Please visit the Observatory web site to learn more. There are pages detailing what's visible, tour times and prices, research that is undertaken at the observatory, news and much more.
Bathurst Observatory is an observatory where the public can go and view a variety of objects through the main optical telescope. All tours are conducted with an experienced guide who will show you the many wonders of the southern hemisphere's night sky....
- the planets of our solar system
- maybe distant galaxies that are millions of light years away
- vast gas clouds, called nebula, in our galaxy.
Tour content varies through the year, but there is always something great to see.
There is also a visitors centre with a mineral, fossil and space display plus a display of meteorites.
A wide range of souvenirs are for sale including posters, postcards, planispheres, rocks, minerals and fossils.
The Observatory is open 6 nights a week provided that the weather is clear. Groups of ten or more can book Monday to Thursday evenings, while general bookings can be made Friday and Saturday evenings.
See the Viewing Calendar page on our website for times and highlights on a given day.
Bookings are essential.
Also remember if the weather is bad you obviously can’t see through the cloud so the observatory is closed.
If in doubt call and check.
From the Great Western Highway on the eastern side of Bathurst, follow the signs to the Bathurst Sheep and Cattle Drome.
Then follow Limekilns Road until the Rossmore Park turnoff (about 6km - there are no observatory direction signs!)
Turn into Rossmore Park and follow the road until you reach our signage and the observatory.
The main telescope - a 14 inch Celestron SCT reflector. It is housed in a 6.7m dome which can hold around 30 adults.
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Bathurst Observatory
