More than stargazing in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve
Star Safari: Your Astronomical Journey with a Personal Touch
Experience Stargazing and learn about space in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve
Following Lonely Planet’s ‘Lose yourself in the night sky’ list for 2026, the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve is confirmed as a premier destination.
Join Star Safari for breathtaking stargazing in the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve — explore stars, constellations, planets and deep sky objects under New Zealand’s clearest skies.
Our Astronomy and Stargazing Experiences
Explore our astronomy and stargazing experiences — family sessions, astrophotography add-ons, and private stargazing under New Zealand’s pristine Wairarapa skies – As seen in Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2026
- Outdoors | Indoors if overcast
- 90 minutes
- Guided stargazing & observing through 16" telescopes | VR and e-astronomy
- Book here for private Star Safari sessions
- Kids under 16 are free.
- Optional Astrophotography add-on
- Course
- 4 hours - 1/2 day | weekends
- VR, telescopes, camera & e-astronomy
- Kids under 16 are free.
Our starting times vary throughout the year, based on sunset.
We usually hold multiple sessions per night.
Also please check out our frequently asked questions page
Give Your Kids some space
Kids Come Free — Inspiring the Next Generation
At Star Safari, children under 16 always come for free. We believe the night sky should belong to everyone, and inspiring young minds is at the heart of what we do.
Meet the Astronomers
While our guests often call us “astronomers,” our backgrounds span the stars in different ways. Sam is an astronomer and an astrophysicist; Hari is an astrobiologist. Together with our team of passionate amateur astronomers, we share the wonders of the universe at Star Safari.
Why Star Safari is Wairarapa’s Most Unique Stargazing Experience
What Makes Star Safari Unique
Discover what makes Star Safari different — powerful telescopes, solar-powered observatory, expert hosts, and sustainable astronomy in the Wairarapa.
Look at the night sky with the best stargazing equipment open to the public in Wairarapa.
At Star Safari you get
No Nonsense. We talk science.
Really big telescopes
We have not one but two 16" telescopes that we use for stargazing and also an 8" refractor that we use for planets.
FREE access for kids under 16
We pitch our content to the audience and we cater for all ages and all experience levels. We certainly welcome children, in fact we decided that for each adult, you can bring 2 young people for free.
exceptional dark sky location
You will connect with Wairarapa's Dark Sky from Glen Eden, on top of a hill. It's a fantastic sky with a great view.
Stargazing Experiences in Wairarapa | Star Safari Tours
Frequently asked Questions
Why the Wairarapa Sky Is Special
Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve | The Best Stargazing in New Zealand
Discover why the Wairarapa sky is world-class — a certified Dark Sky Reserve offering crystal-clear views of the Milky Way and southern constellations.
Our observatory sits within the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve on New Zealand’s North Island — one of the darkest, clearest, and most accessible stargazing locations in the world.
With around 70 percent clear nights each year, the region offers reliable conditions for observing the cosmos. We’re about 80 kilometres from Wellington International Airport, nestled between Martinborough, Greytown, Carterton, and Masterton — perfectly placed for your night under the Milky Way.