Centre of the Universe

Info★ Notable🤝 Nonprofit / community · Museum / Gallery📍 Saanich$$

★ Notable · worth the detour

Observatory visitor centre at the 1918 Plaskett Telescope National Historic Site.

Water bottle refillWashrooms

The Centre of the Universe is the visitor centre of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, a National Historic Site perched on a hill about 20 minutes from downtown Victoria. At its heart is the 1.8-metre Plaskett Telescope, in continuous use since 1918 and once the largest operational telescope in the world. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, attend a planetarium show, and experience guided telescope access — a genuinely singular destination for a cycling day trip.

🌐Main website ›

What's here for you

Gathered from publicly available data and OpenStreetMap. Not confirmed by the owner yet.

✓Water bottle refill

Website /visit-us 'What to Bring' section states: 'A water bottle. (We have a refill station.)'

✓Washrooms

Not confirmed yet

Bike parkingShowers (drop-in or fee)Café or food on siteWater without admissionLuggage / bag storageVending machinesBike rack visible from insideCovered bike parkingPublic rack nearbyBike allowed inside/on patioDevice chargingWi-FiE-bike chargingPumpDiscount for arriving by bike

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Good to know

Kid-friendly

Time to allow: Half a day

Planning: Check ahead before you go

Best time to visit: Star Party Saturdays & expanded hours (June, July, August, September)

Indigenous

This place is in the traditional territory of the Á,LEṈENEȻ ȽTE (W̱SÁNEĆ), Te’mexw Treaty Association, and Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla.

Territory data from Native Land Digital, for educational purposes only.

Around here

The closest options for the things touring cyclists actually look for.

🔧 Fix & supply