Stargazing Experience at Cowan's Private Observatory

Overview

Available languages

Chinese

Japanese

English

1 hour 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

The ultimate stargazing experience. Enjoy maximum time under the stars whilst enhancing your knowledge of the Southern skies at our private observatory.

Designed specifically with stargazing in mind, Cowan’s Observatory is the perfect introductory stargazing experience. Over 75 minutes, you'll explore the stars with both the naked eye and powerful telescopes.

Every night offers a new spectacle. From the Milky Way to distant galaxies beyond, our guides use handheld lasers to show you the best of the evolving night sky. They'll help you discover the stars and planets, and understand what it all means.

Nestled in a giant purpose-built crater to provide maximum wind protection and minimum light pollution, our expert astronomy guides will enhance your knowledge and understanding of our Southern Skies as you admire and ponder the possibilities through our powerful optical telescopes.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

Minimum age is 5 years

Dress warm all year round

If you are booking a time after midnight please double check the date you are booking

If weather prevents the tour from operating, an alternate indoor experience may be offered as an alternative

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Stargazing is within secluded, private craters, sheltered from wind and light

Return transport to the stargazing location from the Dark Sky base

Private facility with powerful telescopic viewing technologies

Discover the dark skies of the largest International Gold Standard Dark Sky Reserve

Explore the endless Southern skies, observe planets, galaxies, and the depths of the Milky Way

Expert astronomy guides who will tailor your experience according to what is visible on that night

Food and drinks, unless specified

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Options

Crater Experience - English

Crater Experience in Mandarin

Mandarin speaking tour: This Crater Experience is taken by our Mandarin speaking guides.

Reviews

3.89

71 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

When bad weather...wait
Russell L,
Apr 24, 2025
- Viator
4.00
Weather bad, so couldn't go out, but indoor experience was nice. After the indoor explanation, they sky became clear, so I could see the stars by going into to countryside.
Crater Lake experience worthwhile
Barb N,
Feb 15, 2025
- Viator
4.00
Quick bus drive to the crater for a nice explanation of the night sky with several notable things pointed out. Also got to see the moon, Jupiter and part of a constellation through powerful telescopes. What you see will depend on season, time of night and cloud cover. Worth doing!
Actually saw Saturn!
Noga O,
Dec 6, 2024
- Viator
4.00
Seeing Saturn with its rings shining through the telescope was incredible! The other telescopes were interesting too but not as exciting
Nice memory for kids
Cheng D,
Jan 4, 2024
- Viator
5.00
The sky is amazing. The guide is super knowledgable and friendly. Very memorable experience for the kids.
Great recovery and very fair treatment when event cancelled due to poor viewing conditions.
Simon W,
Dec 23, 2023
- Viator
4.00
It’s always disappointing for an event that you have been looking forward to doesn’t happen due to weather. When arriving for the Crater Experience late in the evening on the only night we would be in town, it was cancelled due to poor viewing conditions. However, we were given a great virtual tour and the difference in the purchase price was refunded within two hours. What more could you ask for? Excellent response and I will definitely try to go another time when passing through.