First Nations

The Powerhouse acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the ancestral homelands upon which our museums are situated. We respect their Elders, past, present and future and recognise their continuous connection to Country.

Two people walking down a driveway towards a heritage building.

Visit

Sydney Observatory

Sydney, AustraliaOpen Thursday–Sunday
Located on Gadigal land, a national place of connection and scientific research. The Sydney Observatory program explores human connections to Sky Country, astronomy, tradition and artistic practice to reveal enduring and new ways of seeing. Powerhouse continues to welcome guests to Sydney Observatory. Please note, heritage conservation works are currently underway and access to some areas may be impacted.
All Programs

Sky Country

Powerhouse Museum acknowledges the Gadigal as the Traditional Custodians and the first astronomers of the land Sydney Observatory is situated on. We pay respects to, and seek guidance from, their continuous connection to, and deep knowledge of, the Sky Country above us.

Celestial Emu

Film

Custodianship of Sky Country and Sydney Observatory

Living records of First Nations sky knowledge

A Symbol in Time

Sydney Observatory
Stories

Observatory History

A symbol of time and history since 1858, Sydney Observatory has evolved over the years — from steering ships to mapping stars, housing some of Australia's first weather maps to its role now as a public educational space and museum.

Plan Your Visit

Sydney Observatory Map

Sydney Observatory is located on Gadigal land at:
1003 Upper Fort Street, Millers Point, NSW 2000

Directions

Monthly Sky Guides

Monthly guide for exploring the Southern night sky.

A black and white star guide

Sky Guides

Space Series
Photograph of a glass plate negative depicting a chart of Milky Way.

Sky Guide June 2026

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky
Lantern slide of a meteor flight.

Sky Guide May 2026

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky
A close up of a glass plate slide showing a thin crescent moon.

Sky Guide April 2026

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky

Sky Guide March 2026

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky
Photograph of a lantern slide depicting a black and white drawing of Orion made of glass and paper.

Sky Guide February 2026

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky
Black and white image of the great nebulae in Orion, space sky showing stars and a wispy bright cluster in the centre (Orion).

Sky Guide January 2026

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky
A close up photograph of a glass plate slide showing black and white photo of 'sun's disk (spectroheliogram)', used for teaching astronomy.

Sky Guide December 2025

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky

Sky Guide November 2025

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky

Sky Guide October 2025

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky

Sky Guide September 2025

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky
Zoomed in image of a glass plate slide of the 'Milky Way about M8 Sagittarius'

Sky Guide August 2025

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky
Glass plate slide, Southern Cross & coal sack

Sky Guide July 2025

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky

Sky Guide June 2025

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky
Zoomed in image of a lantern slide graphing the meteor radiant point in Leo.

Sky Guide May 2025

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky
Southern Cross' plate negative c.1900–1950

Sky Guide April 2025

Sydney Observatory's monthly guide to the southern sky

Shop

2026 Australasian Sky Guide

2026 Australasian Sky Guide

This popular guide by astronomer and author Dr Nick Lomb provides stargazers with the perfect companion to the southern night sky. Opening with an essay by Kāi Tahu woman Victoria Campbell on the cultural significance of the heliacal rising of Matariki in winter, this book features monthly sky maps, with details of the movement of the planets, stars and constellations.
2025 Australasian Sky Guide

2025 Australasian Sky Guide

Featuring monthly sky maps, with details of the movement of the planets, stars and constellations, the 2025 Australasian Sky Guide is a must-have handbook to the year's most exciting celestial events.
2024 Australiasian Sky Guide

2024 Australiasian Sky Guide

The Australasian Sky Guide will tell you everything you need to know about the southern night sky. With month-by-month features and sky maps for viewing the Moon, planets, stars and constellations, it is ideal for stargazers who are beginners and experts alike.
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Sydney Observatory Programs

Sydney Observatory Tours

Sydney Observatory Tours

Every Wed—SunSydney Observatory
Koiki Mabo sitting within bamboo and sand backgorund.

I put the stars on the ground

Every Thu—SunSydney Observatory
Exploring the Heavens: Astronomy Course

Exploring the Heavens: Astronomy Course

5 Week ProgramSydney Observatory
A landscape black and white photograph depicting two men and two women browsing in the book room, later known as the Margaret Street Bookshop.

Collection Conversations

MonthlyAcross Sydney

Sydney Observatory Events

Observatory tower at Sydney Observatory
Sydney Observatory Tours

Guided Family Tours

Every Wed—SunSydney Observatory
Sydney Observatory
Sydney Observatory Tours

Guided Tours

Every Wed—SunSydney Observatory
Star trails above Sydney Observatory

Night Photography Workshops

MonthlySydney Observatory
A landscape black and white photograph depicting two men and two women browsing in the book room, later known as the Margaret Street Bookshop.
Collection Conversations

Collection Conversations at Sydney Observatory

MonthlySydney Observatory
sydney observatory telescope dome,

Astronomy Nights

MonthlySydney Observatory