Melbourne Observatory

Melbourne Observatory occupies a hill beside the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, one of Australia's oldest astronomical sites and still a working public observatory today.

About Melbourne Observatory

Melbourne Observatory commenced operations in 1863, serving as the colony's official astronomical and meteorological station. It was decommissioned from government work in 1945, but rather than falling silent, the site continued life as a public astronomical observatory, a role it still fills. In early 2018 it was added to the Australian National Heritage List as part of Melbourne's Domain Parkland and Memorial Precinct, recognising both its scientific and its architectural significance.

History

For over eighty years Melbourne Observatory was the colony's, and later the state's, hub for official astronomical work, before civic and scientific priorities shifted elsewhere in the mid-twentieth century. Its heritage listing now protects the domes and grounds alongside the wider parkland precinct they sit within.

Location & getting there

The observatory sits on high ground adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, Victoria — a green, central setting that makes it an easy stop for visitors already exploring the gardens.

Visiting Melbourne Observatory

Melbourne Observatory remains open to the public, with tours run through the site's astronomical programme. Because sessions are typically evening-based and weather-dependent, checking current dates and booking details on the official observatory website before travelling is the safest approach.

See your named star from here

A telescope at Melbourne Observatory can be aimed at any set of celestial coordinates, including those of a star named through Star Register. Look up your star's position in the catalogue and share it with the observatory team on your visit to see it for yourself.