TWO SELF-GUIDED TOURS – INSIDE AND AROUND SYDNEY OBSERVATORY

There are two self-guided tours to help you gain a better appreciation of Sydney Observatory and its surroundings:
- an iPhone app available from iTunes for $1.99 which takes you on a scenic tour around Observatory Hill and the Rocks,
- and the free printable tour (below) of the inside of the Observatory building.

SELF-GUIDED IPHONE WALKING TOUR AROUND OBSERVATORY HILL

Now you can explore the Sydney Observatory precinct, Observatory Hill and the Rocks guided by our iPhone app – available for only $AU1.99 from the iTunes store

Set high in a parkland haven overlooking Sydney Harbour, the Observatory had a seminal role in astronomy, meteorology and timekeeping, giving it a unique place in the scientific development of Australia.

With a scientific and historical perspective, our tour describes how the Sydney Observatory site and buildings have been used since 1858 when the Observatory was built. You’ll gain an understanding of its telescope domes and time ball, and find out about the signal station and Fort Phillip.

Then the tour takes you on a scenic tour around Observatory Hill (with an optional walk to Dawes Point down by the Harbour and to the south-east pylon on the Harbour Bridge walkway) and ends at the Sydney Visitor Centre in the Rocks. The tour takes you past several historic Rocks hotels, should you fancy refreshment….

SELF-GUIDED TOUR INSIDE SYDNEY OBSERVATORY

With this printed plan and tour of Sydney Observatory, you can explore the building in the daytime for free, and get to know the place and its history in your own time (10am to 5pm every day – except closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday holidays, and only open 10am to noon on 31 December). You can also take a look around the building as part of a paid, booked night session.

You can either download the Sydney Observatory self-guided tour pdf or view the building plan and tour here: