See the southern sky and magnificent views over Sydney Harbour at Australia's oldest Observatory. Discover the long tradition of Australian astronomy as well as the latest developments in this fascinating field.

Built in 1858, Sydney Observatory is one of the most significant sites in the nations scientific history. It was essential to ship navigation, meteorology, timekeeping and for studying the southern hemisphere. In the late 1880s Sydney Observatory gained international recognition when Government Astronomer Henry Chamberlain Russell took some of the first astronomical photographs.

The Observatory became a museum in 1982. Currently it houses two exhibitions:

By the light of the southern stars

Cadi eora birrung: under the Sydney stars

There are tow main telescopes in the building. The historic lens telescope in the south dome dates from 1874 and is the oldest regularly used telescope in Australia. In contrast, the mirror telescope in the north dome is fully computer controlled and incorporates the latest technology.

Evening tours include all illustrated talk, tour of the exhibitions and viewing through the Observatory's two telescopes (bookings essential).