Science

Community group tour

Centre of the Universe - Dominion Astrophysical Observatory53 min by bus · 11 km

✓ Fits your group

A white observatory with a domed roof in a forested area, with mountains and a clear sky in the background.

Cost

$10 a child

$160 for 16 children

Ages & size

Ages not published

Up to 20 children

Duration

Length not published

Year round

Days not published

Book by

Not published

Plan this trip

Fieldy handles all communication and booking for you.

What it actually looks like

Photos from Centre of the Universe - Dominion Astrophysical Observatory's website

Our note

This one runs evenings and weekends rather than in the school day, so it suits after-school clubs and Guide units more than a daycare morning. The $10 covers leaders as well as children, which is worth knowing when you count heads.

What the children do

A guided tour for Girl Guides, Scouts, youth clubs and other community groups. It includes a guided tour of the historic Observatory, a planetarium presentation of stars, planets and constellations, and time to explore hands-on gallery exhibits. Cost is $10.00 per participant with leaders included, for groups of up to 20; larger groups may be accommodated with advance notice. Tours are typically offered evenings and weekends, with flexible scheduling.

Follow a guide through the Observatory, sit for a planetarium presentation of the stars, planets and constellations, then spend time at the hands-on exhibits in the gallery.

Good to know

Free parking with two bus spaces at the top of a steep road with a hairpin bend. Nothing is published about washrooms, lunch space or step-free access, so ask in the booking email.

Washrooms

Needs confirmation

Lunch space

Needs confirmation

Rain backup

Needs confirmation

Strollers

Needs confirmation

Wheelchair access

Needs confirmation

Bus parking

Parking is free at the top of the hill between the Observatory and the Visitors' Centre. There are two spaces assigned for tour buses.

Nearby park

Needs confirmation

Restrictions

The road to the top of the hill includes a sharp hairpin bend. Please drive slowly and take care in particular with large vehicles such as coaches and motorhomes!

Getting there

5071 West Saanich Road, Victoria, BC

On foot

2 hr 23 min

too far with this group

By bus

53 min

includes a 9 min wait

Driving

25 min

The dark pin is Victoria.

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Details checked on 2026-09-03 against the venue’s own pages. Something wrong? , it takes one tap. · Venue page · 250 363 3638