Stonehenge Aoteroa is New Zealand's unique open air astronomical observatory, built following ancient knowledge of the stone circles and adapted to the conditions of New Zealand. We look forward to seeing you here during our regular opening hours and for special events.
You can visit the henge anytime we are open, without having to make any appointment. Check out our opening hours below. A map of the Stonehenge Aotearoa structure and a short audio-visual explaining how the stones work are included in the visit.
Open: for self-guided tours, Wweekends and public holidays. Private tours at any time by arrangement.
Or you can book directly through the booking system.
Opening Hours
Daytime: 10am to 4pm
Evening: by appointment
February - May: Wednesday to Sunday
June - August: Weekends & Public Holidays
September to December: Wednesday to Sunday
January: every day to the 30th
We are closed December 21st, 24th, 25th, 26th, then open every day from December 27th.
Phone 06 377 1600.
Wairarapa receives Dark Sky Reserve Status
"Thanks to half a decade of advocacy by a small group of local volunteers, seeking answers in the stars will be preserved in Wairarapa for generations to come, now that the International Dark-Sky Association [IDA] has finally granted the region Dark Sky Reserve status." - (Times Age)
As featured on UNESCO's Astronomy and World Heritage Initiative website
RASNZ newsletter with the official report on the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve
Wairarapa Becomes Official Dark Sky Reserve
Why It’s Time for a Worldwide Lights-Out Program
Video courtesy of Phil Stebbing
Learn about the cycles of nature, movements of celestial bodies and archeoastronomy: how our ancestors have understood the phenomena in the sky, how they used these phenomena and what role the sky played in their cultures.
Listen to, or watch, the Arrow FM broadcasts on our Arrow FM Night Sky page
You will learn about the henge and its link with the past, with ancient civilisations and Māori starlore, Polynesian navigation and archeoastronomy.
BOOK A PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR
You are able to visit the henge at any time by arrangement. See our opening hours below. You can book a private tour with Richard Hall any time, daytime or sunset. Must be arranged in advance.
The sacred time is the early morning rising of Matariki (the Pleiades) but the same stars are visible in the evening sky in November. It is warm, the sky is getting darker. This is the time of learning and understanding.
Ticket Information: Adult: $34.05 each ($30.00 + $4.05 fees), Seniors : $23.25 each ($20.00 + $3.25 fees), Primary/Secondary Students : $16.58 each ($15.00 + $1.58 fees)
Friday 3 November 2023 7:00pm - Bookings are required. Book Online
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.
$15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 for primary or secondary students.
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. Price per person is reduced as the numbers rise. Minimum for 2 people is $130 or $75 each. 3-6 people are $48 each and so on. Bookings are required. Email: nzstarlore@gmail.com
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. Prices as the same as Guided Tour. Email: nzstarlore@gmail.com
Check out the upcoming events, tours, exhibitions, courses and much more at Stonehenge Aotearoa.
| Start | Sunset | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| TALES OF MATARIKI | Friday November 3rd | 7:00pm | 8:00pm |
| SUMMER EQUINOX | Friday December 22nd | 8:00pm | 8:50pm |
Visitors to Stonehenge can also explore our ‘Exhibition of the Planets'. Here is the story and the latest images of the Sun, Moon, Earth and the other planets (including Pluto).
This Solar System display was designed and built by Richard Hall.
VISIT US
We hold key events each year: the equinoxes and solstices, marking each of the four seasons and Matariki – tales and knowledge (May) and Matariki, finding the waka and the house” in the evening sky (Nov).
VIEW ALL
Guided tours of Stonehenge by Richard Hall. Booking tours is essential, which can be done below:
BOOK ONLINEStonehenge Aotearoa is available for private functions – birthdays, and special occasions by arrangement.
We also offer our venue for weddings too! Here's a testimonial from a recent event:
"A Shoutout to Kay and Richard of Stonehenge Aotearoa. We've just celebrated our daughter's wedding. We started hunting for a venue in June, 2021 for an Easter wedding in April, 2022. We visited quite a few venues. We settled on Stonehenge, Aotearoa for several reasons, our daughter's partner doing his Masters in Astronomy being the absolute clincher.
It was the perfect venue. It was truly a lucky find. Not only was it unique and beautiful, the owners, Kay and Richard, went out of their way to be helpful and accommodating. Comparing prices, I would say their rates were very reasonable.
And we couldn't have managed without the help of our Events Manager, MJ (0274580035). She organized a superb grazing table for us and took on board all the little pre-wedding tasks we entrusted her with. In a nutshell, I think MJ is efficient, flexible and her prices are reasonable. Both Stonehenge and MJ have earned a ton of gratitude from us all. Others who helped: Our regular handyman (Thank you, Jason) and Festival Hire (www.festivalhire.co.nz Highly recommended!)"
Khoty Mathur (mother of the Bride)
Guide only to basic charges (charges may vary with individual requirements):
Send us a message if you would like more information or wish to make a booking:
nzstarlore@gmail.com
Latest news and updates from Stonehenge Aotearoa:
Thanks to Jack for these wonderful photos from the recent Stars and Stones event:
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