Visit Space Place at Carter Observatory in Wellington

At Space Place they share the stories of the New Zealand skies through multimedia exhibits, interactive galleries, the historic Thomas Cooke telescope and their digital, full-dome planetarium. Learn about planets, stars, constellations and galaxies and New Zealand’s contribution to astronomy and space sciences. Complete your trip through the galaxy, look back in time to their history of exploration with the transit of Venus and Māori starlore.

What is there to do at Space Place?

There’s lots to do at Space Place! Admission includes the amazing planetarium show, telescope viewings, interactive galleries and multimedia exhibits.

Space Place’s stunning digital, full-dome planetarium screen has a range of shows for all ages, selected from the best available nationally and internationally. From adorable Ngā Tautangata and spectacular images of the planets to the wonders and exploration through te tuarangi, each show includes a live presentation of the night sky over Aotearoa. Explore the galleries including a do-it-yourself Black Hole and asteroids you can pick up. You’ll find a real marama rock, learn about the historic Apollo missions of the late 1960s and experience a rocket blast-off. In the Tūhura Space Module, you can experience what it feels like to be inside a spaceship. Visit the Matariki theatre and listen to stories explaining how Māori navigated the vast Pacific Ocean using the ngā whetū, and learn the importance of Matariki, the astronomical event that marks the Māori New Year.

  • Monday – 10am to 5pm
  • Tuesday – 10am to 11pm
  • Wednesday – 10am to 5pm
  • Thursday – 10am to 5pm
  • Friday – 10am to 11pm
  • Saturday – 10am to 11pm
  • Sunday – 10am to 5pm

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