Sydney Observatory
Sydney Observatory
4.5
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Friday
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
About
Sydney Observatory, (1858) occupies a heritage-listed sandstone museum and venue set in a historically significant star-gazing site at Millers Point with the best views of Sydney. Open for Sydney Observatory Tours and monthly for Sydney Observatory Lates program while the site is undergoing heritage maintenance works.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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- Circular Quay • 8 min walk
- Wynyard • 9 min walk
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See what travellers are saying
- cobbers2Melbourne, Australia114 contributionsUnique experienceDid a guided tour, small group max 15 which was excellent. Do it at night as you get to look through two telescopes to view planets. The guide Gideon is an amazing wealth of knowledge with a great sense of humour, engaged well with the groupVisited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten October 5, 2023
- Azarul FShah Alam, Malaysia122 contributionsNight tour recommended to those who love astronomyDid a guided night tour which i highly recommend to those who love astronomy or even history. Small group max 15 (you have to make your bookings early as tickets quickly sold out!!) which was excellent. With night tour, you'll get the opportunity to look through two telescopes to view planets. Luck was not one our side as it was very cloudy, hence the telescope was directed to man made objects in the Sydney harbour area instead. My guide was Nadia which was very knowledgeable engaged well with the group. Highly recommended!Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten January 18, 2024
- Adventure365807676794 contributionsThe best of The Rocks is to be had at this hidden gem of a tour.This is an absolute hidden gem. The location is very near to the famous Opera House and other Sidney attractions. But honestly, we enjoyed this more than anything. The tour has something for everyone. There is history, anthropology, geology, art and architecture, shipping and sailing lore, gardens with fruit bats, and the wonderful old operational historic telescopes. The tour guides were so knowledgeable and we got to watch them rotate the observatory dome so we could look through the telephone. Do not miss this tour.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten August 18, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,785 reviews
Excellent
1,137
Very good
468
Average
134
Poor
34
Terrible
12
Saba S
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia12 contributions
Dec 2019
Motivated by my 5 year old's growing interest in the sun, moon, stars and planets, I booked a Twilight Tour to do with him.
We were a group of 15 people, and our guide first took us for a telescope viewing of the sun. It was a clear day, so we were lucky to have a good view. My kid was very impressed.
Next we were taken to a media room, where we were shown some videos about space and the advancements space discovery has taken over the past century.
Last we were shown a simulation of the night sky and the guide pointed out different planets and stars, and answered any questions we had.
Overall, I would rate the experience 8/10 for kids, and maybe 7/10 for grown-ups.
We were a group of 15 people, and our guide first took us for a telescope viewing of the sun. It was a clear day, so we were lucky to have a good view. My kid was very impressed.
Next we were taken to a media room, where we were shown some videos about space and the advancements space discovery has taken over the past century.
Last we were shown a simulation of the night sky and the guide pointed out different planets and stars, and answered any questions we had.
Overall, I would rate the experience 8/10 for kids, and maybe 7/10 for grown-ups.
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hilmar Horst D
Woodvale, Australia233 contributions
Dec 2019
The family fitted in a tour of this establishment, and I was worried the little ones would get a bit restless while looking around, but what a surprise, as they were thoroughly enthralled but what they saw, and learning facts about the planets and the stars, looking through telescopes and more. Time slipped away, even though it was only supposed to be a 30 minute tour, but our thanks for the patience of our guide lady, whose name sadly we have forgotten, but the memories will live on with our boys.
Take the time to visit, and learn things we take for granted.
Take the time to visit, and learn things we take for granted.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KazLiz
Ambleside, UK23 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Three family adults did the night tour. On the positive side, it is more hands on and more of a personal experience than I have had at other observatories (I live in Greenwich, UK and am a regular visitor to the observatory there). Good opportunity to use the telescope for real. However, on the negative side, the information was presented in a rather random, disjointed fashion. The astronomist clearly was expert in his field but lacked presentational skills. The tour also assumes a strong knowledge of astronomy so a lot of information went over our heads though I do think that wouldn’t have been an issue had it been presented better, building up the concepts.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hotairballoon
Paris, France57 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
This tour was worth every cent/euro/penny. You get taken around the grounds of the Observatory, learn new things and have the experience of a knowledgeable tour guide. Our tour guide was British and he was excellent. Cannot sing his praises enough, he was enthusiastic, engaging and altogether pleasant. He definitely made the tour, showing and explaining to us things like the Southern cross, the Moon and answering any questions we had. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would say it is one of the best things to do in Sydney. We were fortunate to be able to see things through the telescopes, our tour guide used his expertise to navigate around the clouds and focus on the things he thought would be interesting for us to see. Watching him navigate the modern telescope was fantastic as he tapped away at the computer and we 'spun' (the dome is the object that spins) around to see the starry sky. But, although people will want to get their teeth into the telescope, I found the other parts equally interesting, if not more so. We discovered things about the wall of the Observatory, the windows, the bomb shelter, the flag masts, the meridian lines, the offices of Henry Chamberlain Russell (if I remember correctly) who set up / initiated the building of weather stations all across Australia. A good activity to do to pass the time in Sydney and escape from the hustle of the city.
Written May 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
harrisju
Adelaide148 contributions
Mar 2020
Such an interesting place to visit in Sydney. Great location near the Rocks with a fabulous view of the harbour. It’s free to visit and full of interesting artefacts in a magnificent historic building. The staff were friendly and helpful too.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trevor W
Bath119 contributions
Feb 2020
Intimate and enthralling. Mitch, our guide was Mr Personality, we learned so much and enjoyed every minute in his company. To handle 19th century telescopes was like feeling history and he even calibrated the night sky to Tassie time for our subsequent trip to Hobart - and thanks to him we saw the Southern Cross and the Space Shuttle the next week. One of the best free things we've done, but spend a little on the tour; you won't regret it.
Written March 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Azarul F
Shah Alam, Malaysia122 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Did a guided night tour which i highly recommend to those who love astronomy or even history. Small group max 15 (you have to make your bookings early as tickets quickly sold out!!) which was excellent. With night tour, you'll get the opportunity to look through two telescopes to view planets. Luck was not one our side as it was very cloudy, hence the telescope was directed to man made objects in the Sydney harbour area instead. My guide was Nadia which was very knowledgeable engaged well with the group. Highly recommended!
Written January 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventure36580767679
4 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
This is an absolute hidden gem. The location is very near to the famous Opera House and other Sidney attractions. But honestly, we enjoyed this more than anything. The tour has something for everyone. There is history, anthropology, geology, art and architecture, shipping and sailing lore, gardens with fruit bats, and the wonderful old operational historic telescopes. The tour guides were so knowledgeable and we got to watch them rotate the observatory dome so we could look through the telephone. Do not miss this tour.
Written August 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cobbers2
Melbourne, Australia114 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Did a guided tour, small group max 15 which was excellent. Do it at night as you get to look through two telescopes to view planets. The guide Gideon is an amazing wealth of knowledge with a great sense of humour, engaged well with the group
Written October 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beryl R
Greater Sydney, Australia203 contributions
Jan 2020
Even if you are not interested in astronomy this is the place to visit for a great views. If you are interested in astronomy then you will not be disappointed with the displays. The staff are friendly and you are free to wander inside and out. There is no cost involved. Note: There are lots of stairs to climb inside the building.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, does it cost anything to enter and how long is usually one trip?
Written September 30, 2020
I'm from US and coming first week of November. I'm targeting a Sunday or Monday night tour -- my husband would love to see some stars/planets. Would it be best to do 6:30 or 8:30? I'd like to know if there is a time when clouds/fog comes in or it's just unknown? Also, it is just now getting dark at 7:00 pm here in US. Please advise which time you'd recommend for the night tour in October/November. Thanks
Written October 18, 2019
Sorry for the late reply- just saw it. I would do the 8.30 because we have daylight saving and it gets dark late.
Written November 18, 2019
kawts
Toowoomba, Australia
Hi is there parking available for a car? How much is it?
Written April 7, 2019
Only street parking with coin operated parking machines. They probably accept credit cards, however not too sure. Parking around the Observatory in the street at night is a lot easier than during the day. Great place to visit !
Written April 9, 2019
Hi there. I'm just curious as to what we would actually see thru the telescopes if we were to do a family twilight tour in a January when I'm guessing darkness will come around 9pm (after the tour finishes). My kids are 8-13yrs. Would we be better doing the 8pm tour?
Thankyou
Written November 1, 2016
Hi!
Thank you for your enquiry about Sydney Observatory's Family Friendly Tours.
Yes, you are correct that it will still be light during the Family Friendly tours in January 2017, with the sun not setting until 8pm.
In the Family Friendly Tours we observe anything that we can in the sky that is visible at this time (weather permitting). This may include the Sun, Moon and any planets visible at the time of your tour.
You will also get an opportunity to look at the "night" sky in our planetarium where the astronomy guide will simulate Sydney's night sky in the Planetarium and then go and launch rockets (again, whether permitting) in our grounds.
As your children are 8-13, it is a judgment call which tour to take them on. Both tours would be suitable for families but the later tour is longer (2 hours rather than 90minutes of Family Friendly) and is more aimed at adults. There are often kids on the 8.15pm tour and they do enjoy the tour as they get to focus on this objects in the night sky. Objects may include stars, planets, the moon and occasionally land-based objects. It is important to note that the 8.15pm Night Tour finishes around 10.15pm we have found that it may be a very late night for some kids.
Thank you for your enquiry and we look forward to welcoming you to Sydney Observatory soon
Written November 2, 2016
Hi David, Sometimes we can squeeze one into our 'car park' but typically no we can't handle a 25 seater as the car park is a rough dirt yard next door and reserved for trades and services. There is plenty of metered parking in Watson Rd only 50m away. So, while we can't guarantee it we do try but you would need to contact our front desk on 9921 3484 on approach to see if it is available.
Written July 7, 2015
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