Observatory Hill

The Sydney Observatory is a heritage-listed meteorological station, astronomical observatory, function venue, science museum, and education facility located on Observatory Hill. The observatory was built in 1857-1859 and features a mix of architectural styles, including Florentine Renaissance. The site has a rich history, having been used as a defence fort, semaphore station, time ball station, meteorological station, observatory, and windmills. The observatory is now a working museum where visitors can observe the stars and planets through a modern 40-centimetre Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and an historic 29-centimetre refractor telescope built in 1874. Observatory Hill Park, where the observatory is located, offers panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and features outdoor fitness equipment, public toilets, and a rotunda available for hire