Due to Level 3 lockdown, all tours are suspended until further notice.
Drive-through tours will once again be open from 22 June 2021.
Please email suthbookings@saao.ac.za or phone 076 900 0308 if you have any queries regarding bookings and tours for Sutherland. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Night tours at Sutherland allow visitors to view interesting objects in the night sky, through two dedicated visitor telescopes. Note that visitors cannot visit any of the research telescopes at night. Astronomy is a light-sensitive science and no lights are allowed on the plateau in the evenings, making it impossible to see anything at all.
The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes, but may be cancelled due to inclement weather conditions. If the weather is bad, the guide will take you to the Visitor Centre for a movie in case it clears up later.
| Time: | Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. August – May: 20h00; June & July: 18h00. When booking tours, you will be notified of your tour’s exact starting time. |
| Fee: | Adults: R120 |
| Children 6 – 11: R60 | |
| Children under 6: free |
Tour fees go towards the SAAO’s education, public outreach and socio-economic development programmes. Tour bookings must be paid in advance – no payments will be accepted on site.
Tour guides will meet you at the Visitor Centre at your scheduled time. If you arrive early please wait at the Visitor Centre for your guide. This is a secure site and all other buildings are off limits to the public. In an emergency you may call 076 900 0308. For queries, please email suthbookings@saao.ac.za.
NB: Please do not drive up the road leading to the domes. This is a “NO LIGHTS” research area where local and international astronomers are at work. The visitors’ telescopes are very near the Visitor Centre and not up on the hill.