CHILLAGOE OBSERVATORY
Chillagoe is located in dry savannah country, making it the perfect location for stargazing. With its expansive clear, dark skies, you’ll wonder at the spectacle of the Milky Way with its multitudes of stars.
We have a fully equipped dome and everyone can take a closer look at planets, nebulas, and star clusters.
Our host will take you on a guided tour of the heavens and captivate your minds and imaginations with many interesting stories and facts.
This is a fun and educational evening for all.
KEEP POSTED – we are currently building another observatory to house a second telescope. We are expanding our facility & making other improvements.
Astronomy sessions begin at 7.30pm and last for approx 1.5 hours. Pricing is as follows:-
ADULTS – $30.00
CONCESSION – $25.00
CHILDREN (8*-14yrs) – $20.00
PLEASE NOTE *Children under 8yrs will be unable to attend sessions* (see below)
We require a minimum of 6 persons per session and can take a maximum of 20 persons per session.
Bookings are absolutely essential.
Closed during periods of full moon & other selected dates. Please check below for dates of closure.
ASTRONOMY SESSIONS & KIDS UNDER 8yrs
Young children have not developed the ability to look monocularly (through one eye through an eyepiece). Them trying to do so is very time consuming.
Also – as the session starts at 7.30pm & concludes between 9.00 – 9.30pm, young children tend to become disruptive because they are tired & want to go to bed.
Further – their attention span is much shorter & they do not comprehend a lot of what we are discussing. Again – they become disruptive to the other persons in the group.
Therefore we have had to increase the minimum age of participation & ask that very young children not atttend the session.
We sincerely apologize if this disadvantages any families with young children, but we must respect the people in the group who have paid to take part & wish to do so without constant interruptions.
Please note – sessions are weather-dependent. As we are an actual observatory – not just a planetarium – if there is cloud cover, we cannot see through the telescopes. With this in mind, we make the decision regarding cloud cover at 7.00 pm as conditions can change dramatically around the time of sunset. If there are clear skies at 7.00 pm – the session can proceed. So – if you have made a booking – please check with us only after that time. We then ask participants to arrive at the reception area by 7.20 pm so the group can depart promptly at 7.30 pm for the short walk to the observatory.
Sessions will not be held during periods of a full moon as this will “wash out” the Milky Way & the many other faint, deep space objects that we observe. The observatory is closed on other selected dates. If you are visiting us particularly to experience an astronomy session – please check the dates below so as to avoid disappointment.
OBSERVATORY CLOSED ON THESE DATES DUE TO FULL MOON:-
MARCH 21st – 27th
APRIL 20th – 26th
MAY 19th – 25th
JUNE 18th – 24th
JULY 17th – 23rd
AUGUST 16th – 22nd
SEPTEMBER 14th – 20th
OCTOBER 12th TILL 2025
ALSO CLOSED ON OTHER SELECTED DATES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR DUE TO TOUR GROUP BOOKINGS, ETC.