Australian Astronomy, Observatories, Planetariums, Telescopes - Tours, Tourism, Visitor Centres, Education, Locations
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Listed Below are the best Australian Astronomy, Observatories, Planetariums, Telescopes - Tours, Tourism, Visitor Centres, Education, Locations.
There are a wide range of educational, scientific, educations and tourist Observatories, Planetariums, Telescopes for viewing Australia's famous clear skies and seeing the stars and planets.
Many of the Government Telescopes and Astronomical Facilities have Visitor Centres and there are many amateur groups and tourist centres that encourage visitors.
See this link for the major observatories in Australia => Public Observatories and Visitors Centres
Australia's major Observatories are:
Mount Stromlo & Siding Spring Observatories - Mount Stromlo Observatory is located in the hills behind Canberra. The Siding Spring Observatory is located in the Warrumbungle National Park, near Coonabarabran. They have an excellent visitor's centre which is well worth a visit.
Canberra Deep Space Communication Complex - A NASA tracking station and radio telescope facility. Great space exhibits in the visitor's centre. An interesting web site.
Magellan Observatory Another local observatory offering public viewing, the Magellan Observatory has dark skies and on site accommodation. Check out the images pages.
Anglo Australian Observatory - A joint Australia - United Kingdom observatory also located at Siding Spring. The AAO is the home of Australia's largest telescope, the 4.2 m Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT).
Parkes Radio Telescope & ATNF - The Parkes Radio Telescope and Australia Telescope National facility are projects of the CSIRO. Both are dedicated radio telescope facilities. The Parkes Radio Telescope has an excellent Visitor's Centre, well worth a visit.
Wollongong Science Centre & Planetarium - Attached to the University of Wollongong, the Science Centre and Planetarium features many fascinating exhibits you can visit.
Melbourne Planetarium - Part of the new Scienceworks Museum in Melbourne.
Linden Observatory - The WSAAG's observatory in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney
Listed below are the best Australian Astronomy, Observatories, Planetariums, Telescopes - Tours, Tourism, Visitor Centres, Education, Locations throughout Australia, listed by name and location. Scroll through the list and click the operator's link to get more information. Click the town links to see the range of operators and tours available in the area. Use the search tools to select by State, Region and Town.
NSW>Central West>Bathurst
Bathurst Observatory
Bathurst Observatory has one site is for research and study, while the other is for public viewing through telescopes, and also has a daytime space show in the new 200 seat theatrette. The public observatory is located at the Bathurst Goldfields site on Mt Panorama! This site has become one of the largest public educational observatories in NSW! It boasts a large telescope in the observatory dome, and a 200 seat flat screen plantarium.
NSW>Central West>Coonabarabran
Siding Spring Observatory
Located in the Warrumbungle Mountains in the central west region of New South Wales, Siding Spring Observatory is Australia`s premier facility for optical and infra-red astronomy. The Siding Spring Exploratory houses a small exhibition on Astronomy. There is also a coffee shop and a gift shop, and you can visit the Viewing Gallery of the Anglo-Australian telescope - Australia`s largest optical telescope.
NSW>Central West>Parkes
Parkes Radio Telescope
Set in a shallow valley 20 m north of Parkes , the giant 64 metre Parkes Radio Telescope is the second oldest and the fourth largest single dish fully steerable radio telescope in the world and star of the hit movie `The Dish`. Visitors can discover this icon of science at the visitors centre and dish cafe. The visitors centre in the shadow of the telescope has a range of interactive displays about the telescope and astronomy.
NSW>Port Macquarie>Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie Observatory
This facility, operated by the Port Macquarie Astronomical Association, is situated in Rotary Park (opposite Town Beach) Port Macquarie. A multimedia presentation is given and celestial objects can be viewed through the 14 inch telescope. Special nights can be arranged for groups. Hours: Sunday and Wednesday evenings (no bookings required) at 7:30 pm (8:15 pm during daylight savings).
QLD>South Burnett>Maidenwell
Kingaroy Observatory
The Kingaroy Astronomical Observatory offers starry skies for curious eyes. This is THE place for the whole family to enjoy a night out under the stars! During your night visit you also get an open air guided tour of the night skies with the astronomer as he points various stars, constellations and how to find south using the Southern Cross. There is also an air conditioned 68-seater Star Theatre open during the day.
SA>Adelaide>Mawson Lakes
Planetarium - University Of South Australia
The Planetarium, first floor of Building P at the Mawson Lakes Campus, houses a Zeiss Jena projector standing in the centre of a large dome-shaped room. An artificial night sky is projected on to the interior surface of an 8m dome, which acts as a giant screen to display images of the stars, sun, moon and planets. The projector presents the relative position and brightness of about 5,000 stars that are visible from the Southern Hemisphere. Tel: +61 (0) 8 8302 3138
VIC>Goldfields>Buninyong
The Ballarat Observatory
The Observatory comprises several buildings and telescopes and is in the process of becoming an astronomical and historical museum, while retaining its basic function as a working observatory. Telecsopes include # An 8-inch (20cm) Reflector- the `Oddie Telescope` # The Baker Hall, houses a 26-inch (60cm) Reflector-the Baker Telescope. # The Federation Telescope # The Jelbart Observatory which houses a 5-inch (12.5cm) Refractor.
WA>Kimberley>Broome
Astro Tours
Blowing your mind is the intention of Astro Tours. Have you ever looked up into our glorious night skies and wondered what it is all about? Astro Tours takes advantage of some of the best skies on the planet to run a 2 hour astronomy experience from April to December in Broome. Greg Quicke`s intimate knowledge of the earth`s environment comes from half a lifetime living under the sky watching the motions of the planets, the stars, the sun and the moon. Tel: +61 (0) 8 9193 5362