Siding Spring Observatory

Siding Spring Observatory is Australia’s premier optical astronomical research facility. Located 27 kilometres west of Coonabarabran on the edge of the Warrumbungle National Park, it is home to Australia’s largest optical telescopes, including the 3.9-metres Anglo Australian Telescope, the 2.3-metre Advanced Technology Telescope and the two-metre Faulkes Telescope South.

Visitors are able to access the Visitor Gallery in the AAT dome. The exploratory centre and cafe are open from Wednesday to Monday between the hours of 8.30am and 4pm. Guided tours are available, and guests can contact Coonabarabran Stargazing for information on tours.

Siding Spring is closed to the public at nighttime.

The annual Star Fest celebration at Siding Spring Observatory is held on the Labour Day weekend in October. It’s your chance to explore the whole site, talk with astronomers about the universe and the research they are undertaking. You might even get a chance to take a look through a telescope yourself!