Sight guide · Wellington · New Zealand
Visiting Space Place at Carter Observatory
Next to the top of the Cable Car in the Botanic Garden, this small observatory and planetarium has full-dome shows on the southern sky, interactive exhibits and a historic telescope used for evening viewing sessions when the sky is clear.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: SPCarterObservatory, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Space Place at Carter Observatory is a museum in Kelburn, Wellington. Allow 1.5 hours; it is mid-priced. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Museum
- Area
- Kelburn
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- kids, rainy day and after dark
- Best months
- June–August
About Space Place at Carter Observatory
Next to the top of the Cable Car in the Botanic Garden, this small observatory and planetarium has full-dome shows on the southern sky, interactive exhibits and a historic telescope used for evening viewing sessions when the sky is clear.
Tip: Go on a clear evening to look through the telescope as well as seeing a planetarium show.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5 hours.
- Cost: Mid-priced.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Kelburn, hilltop suburb by the Botanic Garden and Victoria University.
Best time to visit Space Place at Carter Observatory
Space Place at Carter Observatory is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- June: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- July: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- August: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Wellington has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Wellington itinerary visits Space Place at Carter Observatory on day 1, together with Te Papa Tongarewa, Cuba Street and City Gallery Wellington.
- No. 4 of the 18 sights in our Wellington things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- One of the picks in museums in Wellington.
- One of the picks in wellington on a rainy day.
- A family favourite in Wellington with kids.
Near Space Place at Carter Observatory
Also in Kelburn, so you can walk between them:
- Wellington Botanic Garden — 1.5 hours, free
If you like Space Place at Carter Observatory
- Te Papa Tongarewa — Te Aro, 3–4 hours
- Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne — Karori, 2–3 hours
- Wētā Cave and Wētā Workshop tours — Miramar, 1.5 hours with a tour
- Wellington Museum — Lambton Quay and CBD, 1 hour
Staying near Space Place at Carter Observatory
Stay in Kelburn ($$) to walk here: hilltop suburb by the Botanic Garden and Victoria University. All areas to stay in Wellington.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Space Place at Carter Observatory?
Plan 1.5 hours. With Wellington Botanic Garden nearby, it fits a half-day in Kelburn.
+Is Space Place at Carter Observatory free?
No, it is mid-priced. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Space Place at Carter Observatory?
June–August, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Go on a clear evening to look through the telescope as well as seeing a planetarium show.
+Do I need to book Space Place at Carter Observatory in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Space Place at Carter Observatory good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Wellington. Wellington is easy with children: Te Papa is free and highly interactive, the cable car and Space Place are fun, and Zealandia, the zoo and the waterfront fill a few days.