COME AND EXPERIENCE

wairarapa dark skies

Lonely Planet has named Wairarapa Stargazing, Food & Wine as a Best in Travel Experience.

Come and see what Lonely Planet are talking about! Our dark skies come alive with millions of stars above in our International Dark Sky Reserve.

Currently the Reserve covers Carterton and South Wairarapa districts, and it is aiming to expand to Masterton. This will protect dark skies in unspoilt locations across the region. Viewing the night sky from special places like Castlepoint will be preserved for future generations. Watch this space! 

Experts at local dark sky tours, can guide you through the sky with telescopes to help make sense of what’s up above. 

Summer of Space at Star Safari
Summer of Space at Star Safari

Summer of Space at Star Safari

Summer of Space at Star Safari

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.
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Stargazing is a fun activity for any age.
Our 16" telescopes are big and have top of the range optics.
Bring your 15 and younger for free.
Big telescopes see more. We have two 16" telescopes - Princess Leia and Darth Vader.
Learn astrophotography! Introductory (or advanced) lessons on photographing the night sky.
The skyscape at Star Safari is fabulous with the Milky-Way arching horizon to horizon.
We look forward to seeing you at Star Safari
Learn about the night sky from an astrobiologist and an astrophysicist.
Stargazing is a fun activity for any age. Our 16" telescopes are big and have top of the range optics. Bring your 15 and younger for free. Big telescopes see more. We have two 16" telescopes - Princess Leia and Darth Vader. Learn astrophotography! Introductory (or advanced) lessons on photographing the night sky. The skyscape at Star Safari is fabulous with the Milky-Way arching horizon to horizon. We look forward to seeing you at Star Safari Learn about the night sky from an astrobiologist and an astrophysicist.

Star Safari

Star Safari

Did you know that the Wairarapa International Dark Sky Reserve has one of the darkest and clearest skies in New Zealand? Only 102km from the Wellington Airport, you get a personal astrobiologist and an astrophysicist to show you the Universe.
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Stargazing with Star Safari

Wairarapa Dark Sky Astronomy Tour

Wairarapa Dark Sky Astronomy Tour

Experience New Zealand's newest Dark Sky reserve in the Wairarapa an hour north of Wellington. Sam & Hari from Star Safari will open your eyes to wonders of the universe.
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Feel like you're in heaven at Star Safari.
Aurora Australis? We can see it too.
Learn the night sky. Will sow you how.
We see and photograph really amazing things like this supernova (SN 2024ggi).
Our Moon Garden is a fabulous backdrop for your starry pictures. And we will tell you what's in them too.
We have window seats to see the centre of the galaxy.
The sky changes every month so the best time to visit is now.
Have children? Bring them for free.
Feel like you're in heaven at Star Safari. Aurora Australis? We can see it too. Learn the night sky. Will sow you how. We see and photograph really amazing things like this supernova (SN 2024ggi). Our Moon Garden is a fabulous backdrop for your starry pictures. And we will tell you what's in them too. We have window seats to see the centre of the galaxy. The sky changes every month so the best time to visit is now. Have children? Bring them for free.

Private Star Safari

Private Star Safari

Looking for something different? Get an exclusive Star Safari - just for you and your special ones. Enjoy an evening of space and astronomy with Hari and Sam. When stars are visible, we stargaze. When they are not, we entertain you with e-astronomy.
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Get a closer look at some of our beautiful southern hemisphere objects through our large telescope.
Stargazing group at Martinborough Golf Course. A popular venue for those who don't have suitable accommodation or won't stay the night within Wairarapa.
We come to you.
Get a closer look at some of our beautiful southern hemisphere objects through our large telescope. Stargazing group at Martinborough Golf Course. A popular venue for those who don't have suitable accommodation or won't stay the night within Wairarapa. We come to you.

Under The Stars - Private Mobile Stargazing Tours

Under The Stars - Private Mobile Stargazing Tours

We come to you at your home or holiday accommodation with everything you need for a wonder filled experience of the night sky in Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve.
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The Milky Way setting over Stonehenge Aotearoa
Tour at analemma
Henge and Milky Way
Equinox sunset
Henge panorama
Weddings at Stonehenge Aotearoa
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra visiting
Take a tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa | Local Focus
The Milky Way setting over Stonehenge Aotearoa Tour at analemma Henge and Milky Way Equinox sunset Henge panorama Weddings at Stonehenge Aotearoa New Zealand Symphony Orchestra visiting Take a tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa | Local Focus

Stonehenge Aotearoa

Stonehenge Aotearoa

Take a tour into the past and discover the secrets of lost civilizations. Stonehenge Aotearoa is a window into the past where visitors can rediscover the knowledge of their ancestors.
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Looking down the main causeway
Looking through the Sun gate to the henge
Looking past the garden. The heelstone on the left marks where the sun rises at the Winter Solstice when viewed from the centre of the henge.
The sun setting over the Equinox heelstone in the west.
Local Focus: Take a tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa
Looking down the main causeway Looking through the Sun gate to the henge Looking past the garden. The heelstone on the left marks where the sun rises at the Winter Solstice when viewed from the centre of the henge. The sun setting over the Equinox heelstone in the west. Local Focus: Take a tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa

Tales from Antiquity Guided Tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa

Tales from Antiquity Guided Tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa

Stonehenge Aotearoa, a modern working observatory, lets you explore ancient astronomical knowledge and the wonders of acoustics. Discover your ancestors' secrets and experience the magic of the cosmos. Prepare to embark on an exhilarating journey.
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Milky Way over Stonehenge Aotearoa

Star Trek A Tour of the Night Sky

Star Trek A Tour of the Night Sky

Stargazing at Stonehenge Aotearoa. Introduction & night sky presentation + lasers & stars (weather permitting). Family-friendly pricing. Group discounts available. An unforgettable experience.
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Panoramic views for miles.
Memories are made here.
Charmingly rustic, clean and spacious "huts".
Those views.
Three different cabins over the walk offer serenity.
Refill your lungs, clear your head, and feed your soul.
Nourishing food provided.
The trip of a lifetime.
Panoramic views for miles. Memories are made here. Charmingly rustic, clean and spacious "huts". Those views. Three different cabins over the walk offer serenity. Refill your lungs, clear your head, and feed your soul. Nourishing food provided. The trip of a lifetime.

Kawakawa Station Walk

Kawakawa Station Walk

A spectacular three-day walk set amongst ancient native bush, 360 coastal views and crystal clear rivers in the heart of a Dark Sky Reserve. One of the Wairarapa’s best-kept secrets, wild landscapes, hearty food, and warm hospitality come together.
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The White Swan Country Hotel

Inspired by the magic of our Wairarapa dark skies, their chefs and mixologists have conjured two stellar treats.
Cocoa Eclipse - A rich, dreamy dessert that captures the wonder of a total solar eclipse, with dark chocolate, salted caramel, hazelnut, and croissant ice cream.
Celestial Fizz – A sparkling gin cocktail in cosmic hues, blending Greytown Distilling Co.’s Dark Sky Gin with butterfly pea syrup, lime, and mint - perfect for sipping beneath a canopy of stars.

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The White Swan Country Hotel

Stay in The White Swan's Dark Skies Suite. Inspired by Wairarapa’s Dark Skies this room has a super king bed, luscious linen and dreamy dark decor with touches of gold. Located upstairs within the hotel with a balcony overlooking Greytown’s Main Street.

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Unbeatable views.
Spacious, wheelchair friendly bathroom.
Room with a view.
Dining & living area.
Milky way overhead.
Stunning night sky.
Whitimanuka Retreat
Unbeatable views. Spacious, wheelchair friendly bathroom. Room with a view. Dining & living area. Milky way overhead. Stunning night sky. Whitimanuka Retreat

Whitimanuka Retreat

Whitimanuka Retreat

Architecturally designed, off-grid accommodation just out of Martinborough on a 7th generation farm. With absolutely stunning views over the Wairarapa, you will feel on top of the world. Explore walking tracks, observe the breathtaking night sky from the deck or outdoor bathtub, or simply relax.
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Dark Sky Cottage
Luxury king size bed
Sunroom for relaxation
Outdoor bath for stargazing and relaxation
Alongside stars we have other Incredi-bull views
Dark Sky Cottage Luxury king size bed Sunroom for relaxation Outdoor bath for stargazing and relaxation Alongside stars we have other Incredi-bull views

Dark Sky Cottage

Dark Sky Cottage

Embrace romance and discover tranquility at Dark Sky Cottage. Just outside Martinborough in the middle of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, find a magical place for relaxation and reconnection.
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Sunset at Ranginui Retreat
Your own private cottage to stay and relax in
The luxury King Suite in the main house
The luxury King Suite ensuite
Enjoy our garden
The luxury Queen Suite in the main house
Come and enjoy the country
Relax by the pool
Enjoy your own space in the main house
Sunset at Ranginui Retreat Your own private cottage to stay and relax in The luxury King Suite in the main house The luxury King Suite ensuite Enjoy our garden The luxury Queen Suite in the main house Come and enjoy the country Relax by the pool Enjoy your own space in the main house

Ranginui Retreat

Ranginui Retreat

Ranginui Retreat offers boutique accommodation and dining in the wonderful Wairarapa. At the end of the day snuggle by the brasier with a rug & hot drink and watch Ranginui, the Sky Father, weave his magic across the heavens with a dazzling display of stars.
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Ranui Essentials Lavender
Ranui Essentials Lavender
Sun setting over lavender field
People picking lavender as sun sets
Display inside the lavender shop
Sun setting over lavender field People picking lavender as sun sets Display inside the lavender shop

Ranui Essentials Lavender

Ranui Essentials Lavender

Head to Ranui Essentials in Martinborough during Summer to pick your own lavender starting 26 December 2025 with the option to watch the sunset and navigate the night sky with Astronomy guides. 
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