Tour telescope domes at Mount Stromlo Observatory
Canberra, Australia • 
Underrated
Underrated
Best months to visit
Jan, Dec
13°C – 28°C, warm and dry with little humidity, making it ideal for outdoor activities, high crowds, peak season
13°C – 28°C, warm and dry with little humidity, making it ideal for outdoor activities, high crowds, peak season
Walking required
Yes
Tours involve walking, stairs; not wheelchair accessible.
Tours involve walking, stairs; not wheelchair accessible.
Value for money
Medium
Experiences are ticketed, but views are free and stunning.
Experiences are ticketed, but views are free and stunning.
Highlights we curated for you
See what similar travellers think of this activity
C
Reviews from other travelers
Summarised by AI
Stunning Views
Couples raved about the panoramic views of Canberra and the beautiful ranges.
Romantic Setting
Visitors felt the stargazing offered a unique and intimate experience for couples.
Educational Fun
Couples found the historical tour and astronomy talks very informative and engaging.
Weather Dependent
Some couples noted that cloudy skies could ruin the stargazing experience.
Unlit Parking
Travelers felt the unlit car park at night was a safety concern.
Limited Amenities
Couples were disappointed the cafe and visitor center were closed during their visit.
How to book
ViatorRECOMMENDED
Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
2h - 3h
4.8
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USD 45
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GetyourguidePremium Experience with Hotel Pickup
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before
4h - 5h
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USD 70
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KlookPrivate Full-Day Tour
Non-refundable
8h - 10h
5.0
from
USD 120
per_person
BOOK
Hours of operation
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
In-depth experience
May contain spoilers
Watch curated videos from fellow travellers for a glimpse of what to expect.
Join an explorer on a tour of Mount Stromlo Observatory.
When to visit
We've analysed user reviews and geographical data, and identified the best and worst months to visit.
Month
Crowd Level
Weather
Availability
Our recommendation
December
HIGH
12-25°C
Warm summer temperatures with less rainfall.
Warm summer temperatures with less rainfall.
Open
Advance booking recommended due to high demand.
Advance booking recommended due to high demand.
Recommended
December's warm weather and festive atmosphere attract many visitors; plan ahead for accommodations.
December's warm weather and festive atmosphere attract many visitors; plan ahead for accommodations.
January
HIGH
13-28°C
Warm and dry with little humidity, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
Warm and dry with little humidity, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
Open
High demand may require advance booking.
High demand may require advance booking.
Recommended
January offers warm temperatures and clear skies, perfect for visiting the Mount Stromlo Observatory. However, it's peak tourist season, so plan ahead to secure bookings.
January offers warm temperatures and clear skies, perfect for visiting the Mount Stromlo Observatory. However, it's peak tourist season, so plan ahead to secure bookings.
February
MEDIUM
13-27°C
Warm with slightly increased rainfall compared to January.
Warm with slightly increased rainfall compared to January.
Open
More availability as crowds decrease.
More availability as crowds decrease.
Recommended
February remains warm and is less crowded than January, making it a good time to visit the observatory with more availability.
February remains warm and is less crowded than January, making it a good time to visit the observatory with more availability.
March
LOW
11-25°C
Mild temperatures with decreasing rainfall; autumn begins.
Mild temperatures with decreasing rainfall; autumn begins.
Open
High availability due to low tourist numbers.
High availability due to low tourist numbers.
Recommended
March offers pleasant weather and low crowd levels, providing a relaxed experience at the observatory.
March offers pleasant weather and low crowd levels, providing a relaxed experience at the observatory.
How to get there
Car
Recommended
Driving is the most direct method, via Cotter Road and Mount Stromlo Road, with ample on-site parking.
Taxi
Recommended
Taxis and ride-sharing services provide direct access to the observatory from Canberra city center or Canberra Airport.
Bike
Cyclists can reach the observatory via bike paths to Cotter Road, then up Mount Stromlo Road. Bike racks are available.
Bus
Limited public bus services (routes 10, 66, 83, 182) stop near Weston Creek and Molonglo Valley, but require a long walk from stops like "Steve Irwin Av Before Ulysses Cct" or "John Gorton Dr After Steve Irwin Av".
Shuttle
A shuttle service operates within Stromlo Forest Park, primarily for mountain bikers, but does not directly serve the observatory.
Walking
Walking is possible but strenuous, covering approximately 15.7 kilometers from central Canberra, including a steep ascent up Mount Stromlo Road.
Additional info
Here's what you need to know about this experience
Mobility
Wheelchair Accessible
Walking Required
Stairs Present
Seating Available
Flat Terrain
Hiking Required
Elevator Available
Mobility Scooter Friendly
Ramps Available
Pregnancy
Suitable for pregnancy
Allowed during pregnancy
Pets
Pets not allowed
Driving
Driving License Required
Idp Required