive. Seems surprisingly underfunded by Government for the importance of the work of the facility. Another interesting point that despite its elevation and proximity to various towers there is no mobile telephone reception. CCTV everywhere here and probably not all for the value of the equipment.

  • 5/5 Shane J. V. 1 year ago on Google
    Such an amazing place! I’m embarrassed to say I should’ve visited here ages ago. The night star-display was so much fun; learned heaps about the constellations & planets too. Def fun for a night out as a birthday/ catch-up group or for the whole family ✨🌙🪐

  • 5/5 uyen t. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved it! Great work done by passionate volunteers and I'm super thankful for such a wonderful experience even though the weather wasn't working in our favour that evening! Will definitely be back for another Night Sky tour!

  • 5/5 Andey K. 1 year ago on Google
    Informative and enthusiastic guides willing to share. It was lovely to have such wonderful guides. The only thing to take care is that the ride up the hill can be scary for people not accustomed for unlit roads as kangaroos are common in the area

  • 5/5 Nattie J. 1 year ago on Google
    What a fantastic experience we had on Friday Night visiting this place. Although the weather was not kind to us and the skies were covered in clouds the experience was still phenomenonal and with a highly informative team that explained so much I really loved our time here. Looking forward to returning in the next few months so we can get to star gaze but if you love the Heavenly skies above us and are fascinated with all that our Universe encompasses please visit here. 🌟👍🏼🙂


Call +61 8 9293 8255 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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