Space Place at Carter Observatory is Wellington’s planetarium and space science centre, located at 40 Salamanca Road in the Wellington Botanic Garden on Kelburn Hill. It’s a 2-minute walk from the top of the Wellington Cable Car and combines a digital planetarium dome, interactive exhibitions on astronomy and navigation, and one of the region’s key astronomy venues. Evening hours run until 10:30–11pm several nights a week, making it one of the few Wellington attractions genuinely worth visiting after dark.
Practical Information
| Address | 40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, Wellington (in the Botanic Garden) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10am – 5pm |
| Tuesday – Thursday | 10am – 10:30pm |
| Friday – Saturday | 10am – 11pm |
| Sunday | 10am – 5pm |
| Admission (adult) | NZ$16 |
| Admission (seniors, NZ Gold Card) | NZ$14 |
| Admission (children, 4–14) | NZ$10 |
| Admission (under 4) | Free |
| Planetarium shows | Included with admission — check schedule on website |
| Access | 2-minute walk from Kelburn Cable Car terminus |
| Accessibility | Accessible via cable car; limited wheelchair access within the observatory |
About Space Place
Carter Observatory has operated from the Kelburn hill site since 1941, when it was established as New Zealand’s national observatory. The facility was redeveloped and rebranded as Space Place in 2010, transforming it from a research institution into a public science centre with a fully digital planetarium dome. It’s part of Museums Wellington.
The location is excellent: the Kelburn hill site gives clear views of the night sky above Wellington’s urban light dome, and the surrounding Botanic Garden means there’s easy walking access to the Rose Garden and the Garden café as part of a visit. The cable car ride up from Lambton Quay is a popular way to arrive.
What to Expect
The planetarium shows are the centrepiece — the digital dome projects the night sky and various astronomy programmes, with different shows running at different times. Evening visits on weeknights and Fridays/Saturdays give the best chance of seeing the sky and any telescope viewing sessions. The interactive exhibitions cover the southern night sky, Māori astronomy and navigation, and space science. The observatory building itself is heritage-listed.
What Visitors Say
“The planetarium show was brilliant — really well presented and the kids loved it. Great evening activity. The walk through the Botanic Garden to get there is lovely too.” — TripAdvisor reviewer
Where to Learn More
Space Place at Carter Observatory — Museums Wellington: Official page with hours, admission, planetarium show schedule, and what’s on.
FAQ
Where is Space Place at Carter Observatory?
At 40 Salamanca Road, Kelburn, Wellington — in the Wellington Botanic Garden, a 2-minute walk from the top station of the Wellington Cable Car.
What are the opening hours?
Monday and Sunday 10am-5pm, Tuesday to Thursday 10am-10:30pm, Friday and Saturday 10am-11pm. Evening hours make it a good after-dark activity.
What does admission cover?
General admission (NZ$16 adult) includes entry to all exhibitions and planetarium shows in the schedule. Check the website for show times on the day of your visit.
How do I get there?
The easiest way is by Wellington Cable Car from Lambton Quay — Space Place is a 2-minute walk from the Kelburn terminus. It’s also accessible by bus to Kelburn or on foot through the Botanic Garden.
Are evening visits worth it?
Yes — evening sessions offer planetarium shows, and on clear nights there may be telescope viewing. Friday and Saturday late nights (until 11pm) are popular.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes — the planetarium shows and exhibitions are family-friendly. Children 4–14 pay NZ$10; under 4 is free.
Explore more things to do on the Things to Do in Wellington page. The Cable Car Museum is right next door at the Kelburn terminus, and Wellington Botanic Garden surrounds the site.