Mount Stromlo, Mountain summit in Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Mount Stromlo is a summit in the Australian Capital Territory, west of Canberra, rising to around 770 meters (2,500 feet) above sea level on ancient ignimbrite rock. The hill is surrounded by forested slopes that gradually give way to open grazing land and the suburbs of the capital below.
An observatory was established on the summit from 1911, and over the following decades it grew into one of the leading astronomical research centers in the southern hemisphere. In 2003, severe bushfires swept through the site and destroyed most of the buildings and telescopes that had been built up over nearly a century.
The ruins of the old observatory buildings are still visible on the summit, giving the place a quiet sense of scientific history. Visitors often walk among the remains of domes and structures that once housed some of the most active research telescopes in the southern hemisphere.
The summit can be reached by car via Cotter Road from the south or Uriarra Road from the east, and both roads lead close to the top. Conditions on the hill can shift quickly, so wearing sturdy shoes and bringing water is a good idea before heading up.
Although the 2003 fires caused severe damage, part of the research infrastructure was rebuilt and the site is still home to the Advanced Instrumentation and Technology Centre, which develops instruments for telescopes around the world. This means the summit continues to contribute to astronomy even though its original observatory is gone.
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