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.
Open: for self-guided tours. NOTE closed 13 Oct 21 due to weather. Contact us directly. Pre-booking and pre-payment is encouraged. The equinox event will be going ahead with limited numbers. Social distancings necessary at all times.
Phone 06 377 1600.
You can visit the henge anytime we are open, without having to make any appointment. Check out our opening hours. A map of the Stonehenge Aotearoa structure and a short audio-visual explaining how the stones work are included in the visit.
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.
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
VISIT THE HENGE
Stonehenge Aotearoa will open in Level 2 on 15 September. We will be running self guided tours during opening hours 10am-4pm, Wed to Sunday. Please remember to keep a safe distance between yourselves and others and wear a mask when near others or in the Visitors' Centre or AV room.
Prebooking and prepayment are encouraged.
From 28th of December to 31st of January – We are open every day!
From February to June – Wednesday to Sunday and Anzac Day.
TAKE A STAR SAFARI AT NIGHT
Visit the space and astronomy experience called Star-Safari, which is a social enterprise that brings access to the night sky for everyone.
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.
Check out the upcoming events, tours, exhibitions, courses and much more at Stonehenge Aotearoa.
A presentation by Richard Hall
7pm Wednesday 6th October at Stonehenge Aotearoa
Come with us on a journey through space and time. Discover our place in the Universe, how our world has evolved through time and, what may exist around other stars.
"In space, nobody can hear a planet scream!" - Presentation by Keith Austin
7pm Saturday 9th October at Stonehenge Aotearoa
There is no sound in space. But there are radio waves. From our own Sun and the planets of our Solar System, to the eerie clicks and purrs of distant collapsed stars, space is rich with natural radio broadcasts that we can hear on Earth. Keith Austin, astronomer and musician, takes us on a sonic tour of the Universe.
PLUS
A presentation by Richard Hall
Following explorations by the Hubble Space Telescope here are the stellar extremes in the known Universe... The largest, smallest, brightest, hottest, most massive, oldest and, the most rapidly rotating star.
Saturday 6th November at 730pm - Presentation by Kay Leather
Matariki, the most famous cluster of stars in the sky, is associated with legends and important meanings that go back thousands of years around the world. Here are those legends and meanings with special emphasis on the Maori traditions. In addition, we explore the physical nature of these stars and, weather permitting, observe them in our night sky.
Saturday 4th December at 8pm - A presentation by Richard Hall
A celestial event or a series of events some 2,000 years ago founded one of the world's great religions. What was the Star of Bethlehem? In this presentation we explore the beliefs and symbolism of antiquity and re-evaluate the meanings behind ancient scriptures in search of answers to this ancient mystery.
Wednesday 22nd December at 8pm - A presentation by Richard Hall
Sundown on the 22nd is the time of Solstice – summer in the southern hemisphere, winter in the north. But, 2,000 years ago this solstice occurred on December 25th. At Stonehenge Aotearoa we have put together a special presentation on legends associated with the solstice: Who were those shepherds watching the sky? Who was ‘Father Christmas’? Why did Rudolf have a red nose and, do you know what the holly-berries represent? It might come as a shock. Here are the tales from antiquity that formed a cornerstone to the rise of civilization. The program includes, weather permitting, viewing the Sun set over the Summer Solstice Heel Stone.
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
Mars, the exhibition, is a project of the New Zealand Astrobiology Network and was possible with a generous grant from the US Embassy New Zealand, who is the principal sponsor, the Phoenix Astronomical Society (NZ) and support from Milky-Way.Kiwi. Richard Hall and Kay Leather donated the centerpiece. Entry to the exhibition is FREE if you purchased a ticket for Stonehenge Aotearoa.
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 ONLINE
A space and astronomy experience including stargazing if the stars are visible.
Stonehenge Aotearoa is available for private functions – weddings, birthdays, and special occasions by arrangement.
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:
contact@stonehenge-aotearoa.co.nz
Latest news and updates from Stonehenge Aotearoa:
Thanks to John Forsyth for these wonderful photos of the blood supermoon earlier in May 2021:
Adult $15
Gold Card Holder/Senior $10
NZ Student $5
Children (0-5 years) free.
GUIDED TOURS:
Adult $20
Senior $15
NZ student $5
Guided tours must be arranged or booked in advance.
Please note that children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Bookings are essential for all schools and tour groups.
51 Ahiaruhe Road, R.D. 2 Carterton, 5792, New Zealand
10AM - 4PM on the following days:
September:, re-opening from 15th September for self guided tours.
Pre-booking and pre-payment is encouraged. Wednesday to Sunday and Labour Day.
28th of December to 31st of January:
We are open every day!
School Holidays - we are open every day.
STAR SAFARI is provided by Milky-Way.Kiwi.
Session dates and start varies throughout the year.
For private Star Safari or any other enquiries on Star Safari – email star-safari @milky-way.kiwi
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