Canberra is not just home to the national museum, parliament house and the war memorial, it is a haven for space and astronomy enthusiasts.

 

Full day tour takes in some of the most astounding space technologies in the NASA operated facility at Tidbinbilla. The museum offers an array of space artifacts that relate to Australia’s place in the space race, including Honeysuckle Creek Telescope – yes, the one that helped capture the footage of Neil Armstrong’s first footstep on the moon. There is also an onsite café. Keep an eye on the website for open times and special events.  

 

It is worth the scenic drive out to Honeysuckle creek tracking station. The telescope has been moved to Tidbinbilla, but the park itself is a perfect stop for a picnic lunch to let the kids take “One Giant Step!” And the grownups watch for birds.

 

For those more interested in astronomy, Mount Stromlo is a must see and do. The site is open for visitors during the day and you can walk around the burnt out ruins of the telescopes – destroyed in the January 2003 fires that engulfed the mountain top. There is a good museum on the history of Australian Astronomy, a café on site and the views and fresh mountain air are quite memorable.

 

Fun for all the family, young and old. Make it more leisurely by doing it over two days.

 

Marnie – Director Dark Sky Traveller