Sydney Observatory

Now this is one of those places where you can let your inner geek run wild. Basically it is a museum, but it is also a fully functional observatory. Okay, the telescopes are hardly top of the range (and in fact they still have one of the really telescopes operating here). While the museum is open during the day, it is the night tours, if you are lucky, that really show the awesomeness of this place. Okay, as I said, you have to be really lucky because even if there is a little bit of cloud cover you aren’t going to be seeing any stars. However I happened to have been quite lucky when I came here, and the sky was beautifully empty, which meant we go to look into some telescopes and even go to see Saturn. You do have to book ahead, so there is some keeping your fingers crossed, but as I said I ended up hitting it lucky and ended up having one awesome night.

We had tickets to head to Stargazing at the Observatory.
It really was a spectacular night with passed hordeavors and champs
We had the opportunity to look through the telescope, but because it was a cloudy night couldn’t see any stars.
Would recommend taking the family up to view the harbor and the telescope on a clearer night.

Visiting the Sydney Observatory for the World Record Stargazing event was an unexpected surprise. Located in an out-​of-​the-​way part of Sydney (due to the hill and the Harbour Bridge approach), I’d never been there before.
The buildings are impressive, mainly built between 1857 and 1859 from beautiful Sydney sandstone. I also found it was free to enter the grounds and view the exhibits inside (I went back later to see the buildings during daylight). At the moment there is a wonderful exhibits of astronomical photography on.
It does however cost for a tour during the day or evening ($ 10 for adults during the day, $ 18 in the evening), which includes entry to the planetarium and viewing through the telescopes — best done during the evening of course. The highlight for me was viewing the rings of Saturn through a telescope for the first time, plus taking part in my first world record!

Came here for the Guinness world record attempt of the most amount of people start gazing at once!
This place is pretty cool. It is smaller than I had thought, but that doesn’t take away any of the awesome that this place holds!
The museum itself is multiple levels, and has heaps of awesome sciencey astronomy displays that will tickle your inner school child!
Oh and best of all its all free!!!
P.s has an awesome view of the bridge and Luna park!

The Sydney Observatory’s evening tour is perhaps the perfect thing for the novice interested in astronomy. It’s a museum, now, of course, on account of the light pollution, but it was very interesting to see the artifacts throughout the building. When you add in the guided tour and an opportunity to be oriented with the southern sky, it couldn’t be better.
We had a tremendously patient guide who handled the basic questions from our group (yes, the Sun is a star) and the more complicated ones (why is the something something elliptical quark quantum mechanics?*) with aplomb. He explained the basics of the evening sky very well indeed,** and of course nothing compares to getting to look through a high-​quality telescope to see proof that Alpha Centauri is a binary system, the rings of Saturn, and of course the highly defined craters of our own moon. For someone like me who had never looked through a telescope before, the experience is simply incredible.
Sydney Observatory is certainly worth the tour and the evening viewing, though I’d say those above «beginner» astronomy would find it more interesting as a museum or curiosity than as an opportunity for actual observation. Definitely recommended.
* I admit, that one went a bit over my head, so I’m paraphrasing.
** I’ve seen the Southern Cross now. Crosby et. al. can get off my back already.

Not so much during the day. The grounds has great views of the Sydney harbor, but the displays themselves were a bit on the boring side. The upside is it’s pretty close to everything and is a quick stop, then you move on with the rest of your day.

This was magical.
On the hottest day so far — I think it was at 36 degrees that my blood officially turned to magma — off we pranced to the observatory for a night viewing. At $ 18 bucks a ticket, it was absolutely worth every cent.
Our tour guide and resident stellar feller was Raj; personable, knowledgeable and clearly so passionate about astronomy, he was a great and fearless leader.
The tour was broken into three parts. First up, we were taken outside to view the night sky with our very own eyes, where Raj pointed out the particulars of the heavenly firmament with the aid of a laser pen and iPad. It was SO en trende, darling.
Next up, we were bought into the two observatory domes. They are wondrous. Through the ‘scopes (when you’ve been, you too can use the lexicon of the enlightened), we gazed at the moon with staggering clarity, womens’ own Venus, and a patch of stars that played like fireflies in the sky.
We then were treated to a video session, which, while interesting, was a little too much for a brain saturated by our preposterous insignificance.
I cannot recommend this highly enough. We should all do something every day to reaffirm our complete minisculity. It will stop you making that snarky comment, or getting pissed at someone cutting you up. You see that number up there? Give it a call. Now.
Bring someone you love.

Now a museum (closed as a functioning astronomical lab in the 80s), this place is a warren. Grounds outside are great and signposted well with historical and astronomy markers. Inside you can’t turn your head for all the history around. All the old parts for the astronomy functionality is great. They have an external viewing are upstairs.
I’ve been told the tours are good, though have not made one myself yet. Maybe in the future.

I took my partner here for a night of viewing stars and teenage groping in the dark.
It footed the bill, it was informative and he learnt so much about the stars above us in Sydney that he had no idea before. We saw the rings of Saturn and a cluster of stars.
Well worth a visit if you love star gazing, even more so if you don’t own your own telescope, because the ones they have there kick ass like no one’s business.

Everything you ever wanted to know about telescopes and the transit of Venus. And probably more.
That said, this review is based on day-​time visit… I have no doubt that, this being an observatory, it’s far more interesting after dark.

Really cool experience. We did the 8:15 tour and got lucky with the weather. The guide was really knowledgeable, and we saw some cool stars and planets in the big telescopes. Don’t go if you are tired, the movie is shown in a dark room, perfect for dozing off.

Geek night out anyone?
See the night sky in stylish fashion and book a night visit or private viewing. ($ 18 or $ 1000+).

I find myself instantly captivated by anything having to do with astronomy. There’s something awe-​inspiring about looking so far up into the sky that you can see different worlds, places that we’ll never go. The Sydney Observatory is located in The Rocks, perched up on the top of a hill that offers panoramic views of the Harbor Bridge, North Sydney, Pyrmont, and Balmain. I strongly recommend coming for one of their telescope viewings. They offer one during the day (what’s the point of coming then?) and at night, when you can look through the oldest working telescope in Australia. It’s super cool. On a clear night, not only can you see stars, but also other planets, nebulae, and a very up close and personal view of the moon. A really cool 3D movie is also shown that gives you a little background on what you’re looking at, and astronomy in general. Remember to book before you go, it’s $ 18 for adults at night.

I have enjoyed many a school occasion trips to The Observatory and have found the talks to be incredibly fascinating. You get a glimpse into the world of out space with a guide offering plenty of information to provide a greater insight and understanding. The location of the Sydney Observatory couldn’t be better. Situated in a park with a view of the Sydney Harbour, groups flock to the Observatory for a day out followed by lunch in the park. The highlight of the visit? Peeking through their age old telescope which is famous for being the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere. Pack a picnic and enjoy a wonderful day out with family and friends!

The enchanting Sydney Observatory is the perfect place to indulge your love of astronomy. I have long been fascinated by the night sky and recently signed up to one of the ‘Adult Astronomy’ classes. Being a beginning I elected ‘Exploring The Heavens’ which is a five-​week introductory course to the stars, planets and constellations. You’ll also get the chance to look through the oldest telescope in the Southern Hemisphere plus a basic understating of the different types of telescopes. The course is run by Dr Paul Payne whose passion and enthusiasm for astronomy is infectious (he has over 20 years experience). Paul also extends an invitation to his class to join him for dinner at The Lord Nelson which is a great chance to chat further about the night sky! The course costs $ 150 for adults. Highly recommended.

Space is cool — and not «space» like the «I can stretch out» space I’m talking about outer space — planets, moons, stars and beyond…
Now before you think my glasses got misted up and my calculator needs tweaking — think again — Im not the kinda girl who goes gaga for space… but the Sydney Observatory did get me excited to learn more…
This is a place to become an astronomer for the night as you learn all about the great wide universe. They have a 3D movie (a bit daggy) and a telescope (super cool) which allows you to see the stars — provided its not too cloudy…
It’s open during the day, but if you’re gonna visit — i suggest head over at night for a greater experience…
it’s a fun place for kids and adults… in fact I think its a great place to take a date… nothing like kissing under the stars…