Swan Hill observatory

Swan Hill Observatory, also known as Lake Boga Observatory, sits at Lake Boga, about 17 km southeast of Swan Hill along the Murray Valley Highway in Victoria, Australia.

About Swan Hill Observatory

The observatory runs public night-sky tours from four main computer-controlled telescopes set up on open, flat ground, and shares its site with a glass studio selling work by the host and other Australian glass artists.

Telescopes & research

Its four computer-controlled telescopes are used to view planets, stars, galaxies, and nebulae during guided public sessions rather than for formal research.

Location & getting there

Lake Boga sits in regional Victoria along the Murray Valley Highway, in flat open countryside well away from major city lights, making it a popular stop for stargazing tours. Use the map and directions button on this page for the route.

Visiting Swan Hill Observatory

Viewing sessions run from April to October starting at 7pm, and from October to March starting at 8:30pm. Each session opens with a presentation on stars, galaxies, planets, and nebulae, plus a video showcasing the observatory, before moving to the telescopes themselves. Bookings are required, and warm clothing is recommended for night sessions.

See your named star from here

With four computer-controlled telescopes and guided sessions built around finding specific objects in the sky, Swan Hill Observatory is a natural place to seek out the exact right ascension and declination of a star named through Star Register. Name a star or browse the full catalogue of named stars.