Last updated: November 2025
🌌 Welcome to Star Safari
On purchasing a ticket for Star Safari, you agree to our terms, conditions, and cancellation policy as outlined below. You also agree to follow the instructions of Milky-Way.Kiwi Ltd staff and adhere to all safety directions.
Star Safari is a registered trademark of Milky-Way.Kiwi Ltd, creators of unique astro-tourism experiences in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, New Zealand.
🌠 Our Experiences
- Star Safari — our signature stargazing experience under the Wairarapa night sky.
- Private Star Safari — a bespoke, small-group session.
- Virtual Star Safari — Sunset Starrytelling and Starrytelling, a digital journey through space.
Learn more about our programmes on the Star Safari homepage.
🚗 Arrival Times
Please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your start time.
Early arrivals, particularly at night, can cause light pollution with headlights and disturb other guests.
Late arrivals are not eligible for refunds. If you wish to rebook, a new ticket purchase is required.
☁️ Cloudy Weather Policy
At Star Safari, every night is a Star Safari night — clear or cloudy.
Our 90-minute programme explores astronomy, space science, astrobiology, telescopes, Mars, and life in the Universe. When the sky is clear, guests look through our large telescopes.
If it’s cloudy, the experience continues indoors with our digital planetarium, virtual-reality journey, and presentations by our Sky Rangers — trained science communicators who share stories of the stars, planets, and the origins of life.
Guests explore the Solar System on screen and in VR, glide past asteroids and moons, and discover astrobiology-related rocks from New Zealand, linking Earth’s geology to the search for life beyond.
- Early Session ($100) — runs in full, whether clear or cloudy.
- Late Session ($150) — if telescope viewing isn’t possible, guests receive a $50 refund per adult after the session.
In rare cases of severe weather (heavy rain, high wind, unsafe travel), we may cancel and offer a full refund or rebooking.
🔦 Light Pollution
To protect dark-adapted vision, we use only red lights. Please avoid white lights, phone screens, flash photography, and illuminated shoes.
If you must use your phone, step into the reception area.
Light-up footwear is not suitable for stargazing.
🧭 Health and Safety
You must follow all instructions from staff. We reserve the right to refuse participation for safety reasons, with no refundprovided.
Safety Briefing
You must attend the safety briefing at the session start time. Late arrivals who miss it may not participate and will not receive a refund.
No Alcohol or Drugs
Consumption or possession of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited. Anyone under the influence may be removed without refund.
👨👩👧 Families and Children
Children are very welcome at Star Safari.
- Each paying adult may bring up to two children under 16 for free, and each child must be booked.
- Children must be actively supervised by their caregiver.
- No LED or light-up shoes, please.
For school or community groups, please contact us in advance to arrange your visit.
🧥 What to Wear
Even in summer, nights in Wairarapa can be cold. Wear warm, layered clothing suitable for outdoor conditions — sturdy shoes, thermals, jackets, hats, and gloves.
Our observatory sits on a farm with gravel paths, so please dress as you would for light tramping.
🔄 Changes to Bookings
To cancel or amend a booking, contact 021 663 808 or [email protected] with your booking reference, full name, and change request.
Allow up to 48 hours for a response. Cancellation timeframes apply to reschedules.
❌ Cancellations
Cancellations by Star Safari
We reserve the right to cancel at any time. If we do, you’ll receive a full refund.
Cancellations by Customers
Individual Bookings (fewer than 5 adults)
- Cancel ≥ 24 hours before → Full refund
- Cancel < 24 hours before → No refund
Group Bookings (5 or more adults across one or more orders)
- Cancel < 72 hours before or no-show → 0% refund
- Cancel 3–7 days before → 50% refund
- Cancel > 7 days before → 90% refund
Private Star Safari
- Cancel < 7 days before → 0% refund
- Cancel 7–14 days before → 50% refund
- Cancel > 21 days before → 90% refund
Need documentation for travel-insurance claims? Email us — we’re happy to help.
