Sydney Observatory

Built in 1858, Sydney Observatory – which sits up on top of the hill at Millers Point in Sydney city – gained international recognition under Henry Chamberlain Russell, the government astronomer from 1870 to 1905, who involved Sydney in the International Astrographic Catalogue, the first complete atlas of the sky. The Sydney section alone took 80 years to complete and filled 53 volumes. Sydney Observatory opened to the public in 1982.

Sydney Observatory offers a range of tours (booking essential) that are well worth checking out. You pay (a fairly decent) price for the tours, but non-guided regular admission to the gardens and museum is free, and there's a great view of the city from up there – including beautiful sunsets. 

Extended opening hours and new guided tours from Wednesday to Saturday allow visitors to explore the historic Observatory grounds that overlook the harbour from Sydney’s highest point. Visitors can book intimate guided historical tours that dive into stories that have shaped Observatory Hill, including its colonial uses for a windmill, defence fort, signal station, timekeeping service and weather station. The tour takes visitors inside the Signal Master’s Cottage and Observatory wing to explore unique artefacts from the Powerhouse Collection before climbing narrow staircases to see Australia’s oldest working telescope alongside a modern 16-inch telescope inside the astronomy domes. Tours run day and night from Wednesday to Saturday.

If you're intrigued by the night sky, you just think it's pretty, or you simply want to get a great view of Sydney, head up to the Sydney Observatory.

Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, things to do and travel inspo, straight to your inbox.

Want more? Here's our guide to the other Sydney bucket-list items to tick off.