City: New Zealand
Top Things to do in New Zealand
Top Hotels in New Zealand
- 1. Kamana Lakehouse
- 2. Fable Auckland, MGallery
- 3. Cordis, Auckland by Langham Hospitality Group
- 4. Sudima Christchurch City
- 5. Rydges Wellington Airport
- 6. Aoraki Court Aoraki/Mt Cook Village
- 7. Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel
- 8. Auto Lodge Motor Inn
- 9. Rainforest Retreat
- 10. Sojourn Apartment Hotel
10 Observatories & Planetariums in New Zealand That You Shouldn't Miss
New Zealand (/njuːˈziːlənd/ ( listen); Māori: Aotearoa [aɔˈtɛaɾɔa]) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses—the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui), and the South Island (Te Waipounamu)—and around 600 smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During its long period of isolation, New Zealand developed a distinct biodiversity of animal, fungal and plant life. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern Alps, owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, while its most populous city is Auckland.
Restaurants in New Zealand
1. Kiwi Observatory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Kiwi Observatory is a private observatory. Our observatory has a dome on a sliding roof, allowing us the ability to use different telescopes. Home to a 12 inch and 11 inch telescopes on computer controlled mounts. we also have other telescopes which we use outside depending on the number of visitors. Solar observing of the sun during the day can also be arranged on request, using special H-Alpha solar telescope. We ask for a donation only (details on our website and when booking) which goes to the up keep of the equipment. We look forward to showing you the night sky and providing informative tour.
2. Geraldine Observatory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 208 reviews
Geraldine Observatory is one of New Zealands best private observatories. Operated by Peter and Wyn Aldous, the observatory has a 14 inch, six inch refractor, four inch triplit refractor, all mounted on a Paramont ME mount in a large roll on roll off observatory, a 11 inch HD Edge telescope in a domed observatory as well as others. Peters main interest is super nova hunting (exploding stars)and sharing the joys of the night sky with members of the public. Peter has over 40 years experience as a amateur astronomer.Donations go to promoting outreach astronomy in South Canterbury.
Reviewed By lpowell502 - Christchurch, New Zealand
We had a great evening with Peter. He is such an enthusiast and so knowledgeable about the heavens. We loved seeing the planets and nebula so close - a wonderful insight into the night sky that we tend to ignore or take for granted. We went as a family and would thoroughly recommend an evening with Peter who is friendly, personable and a natural educator sharing his passion for astronomy. Thanks a million Peter. God Bless!
3. Planetarium North
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
No visit to the southern hemisphere is complete without a tour of the evening sky. We are fortunate to have our closest neighbouring star, and the nearest galaxy, visible to the unaided eye - if you know where to look. Our Planetarium displays the sky perfectly no matter what the weather is doing outside. We have 5000 stars ready to admire and a wealth of knowledge to show you how to find your direction, perhaps even to read the time using the stars above. And visitors to the Planetarium have the added treat of using our telescopes after the main program if weather conditions allow.
4. Otago Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,124 reviews
Reviewed By geckopoo
We visited this place 12 years ago when on holiday with our kids, so excited to come back after all these years, and so relieved it is still as good as we remembered (if not better!). Always loved the Animal Attic, great homage to the old-fashioned classical museum collections complete with stuffed specimens in original glass cabinets, fantastic! We were staying just a block away so we just loved visiting the Animal Attic first thing in the morning as the museum opened when it was nice, quiet and oh so peaceful out there, just us and the animals, it was like having our own private museum. A floor down was the maritime gallery and natural history section, also our favourite areas - the moa skeletons on display are well curated, labels very informative and interesting. On the first floor is the special exhibits area which until April this year honours 130 years of collecting in New Zealand, very intriguing array of examples ranging from the heart of a great white shark to a petrified rat collection to gold coins from the Elizabethan period. This is a very modern and spacious museum yet it still has a rather conservative and traditional feel - we love it! The technology is well used to enhance and inform without being too gimmicky and glitzy. Good toilets, water fountains and rest areas on all floors too. Best of all, it’s free. Well done, Dunedin for having this excellent museum in your midst!
5. Stardome Observatory & Planetarium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 298 reviews
Experience the unique wonders of New Zealand’s southern hemisphere night sky at Stardome. Discover the history and significance to New Zealanders of prominent constellations like the Southern Cross and Matariki, in a live presentation. The sky of the Southern Hemisphere contains beautiful star clusters, gas cloud nebulae and star patterns that can only be seen from this latitude. Experience the unique wonders of New Zealand’s southern night sky at Stardome Observatory & Planetarium.
Reviewed By tomtom755 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
We loved our visit to The Satardome Observatory, it was very informative and could be enjoyed by all ages.
6. Space Place at Carter Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 461 reviews
Space Place tells the stories of the southern skies through full-dome digital planetarium films, interactive exhibitions and events including workshops and courses to help people discover the spaces above New Zealand, Earth. Cast your eyes skyward at Space Place’s dazzling full-dome planetarium that’ll take you on an unforgettable journey from Wellington to the outer regions of our solar system. Most shows feature a live exploration through the southern skies over New Zealand. Take a look at our skies through the historic Thomas Cooke telescope during late nights when the weather is clear. During school terms, the centre is working with school groups, and open to the public, Tuesday and Friday evenings and weekends, while during school holidays it is open every day. There is no better place to learn about the beauty and the greatness of the universe around us than at Space Place.
Reviewed By ChristineJ219 - Bargara, Australia
We came here on a Tuesday night to go through the museum part of the building and to see one of the shows in the planetarium. We missed out on the first session as it was fully booked but got to see the 9pm session. The first half of the show was about the impact of climate on our earth and the second half was a session on our night sky with close up views of planets and distant views of our galaxy. Fascinating stuff. It costs $NZ14 which includes the shows, the museum and if the sky is clear and conditions are right an opportunity to look through a telescope at the night sky. This place is located at the top of the tram car in the botanic gardens - the last tram car goes back down at 10pm.
7. Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 603 reviews
Designed to educate and entertain, the centre features a spectacular state-of-the-art 3D movie, New Zealand's first full dome digital Planetarium and Museum which documents the pioneering heart of the region and features the impressive Hillary Gallery. The cafe and bar area offers indoor and outdoor seating and floor to ceiling mountain views.
Reviewed By Kiwifreespirits - Auckland, New Zealand
We visited this exhibition on our last visit a few years ago and wanted to have another look . We again really enjoyed looking at the memorabilia on display . It is much more than an exhibition on Sir Edmund Hilary as important as this undoubtedly is . Even in respect of Sir Ed it is a reminder of his Antartic adventures and achievements which understandably tend to be overshadowed by the legend of Everest .There is excellent information on other notable mountaineers and also the very interesting history of Mt Cook Airlines and the the Mt Cook area including developement over the years . Well worth a visit . Last time we also watched the excellent film in the theaterette but skipped it this time. Not sure how often the fil runs at the moment as unusual times with less visitors about
8. Stonehenge Aotearoa
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 158 reviews
Welcome to New Zealand's only hands-on observatory where you can learn about astronomy, see the sky through our telescopes, attend amazing science talks and learn about how past civilisations deciphered the cosmos. Although similar in size and appearance to the Stonehenge on Salisbury plain, Stonehenge Aotearoa is not a replica. It is a complete and working structure designed for its precise location in New Zealand. We use it for both talking about our ancestors and explaining the night sky during our stargazing sessions at evening time. Check our website for more details and bookings. Daytime Take a tour into the past and discover the secrets of lost civilizations with our guided tours during the day. Nighttime Telescope viewing every Friday and Saturday evenings with operators who are astronomers.
Reviewed By Diver764965 - Auckland, New Zealand
Fantastic evening at the henge watching the sun set then looking at the stars through the telescopes. Hari the Astro biologist and Sam the Astro physicist were fantastic. So passionate about the stars and wanting to share that knowledge. We have visited the real stone henge as originally from the uk, but it is not a working henge and you can’t get up close to the stones. Although not made of stone It was fascinating to here how this is a working henge and how it is relevant to the night sky in the Southern Hemisphere here in NZ, for $15 fantastic value. Tip, where something warm once the sun goes it can be chilly even in January.
9. Hawkes Bay Holt Planetarium
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
10. Big Sky Stargazing
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By 171SusanS171 - Miranda, Australia
Really enjoyed seeing the constellations in this biggest dark sky reserve in the world. Our guide was super knowledgeable and the experts on hand operating the telescopes had real expertise. It was cold, so take your beanie and enjoy a hot chocolate!
