The Observatory is open to all Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2pm-6pm excluding public holidays (and between christmas and new year).
Check out the Camera Obscura and Pipehenge, visit the Science Shop, talk to one of our friendly staff about planning your next visit, or during school term go on guided tour at 3.15pm.
Entry to the site is free on these afternoons, Guided tours and other events have various Costs associated with them and require prior booking. Our activities and events open to public run as per the calendar on the front page of the website. Click on the event title on the calendar to find out more and to access the booking link.
The Third Rock Cafe is available to hire for private functions and is open during certain public events and open afternoons.
You can book a visit for you, your family or your group. The Ballarat Observatory has various booking categories for your visit, catering to various scenarios.
Booking Types
General Evening Bookings
General bookings involve groups of people (numbers depend on government restrictions). Activities include observing at the telescope, if cloudy there will be a guided tour of the observatory and viewing on 3D movies in the AstroTour theatre.
All our available nights have links on the following page, Available Nights Open and Special Events:
General Bookings Front Page
Located at CENTRE of front page and change according to sunset times throughout the year.
General Daytime Sessions (AstroKids)
Our Family Oriented Daytime programs are called AstroKids. Prior booking is required for AstroKids sessions. Find out more at AstroKids
Private Bookings
Private Bookings allow you to enjoy a personal guided tour of the Universe with one of the experienced observatory staff. Ask as many questions as you like and enjoy looking through the telescope without any distractions.
Viewing through the telescope at night is dependent on weather conditions, please contact us if you have any questions about when would be the best time for viewing. Full moon nights are not recommended.
Private Bookings are available from Mondays to Thursdays (depending on availability)
Sample program can be tailored to your liking:
- Personalised Tour of the Observatory
- 3D Movies
- Viewing at the telescope
- Extensive Q & A with the presenter
The program can go from anywhere between 1 – 2 hours depending on the weather and the number of people in your group.
Community Group Bookings
A Community Booking for groups can attract a discount if the group is over 12 people, contact the Observatory to discuss. Prices start for under 12 people as per the Costs
School Group Bookings
We regularly run lectures and tours for school groups. For school and special groups,
Our evening sessions run for up to 2 hours with a latest finish time at 10pm. Our standard program includes a tour of our historic observatory, a presentation about a topic in astronomy and viewing the night sky with our modern telescopes. Our cloudy weather program remains the same except telescope viewing is replaced with an activity of your choice.
Costing info: The 2024 school membership at $300 covers the equivalent of 3 classes of 30 students and is able to be used in one visit and is a cheaper option for your group than the individual visit package price of $10/student.
or contact for Group Bookings on: 0429 199 312 to arrange your visit.
Visits may be day or evening, Sunday to Thursday by prior appointment.
For more information click here.
Special Occasion Bookings
For your next Birthday Party, Wedding with a difference, or just private function with an astronomical theme. Contact us and we can help you plan a memorable event.
“We really appreciate your efforts in providing fabulous food and an extraordinary experience for all the boys. Thank You. They were genuinely amazed to view Saturn and learnt a great deal. We are thinking it has been the best party ever!” Birthday Young Man: “To the good people at the Ballarat Observatory, It’s hard tp express my appreciation in words, I had a truly amazing experience and I’m almost certain everyone that came did too.Thank you so much for giving your time to make my birthday truly special. “ – 12 year old birthday party -parent
For children’s parties, we have extras such as glow wristbands, wands and necklaces, also a great little Flying Prop, flies similar to a frisbee but launched vertically, which is lots of fun for children (and adults). 3D Astrotour movies and viewing through the telescopes. Fun Rocket launching activities available for the kids and adults!
You can self cater in our Third Rock Cafe. Call to visit to plan your birthday party or event.
Image below shows eager birthday party participants viewing a first quarter moon, a great experience for little ones.
We can also come to you with our telescopes, which can include visits to schools, private functions, birthday parties, whatever you have in mind.
Call on 0429 199 312 to plan your special occasion.
Hire of Venue