Visit the stars
STONEHENGE AOTEAROA
THE HUB OF ASTRONOMY IN WAIRARAPA
Stonehenge Aotearoa
Situated in the serene environment of rural Wairarapa and overlooking the magnificent Ruamahunga valley, Stonehenge Aotearoa is a window into the past where the visitor can rediscover the ancient knowledge of their ancestors.
Built on the same scale as other great stone circles around the world, Stonehenge Aotearoa is not a replica of the stone circle on Salisbury Plain in England. It is a unique and working structure that has been designed and built for its precise location on the Earth. It incorporates ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, and Celtic technology, Indus Valley astronomy, and Polynesian navigation. We specialize in Maori starlore.
Like the amphitheaters of ancient Greece Stonehenge Aotearoa has become a venue for musicians and storytellers. Here the stories, myths and legends of antiquity from cultures around the world are brought to life and their hidden meanings revealed. It is also a magnificent venue for musical events, plays and weddings.
At Stonehenge Aotearoa the visitor is drawn back to nature. In addition to the ancient history, astronomy and storytelling they can, if they wish, come into close contact with farm animals and/or simply relax and enjoy some of the most stunning views of the Wairarapa and the Tararua ranges.
What's On: Upcoming Events
Spring Equinox
Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Road, Carterton, 5792, New Zealand
Legends of Matariki
Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Road, Carterton, 5792, New Zealand
Summer Solstice
Stonehenge Aotearoa, 51 Ahiaruhe Road, Carterton, 5792, New Zealand
Other Activities at Stonehenge Aotearoa
In addition to the calendar of upcoming events, Stonehenge has a number of activities available each day we are open:
Star Trek
Witness the magic of the night sky at Stonehenge Aotearoa. An unforgettable experience for all ages. Intro, night sky presentation, lasers, and more! Price: $60-$80p.p (Minimum 2 pax)
Trek Around the Stones
Plan your perfect Henge visit! Open daily 10 AM – 4 PM for self-guided explorations. Price: $5-$18.
Tales From Antiquity
Journey back in time… Explore the henge with us. Guided tours available.
Book now and uncover the mysteries! 10:30am, 12:30pm.
Prices from $25-$65p.p. (Minimum 2 pax)
Sunset Tour
Sunset magic at Stonehenge Aotearoa. Where ancient wisdom meets modern marvel. Tour ends with sunset. Price from $25-$65p.p. (Minimum 2 pax)
Very interesting place in a beautiful location. A great deal of thought has gone into this site and there is a genuine care for astronomical accuracy and acoustic design. Definitely worth a visit and the lady at the visitor’s centre gave a very interesting introduction to complement the video presentation you can watch before going on the stone circle.
I am even more curious now about astronomy! What a pleasant stop. I didn’t know about it , we were just passing by and have seen a brown tourist sign. Recommend it. I wish I could go back there in many events, like a guided tour, at night time, and run a video/photo drone also would have been amazing. I am really keen to go back in other events. Imagine it in a wedding party? What an energy!!
This is fascinating example of bringing a dream into reality. It’s a very cleverly thought out & well-delivered astronomical construction. If you’re interested in the stars & their story, it’s worth a visit.
This was so much more than you expect it to be. We assumed (wrongly) it would be a bit of a replica of Stonehenge in the UK but found it fascinating. From the effects on sound to all the astronomical detail. A great video presentation too.
What a wonderful place! The spiel & vibe as you enter this scientific folly is so calming & fun. It’s so clever & beautiful & the countryside setting is awe inspiring. Would love to do a night tour or sound experience given the chance. Highly recommend ❤
We were staying in the area and were researching for attractions to visit. Really glad to have come across this place.
Upon arrival, you watch a short 15-minute looping video that explains the origins of the henge and those involved with building it with such precision. Make sure you stand on the floor circle and clap or make a suitable noise. It was well worth the entry fee. I would recommend visiting anyone able to.
It was very insightful. Loved the tour. My husband loved singing and clapping, the kid in him just woke up. Overall a good place to visit and learn.
This was an amazing experience. If you understand anything about the ancient ways of watching and recording the stars/planets then you will be blown away by what has been created in the rolling sheep dotted hills of New Zealand. A Stonehenge is any grouping of rocks in a circle… So this is not a replica of the famous England Stonehenge but a Stonehenge in itself. This ancient technology has been crafted perfectly and is designed to track a number of happenings which modern technology still does not track. Go visit. Listen with an open mind and you’ll learn a lot from the experience as well as the people.
Awesome place. Great feel to it. Couple running it knowledgeable and friendly. Do not expect original Stonehenge but this is set up for NZ. Must do if in area. Will be looking out for events online.
Now there is something different to explore. The video provides an awesome explanation and the Mars display is great. The Stonehenge is awesome and the acoustics are interesting and incredible. Great for kids and adults alike. Friendly and helpful staff. Toilets on site. Cute wee souvenir shop. Recommend going there.
What an amazing piece of astrological magic this is. It is breathtaking. We managed to get our large motorhome up the drive without hassle. The friendly lady at reception even allowed us to take our small dog with, thank you for being so thoughtful.
Fascinating place and subject and the weather was stunning. Richard is a great presenter. Well worth a visit …and pay extra for the guided talk as it helps make sense of the whole structure and its purpose.
Great experience for new knowledge. Lots of information. Friendly staff. Hard to find the entrance as the street to enter looked like a private property. Entrance and exit is 1 way street only.
Announcements
Rimutaka Hill Closures
The Rimutaka hill will be closed: June 15/16 for one night from 9pm to 4am.
Check the hill
If you are visiting from Wellington & the Hutt Valley, check for closures of the Remutaka Hill
Star Trek - A Tour Of The Night Sky
Explore our magnificent night sky. The program begins with a short presentation on our place in the universe. This is followed by an audio-visual that takes you on a tour of our current night sky identifying the planets and notable celestial objects. Weather permitting; we then take you on a laser tour of the heavens beneath the stars at Stonehenge Aotearoa.
Star Treks are available on any evening but must be booked in advance. Allow 90 minutes for your tour which should begin about an hour after sunset.
PRICES:
1-2 fixed price $160 (total not individual)
3-6 $65 each
7-10 $55 each
11-20 $35 each
The Core Vision of Stonehenge Aotearoa
Stonehenge Aotearoa is not a replica of England's Stonehenge - it is a gateway to understanding the cosmos, history and the mysteries of time and space.
The site was built to engage ordinary people in ancient knowledge that has been lost or misunderstood. It embodies the connection between ancient civilisations and their understanding of astronomy, showing how early societies used stone structures to track clelestial events that guided survival and culture.
Stonehenge Aotearoa is a place of wonder and discovery, where visitors leave not just with knowledge but with a sense of connection to something greater than themselves.
Trek Around The Stones
A self-guided tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa. The visitor is provided with a map of the Henge and views a 15 minute audio-visual that explains how the Henge works. Then, with map in hand, you explore the stone circle.
Allow 40 minutes for your Trek which is available during open hours. A trek does not have to be pre-booked.
$18 adults, $15 seniors, $10 secondary & $5 for primary students. Pre-schoolers are free.
Tales From Antiquity Guided Tour
Private and Group story-telling guided tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa. The program begins with a presentation on ancient stone circles and how our ancestors used the sun, moon and stars for religion, navigation and time keeping – when to sail, when to plant, etc. This is followed by an audio-visual that explains how the Henge works. We then explore the Henge accompanied by stories of the solstices, equinoxes and the zodiac.
Guided tours, which are available any time or day, must be booked in advance. Allow 90 minutes for your guided tour.
PRICES:
1-2 fixed price of $130 (total not individual)
3-6 $55 each
7-10 $$45 each
11-20 $35each
21+$30 each
Sunset Guided Tour
A ‘Guided Tour’ of Stonehenge Aotearoa that includes, weather permitting, viewing the sun set at the Henge.
Sunset Tours are available on any day but must be booked in advance. Allow 90 minutes for your tour which should begin an hour before sunset. Tiered pricing, prices reduce as numbers increase.
Admission
Open: for self-guided tours, Weekends and public holidays. Private tours at any time by arrangement.
Or you can book directly through the booking system.
| Self-guided treks available without prior booking | 10am - 4pm | $18 adults $15 seniors $10 secondary students $5 for primary students Pre-schoolers are free. |
| Guided tours of Stonehenge Aotearoa, Star Trek Laser Tours, private hire |
by appointment | Call (06) 377 1600 |
2025 Remutaka Maintenance Closure Schedule (Jan-June)
We would like to advise you of the dates for the first half of 2025 of SH2 Remutaka Hill night-time maintenance closures. These closures run from 9pm to 4am.
These regular night closures significantly reduce the number of disruptions at other times for road users. Road crews can complete a large amount of work safely during these closures because multiple crews can work across the hill simultaneously without disrupting traffic.
Nights Start 9pm Finish 4am
5 nights Sun 23 Feb Fri 28 Feb
1 night Sun 9 March Mon 10 March
5 nights Sun 6 April Fri 11 April
1 night Sun 18 May Mon 19 May
1 night Sun 15 June Mon 16 June
There are no scheduled maintenance closures in January 2025.
Light vehicles can be escorted at intervals across the hill behind a pilot vehicle. Bookings are essential and should be made using the form below.
Terms & Conditions
On purchasing a ticket for Stonehenge Aotearoa you agree to our terms and conditions and our cancellation policy. You also agree to follow the instructions of Stonehenge Aotearoa staff, and adhere to our safety directions and procedures at all times.
View full Terms & Conditions here
View our Privacy Policy here
Read our Child Protection Policy here
Site & content copyright 2024
Opening Hours
January: Every day, 10am-4pm.
February to December: Wed to Sun & public holidays, 10am-4pm
Closed December 24, 25, 26.
We may be closed on other days due to private functions.
Phone 027 230 5190
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News & Articles
Mediaworks Breakfast Interview
Was this the real reason for Stonehenge?
This is a fascinating summary of recent archaeological findings regarding Stonehenge made by Parker Bowles. Here's a breakdown of the key points and their significance: Unification Project: The central claim is that Stonehenge's construction served as a large-scale...
The Acoustic Landscape of Stonehenge, England
Introduction At Stonehenge Aotearoa many visitors are fascinated with the acoustic qualities of the stones. They wonder if the effects they encounter are akin to those that would have been experienced in Stonehenge on Wiltshire Plains, England thousands of years ago....
