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.
June: We are open weekends & public holidays and anytime for private tours
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
10:00AM – 4:00PM
Open any time by arrangement, for private tours
June, open Sat & Sun and Queen’s birthday (Monday, June 7)
July, open Sat & Sun and every day during school holidays, July 10-25
From 1st of August to 22nd of December – Wednesday to Sunday and Labour Day.
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.
Arrow FM 9:30am Tuesday July 20th
Journey to Alpha Centauri
Come with us on a journey to the nearest stars where we will explore the nature and environments of new worlds recently discovered. On our journey outwards we will also encounter Pluto, an outer world of the Solar System frozen in time.
Presented by Richard Hall from Stonehenge Aotearoa
7pm Thursday July 22 at Café Medici, 9 Kitchener Street, Martinborough
Presentation by Richard Hall: When we look at the night sky, from a clear dark site, we see thousands of stars. Each of these stars is a distant sun and, orbiting around these stars, are planets. Our world, with its complex biology, may be just one of a vast multitude of islands in space and time. What may have evolved on these worlds? In this presentation we explore a disturbing statement by Arthur C. Clark: “Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.
5pm Sunday August 15 and 6pm Thursday August 19 at Stonehenge Aotearoa
A rare event occurs in late August. All of the five planets that can be seen with the unaided eye will be visible in our evening night sky. The evening begins with a special presentation in which we explore Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. This will include the latest discoveries concerning these exotic worlds. This will be followed, weather permitting, with a laser tour of the night sky and, viewing the planets through large telescopes. In addition, on the Thursday, there will be a conjunction of the planets Mercury and Mars.
Bookings are essential. Phone 06 377 1600.
Fee: Adults $20, Seniors $15, School students $5.
6pm Thursday September 23rd at Stonehenge Aotearoa
In the ancient world the Spring Equinox was a time to celebrate. It was the time of the return of life on Earth following the harsh northern hemisphere winter, the restoration of food supplies. Around the world, for much of history, it marked the beginning of the year and, to this day it plays a major role in world religions. In this presentation we explore the stories from antiquity of how our ancestors explained the nature of the universe, which in turn formed a foundation to world religions. Weather permitting the program will include viewing the Sun set over the Equinox Heel Stone.
Bookings are essential. Phone 06 377 1600.
Fee: Adults $20, Seniors $15, School students $5.
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
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:
June:, open Sat & Sun and Queen’s birthday (Monday, June 7
July: open Sat & Sun and every day during school holidays, July 10-25
1st of August to 22nd of December:
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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