Embark on a captivating journey through the mysteries of the cosmos with the observatory tours at the Gravity Discovery Centre. Nestled under dark, pristine skies,  the Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the wonders of the universe. Guided by seasoned astronomers, visitors are treated to a mesmerizing tour of celestial bodies, distant galaxies, and cosmic phenomena. Our 5 large telescopes unveil the secrets of the night sky, while engaging explanations demystify complex astronomical concepts. Whether you're a seasoned stargazer or new to the wonders of space, the observatory tours at the Gravity Discovery Centre promise an unforgettable adventure that expands horizons and ignites a passion for the infinite realm above. The tour includes a 30 minute presentation, a laser tour to showcase constellations, followed by stargazing.

Stargazing visits are held regardless of the weather. If viewing through the telescopes is not possible, due to inclement weather, a fun and informative session will be held in the GDC Theatre and a cloudy night pass will be issued (freereturn).

The Gravity Café will be open until half an hour before your session starts and dinner bookings are preferred but not essential.

The Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory works in partnership with Indigenous Tours to showcase cultural storytelling and Astronomy. Following storytelling the Indigenous constellations will be identified during a laser guided tour of the night sky, before moving onward to the observatory to gaze at the stars. The Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory hosts an Aboriginal Storytelling and Astronomy night once a month. 

Public night stargazing visits are held regardless of the weather. If viewing through the scopes is not possible, due to inclement weather, a fun and informative session will be held in the GDC Theatre and a cloudy night pass will be issued (free return).

The Gravity Café will be open until half an hour before your session starts and dinner bookings are preferred but not essential.

Have you ever wanted to learn astrophotography but don't know where to start?

 Astronomia photographica is the course for you!

Senior GDC astronomer, Rick Tonello, will guide you through the imaging and processing basics from start to finish.

This course will cover three different types of Astrophotography - Astroscape, Wide-Field & Deep Sky.

This is a three part course consisting of two zoom classes and one practical night at the GDC.

Class 1 - Intro via zoom - 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Class 2 - Practical night at the GDC - 6.00pm - Late (February and March class will start at 7.00pm - Late)

Class 3 - Processing class via zoom - 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Participants must bring their own Canon or Nikon DSLR camera. If you are bringing a different camera please make sure you bring along your own T-Ring adaptor.

April 2024 Class Dates

Wednesday 3rd April - Class 1

Wednesday 10th April - Class 2 

Wednesday 17th April - Class 3

June 2024 Class Dates

Wednesday 29th May - Class 1 

Wednesday 5th June - Class 2 

Wednesday 12th June - Class 3

September 2024 Class Dates

Wednesday 28th August - Class 1 

Wednesday 4th September - Class 2 

Wednesday 11th Sepember - Class 3

November 2024 Class Dates

Wednesday 23rd October - Class 1

Wednesday 30th October - Class 2

Wednesday 6th November - Class 3

Booking in for class 1 dates automatically books you into the full course.

Show someone special how much you care by giving them a
unique, romantic experience under the stars.

Start the evening by exploring our indoor galleries to learn all about the big bang, then head to the café for
a two course dinner. After dinner our astronomers will take you on a tour of
the cosmos in our observatory under the dark skies of Gingin.

You are welcome to BYO alcoholic beverages to enjoy over
dinner.

Our menu of the night will be attached to your confirmation email.

Please call or email your meal orders. 

This tour is designed for people who would like to dive deep into astronomy and learn in detail the life cycle of stars from start to finish. The tour will consist of a 60 minute presentation where you will learn all about stellar evolution, followed by 60 minutes in our observatory to observe some of the different types of stars you have learned about. All of your questions can be answered by our Astronomers.

Suitable for adults and children over the age of 13.

Unlock the full potential of your telescope with our comprehensive Telescope Class, designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge to navigate the cosmos with confidence. Tailored to your specific equipment, this class delves into the nuances of telescope types and mounts, ensuring you understand the unique capabilities of your setup. Our expert instructors will guide you through the intricacies of proper telescope assembly and alignment, enabling you to optimize your viewing experience. Discover the celestial wonders within your reach, as we demystify what's observable and what's not, helping you manage expectations. Learn to select the right eyepieces for various observations and explore the range of accessories that can enhance your stargazing journey. From planets to nebulae, we'll equip you with techniques to locate and appreciate diverse objects in the night sky. Elevate your astronomical adventures by enrolling in our Telescope Class and embark on an enlightening journey through the cosmos.

Solar Viewing: ( weather permitting)

Learn the physics of what is actually happening in the Sun, what causes spots and flares, why it is increasing in brightness and what it's eventual fate is. Our resident Astrophysicist, Stuart, will be your guide and he will explain it all in an easy and less complex way. When viewing the Sun you will also hopefully see sun spots and flares and filaments.

The Sun is the closest and the brightest star in our sky and it is a rewarding observing target. Depending on the method and the instrument used - it can reveal beautiful features such as sunspots, granulation, corona (during full solar eclipses), prominence's and filaments (observable with a higher end instruments).

However being extremely bright, 400000 times brighter than the full Moon, the Sun poses a significant risk to our sight if observed improperly. Normally we can't look at the Sun for more than a few seconds since our eyes are forced to close to protect themselves. However using improvised and improper filters can reduce the visible glare while letting enough harmful IR radiation through. 

The GDC Observatory have a purpose built Telescope to view the Sun safely so you can experience the amazing images through the filters.

Daytime admission to the Gravity Discovery Centre is included in this ticket.

Access to other scheduled daytime activities is also included in this ticket on the day of your booking (eg. Pendulum tours)

These July School Holidays, we are opening the
Observatory for our new “Blue-Sky Astronomy”
sessions, so you can observe the bright stuff in our
Solar System during the day!

Weather permitting, we’ll show you Jupiter, Venus, the
Moon* and, of course, the Sun, the closest star to Earth.
*(only available in the second week of the school holidays)
Bookings essential General Day admission includes
Observatory Session.

Calling all young astronomers!

Our Astro Kids Observatory Night is specially catered for the younger observatory audience (5 to 12) in this special, early Session at the Gravity Discovery Centre Observatory.

Learn about the Solar System and the Universe in this session that starts early and finishes early!

Chief Astronomer Rick will be your guide across the Universe and answer questions like:

“Why do Stars Twinkle?”

“Is the Moon made of Cheese?”

“How Big IS Jupiter?”

“What are Saturn’s Rings made of?”

“Why is the Sky black at Night?”

“Are there other planets out there?

Or whatever BIG cosmic questions YOU have.

You will also have the chance of looking through our big telescopes at colourful star clusters, bright double stars, craters on the * Moon and, of course, the Rings of Saturn! (*- if available)

So, for the young astronomers in your family, come and have an astronomically excellent evening at the Gravity Discovery Centre Observatory and let your Journey through the Cosmos Start Here...

This observatory session is aimed at children, parents still need to attend with their child and purchase a ticket.

Embark on a captivating journey through the mysteries of the cosmos with the observatory tours at the Gravity Discovery Centre. Nestled under dark, pristine skies,  the Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the wonders of the universe. Guided by seasoned astronomers, visitors are treated to a mesmerizing tour of celestial bodies, distant galaxies, and cosmic phenomena. Our 5 large telescopes unveil the secrets of the night sky, while engaging explanations demystify complex astronomical concepts. Whether you're a seasoned stargazer or new to the wonders of space, the observatory tours at the Gravity Discovery Centre promise an unforgettable adventure that expands horizons and ignites a passion for the infinite realm above. The tour includes a 30 minute presentation, a laser tour to showcase constellations, followed by stargazing.

Stargazing visits are held regardless of the weather. If viewing through the telescopes is not possible, due to inclement weather, a fun and informative session will be held in the GDC Theatre and a cloudy night pass will be issued (free return).

Embark on a captivating journey through the mysteries of the cosmos with the observatory tours at the Gravity Discovery Centre. Nestled under dark, pristine skies,  the Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the wonders of the universe. Guided by seasoned astronomers, visitors are treated to a mesmerizing tour of celestial bodies, distant galaxies, and cosmic phenomena. Our 5 large telescopes unveil the secrets of the night sky, while engaging explanations demystify complex astronomical concepts. Whether you're a seasoned stargazer or new to the wonders of space, the observatory tours at the Gravity Discovery Centre promise an unforgettable adventure that expands horizons and ignites a passion for the infinite realm above. The tour includes a 30 minute presentation, a laser tour to showcase constellations, followed by stargazing.

Private tours require a minimum of 10 people or a payment for 10 people if less are attending.

See Exclusive, Unseen footage of Apollo 8 -  Humanity's Greatest Adventure on our first Journey to the Moon.

Presented live on stage by Stephen Slater,  Documentary maker and Producer of critically acclaimed documentary "Apollo 11,"  together with GDC Chief Astronomer, Rick Tonello. 

Proudly bought to you by the Australian National University together with the Gravity Discovery Centre & Observatory.