Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum
Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum
Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum
4.5
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, 8:45 PM - 10:30 PM
Tuesday
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
8:45 PM - 10:30 PM
Thursday
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
8:45 PM - 10:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
8:45 PM - 10:00 PM
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4.5
19 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
6
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
0
girlfrommars82
Ballarat, Victoria56 contributions
Sept 2024 • Family
Had my son’s birthday party here, as part of the school holiday program. Kira our host was great with the kids and very informative. She read the room well and kept things moving when the eight year olds wanted to explore in addition to hearing the theory.
Unfortunately the sky was too cloudy to use the telescopes, but the alternative activities were fun for the kids.
The buildings are an interesting part of Ballarat’s history, particularly the stained glass. Keep in mind this is volunteer run and not as slick as modern museums, but would definitely recommend for families looking for a different activity, we plan to return.
Unfortunately the sky was too cloudy to use the telescopes, but the alternative activities were fun for the kids.
The buildings are an interesting part of Ballarat’s history, particularly the stained glass. Keep in mind this is volunteer run and not as slick as modern museums, but would definitely recommend for families looking for a different activity, we plan to return.
Written 25 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pseudee
Melbourne, Australia53 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
I've been to this observatory at least 7 times over the last few years and it is without a doubt my favourite attraction in Ballarat, and the best viewing at an observatory anywhere in Victoria! The staff and volunteers go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Every time I visit it's like being welcomed in like family.
Their telescopes are many and varied, including one built especially for mobility impaired people so that they too can see the wonders of the night sky. Viewing the sky here is an awe-inspiring experience for all ages, and fascinating for everyone from the casual star-gazer to the seasoned astronomer.
Facilities here are excellent, with a friendly cafe, plenty of toilets (including disabled access), and on cloudy nights when viewing isn't possible you'll still get a fascinating tour of the incredible historical observatory (some stairs so not all wheelchair accessible) and they have a wide selection of cool 3D movies about space for you to watch in their cosy hall.
A must-visit if you're spending the night in Ballarat. Book ahead, and dress warmly! Star gazing can get chilly in Ballarat even in mid summer.
Their telescopes are many and varied, including one built especially for mobility impaired people so that they too can see the wonders of the night sky. Viewing the sky here is an awe-inspiring experience for all ages, and fascinating for everyone from the casual star-gazer to the seasoned astronomer.
Facilities here are excellent, with a friendly cafe, plenty of toilets (including disabled access), and on cloudy nights when viewing isn't possible you'll still get a fascinating tour of the incredible historical observatory (some stairs so not all wheelchair accessible) and they have a wide selection of cool 3D movies about space for you to watch in their cosy hall.
A must-visit if you're spending the night in Ballarat. Book ahead, and dress warmly! Star gazing can get chilly in Ballarat even in mid summer.
Written 12 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AJLB1234
Bendigo, Australia14 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
We had no idea the observatory existed, but what a terrific evening they provided. Great volunteers with the answers to all the questions the children could muster. Seeing the moon and its craters through the old telescope was remarkable.
Written 5 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KateStanhope
Melbourne, Australia253 contributions
July 2016 • Couples
This is a great place for using your brain! ... parents should try to do this before bringing very small children along.
Capturing the Cosmos is a great educational movie that will slightly blow your mind, screened on an impressive 3D projector.
But if your children can't sit quietly through the news - they're not going to manage this.
The volunteers running the show make a really good effort to engage the kids but we had one in front of us who spent half the time banging his teaspoon against his hot chocolate cup with his mouth. Alpha mum up the front interrupted proceedings to let everyone know that her two kids were just getting restless because they were so excited for the telescopes. They weren't.
Through the telescope we were able to clearly see Saturn & saw the moon in excellent detail. It was pretty amazing.
Capturing the Cosmos is a great educational movie that will slightly blow your mind, screened on an impressive 3D projector.
But if your children can't sit quietly through the news - they're not going to manage this.
The volunteers running the show make a really good effort to engage the kids but we had one in front of us who spent half the time banging his teaspoon against his hot chocolate cup with his mouth. Alpha mum up the front interrupted proceedings to let everyone know that her two kids were just getting restless because they were so excited for the telescopes. They weren't.
Through the telescope we were able to clearly see Saturn & saw the moon in excellent detail. It was pretty amazing.
Written 18 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JGDynamo
Canada2,082 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
We did the evening tour and viewing at the Ballarat Observatory a few weeks ago and it was terrific. Our host was very animated and excited by the whole thing, we could tell he liked his job. The night was fairly clear so we were able to get a good look through the telescopes at the heavenly bodies, even with a fair number of people in the tour we all still had ample time to see lots and ask many questions which were all answered. Bring a coat or jumper as it gets a bit cool by the end of the tour and viewing but worth the time to come and check it out. Note to the observatory web master, the web page is severely out of date showing Feb-March 2015 activities, which maybe haven’t changed but possibly will make people think you aren’t open. Just a suggestion for bettering business.
Written 9 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JanCarol S
Brisbane, Australia74 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Not only do they have the oldest observatory in Australia, and not only do they have SEVERAL antique telescopes, and not only do they have historic buildings with amazing lead stained glass windows, but they have expert passionate volunteers to make the experience come alive.
NOTE: They have a special disability accessible telescope! So come one, come all!
We went on a cloudy night - almost didn't go because we wouldn't be able to look through the telescopes. We didn't know there was more than one telescope! We had no idea of the history, that the telescope engineer lived on the premises, grinding huge lenses and building telescopes for the site!
As a result, the members of this observatory not only learn about the stars, but also build their own telescopes, grind their own lenses, and approach the craft with a special Aussie passion for their subject.
My very favourite experience in Ballarat! If I ever come back to Ballarat, this will be the reason.
NOTE: They have a special disability accessible telescope! So come one, come all!
We went on a cloudy night - almost didn't go because we wouldn't be able to look through the telescopes. We didn't know there was more than one telescope! We had no idea of the history, that the telescope engineer lived on the premises, grinding huge lenses and building telescopes for the site!
As a result, the members of this observatory not only learn about the stars, but also build their own telescopes, grind their own lenses, and approach the craft with a special Aussie passion for their subject.
My very favourite experience in Ballarat! If I ever come back to Ballarat, this will be the reason.
Written 9 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christopher C
Ballarat, Australia28 contributions
Jan 2014 • Solo
For anyone who has an interest in Astronomy or the History of Science this is only one of Ballarat's as well as Victoria's unappreciated gems. The Observatory maintains several wonderful examples of 19th century and early 20th century refraction and reflection telescopes. The Observatory runs arrange of event s and provides an opportunity for those interest to gain certification in the use of its instruments. The Ballarat Observatory also stands as a great example of the day to day participation of the general public in both learning, exploration, support and administration of science.
Written 22 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fletchworld
Ballarat1,188 contributions
July 2019 • Family
The Ballarat Observatory was founded in the 1800’s atop Mt Pleasant on the corner of Magpie and Cobden Streets.
The cluster of small buildings contains a selection of powerful telescopes - both modern and historic.
The knowledgeable staff patiently explain how then equipment works and what celestial bodies they are looking at.
The telescopes provide unrivalled views of the surface of the moon and planets, including Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons.
The cluster of small buildings contains a selection of powerful telescopes - both modern and historic.
The knowledgeable staff patiently explain how then equipment works and what celestial bodies they are looking at.
The telescopes provide unrivalled views of the surface of the moon and planets, including Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons.
Written 1 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
whisperingwaters2016
Melbourne, Australia4 contributions
Aug 2016
The highlight of the night was definitely the presenter. He was clearly passionate about astronomy, and science in general, and his passion was contagious. Every question or comment was valued and some great discussions took place.
Written 5 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela F
Melbourne, Australia29 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
We took our two children here who are 11 and 13. We all loved it. The tour guide, Phil, was fantastic. A wealth of knowledge. They are very welcoming and keen to share their knowledge. If you like astronomy or science, this place is a must. $50 for a family of four, but very well worth it. You must call before you go to check if they're open. Highly recommended. Thanks for a great night Ballarat Observatory!
Written 11 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Wombatroo,
Some areas of the Ballarat Municipal Observatory & Museum are definitely wheelchair friendly. That would include the 3rd Rock Café, the Federation Telescope & some of the surrounding out buildings, some which also enclose telescopes.
It appears that the Museum is as well.
Trust this answer is helpful.
Kind Regards, Beck.
PS: For further details I suggest you could call the facility directly. The recently uploaded photographs may also help you. :)
Written 13 October 2015
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