Stargazing Perth is easier than you’d think — you don’t need to travel far from the city to find genuinely dark skies. Western Australia’s remote location makes it one of the best places in the world for stargazing, and many astronomers travel here just for a clearer view. The good news: you won’t have to go far from Perth to find a great spot, just far enough from city light pollution.
Here are 5 of the best places for clear night skies around Perth.
Best viewed on a clear, moonless night — check the moon phase before you head out, since a bright moon washes out the fainter stars and the Milky Way. Whichever spot you choose, give yourself time to adjust — your eyes take about 20–30 minutes to fully adapt to the dark, and that’s when the real detail in the night sky starts to show.
Stargazing Perth: 5 Best Spots for Clear Night Skies
1. The Wheatbelt
Light pollution means many city residents never get a proper look at the Milky Way. Just one to two hours’ drive from Perth, the Wheatbelt offers an incredible view of the Milky Way stretching across the sky. Bring something warm and something comfortable to sit on — you’ll want to stay a while.
2. Gingin
Gingin is another popular stargazing destination, far enough from Perth to enjoy genuinely dark skies. Take a short drive to the Gingin Observatory to learn more about astronomy and view the night sky through one of the many telescopes on site.
3. Perth Hills
Along with nature-based activities and gourmet dining, Perth Hills is home to the Perth Observatory. It’s a great place to learn about the galaxy, with public stargazing nights available — well worth building into your evening.
4. The Pinnacles
Willing to drive a bit further? The Pinnacles, in Nambung National Park about 250km north of Perth, rewards you with a blanket of stars stretching above the limestone formations. Plan to leave earlier in the day, bring your photography gear, and check our fuel and trip cost calculator before a drive this long.
5. Dryandra Woodland
About two hours south-east of Perth, Dryandra Woodland is one of WA’s best-documented dark-sky destinations, with open woodlands offering an uninterrupted view of the stars. It’s also home to the numbat, WA’s faunal emblem, along with woylies and other nocturnal wildlife. The WA Dark Sky Stargazing Trails network has more sites like this one across regional WA if you want to keep exploring.
Ready for Your Stargazing Perth Road Trip?
All 5 of these spots involve a drive after dark, so it’s worth a quick read of our guide on things to sort before hiring a car in Perth — it covers driving at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active, which matters just as much on the way home from a stargazing trip.
Wherever you decide to go for your next stargazing trip, Ace Rent A Car can get you there. Whether you’re travelling solo or in a group, our fleet can accommodate the trip — contact us today to arrange your car hire in Perth.