Welcome to
The Port Macquarie Observatory
The Port Macquarie Observatory is run by the Port Macquarie Astronomical Association Inc. a non profit voluntary group of people interested in astronomy. The observatory is situated in Rotary Park behind Town Beach a short distance from the centre of Port Macquarie.
The Port Macquarie Observatory acknowledges Australia's First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and gives respect to the Elders - past and present - and through them to all Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples.
Astrophotography © Roger Gifkins
The Port Macquarie Astronomical Association feel responsible for your health and well-being and would like to contribute to slowing down the spread of Coronavirus.
We have decided to suspend all activities at our observatory until further notice. Thank you for your understanding and we hope to see you again soon.
WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
Lets celebrate the winter solstice together at least in spirit and with those brave scientists and adventureres at Casey Satation in Antarctica'
Activities at the Observatory
'Friday 19 June from 6.30 to 8.30 pm
Outdoor screen viewing through the telescope and showing of short video recordings
Theme: Night sky and Winter Solstice
Saturday 20 June from 6.30 to 8.30pm
Try to spot the International Space Station flying over Port Macquarie
Winter Solstice Dinner Celebration
Sunday 21 June from 6.30-8.30 pm
Evening again using the outside telescope set up and videos made by members
All nights are subject to weather and free to attend
Come to our astronomy open nights
Look through the telescope!
Find out about space and the cosmos by joining in on our open nights. Club members present on a range of topics in our theatre and you can look through the telescope at the moon, Saturn or Jupiter. You might even see a nebula!
Entertaining presentations cover various astronomical topics, or take you for a tour of the night sky and our place in the universe with spectacular images of astronomical objects.
After the presentation, weather permitting, the evening ends with a look at an astronomical object through the observatory's telescope. The presentation goes for about 1 hour and is held regardless of weather.
Our new new science and astronomy centre project
Port Macquarie Observatory Associations planned new visionary building are the culmination of about 15 years' work. We have spent that time developing, understanding and refining the suggestions of our members after numerous workshops and consultations. The building will replace the existing observatory which was built by Rotarians in 1962.
The new observatory will enable the association to continue to provide valuable astro/science education programs but in an exciting, new purpose-built facility.
The new complex will become an astronomy/science hub and have presentations and static and tactile displays to suit all ages.
The planned $3.5m to $4m project will be constructed in stages.
Contact Us
Our Address
Rotary Park
Stewart St
Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie Astronomical Association Inc.
P.O. Box 1453
Port Macquarie, NSW, 2444
Open Nights
Open Nights are Wednesdays and Sundays from 7.15PM
Currently closed due to COVID-19
