A planetarium and hands-on science, in one stop. Scitech is Perth’s only hands-on science discovery centre and home to Australia’s largest planetarium, open 363 days a year. I love the over 100 interactive exhibits and the way the Planetarium access comes included with your all-day ticket. One consideration: Scitech doesn’t have food for sale inside, so you’ll want to bring a packed lunch or use the cafes in the City West building.

Getting there is easy, too. Scitech sits opposite City West Train Station, just one stop from Perth City, and you present your ticket at the upstairs desk on Level 1. With all-day entry, you can build your own pace around the show times instead of rushing—handy when you’re traveling with kids, or when your curiosity has no off switch.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Use

• Australia’s largest planetarium is included with your all-day entry (special events are excluded)
• Over 100 hands-on exhibits across six interactive galleries give you real “try it yourself” science
• Science Theatre performances and educational puppet shows are part of the day
• Planetarium films and live tours of the Western Australian night sky are included with standard access
• Feature Exhibition gallery access is bundled, so you’re not just bouncing between small rooms
• Packed lunch in City Views seating works well since Scitech doesn’t sell food inside

Scitech Discovery Centre in Perth: location and what an all-day ticket buys you

Scitech is the kind of place that works for almost any weather day in Perth. It’s open 363 days a year, and that matters when you’re planning a trip where the sky is unpredictable or you’re trying to avoid the “nothing to do” day problem.

Your ticket is built for a full visit, not a quick hit. You get all-day entry plus access to multiple types of activities: interactive exhibits, indoor shows, and planetarium sessions. That’s a big deal because a science centre can otherwise feel like a ticket to a single room. Here, you can spread your time out—wander, return, take breaks, and still feel like you used your money.

The location is also practical. Scitech is right across from City West Train Station. If you’re already moving around Perth by train, you’re close to a major hub without needing a car. If you are driving, parking is available with a simple structure: free for 2 hours, or $5 for 5 hours.

The planetarium: why this part is worth planning for

The planetarium is the star attraction. Scitech’s Planetarium is described as Australia’s largest, and your all-day ticket includes access—just note that it excludes special events. That means the core planetarium experience should be part of your day, but if there’s a ticketed special event, it won’t be included in this general entry ticket.

What you can count on (as included standard access) is variety. You can sit through planetarium films, and you can also catch live tours of the Western Australian night sky. Even if you’re not a space person, I think this is the section where most people get that “wait, that’s real?” feeling. The trick is to treat it like a planned activity inside your day, not something you leave to chance.

Since valid entry is for one day and planetarium start times exist, your best approach is simple: check what’s running when you arrive, then slot in a session that fits your energy level. If you go straight to exhibits first, you might still manage planetarium later—but you’ll have fewer options for exact times. If you care about a specific session, plan that earlier.

Hands-on galleries and over 100 exhibits: the science centre that actually gets you moving

Scitech’s main promise is hands-on. It’s Perth’s only hands-on science discovery centre, and with six interactive galleries and over 100 exhibits, it’s designed for people who learn by doing, not just reading labels.

That “try it yourself” style matters. In a typical museum, you might look, read, and move on. Here, you’re meant to interact. Even without knowing what every exhibit does beforehand, the total number signals that you won’t repeat yourself quickly. You can also pace the day: bounce between galleries when something sparks your interest, then slow down for exhibits that feel more like puzzles.

I especially like that the ticket includes access across these galleries for the whole day. It gives you room to get distracted in a good way. If you spend an hour in one area and then realize you missed something nearby, you don’t have to start over or feel punished.

One more practical note: with so many exhibits, the place can feel busy. That’s not a reason to skip it. Just go in with the mindset of casual navigation—pick a direction, explore until your brain needs a reset, then circle back.

Science Theatre performances and puppet shows: a smart way to keep kids (and adults) engaged

Scitech doesn’t rely only on exhibits. Included in your ticket are lively science shows in the Science Theatre and educational puppet shows. This is an underrated value point.

Shows solve two travel problems at once. First, they give you a structured break in the middle of the day. Second, they’re built for mixed ages, which helps when you’ve got different interests in your group. Adults might love the science explanations, and kids often stay with it because it’s staged like entertainment, not homework.

You’ll get a couple types of performance content included, and you can use them as anchors in your schedule. If you’re visiting during a busy day, stepping into the Science Theatre can also be a way to cool down, rest your feet, and keep the day moving without constantly searching for the next exhibit.

The main thing to watch is that show access is part of the all-day ticket, but special events are excluded. So if a show is labeled special or ticketed separately, it may not be included. For the standard lineup, your all-day entry should cover it.

Feature Exhibition gallery: the one extra space that makes the ticket feel complete

Beyond the general hands-on areas, your ticket includes access to the Feature Exhibition gallery. This matters because “feature” spaces often feel like a separate reason to visit rather than just additional rooms.

I like having at least one larger, more curated-feeling gallery included, because it breaks up the day. Exhibits can be scattered and repetitive if you’re not careful. A feature space gives you a different kind of experience—more of a cohesive theme, even if you still wander in and out of smaller interactions.

Plan a little time for this gallery instead of treating it as a quick stop. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s also a nice way to reset attention span: “Let’s go see the main exhibit” works better than “Let’s keep walking until we find something cool.”

A practical way to spend your day at Scitech (without rushing)

Scitech gives you flexibility, so here’s a practical flow that matches how the day is set up (without pretending you have to follow a strict schedule).

Start with the interactive galleries while you’re fresh. Over 100 exhibits can turn into a marathon, so pick 2-3 areas and work through them in a focused way. When your group starts to “hit the same kind of activity” feeling, it’s time for a show break.

Next, plan a Science Theatre performance or an educational puppet show. This is where you get a change of pace. It also helps you recharge before your next round of exploring.

Then aim for your planetarium session. Because planetarium access depends on start times, it’s smart to check what’s available when you arrive and choose a time window you can actually commit to.

Finally, return to exhibits or spend time in the Feature Exhibition gallery. If you’re the type who likes to end on a strong note, save the areas that interested you most for later. If you’re traveling with kids, ending with planetarium can also work well because it’s contained and calmer.

Food, parking, and the City West convenience factor

This is where a little planning saves you stress.

Scitech doesn’t have food or drink available to purchase inside. However, you can bring a packed lunch and enjoy it in the City Views seating area. If you’d rather not carry lunch, there are two cafes located within the City West building, so you still have nearby options.

For me, that makes Scitech feel more doable. You don’t need to gamble on finding a snack inside the science centre itself. You just pick your style:

• Pack lunch and settle in at City Views seating
• Walk to the cafes in the City West building

Parking is also straightforward. If you’re driving, you can park for free for 2 hours, then pay $5 for 5 hours. That’s useful because a full day can stretch. You don’t need to constantly re-check whether you’re about to exceed a time limit; the pricing is simple.

Getting tickets, start times, and other nuts-and-bolts

Your all-day ticket is valid for one day, and you should check availability to see starting times. That line matters because it affects your planetarium planning. The ticket does not just mean “come any time and enter the planetarium whenever.” Your best experience comes from matching your day plan to what’s running.

You present your ticket at the Scitech ticketing desk on Level 1, upstairs. If you’re arriving by train, the “opposite the station” layout makes orientation pretty quick.

Language is English, and the venue is wheelchair accessible, so it’s built to welcome a broad range of visitors. If you’re coming with mobility needs, plan to spend time in shows and galleries that are fully indoor and easy to access.

If your schedule is shaky, the booking setup includes free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve now & pay later option. That’s helpful when your trip days are still changing.

Is Scitech worth the $18 ticket price?

At around $18 per person for all-day entry, Scitech is priced like a family-friendly activity that doesn’t try to nickel-and-dime you at every turn. The biggest value comes from bundled variety: exhibits plus planetarium access plus Science Theatre and puppet shows.

Here’s how to think about value for your own trip:

• If you only cared about one short activity, $18 might feel steep.
• If you’re using multiple parts of the centre in one day, it becomes a very sensible spend.
• If you can pair planetarium with several galleries, your money goes to both education and entertainment, not just one “room ticket.”

Also consider that the planetarium is the headline attraction, and it’s included with standard entry (with special events excluded). That’s the kind of inclusion that makes the ticket feel like a true day plan rather than a starting point.

Who should book Scitech, and who might skip it?

I think Scitech is a great match if you’re traveling with kids, want something rainy-day proof, or you like science that you can touch. It’s also a solid choice for adults who like hands-on learning and aren’t afraid to look a little silly pressing buttons that tell the truth about physics.

You might skip it if your travel style is mostly about outdoor sightseeing and you’re not interested in planetarium sessions or indoor shows. If you only want one short experience, the all-day format may feel like more time than you need.

Should you book the Scitech Discovery Centre all-day ticket?

If you want one ticket that can fill a full day with hands-on science, shows, and a major planetarium experience, I’d book it. The $18 price works best when you actually use the day—plan for exhibit time, slot in one Science Theatre or puppet show, and reserve a planetarium session by checking start times when you arrive.

If food inside isn’t your plan, keep it simple: bring a packed lunch for City Views seating, or plan on the cafes in City West. Do that, and you’ll avoid the most common “I wish I’d known” snag. For a day in Perth that stays fun even when the weather doesn’t cooperate, Scitech is one of the easier wins.

FAQ

What’s included with the Scitech all-day entry ticket?

Your all-day ticket includes entry to Scitech galleries and over 100 hands-on exhibits, Feature Exhibition gallery access, Science Theatre performances, educational puppet shows, and Scitech Planetarium access (standard access; special events excluded).

Is the planetarium included?

Yes. Planetarium access is included with your all-day ticket, but it excludes special events. Planetarium films and live tours of the Western Australian night sky are included.

Are special events included in the ticket price?

No. Special events are not included with the all-day entry ticket.

Where do I present my ticket when I arrive?

Present your ticket at the Scitech ticketing desk on Level 1, located upstairs.

Can I bring a packed lunch?

Yes. You can bring a packed lunch and eat it in the City Views seating area. Food and drink aren’t available to purchase inside Scitech, but there are two cafes in the City West building.

Is there parking, and what does it cost?

Parking is available with free parking for 2 hours, or $5 for 5 hours.

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