I still vividly remember the night sky over Merredin. I was living out there for my first year of teaching, a tiny wheatbelt town just three hours from Perth, when a lunar eclipse was forecast. A bunch of us headed up to Merredin Peak with picnic blankets, wine and the best snacks.
As the sun set, I looked up and saw the Milky Way with my own eyes for the first time! The stars were so bright and there were so many… it almost didn’t look real. It made me feel so small in the best possible way.
Fast forward to a recent trip to London: clear sky, full starscape expected. But when I looked up, I saw exactly one star. One! It really made me appreciate how lucky we are in WA. Even in Perth, a capital city, we’ve still got access to some of the clearest night skies in the world, especially if you know where to go.
In this guide, I’ll share the best spots for stargazing in Perth and within a few hours of the city, from observatories and hillside lookouts to desert skies and guided tours. Whether you’re chasing the Milky Way or just want to see more than one star, this post has you covered.
Is Perth Good for Stargazing?
You might not think “capital city” and “stargazing” belong in the same sentence, but Perth’s got a few things going for it. For starters, we’re one of the most isolated major cities on Earth, which means there’s a lot less ambient light from surrounding towns. Add in our low-rise skyline, dry climate, and easy access to natural areas, and you’ve got a recipe for surprisingly good stargazing – even from within the metro area.
Another bonus? Being in the Southern Hemisphere means you can catch celestial sights you won’t find in northern skies. We’ve got a front-row seat to the Milky Way’s core in winter, Alpha Centauri, the Southern Cross and even the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds if you’re lucky.
Top tip: For the best viewing conditions aim for a clear night around the new moon (when the sky is darkest)
5 Best Stargazing Spots in Perth
You don’t always need to head out to the middle of nowhere to enjoy the stars. Perth has a few surprisingly good stargazing spots right in the metro area and even better ones if you’re willing to head up to the hills. Here are my top picks:
1. Perth Observatory, Bickley
Let’s start with the obvious one: the Perth Observatory in the Perth Hills. It’s WA’s oldest observatory and hands-down the most popular spot for guided stargazing. They run regular night sky tours that let you peek through powerful telescopes while volunteers share stories about planets, stars, constellations and Aboriginal sky lore.
You’ll need to book in advance -especially during school hols or celestial events – but it’s absolutely worth it. The observatory also offers astro photography nights, meteor shower viewings, and kids’ astronomy sessions if you’re bringing the little ones.
Top Tip: Dress warm: it gets chilly up in Bickley at night, even in summer.
2. Kings Park
It might not be the darkest spot, but Kings Park is still one of the best places for casual stargazing right in the city. Head up to the DNA Tower lookout or the Law Walk ridge and you’ll get elevated views with less direct light than you’d think.
On a clear night, you can often spot Venus, Jupiter and the Southern Cross, especially if you give your eyes time to adjust. It’s also a popular spot for amateur astronomers and you’ll occasionally find small local groups running community telescope nights near the open grassed areas.
3. Reabold Hill Lookout
Reabold Hill is the highest natural point on the Swan Coastal Plain and while it’s more famous for its sweeping daytime views, it’s also a great option for a stargazing session close to the city.
There’s a wooden boardwalk leading to a lookout platform with a 360° view – perfect for watching the moon rise over the hills or tracking constellations across the sky. Light pollution is still a factor here, but being elevated helps reduce glare from streetlights below.
It’s not a late-night hangout spot (the car park gates close at 8pm in the summer months) but for an early evening session it’s hard to beat.
4. Jorgensen Park, Kalamunda
Tucked just behind the Kalamunda town centre, Jorgensen Park is an underrated hillside spot that locals love for its peaceful bush surroundings and easy access. Once the sun goes down, the open former golf course area offers wide sky views with minimal light interference – perfect for some casual stargazing.
It’s only about 30-40 minutes from the city, making it one of the more accessible Perth Hills options. The park backs onto the Bibbulmun Track, so you can even combine your visit with a short evening bushwalk if you’re feeling adventurous.
Bring a headlamp with red light mode and check the forecast for clear skies.
5. Zig Zag Scenic Drive, Gooseberry Hill
If you want pretty city views and a patch of night sky, the Zig Zag Scenic Drive is a fantastic little option. This one-way hilltop road winds through Gooseberry Hill National Park and offers a handful of pull-in bays perfect for pulling up a camp chair and watching the stars.
Because it overlooks the city, you’ll still get some light pollution, but it’s far enough into the Perth Hills that you can usually spot brighter constellations and planets clearly. Plus, it’s an easy after-dinner drive if you’re not up for a big mission.
Heads-up: The road is open to vehicles during the day, but often closed to cars at night (especially on weekends) due to hooning concerns. You can still walk or cycle in after dark if you’re keen, just bring a torch and stay safe on the bends.
5 Best Stargazing Spots Near Perth (Short Drives & Overnight Trips)
If you’re willing to drive an hour or two out of the city, the skies get waaaay darker and the stars really start to show off. These spots are ideal for a weekend night under the stars, whether you’re planning a stargazing picnic, an astrophotography session, or just want to feel a sense of “whoa, we’re tiny!”.
1. The Pinnacles Desert (Nambung National Park)
This one’s a stargazing bucket-list spot for a reason! The Pinnacles Desert, about 2 hours north of Perth, offers some of the darkest skies within a day trip of the city and the limestone spires scattered across the sand make for an eerie sunset landscape.
You can explore the area by day, catch a sunset over the dunes, then stay for nightfall to watch the Milky Way rise above the otherworldly landscape. Even better? There are guided night tours available (more on those below), which means you can relax and stargaze without stressing about logistics.
Top Tip: Avoid full moon nights if you want to see deep space objects – moonlight can drown out the stars in wide-open areas like this.
2. Walyunga National Park
Just under an hour from Perth, Walyunga National Park is one of the closest places you can go to feel truly away from it all. Nestled at the base of the Darling Scarp where the Swan and Avon rivers meet, this peaceful bush setting offers low light pollution and wide-open skies – perfect for stargazing.
There’s a picnic area near the main car park where you can set up blankets or chairs, and the grassy riverbanks are ideal for lying back and watching the stars roll in. It’s also a good pick for spotting nocturnal wildlife (just be mindful of snakes in warmer months).
Note: The gates close at 5pm, but you can park outside and walk in if you’re planning a night session, just bring a torch and keep your gear light.
3. Toodyay + Avon Valley
Just over an hour northeast of Perth, Toodyay and the surrounding Avon Valley are ideal for a stargazing escape that still feels close to home. With charming country vibes, rolling hills, and wide skies, the area offers plenty of quiet spots where the stars really come out to play.
You can make a night of it with a picnic on a farmstay property, head up to one of the local lookouts, or even just pull over at a safe roadside bay on your way through. The lack of major light sources in the area means you’ll get a clearer view of the Milky Way, planets, and seasonal constellations.
4. Merredin Peak
A bit further out at about three hours east of Perth, Merredin Peak is where I had one of my all-time favourite stargazing experiences. It’s a granite outcrop just outside the Wheatbelt town of Merredin, and if you’re after dark, clear skies with zero light pollution, this is it!
We took picnic blankets and snacks, climbed partway up the peak, and watched the stars appear one by one until the whole sky lit up. During a lunar eclipse, I saw the Milky Way with my naked eyes for the first time. No telescope. No filters.
It’s an easy walk up but can be challenging finding your way back down in the dark – definitely bring a torch!
Read this next: The Best Sunset Spots in Perth (That Locals Actually Love!)
5. Northam
If you’re up for a real off-the-beaten-track experience, Northam is a quiet farming area about 1.5 hours southeast of Perth, near Corrigin. It doesn’t show up on many travel lists, which is exactly why it’s so good for stargazing!
With minimal infrastructure and virtually zero light pollution, Northam delivers true dark sky conditions. You’ll want to bring everything with you (food, water, torch, blankets) and be prepared for a very self-guided kind of night.
It’s also not far from Yilliminning Rock, another granite outcrop that’s popular with amateur astronomers who know the area.
Top Tip: Always check road conditions before heading out: some stretches are gravel and can get sketchy after rain.
Stargazing Tours, Events & Sky Experiences
Want a more guided experience or access to powerful telescopes? These stargazing tours and events are perfect for first-timers and seasoned space nerds alike. Some even include dinner, cultural storytelling, or sunset hikes.
Pinnacles Sunset & Stargazing Tour (Dinner Included)
If you want the full stargazing experience without having to plan a thing, the Pinnacles Sunset & Stargazing Tour is the way to go. It’s a small-group day-to-night adventure that includes transport from Perth, a golden-hour stop at the Lancelin dunes, and the main event – sunset and stargazing among the eerie limestone spires of the Pinnacles Desert.
After watching the sun dip below the horizon, you’ll sit down for a picnic-style dinner and a glass of wine under a sky that gets darker by the minute. Once night falls, the guides set up a telescope so you can get a closer look at stars, planets, and other celestial goodies. The commentary is accessible but informative, and there’s often a bit of Aboriginal sky storytelling included too.
Book Pinnacles Sunset and Dinner Stargazing Experience →
Gravity Discovery Centre Night Experience
For a polished, accessible evening under the stars without leaving the Perth region, the Gravity Discovery Centre’s Nighttime Experience is a standout. This two‑hour session puts you in the hands of a senior astronomer who leads a 30‑minute presentation followed by a laser tour of the night sky and access to the observatory’s large telescopes for live stargazing.
You’ll learn about the life cycle of stars, spot planets and deep‑sky objects (weather permitting), and get that “wow” moment of looking through a high‑powered scope rather than just your own eyes. Because it’s at a dedicated facility, you’ll get comfortable seating, expert commentary, and the gear already set up for you.
This experience is especially good if you’re short on time, new to stargazing, or prefer a guided setting rather than DIY. Just arrive when your ticket says, and let someone else handle the tech and logistics – you just look up and enjoy!
Book Gravity Discovery Centre Night Experience →
Sullivan Rock Sunset & Stargazing Hike
This tour is perfect if you want to earn your stargazing with a bit of adventure. You’ll hike about 5km through the Darling Range, reaching a granite outcrop just in time for sunset. Once you settle in, a gourmet antipasto spread is served while the sky darkens, followed by a guided stargazing session with a laser pointer and telescope.
It’s a moderate walk with some steeper sections, so bring decent shoes and warm layers. If you’re after a more active way to connect with the night sky, this one delivers the views and the vibes.
Book Sullivan Rock Sunset & Stargazing Hike →
Quick Tips for Stargazing in Perth
Here are a few handy tips to help you make the most of Perth’s night skies – no PhD in astronomy needed:
- Avoid full moons: aim for nights near the new moon for darker skies
- Use a stargazing app to ID what’s above
- Let your eyes adjust (20-30 mins) and use a red-light headlamp like this one from BCF
Last Words on Stargazing in Perth
Whether you’re stretching out on a picnic rug in the Perth Hills, hiking up granite outcrops in the Wheatbelt, or letting a guide handle the telescope, stargazing around Perth is one of the easiest ways to feel totally in awe. The skies here are clearer than most, and with the right timing and spot, the view is seriously next level.
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