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ARTS & CULTURE · SMALLEST & BIGGEST

Once the world’s largest fully steerable telescope.

Great Melbourne Telescope at Scienceworks · Scienceworks, Spotswood

Historic photograph of the Great Melbourne Telescope at Melbourne Observatory

Photo: Museums Victoria / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain (author release) · Display cropped. The Great Melbourne Telescope at Melbourne Observatory, circa 1870s–1880.

About this place

An enormous nineteenth-century instrument is under restoration at Scienceworks. Museums Victoria describes its former world size distinction and offers views of the restoration in the South Pumping Station.

The record

Comparison: Fully steerable telescopes at the time of the original installation.

A historical record, not today’s largest telescope. The collection item is catalogued as not on display while the restoration activity has a visitor listing; verify current access to the viewing area.

Visiting

Check the linked visitor information for present access and any booking arrangements.

Verify access details directly before travelling. Occasion tags are editorial suggestions. They do not certify accessibility or opening hours.

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Sources

Sources checked 23 September 2026. A publisher’s claim is attributed; it is not a complete independent survey.