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Sydney Observatory, Sydney

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Sydney Observatory

Watson Road, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia
02 9921 3485
Website
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As featured in Sydney off the beaten path
17 visitor photos
Ranked #72 of 261 attractions in Sydney
4.0 of 5 stars 79 Reviews
Type: Observatories/ Planetariums
Fee: No
Recommended length of visit: 1-2 hours
Owner description: Built in 1858 Sydney Observatory is a fascinating heritage site and public observatory. 90 minute Night tours include telescope viewing and a 3d Space... more » Owner description: Built in 1858 Sydney Observatory is a fascinating heritage site and public observatory. 90 minute Night tours include telescope viewing and a 3d Space Theatre experience with a planetarium experience in cloudy weather. Day tours include solar viewing (weather permitting) and a 3d Space Theatre in a 30 minute tour. Entry to the Observatory is free during the day, tours are a small extra charge but well worth it to experience modern astronomy and solar viewing with an astronomer. Night tours must be booked and prepaid. « less
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79 reviews from our community

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sydney
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
7 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
“Worth the trip”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2013

This is great for adults and kids. We liked the 3D theatre where you can see whatever movie is selected for your booking. We've watched documentaries on the sun, saturn and mars on separate visits. We've turned up to a special night event a few years back. It was a little chaotic, with lots of people. The school holidays events... More

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See 4 more reviews by greenrock7 for Sydney
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
1 review
“great sydney”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2013

you must go to the Manly Beach. With shore club hotel ,mexico resteraunt and great beach, it can be very fun for couples and families.have fun.

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Contributor
19 reviews 19 reviews
11 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
“Great night tour....”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 April 2013

Well, what a knowledgable young tour guide. He seemed so keen to share his knowledge and made sure everyone got a good look through the telescopes. Was great to see star clusters and SATURN! My daughter just loved the experience. Even just going up to the domes and watching them move was an experience.

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See 4 more reviews by Maikalsie for Sydney
New York City, New York
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
14 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“seen better days”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 April 2013

these places have to be kept up to date or they become relics from another age, this place needs to get some new attractions and attract youngers visitors with some videos or whatever

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See 3 more reviews by patburtonny for Sydney
Sydney O, Manager at Sydney Observatory, responded to this review
13 April 2013

Hi, thank you for your review. Yes you are right that our interactive exhibits have not been changed for 15 years and the interpretation does need to be refreshed somewhat. However it is a shame you did not do a tour because we have a brand new Digital Planetarium and a spectacular 3D Space Theatre which families are enjoying this... More

Worcester, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
19 attraction reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“Great Evening Out”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 April 2013

Good value for money! I found it so amazing, the tour guide we had was so knowledgable! We asked lots of questions and he showed us lots of planets! It was great!

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See 8 more reviews by beckys2011 for Sydney
Sydney O, Manager at Sydney Observatory, responded to this review
13 April 2013

Hi, Thanks for your positive review and taking a tour. Sydney Observatory astronomy guides have a wealth of knowledge and they are a very important part of the entire experience. You likely saw Saturn and it is one of the most spectacular planets to view through telescopes. Keep star gazing on your travels, you obviously enjoy it! More

Mangilao, GU
Senior Contributor
42 reviews 42 reviews
27 attraction reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
“Worthwhile to visit, even during the day”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 April 2013

The observatory (entrance fee during the day is only through donations) was a great stop in the middle of the day. Nice views of the city, interesting exhibits, and pretty large considering that there isn't an admission fee. Very few people there when we went, so we had the place largely to ourselves. Also nice to see it during the... More

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See 5 more reviews by 34AnneK34 for Sydney
Sydney O, Manager at Sydney Observatory, responded to this review
13 April 2013

Hi, thanks for your taking time to write your review. You obviously engaged with the history and heritage of Sydney Observatory, the unique offer and the spectacular site location. Best wishes in seeking out other more 'hidden' sites on your travels. More

Adelaide, Australia
Senior Contributor
38 reviews 38 reviews
31 attraction reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
“The oldest working telescope in the Southern Hemisphere”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 April 2013

We walked here from the CBD through the Rocks area of Sydney, and enjoyed the presentation which is suitable for people of all ages. Carlos was obliging and answered questions as rapidly as they were fired at him. We learned a lot about astronomy on that night, even though Sydney was not allowing us to view any actual stars on... More

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See 4 more reviews by Marika255093 for Sydney
Sydney O, Manager at Sydney Observatory, responded to this review
13 April 2013

Hi Marika, thanks for writing your review and taking a tour. It does make a difference when you get to see and use all the facilities. Happy stargazing! More

Norwich, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
“Must see for stargazers!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 March 2013

This is a museum in Sydney that I visit fairly regularly. During the day it can be a bit dry, but it's nice walking around the exhibits and learning about the importance of astronomy to early Sydney (transit of Venus, telling the time etc). At 1PM they usually drop the time ball. Night tours are more interesting, you get to... More

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Sydney O, Manager at Sydney Observatory, responded to this review
29 March 2013

Thank you for your excellent and detailed review. It is heartening to know that you return regularly and still find Sydney Observatory interesting both day and night. We are soon updating our planetarium I hope you will come back and review it. Please show that you have reviewed us on Trip advisor when you next visit. BTW Saturn will be... More

Mandurah, Australia
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
4 attraction reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Depending on the whether”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 4 March 2013

It's better to go when the whether is fine but i still had a great time even though it was overcast and couldn't see much through the telescope.

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See 3 more reviews by rahmon for Sydney
Sydney, Australia
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“It's quite some time ago but I found the visit to Sydney Observatory to be most informative.”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 February 2013

It was a school excursion and, naturally, explaining to a very large group of young children is not an easy assignment but I found the experience to be very positive, as the senior teacher in charge, quite a number of years ago. Having read the reviews, I assume that it is very important to match the interests of the visitors... More

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See 3 more reviews by Ozcloggie for Sydney

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Sydney Observatory
Watson Road
Sydney, New South Wales 2000
Australia
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