Mount Stromlo Observatory — Attraction in District of Stromlo

One of my highlights to Canberra recently. You don't have to be an astronomy buff to appreciate this place. It has expansive views over Canberra City & you get 360° views of the ranges beyond - gives you a location perspective of this Capital City & it is captivating!! ✨️✨️. Winding road up & not very well maintained. Plenty of parking - signposted.

It is also a MTB riders' mecca. Mini bus loads cart the bikes to the top & was told they come a long way for this particular downhill popular mountain bike trail. There is a great walking trail from base to summit.

Apart from the heritage magnificent Observatories - mostly only the shell remains after the great fire of 2003, there are newer buildings for astrophysics study by Aust Nat Uni (ANU) & one functioning telescope. Enough info boards to read & value Aust's first Observatory established in 1910. Canberra's light pollution has put paid to ongoing development but you can book online for astro viewing on certain nights. Website info is not good - might be best to contact directly.

Cafe was closed on my visit on Sat 30 Sept recently & not sure where toilets are (must be somewhere). There is one BBQ facility. Not many picnic table...

Great location for amazing sunsets over the "Brindies" if you go up to the top car park. Great location for viewing grazing roos (Kangaroos) beyond the locked gate at the top car park. Also has great Mountain Bike single tracks for keen bike riders. The Mt Stromlo Cafe has a lot of potential but falls well short of realising it's full potential and lack of competition. The Cafe has a great balcony that is poorly utilised with little shade and poor use of the space. It could be a great Cafe and location if it were managed better. But if falls well short of the mark in ambiance, service, visual appeal and staff attitude.

Updated Sun 17th Nov 2024 The official visitor centre and Café have been closed for some years now and still remain permanently closed with no indication if it ever reopen which is quite a shame considering the relatively scenic location and adjacent to the Stromlo Forest mountain bike tracks. It could do with at least a coffee outlet if not a full service café similar to what was there originally. But sadly this isn't the case. Lost potential revenue for the ANU (the owners...

After years of being shut down, the Visitor Centre (with a café) is re-opening 12. September 2016. The Visitor Centre has been renewed, with plenty of information about Mt. Stromlo Observatory, and the work the researchers there are being involved with. Using the ANU Space app (available for both Android and iPhone), interactive information is available. An AstroZone is available for kids, with heaps of fun activities.

Mt. Stromlo is beautiful during the day, featuring magnificent views, burnt down ruins, and plenty of history. During the night it is an absolutely stunning place, good for astrophotography and general star gazing. ANU students studying at Mt. Stromlo Observatory regularly volunteer in private night tours of Mt. Stromlo, as well as tours for school classes. Mt. Stromlo is also open for public events some nights of the year, where attendees can listen to public talks about astronomy, mingle in the Visitor Centre, and star gaze if the weather allows for it. Contact the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics for more information regarding...