Siding Spring Observatory

Well worth the stop. Don't do the tour. Check for tour times before you get there. It's recommended not to tow trailers or vans up there. There's a place to unhitch at the turn off. Very interesting stuff

The tour, held by the same guy (long hair, I can’t remember the name) that held the stargazing tour the previous night at the Gateay Caravan Park. The tour was awesome and we stepped in the room with the telescope. It was mind blowing

Attended Starfest 2023. So glad we were able to as we thought the whole experience was awesome. Loved going into the different areas to see different telescopes and the work astronomers do. Our two daughters were in awe of it all. Was a great learning experience for us all. The Anglo Australian Telescope is huge! There was a free bus to take us around to the different places. Took lots or photos of which a small selection are here. If you can attend a future Starfest, then do so!

This place is absolutely stunning, would highly recommend coming up and have a look at the current state of astronomical research being done in Australia. No tickets required, plenty of parking, and there's a gift shop with a café as well.

Really cool displays in the visitor centre and on the 4th level of the AAT. The staff at the visitor centre gave us an awesome overview of the observatory and its significance. Worth a stop for any science enthusiasts or curious minds.

An absolute MUST see when visiting the Warrumbungles!
Check the weather forecast before you leave, because you want absolutely no clouds to see the Milky way from here and one of the brightest nightskies if Australia!

Very lovely places to visit up on top of the mountain Siding Springs Observatory Coonabarabran,

We went to the night show (stargazing) at getaway tourist park and it was awesome!
The host never missed a beat when asked questions and shared his deep knowledge of the stars and space in an enthusiastic and entertaining way.
Highlight was seeing Saturn and its rings!

I didn't know this place existed until I started seeing the solar system models on the Newel highway. Glad I took the 30 km diversion from my planned route back to Victoria.. Very scenic mountain drive as you wind up the well maintained road to the top. It's a great place to see a big , working telescope. You can actually go inside the big AAST dome. very informative visitor centre which explains well the history and important work done here . Spectacular mountain top views and a nice cafe with gift shop. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. (even filled up my water jug with spring water and ice cubes , when I only asked if there was a tap . ) The visit made me realise how much Australia contributes to the scientific world.

This was fascinating. We did the virtual solar system tour, which you can do on any road heading into Coonabarabran. It's fun for kids as they learn about the solar system. The observatory was awesome to look at as well...there is a gift shop there with snacks and drinks and some information about space and astronomy...well worth the visit

Met by a staff member who gave us a great run down on the facility. Definitely a place to go.

A fantastic place to visit. A wonderful drive with amazing scenery and when you reach the top of the mountain you have the observatory. There is a visitors centre with cakes and drinks and you can book a tour into the telescope. Ring ahead first. Highly recommended

Amazing place with some important astronomy history, breathtaking views and a good story in Australian ingenuity

The tour is absolutely worth it with Branioc. Great pace, enthusiasm, and a sound knowledge of facility that he articulates well.
Do it. You will not regret a minute of it

The view from drome's Walkway platform is worth it alone, The view is spectacular over the whole Warrenbungles volcanic area.

Tours are scheduled, and you can book ahead.
Check with the info centres at Gilgandra or Coonabarabran.

He also I ffers a tour of the Southern Sky at Coonabarabran. See photo of contact card.

His coffee is good too!

Mum and I thought about a tour but the wind was up and it was too cold for us QLDers so we just did the the AAT viewing area. That was amazing to see and learn about in itself. I will be back when it's warmer.

Nice drive out there. What a great afternoon learning about the universe. Amazing to enter 1 of the giant telescope that looks into out space to see what it looks like but it is a restricted area around the mountain. Had hot soup yummy on a cold winters day. Fabulous time. People were friendly and good to meet.

This is an exceptionally interesting place to visit. This is a large site which you can explore. There is a behind the scenes tour where you can see up close and personal the inner workings of this telescope. There is a visitors centre, coffee shop and souvenir vendor on site. There is plenty of parking and the surrounding countryside is attractive as well. Surrounding views are worthwhile.

Absolutely mindblown. We stumbled across this place on our way back to Melbourne. To see such a magnificent machine up close was so mind blowing to see. We didn’t get to do the tour but if you can’t it won’t affect what you will be able to see. It doesn’t cost a thing to go to the deck and look at the telescope. With an amazing view of the warrumbungles! 100% recommend

First time here. Great experience. Fantastic views. Very informative Visitor Centre Host.

Observatory visitor centre was closed when we arrived (Wednesday mid-afternoon) but if you wander closer to the base of the observatory you can take a lift up into the viewing platform - fascinating astronomy and telescope posters, video and view into the main telescope area. Panoramic views of the Warrumbungles from the lookout at the base of the observatory. Reasonably accessible; some stairs and an incline to the observatory itself.

Unique, well-maintained and well worth the visit particularly with the closest planets of the Solar System Drive on the way up! A must-see for any astronomy buff.