Guidebooks

Member Reviews

• drkenrich, from Los Angeles, CA
  4/6/07

  I've seen many observatories and planetariums, but none that quite compare to this one. It's a VERY old building on the top of a hill overlooking Sydney Harbor (breathtaking views in a quiet park setting) and very small. It takes you back to when it was used soon after Captain Phillips arrived with the First Fleet of convicts.
  I was concerned when I went into the planetarium show and saw about 30 wooden chairs facing a small movie screen next to a lectern. To my surprise, the guide gave us all 3-D glasses and we watched two short animation cartoons that were excellently done and entertaining! Then we went up into the tiny observatory dome to take a look through 3 foot long telescope at the people on the top of the Harbor Bridge.
  All this must sound boring and old fashioned but the experience was one I wouldn't want anyone to miss. It gives a real up close and personal view of what astronomy was and is like on a personal level, not just what you see behind glass or watch the "experts" do. Except for the ease (very difficult) in getting to it on foot, I would give this a much better rating.
  Dr. Ken Rich

  Ratings details: Experience: 4 | Ease: 2 | Value: 4 | Don't Miss: 3