We hope you enjoyed celebrating Matariki with us. Visit us again in Winter 2026 to celebrate the Matariki New Year with our range of events in the planetarium.
Learn more about Matariki
Stargazing guide for 2025: How to find Puanga and Matariki in the sky
What is Puanga and why do we celebrate it in Wellington?
Wellington stargazing tips: best locations to view Matariki and Puanga rising across the region
Make a Matariki zine
Maramamataka – how the moon gives the timing of Matariki
Visit Space Place
Our recently renovated interactive exhibits explore an Aotearoa perspective of astronomy. Learn about the skies above Pōneke, how our nations first people used stars to navigate oceans, star paths, and the importance of Matariki.
Opening Hours
For school holidays and public holidays, Space Place is open daily from 10am with late nights Tuesday–Saturday. During term time, Space Place is open nights Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am–late Thursday–Saturday, 10am–5pm Sunday and closed on Monday. See detailed opening hours here.
Admission fees apply. Learn more.
Getting Here
Space Place is located in the Wellington Botanic Gardens, at 40 Salamanca Rd, Kelburn, Wellington.
- Wellington Cable Car: the Cable Car runs every 10 minutes. Save 20% with the Red Rocket combo. Check the operating hours ahead of time here.
- Bus: catch the #4, #18, #21 or #22 bus and get off at stop 4916 Upland Road opposite Glasgow Street, then walk 6 minutes.
- Drive: Visitors cannot drive through the Botanic Gardens, so ensure you navigate to Upland Road. Wilson parking is available at 1 Upland Road. There are limited parking spaces outside Space Place reserved especially for mobility permit holders.
Shop at Space Place
Browse the Matariki range in-store and online
