Walk with us among the stars — where science meets the sky.
star safari observatory
The Observatory
1169 Ponatahi Road, Carterton, Wairarapa, only 10 minutes drive from Martinborough and about 80 km from the Wellington International Airport.
Our solar-powered observatory, set in the heart of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve.
At 1169 Ponatahi Road, Carterton, the Star Safari Observatory stands above the rolling Wairarapa hills at 180 m elevation, perfectly placed within the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve.
From here, our guests see the Milky Way and the science behind it — live, measurable, and clearly presented. The observatory is completely solar-powered and designed to share the Universe with everyone.
41°08'33" S, 175°31'3" E | 180m
Star Safari is a science-based observatory
At the Star Safari Observatory, science comes alive through the tools we use to explore the Universe. Our telescopes—among the largest available to the public in New Zealand—reveal planets, nebulae, and galaxies in exquisite detail. Beside them, a muon detector registers cosmic particles that constantly stream through Earth, a meteor camera records every shooting star that flashes across our sky. A dark-sky meter measures the quality of our precious darkness each night. Together, these instruments let visitors experience astronomy through sight and through data, linking curiosity to real science.
Explore Our Instruments
At the Star Safari Observatory, science comes alive through the tools we use to explore the Universe. Our telescopes, among the largest available to the public in New Zealand, reveal planets, nebulae, and galaxies in exquisite detail. Beside them, a muon detector registers cosmic particles that constantly stream through Earth, a meteor camera records every shooting star that flashes across our sky, and a dark-sky meter measures the quality of our precious darkness each night. Together, these instruments let visitors experience astronomy through sight and through data.
Our Telescopes
Among the largest available to the public in New Zealand, our telescopes reveal planets, nebulae, and galaxies in exquisite detail.
The dark-sky meter at Star Safari measures the quality of our precious darkness each night sending the data to the international dashboard.
Our meteor camera records shooting stars that flash across our sky and is part of Fireballs Aotearoa research network of cameras.
The Moon Garden
Step outside into our Moon Garden for stargazing. Planted with luminous white blooms, variegated and silver plants, and fragrant natives, it glows softly under moonlight and attracts nocturnal pollinators that thrive in the dark.
The Moon Garden reflects our belief that astronomy and ecology are deeply connected: most living things on Earth are influenced by the rhythms of day and night. It’s a place to pause, breathe, and feel part of the universe we study.
Not only you can see some of the fabulous landscapes of Wairarapa from up here, but the observatory’s location also boasts some of New Zealand’s darkest night skies, with a peak darkness reading of 21.87 on our TESS-W meter (as of November 2023).
New Zealand
One of the best stargazing places in the world
We're fondly calling Star Safari Observatory our stargate to the Universe.
