The Victoria Observatory and Centre of the Universe sit on Observatory Hill in Saanich, BC, about 20 minutes north of downtown Victoria. The site is home to the 1.83-metre Plaskett Telescope, completed in 1918 and once the largest operating telescope in the world. Public access is available through the Centre of the Universe interpretive centre, which runs guided telescope tours, hands-on exhibits, and Saturday Star Parties from July through September.
What to expect at the Victoria Observatory
- Type of experience: Historic observatory, interpretive centre, science exhibits and hilltop viewpoints.
- Best for: Families with school-age kids and teens, science and space fans, photographers and visitors looking for a short outing close to Victoria.
- Typical visit length: Around 1 to 2 hours for the interpretive centre and Plaskett Telescope tour, with extra time if you walk the loop trail or linger at the viewpoints.
- Season and hours: Public tours and interpretive centre access typically run Fridays and Saturdays, with select evening Star Parties. Always check the Centre of the Universe website for current schedules before you go.
- Access and parking: When the main gate is open during regular business hours, visitors can drive to the top of Observatory Hill and park close to the observatory buildings.
- Trails and viewpoints: A short walk around the hill and behind the observatory offers forested sections, mixed road and dirt paths, and outstanding views over Greater Victoria.
- Accessibility: Vehicle access to the top when the gate is open, paved areas around the buildings and an elevator inside the observatory make this outing suitable for many mobility levels, though there are also stairs and steeper paths.
- After-hours access: When the vehicle gate is closed, pedestrians and cyclists can usually use a smaller side gate to reach the road and trail system, subject to fire-risk closures. Check the NRC website for any current restrictions before planning an evening visit.
- Tickets and pricing: Summer programs and guided tours may require advance booking and have set admission fees that vary by age. Star Parties are often free but require online registration.
Have you ever looked up from almost anywhere south of Saanich and noticed a bright white dome high on the hill? Have you ever wondered what’s in the dome? The answer. A 100-year-old telescope and the Centre Of The Universe.
In 1918, the final piece of the 64-ton telescope was transported by horse and buggy up the gruelling 440-foot elevation to the top of Observatory Hill. In June of the same year, the largest operating telescope in the world was in service.
Sharing the parking lot is the interpretive centre, home to planetarium shows, historical video, historical models and a large room packed full of interactive displays about space.
Summer Tours of the Plaskett Telescope
The Centre of the Universe consists of two public buildings, including the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory and the interpretive centre.
In the summer, from June to September, the Victoria Observatory welcomes visitors to the Interpretive Centre to take part in guided tours of the Plaskett Telescope and partake in an interactive experience with displays, videos and more.
Hours:
June-September
Tuesday to Saturday, 11 am-6 pm.
October-June Friday & Saturday 11 am-6 pm
Admission prices range from $0 for children to $21 for adults.
For more information, visit centreoftheuniverse.org.
Access to Observatory Hill
Cars
The entrance to Observatory Hill is gated and owned by the federal government. During business hours (weekdays 8 am – 5 pm), members of the public can drive to the top of the hill to visit the observatory or take in the views.
Pedestrian and Cyclist
Pedestrians and Cyclists can access a smaller gate to the left of the road even after the main gate is closed. After-hours offer safer road conditions for cyclists to push their limits, climbing to the top with the reward of the view at the end.
Hikers will find a mixed trail of road, dirt paths and stairs to make their way to the top, and a loop behind the observatory.
The after-hours pedestrian access can be closed due to dry fire conditions. For closure updates, check the NRC website
Observatory Hill Trail Loop
All Trails has info on Observatory Hill Loop and lists it as a 4.2km route that follows a very steep trail up but has great views at the top. The road is excellent after hours when the gate is closed, and there is no traffic other than cyclists taking advantage of the traffic-free climb. The loop takes you past the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory and into the forest on the north side of the hill.
Check the NRC website for the latest access updates before any after-hours visit.
Saturday Star Parties
During the summer, the Friends of the DAO – Dominion Astrophysical Observatory hosts Star Parties. There is no cost to attend, and it offers activities for adults and children, including guest presentations and dome tours, and they may bring out RASC Telescopes, weather permitting.
To discover more about the next Star Party, visit centreoftheuniverse.org. There is no charge but you must pre-register through their events page.
Our Summer Visit to the Victoria Observatory
Since moving to Vancouver Island a few years ago, every time I drive around Victoria, I look up and see the white observatory high on the hill. I‘ve always been curious about what it‘s like up there and what the telescope looks like hidden under the dome.
Well, in mid-August, the stars finally aligned, looking for something to do with two young teenagers full of curiosity, we made our way up Interurban Road, catching quick glimpses of the white observatory dome on the hill.
We were happy to see the gates were open and started to drive up the narrow, windy road; close to the top, we drove past a large government building that I later found out was the Herzberg Astrophysics lab. This wasn’t our planned stop, so we continued until we couldn’t go any further and parked right next to the giant white dome.
After getting out of the car and taking only a few steps, the views were breathtaking. They looked over Greater Victoria and were well worth the drive up.
I had no expectations when reaching the top, so I was excited to see how large the interpretive centre was. And the amount of fun and interactive displays even kept the teenagers busy.
The tour of the telescope was about to start, and we gathered around. I was in awe of the history and technology that went into this site over 100 years ago.
The tour of the Victoria Observatory was fascinating, as we climbed the steep stairs to the second floor (an elevator is available for accessibility) to see the Plaskett Telescope. It was impressive, but what really stood out was how important this telescope was for discovering secrets of the Milky Way Galaxy in the early 20th century. Astronomers and physicists came from all around the world to learn from the Plaskett Telescope.
Our visit was fun for the whole family. In fact, even the two young teenagers enjoyed the tour and the interpretive centre. In fact, they wanted to go back to complete some of the interactive stations cut short by the observatory tour.
Plaskett’s fun facts:
- When built, the Plaskett Telescope was the largest in the world
- It remained one of the world’s largest for three decades
- Victoria was chosen for the location due to its temperate weather and clear view of the stars
- The original mirror (found at the entrance of the interpretive centre) weighs almost 2000kg and took four years to grind and polish to the precise measurements for the telescope
- The telescope is still used daily (weather permitting) and is now 10,000 times more sensitive
Planning Your Visit
Hours and programs at the Centre of the Universe can change from season to season, especially for guided tours and Star Parties. Before heading up Observatory Hill, check the official website for the latest schedules, tickets and any special notices.
- Website: centreoftheuniverse.org
- Address: 5071 West Saanich Road, Victoria BC
- Parking: Available at the top of Observatory Hill when the main gate is open
Directions
The Victoria Observatory sits on Observatory Hill in Saanich, about twenty minutes from downtown Victoria. From West Saanich Road, follow the signs to the main gate. When open, you can drive all the way to the top. When the gate is closed, pedestrians and cyclists can often use the smaller side gate to walk up the paved hill (subject to fire-risk closures).
Nearby Places to Explore
If you are planning a full day in the area, these nearby experiences pair well with a visit to the observatory:
- Elk Lake and Beaver Lake
- Royal BC Museum
- Butchart Gardens
Whether you are into astronomy, local history, or sunset views over Greater Victoria, the observatory offers a fun and educational outing that fits easily into a summer afternoon or evening.
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