Categories > Guides and Tips
The Best Stargazing Spots in Perth That Are Just Otherworldly!
- Pelham Reserve
- Avon Valley National Park
- Scitech Planetarium
- Golden View Lookout (South Ledge)
- Island Point Reserve
- Kings Park and Botanic Garden
- Lake Clifton
- Mount Dale Lookout
- Mundaring Weir
- Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory
- Perth Observatory
- Lancelin Sand Dunes
- Lake Leschenaultia
- John Forrest National Park
- Serpentine Dam
On February 20, 1962, John Glenn orbited the Earth and spotted a glowing Perth from space, earning us the title ‘The City of Light.’
For stargazers like us, though, that name takes a whole new meaning, a more stellar one. We have our open lookout areas, geographic location, and minimal light pollution to thank for that.
Basically, Van Gogh’s The Starry Night is just another Tuesday in Perth—provided you know where to set up camp. If you don’t, we have a list below guiding you to the best spots nearby.
Pelham Reserve
From visittoodyay
Address: Duke St, Toodyay
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance from the Perth CBD: 1 hr 11 mins (86.5 km)
Website
Toodyay is ever-stunning, but Pelham Reserve ups the town’s beauty to a cosmic level. On a clear night, you’ll see stars in their full shining glory, courtesy of the location’s high viewpoint and lack of towering obstructions.
The reserve is also close to York gum, wandoo, and jam woodlands, giving you fresh air and forested vistas to adore. And, of course, we can’t forget the Avon Valley, another beautiful sight to behold.
Tip: Wear hiking boots or trail running shoes. The reserve is hilly.
Avon Valley National Park
From trevordobson_astro
Address: Unnamed Road, Avon Valley National Park
Contact Details: +61 8 9290 6100
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance from the Perth CBD: 1 hr 16 mins (80.3 km)
Website
Beyond getting love for its granite outcrops and Avon Valley panoramas, Avon Valley National Park is also a stargazing hotspot, especially Bald Hill. The lookout’s distance from bright urban lights and fewer trees are major reasons why.
Plus, the park has a campground with convenient picnic tables, toilets, and fire rings. Just ring the digits above to secure your pitching area.
Tip: Opt for a weekday visit for a more serene experience. Mondays and Tuesdays are often the quietest.
Scitech Planetarium
From scitechwa
Address: City West Centre Corner Railway Street &, Sutherland St
Contact Details: +61 8 9215 0700
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 4 pm
Distance from the Perth CBD: 5 mins (1.6 km)
Website
When we’re not up for braving the wild, we make a beeline for Scitech Planetarium. Their 18-metre-long and 180-degree dome digitally projects the Milky Way, meaning we get to stargaze without sacrificing our comfort.
Best believe it’s a fully immersive show too, as the dome features 6.1 surround sound speakers. What’s more, we always learn a thing or two about constellations with all the scientific facts provided!
Tip: Come full. Food and drinks are a no-go inside.
Golden View Lookout (South Ledge)
From jazzya.c
Address: Paulls Valley
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance from the Perth CBD: 44 min (42.7 km)
While it doesn’t boast amenities in each turn, Golden View Lookout is still spot-on for stargazing. For one, you’ll get snapshots of Mundaring Weir and the Helena River Valley.
Light pollution is minimal too since the vantage point is far enough from the CBD. Moreover, there are ample picnic tables and fire pits for those who want to kick back.
Tip: Bring lots of water. There are no sources for precious H2O here.
Island Point Reserve
From trevordobson_astro
Address: Island Point Rd, Herron
Contact Details: +61 460 946 085
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance from the Perth CBD: 1 hr 15 mins (114.5 km)
Located on Peel Harvey Estuary’s southern end, Island Point Reserve treated us to stargazing right by calm waters, and it was as enchanting as it sounds.
Sure, the experience wasn’t free of urban glow, but the stars still outshone the minimal light pollution. The viewing spot also isn’t far from the car park, so we didn’t have to lug our stuff for very long.
Plus, we also spotted pelicans, swans, and bandicoots before the stars came out!
Tip: The reserve is dog-friendly. Don’t leave your pooches at home!
Kings Park and Botanic Garden
From twofeetperth
Address: Fraser Ave
Contact Details: +61 8 9480 3600
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance from the Perth CBD: 10 mins (4.4 km)
Website
Both the earth and the heavens get the limelight at Kings Park and Botanic Garden.
On the ground, you’ll see over 3,000 of the state’s most remarkable flora. Above, the show belongs to a world of constellations, particularly Scorpius and the Southern Cross.
Sometimes, there’s even live music. For instance, the smooth duo of Asher-Rose and Brenton serenaded our mates during the garden’s picnic-slash-stargazing event, back in 2024.
Tip: You can bring your own picnic rugs and drinks.
Lake Clifton
From viratshah
Address: Lake Clifton
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance from the Perth CBD: 1 hr 9 mins (109 km)
Our jaws dropped at Lake Clifton. We dropped by for its ancient thrombolites and got bewitched by the more ancient Milky Way views, arching in the western sky.
There were no obstructions during our escape here, just very low light pollution caused by a few car headlights. The jetty made it a breeze too.
Come late February or September, the scenery becomes more out of this world with the Aurora Australis putting on a show. Just check the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast for a better shot.
Tip: If you want a clearer view of the lake’s thrombolites, stop by between January and May.
Mount Dale Lookout
From gdes64
Address: Dale Rd, Flint
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance from the Perth CBD: 1 hr (60.1 km)
Our Bibbulmun Track hikers can’t stop talking about Mount Dale Lookout. Entered via Dale Road, this scenic stop almost ticks the 360-degree box, as it was once used to scout out fires.
Getting there is also easy to moderate—even if you have sprogs. Despite the simplicity, though, the lookout will reward you, and that reward is the Darling Ranges lit up by a starry expanse.
Tip: The lookout is only accessible via gravel tracks. Consider that if you’re planning to drive.
Mundaring Weir
from experienceperthhills
Address: Sawyers Valley
Contact Details: +61 8 9480 3600
Operating Hours: Daily – 8:30 am to 5 pm
Distance from the Perth CBD: 44 mins (43.2 km)
Mundaring Weir is one of those stargazing spots where the drive and experience are both stress-free. For starters, the concrete gravity dam is in Perth Hills’ bushland, so we don’t have to drive for an hour to reach it.
In addition, the weir flaunts clear and dark skies often devoid of the city’s pollution. That means you’ll get primo shots of starlight reflecting on gentle waters—with the forest’s peace and quiet to boot.
Tip: Don’t forget your insect repellent, or mosquitoes will ruin the stars’ magic for you.
Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory
From gdcobservatory
Address: 1098 Military Rd, Yeal
Contact Details: +61 8 9575 7577
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Thu – 10 am to 4 pm
- Fri to Sun – 10 am to 8 pm
Distance from the Perth CBD: 57 mins (77.1 km)
Website
Gingin’s Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory is the country’s only centre for culture and cosmology. It’s also one of the most cutting-edge stargazing spots around.
We say ‘cutting-edge’ because it boasts a totally retractable roof, handing you a slice of the cosmos while being indoors. It also has advanced telescopes!
What truly makes the centre different, though, is its focus on Aboriginal Astronomy and Dreamtime stories. The sessions are all guided by an Indigenous elder.
Tip: You can learn how to operate a telescope with their workshops here.
Perth Observatory
From perthobservatory
Address: 337 Walnut Rd, Bickley
Contact Details: +61 8 9293 8255
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 10 am to 4:30 pm
- Sun – 1 pm to 4 pm
Distance from the Perth CBD: 36 min (34.9 km)
Website
When it comes to star power, the iconic Perth Observatory is right up there. Not only did it discover minor planets, supernovas, and some of Uranus’ rings, but it also has night sky tours, free of light pollution.
The said tours are also done during moonless nights, when the Southern Hemisphere fully displays its celestial bodies—nebulas, stars, star clusters, etc. It’s equipped with telescopes and led by experts, so you won’t be going in blind.
Tip: Don’t want to be among strangers? Hire the place for your private event.
Lancelin Sand Dunes
From i.mcal and piman.k
Address: Beacon Rd, Lancelin
Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to 7 pm
Distance from the Perth CBD: 1 hr 29 mins (127.4 km)
Website
The stars can trick your eyes. If you think we’re spitting poppycock, the Lancelin Sand Dunes illusions will show we’re not just talking big.
Here, starlight is typically reflected on the grains, while the desert’s ‘openness’ gives you a brighter, wider sky to gaze upon.
Also, you can try sandboarding or 4WD racing while waiting for the starry night, so there won’t be any dull moments.
Tip: Bring eye protection and torches. The sand here can easily get into your eyes, and the landscape can be disorienting.
Lake Leschenaultia
From lakeleschenaultia
Address: Chidlow
Distance from the Perth CBD: 50 min (49.6 km)
We thought our visit to Lake Leschenaultia would merely involve canoeing and lakeside barbecues, but we ended up stargazing for hours as well.
To be honest, we should’ve expected that. After all, the lake is perched on an unspoiled bushland, so the waters reflecting the Milky Way, including the Southern Cross, shouldn’t have come as a shocker.
Oh, and astrographers have even captured the Aurora Australis here, though Lady Luck wasn’t on our side that time.
Tip: Campsites are available and in demand. Book fast!
John Forrest National Park
From laurennkara
Address: Park Rd, Hovea
Contact Details: +61 8 9290 6100
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Distance from the Perth CBD: 33 mins (29.5 km)
Website
Open and secluded, John Forrest National Park gave us The Pleiades (Seven Sisters) and the Milky Way in their full splendour. That’s something we enjoyed, as there was minimal light pollution during the trip.
Additionally, we didn’t bust our legs just to reach the viewing spots. Easy and scenic trails like the 4.5-km Wildflower Walk Trail wind throughout the park.
Tip: You can spot kangaroos by getting here in the late afternoon.
Serpentine Dam
From experienceperthhills
Address: Serpentine
Operating Hours: Daily – 8:30 am to 5 pm
Distance from the Perth CBD: 59 min (74.4 km)
Website
Most astrophotographers we chatted with picked Serpentine Dam as their favourite location. None of them could resist capturing the clear skies mirrored by the waters.
Even our birdwatching mates can’t say no to stargazing here. The dam’s red-tailed black cockatoos and parrots, usually seen before the stars come out, are all the extra perks they need.
Tip: Bring birdseed. You can feed the parrots here.
