This summer, Star Safari launches A Summer of Space — a season-long festival celebrating the magic of the night sky in the heart of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve. The festival offers a programme of celestial events designed for curious minds, creative spirits, space enthusiasts, and families alike.

From hands-on moon sketching to sunrise solar viewing, astrophotography, telescope mastery, and nightly stargazing, visitors are invited to explore the cosmos through powerful telescopes, expert guidance, and immersive experiences.

Summer is all about our closest star, the Sun, so the festival also features events and activities focused on solar observation. Not only can visitors use telescopes to marvel at the night sky, but they can also safely observe the Sun during dedicated daytime sessions.

A Summer of Space is your chance to discover the wonders of the universe, whether it’s learning the stars, capturing them through a camera lens, or simply enjoying the celestial spectacle with family and friends.

Nightly Stargazing at Star Safari
Open every night
View planets, stars and deep-sky objects through powerful observatory telescopes. From $100, kids under 16 free. Bookings essential.

Draw the Moon Evenings
27 December & 24 January
Observe the Moon up close and sketch what you see, just like early astronomers. $80 per person, 90 minutes, bookings essential.

Perihelion Sunrise
4 January, 5–5:30am
Celebrate Earth’s closest approach to the Sun with safe solar viewing. $55 per adult, under 16 free. Bookings essential.

Telescope Mastery Course
Every Saturday until 31 January, 11am–2:30pm
A practical course for new telescope users. $150 per person, bookings essential.

Astrophotography Mastery Course
19 December, 9 January, 16 January – 7pm–9pm
Learn to capture night-sky images. $185 per person, bookings essential.

Star Sense: Find Your Way by the Stars
27 December, 10 January, 31 January – 6pm–8:30pm
Learn to identify constellations and seasonal stars. $135 per person, bookings essential.