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All 155 Wellington Attractions »

Carter Observatory

40 Salamanca Road | Kelburn, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
+64 4 910 3140
Ranked #9 of 127 attractions in Wellington
4.5 of 5 stars 48 Reviews
Type: Observatories/ Planetariums
Owner description: Carter Observatory offers visitors a state of the art, digital planetarium with an almost limitless range of virtual space journeys, along with... more » Owner description: Carter Observatory offers visitors a state of the art, digital planetarium with an almost limitless range of virtual space journeys, along with multi-media exhibits that tell the Māori and European story of New Zealand’s southern skies and the role of the stars in navigation. Carter re-opened in March 2010 as a world class visitor attraction after a multi-million dollar refit. Over its 70 year history it has served as New Zealand’s national observatory and this legacy is reflected in a collection of New Zealand astronomical history including the oldest telescope of its kind operating in New Zealand.Carter offers a fun learning experience for kids and visitors of all ages and has new exhibitions on space flight, New Zealanders and their role in space sciences and much much more. We know you'll leave inspired. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Stairs / lift, Bathroom facilities, Wheelchair access
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48 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    33
    11
    3
    1
    0
Date Rating
New Zealand
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 May 2012 NEW

Everything has just been upgraded and the show is a real treat. We took some lovely freinds from New York and they were as impressed as we were! It is fun to look through the giant telescope.

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See 12 more reviews by WindsurferNewZealand for Wellington
Hamilton, Bermuda
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 28 May 2012 NEW

Wonderful to view the SOuthern Hemisphere and learn about the stars etc. CAn feel slightly sick as the earth spins but you get used to it.

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See 7 more reviews by kiwimarg for Wellington
Thames, New Zealand
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2012

An interesting tour into the world outside our little planet.

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See 4 more reviews by wharetaare for Wellington
Nairobi, Kenya
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2012

I'm from NYC and I LOVE the planetarium there, but this was so sweet and small and had a very nice show about the crazy weather on the other planets. The guide was very witty and informative.

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See 10 more reviews by LuluNairobi for Wellington
Wellington, New Zealand
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2012

Took visiting parents and just loved it once again. Been before and the more you go the more you learn.

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See 20 more reviews by MDAW23 for Wellington
N.S.W. Australia
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012

We took the cable car from Lambton Quay, and wondered through the Botanical garden and that is where one finds the Carter Observatory, as it was Easter Saturday we could only look at the building and not get in, (too full). But it was also mid afternoon.

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See 3 more reviews by Killcare for Wellington
Dawn Muir, Public Relations Manager at Carter Observatory, responded to this review
25 April 2012

Kia ora Killcare, I was most concerned to read that you couldn't get into Carter on Easter Saturday. Whilst it was a busy day, all the shows had plenty of space in them and we could have accommodated you easily. We would have loved to see you. I'd be very keen to follow this up with you and would invite... More

Hastings, New Zealand
Senior Contributor
39 reviews 39 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 April 2012

The Carter Observatory is in the Wellington Botanic Gardens. It can be accessed from several directions, but my suggestion would be to ride the Cable Car going to the top of the gardens. Once inside, there is a great partly interactive display of all things astronomical, then a visit to the Planetarium with an amazing virtual walk through space, with... More

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See 17 more reviews by earthsinger for Wellington
Wairarapa
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 April 2012

Had a school holiday movie about a dog going to the moon, my little girl loved it and so did I

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Dallas, Texas
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 April 2012

Very cool to experience the shots in space by rocket. Also interested in the various space plans FOR THE FUTURE.

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See 3 more reviews by MABrown13 for Wellington
australia
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 3 April 2012

so much to learn what is up in the sky and this was great. Friendly staff and good atmosphere.

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See 10 more reviews by CaroPaul for Wellington

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