Star Safari Observatory — Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve

Recognised by Lonely Planet — One of the World’s Top 25 Experiences for 2026.

Step into the Universe at Star Safari Observatory, where New Zealand’s darkest skies meet storytelling, science, and inspiration.

Perched on a hill between Martinborough and Carterton inside the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, our solar-powered observatory is your gateway to the stars — a place to connect with the cosmos through world-class telescopes and a team who live for discovery.

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Meet the Sky Rangers

We’re led by Haritina Mogoșanu — an astrobiologist, Mars-training analog-astronaut, and TEDx speaker — and Samuel Leske, an astrophysicist and former Air Force pilot.

Together with our Sky Rangers, we’re scientists, educators, and storytellers dedicated to protecting Aotearoa’s night skies.

We share real science — not superstition — and make the Universe come alive for everyone who visits.

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The Experience: Every Night is a Star Safari night, clear or cloudy

When the weather plays along, you’ll look through some of the largest telescopes available to the public in New Zealand. When clouds roll in, the adventure continues indoors with our planetarium and virtual universe software, astrobiology rocks from New Zealand, and stories that connect life on Earth with life beyond. Either way, you’ll come away understanding the night sky — and your place in it — in a way few experiences can offer.

From the moment you arrive, we’ll greet you personally in the car park — because hospitality matters just as much as the heavens above.

The short walk to our telescopes takes you through the Moon Garden and past the Space Shed, giving your eyes time to adjust to the dark.

Once you reach the stargazing platforms, we start with a short safety briefing and an introduction to the telescopes. 

• When the sky is clear, we start stargazing immediately.

If you’d like to know precisely what is visible on the night of your visit, you can check our sky guide here. 

If you’d like to try your hand at astrophotography or bring your own telescope, there’s an add-on for that, too.

• And if clouds roll in, your journey continues indoors with virtual skies and VR headsets, flying across the Solar System.

Two ways to experience the stars

• Our early session ($100) begins just after sunset — it’s our most popular time, perfect for families and anyone wanting the full Star Safari experience under the darkening sky.
• Our late session ($150) offers an even darker sky and a more intimate pace for night-owl stargazers and photographers. We keep this group smaller for a quieter, premium experience.

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Sustainability and science

Our observatory runs entirely on solar and wind power, keeping Star Safari completely off-grid and sustainable. 

Surrounding the observatory is our Moon Garden, a living little sanctuary designed to restore local biodiversity and provide shelter and nectar for moths, beetles, and other nocturnal pollinators. The Moon Garden reminds us that darkness nurtures life, and protecting the night sky also means protecting the ecosystems beneath it. 

Alongside our telescopes, we operate a Muon Detector, Meteor Camera, and Dark-Sky Meter to study and safeguard the night. These instruments let us measure cosmic particles, photograph falling meteors, and record the darkness that makes Wairarapa skies so extraordinary.

We talk science — sharing the data, the discoveries, and the sense of wonder that connects every one of us to the Universe.

Comfort and wonder

Relax in a Moon Chair with a cup of hot chocolate as you gaze into infinity.

Under a sky celebrated by Lonely Planet as one of the best on Earth, every visitor becomes part of a bigger story — a shared moment of awe, curiosity, and gratitude for the cosmos that made us. Star Safari is a knowledge tourism experience.

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Inspiration should be free - so bring your under-16s for free

That’s why children under 16 join for free — so the next generation can look up, ask questions, and dream without limits.

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Follow up

You can also explore the Universe from home with us through Slooh, our online observatory partner, where we guide you through real telescope missions and teach the science behind the stars.

Plan your visit

Located just 10 minutes from Martinborough and 80 km from the Wellington International Airport, Star Safari Observatory offers nightly guided sessions, private bookings, and special events.

Dress warmly, bring your sense of wonder, and let the Sky Rangers guide you through Wairarapa’s internationally recognised night sky.

Book your Star Safari and discover why Lonely Planet named Wairarapa stargazing one of the world’s Top 25 Experiences for 2026.

Important Booking Information

Please don’t visit without a booking!

1. ✅ Booking Required: We can only host guests with a confirmed booking — please plan ahead before you come.

2. Contact Us First: If you’re nearby, call 021 663 808 or 021 269 2908 — please don’t ask the neighbours for directions or access.

3. Children: Every child must be registered. Up to two children under 16 are free per paying adult. And please, no LED shoes — they ruin night vision!

4. Terms & Conditions: Make sure you’ve read and understood our Terms and Conditions before booking.

We love sharing the sky, but our site is private property and part of a working farm — booking ensures your safety, comfort, and the best possible experience under the dark skies of Wairarapa.