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
Summer Solstice
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)
Self Guided Tour
Plan your perfect Henge visit! Open daily 10 AM – 4 PM for self-guided explorations. Price: $5-$18.
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)
Shared Guided Tour
Journey back in time… Explore the henge with us. Guided tours available.
Book now & uncover mysteries! 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2pm.
Prices from $25-$65p.p. (Minimum 2 pax)
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 ❤
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Announcements
Power Outage
Due to a power outage, we will be closed onthe 28 Nov (Friday) from 9am – 1pm.
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 027 2305190 |
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
Location
Contact Us
News & Articles
Stonehenge Alpha Centauri
The Earth is the jewel of the Solar System, the only world orbiting the sun that is teeming with life. This comes as no surprise when you examine the nature of life. All life on Earth, from microbes to human beings, is based on the carbon atom. It is difficult to...
Matariki
Matariki, which means ‘Little Eyes’, is a cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades and the Seven Sisters. On a clear dark night you can see, with good eyesight, about seven stars. However, these are just the brighter members of a cluster of more than 1,000 stars....
Heart of the Scorpion
The most brilliant region of the Milky Way comes directly overhead on a winter’s evening. Looking up you will notice that there is a dark, almost black rift running along the centre of the brightest region. Today we know that this dark rift is formed by vast clouds of...
