Considering the unparalleled views of the southern skies, it is no surprise that over thirty amateur astronomical societies exist in Australia. Groups meetings are held at least once per month and cater for all ages and levels of interest. Most societies own equipment, ranging from portable telescopes to complete observatories. For more information on observatories see the list of observatories and planetaria on this site.
Online groups
- Astronomers Sydney (discussion group)
- IceInSpace – an online Australian amateur astronomy forum and website
- Northern Galactic – a global membership of professional and advanced astronomers, scientists, astrophotographers and science writers (NH focus).
- SCP3 – an online astronomy forum and resource site.
- Southern Galactic – a global membership of professional and advanced astronomers, scientists, astrophotographers and science writers (SH focus).
New South Wales / ACT
- Astronomical Society of Coonabarabran
- Astronomical Society of the Hunter
- Astronomical Society of New South Wales
- Canberra Astronomical Society
- Centaurus Astronomical Society, Bathurst
- Central West Astronomical Society Inc. (Parkes)
- Clarence Valley Astronomical Society Inc. (on Facebook)
- Grafton Astronomical Society
- Hawkesbury Astronomical Association
- Macarthur Astronomical Society
- Newcastle Astronomical Society
- Northern Sydney Astronomical Society
- Port Macquarie Astronomical Association
- Shoalhaven Astronomers
- Sutherland Astronomical Society
- Sydney City Skywatchers
- Sydney Northwest Astro Group
- Taree Astronomical Society
- University of New England and Northern Tablelands Astronomical Society
- Western Sydney Amateur Astronomy Group
Northern Territory
Queensland
- Astronomical Association of Queensland
- Brisbane Astronomical Society
- Bundaberg Astronomical Society
- Cairns Astronomy Group
- Coffs Harbour Astronomical Society
- Gove Amateur Astronomers
- Ingham Amateur Astronomers Club, phone 07 4776 5773
- Mt Isa Astronomy Group
- Redlands Astronomical Society
- South East Queensland Astronomical Society
- Southern Astronomical Society
- Townsville Astronomy Group
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
- Astronomical Society of Albury/Wodonga
- Astronomical Society of East Gippsland
- Astronomical Society of Geelong
- Astronomical Society of Melbourne Inc.
- Astronomical Society of Victoria
- Ballarat Observatory & Society
- Bendigo District Astronomical Society
- Latrobe Valley Astronomical Society
- Mount Burnett Observatory
- Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society
- Oasis Stargazers Club Mildura Inc
- Snake Valley Astronomical Association
- Space Association of Australia
Western Australia
- Astronomical Group of WA
- Astronomical Society of the South West
- Astronomical Society of Western Australia
- Tom Price Astronomy Club
For a list of amateur gatherings and star-parties, as well as professional conferences, see the Meetings page on this website.
An extensive list of contact phone numbers for Astronomy and Space Societies in Australia and New Zealand is published every few months in Sky & Space magazine. A list can also be found at the Oz Astro and Quasar Publishing websites, which contain resources for amateur astronomers in Australia.
See also the list of Designated Optical Observatories maintained by the ASA.