We are proud to announce the return of night tours at the Melbourne Observatory. Stellar Nights At Melbourne Observatory tickets are now available throughout February as we start to bring back these night sky tours to Melbourne. Please note the February sessions are part fo our soft launch to the public as we refine the program in preparation for the full launch in March.

Dating back to 1863, the Melbourne Observatory holds a significant place in Victoria's history. Throughout its operational years, it provided invaluable contributions to the state. Although decommissioned from official government work in 1945, the Melbourne Observatory continues to hold great importance. Since the mid-1990s, the site has been under the stewardship of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Recognising its immense cultural value, the Melbourne Observatory and its surroundings were included in the National Heritage list in early 2018, as part of the esteemed "Melbourne Domain and Memorial Precinct." A visit to this remarkable site is a journey through time and an opportunity to appreciate a national treasure.

A notable project currently underway at the Melbourne Observatory is the reinstallation of the reconstructed Great Melbourne Telescope of 1869 within its original building. This ambitious endeavour aims to restore the telescope to its former glory. The Great Melbourne Telescope is an engineering marvel of its time and played a pivotal role in scientific research. Witnessing its return to the Melbourne Observatory is an exciting prospect, as it represents a significant milestone in preserving our astronomical heritage.

Stay tuned for updates on the relaunch of Starry Skies night tours and the progress of the Great Melbourne Telescope restoration project. The ASV is dedicated to sharing the wonders of the night sky and ensuring that the Melbourne Observatory remains a beacon of astronomical discovery and education for generations to come