FACILITIES, FOOD, ACCESS, PARKING
Food and refreshments
There is a self-serve cold drink dispenser (soft drinks and mineral water) but no restaurant or café at Sydney Observatory. However you are welcome to bring your lunch and enjoy it in our grounds.
The National Trust café is the closest café – less than five minutes walk away (opening hours: Tues-Sun, 11am-3pm; ph 9258 0175). A couple of minutes further, down the Agar Steps to Kent Street is the Splendid café and sandwich bar where you can get a tasty foccacia for around $10.
There are many other cafes, bars and restaurants within about a ten minute walk in the historic Rocks area. Occasionally Sydney Observatory provides refreshments or meals in association with special events, such as occasional star-viewing pizza nights. See our special events for information about any such events coming up.
Parking
There is metered parking on the streets around Sydney Observatory. Parking onsite is extremely limited, so is only available for visitors with disabilities. Onsite parking needs to be pre-booked two weeks in advance for a good chance of securing a place by telephoning 9921 3485. Onsite parking may not be available at all requested times.
Wheelchair access
Sydney Observatory gardens, 3D space theatre and ground floor exhibitions have wheelchair access. We are sorry but wheelchair access to the telescope domes is not possible due to the narrow and steep staircases in this heritage-listed building. An outdoor telescope can be installed by prior arrangement.
Souvenir shop
Astronomically themed items and books are available for sale at our small shop, just near the admission counter. More….
Books include the ’2012 Australian sky guide’, written by Sydney Observatory astronomer, Dr Nick Lomb. It is a comprehensive guide to the Australian night sky for each month from December 2011 to December 2012 (inclusive).
Inclement weather
In case of inclement weather, Sydney Observatory provides a beanbag planetarium session in place of the telescope viewing. Booked sessions take place irrespective of weather.
