Space Place at Carter Observatory

Space Place at Carter Observatory offers visitors a state of the art, digital planetarium experience. Take a virtual space journey and explore our multi-media exhibits that tell the Māori and European story of New Zealand’s southern skies. Space Place at Carter Observatory re-opened in March 2010 as a visitor attraction after a multi million dollar refit and attained the Qualmark license in August. It served as New Zealand’s national observatory since 1941 and this legacy is reflected in a collection of New Zealand astronomical history, including the oldest telescope of its kind operating in New Zealand. The visitor experience begins with a 45 minute planetarium show followed by a self-guided walk through a series of galleries that take visitors from outer space to the skies above Aotearoa New Zealand. Telescope viewing is available on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights, weather dependent. Tour groups, cruise ships and special interest tours are available on request.