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Stardome Observatory & Planetarium

4.6
189
Experience the wonder and magic of Auckland’s Stardome Observatory and Planetarium!

Experience the wonder and magic of Auckland’s Stardome Observatory and Planetarium!

Welcome to Stardome, the coolest little observatory this side of Neptune.

Stardome has been sharing its love and mātauranga of all things space since 1967. Located in Maungakiekie One Tree Hill, Auckland, it offers fully immersive indoor planetarium shows, year-round Māori astronomy shows, telescope viewing, music and laser events plus hands-on exhibits.

The vibrant and hands-on public galleries give visitors a chance to connect with the latest observations in science and astronomy. Stardome is welcoming for all ages and in all weathers. Come and reconnect with the cosmos!


Choose from the sevens showings below:

Our Sky Tonight | Aimed at ages 10+ | 50 minutes

Explore the wonders of the night sky aboveTāmaki Makaurau Auckland with our live planetarium show, Our Sky Tonight. Led by an expert astronomer, embark on a guided tour of stars, constellations, and celestial stories. This is Stardome's flagship live planetarium experience!


Grand Tour of the Solar System | Aimed at ages 7+ | 50 minutes

This live and interactive planetarium show takes you on an unforgettable journey though our solar system from your seat! Prepare to be amazed as we explore our cosmic neighbourhood - from the scorching heat of Venus to the icy mysteries of the outer planets. We'll get an up-close look at each planet, with a special focus on Mars, which may soon be within reach for human explorers!


Looking Up| Aimed at ages 5+ | 50 minutes

Want to show your kids the amazing night sky without having them up past their bedtime? This exciting indoor planetarium adventure will take them on a journey through the stars, planets, and constellations. It's a perfect way to spark their curiosity about the universe.

This is the children's version of the flagship Our Sky Tonight show.


3-2-1 Liftoff! | Aimed at ages 4+ | 50 minutes

Blast off with Elon, a junkyard hamster with dreams of space! When a crash lands a broken robot in his garden, Elon must use his wits and courage to get it back to its space. 3-2-1 Liftoff! is an exciting adventure about reaching for the stars.


Dinosaurs at Dusk| Aimed at ages 4 - 9 years | 50 minutes

Join Lucy and her dad on a whirlwind journey through the history of flight! Explore the skies with pterosaurs, meet feathered dinosaurs, and witness the "last day" of the dinosaurs firsthand.


Perfect Little Planet | Aimed at ages 5 - 9 years | 50 minutes

Go on a quest with an alien family for the perfect solar system getaway! This show explores our solar system through their eyes, followed by a captivating full-dome presentation that lets you truly experience the wonders of the night sky.


The Accidental Astronauts| Aimed at ages 3 - 6 years | 50 minutes

Join Cy, Annie, and their dog Armstrong on a wild ride into space! Explore the wonders of our solar system, witness a thrilling asteroid crash on the moon, and experience the awe-inspiring power of a solar storm. The show is followed by a captivating full-dome presentation of the night sky.


No matter what showing you pick, it's going to be a stellar experience!

Adult - Evening Show $18.00
Child / Student / Senior - Evening Show $15.00 (Child is 3 - 15 years)
Family - Evening Show $60.00 (2 adults + 2 or 3 children)
Adult - Day Show $15.00
Child / Student / Senior - Day Show $12.00 (Child is 3 - 15 years)
Family - Day Show $50.00 (2 adults + 2 or 3 children)

Location

  • 670 Manukau Road, Royal Oak
  • Stardome Observatory and Planetarium is located in Cornwall Park on the lower southern slopes of One Tree Hill.

Restrictions

  • Minimum age: 3
  • Please Note: Under 3 year olds are not permitted at evening shows.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • Please Note: Under 3-year-olds are not permitted at evening shows.

    As programming changes on a monthly basis, please select your preferred show within the assigned time slot.

    Please double-check you have selected the correct date, time and show of choice before proceeding to check-out.

  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for shows. Late entry into the planetarium is not possible once the show has started.

    Stardome is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. The planetarium includes space for 2-3 wheelchairs.

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.6

189 reviews

Showing all 189 authenticated Bookme reviews

Vikky from New Zealand wrote on 29 April 2022

Stardome. Our night sky

Very informative and speaker made the presentation fun. Good parking right outside and easy to get too.

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jessicaa19 from New Zealand wrote on 25 March 2022

Cool experience

The woman who presented was knowledgeable and hilarious. Made for a perfect combo.

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takuirah from New Zealand wrote on 08 September 2024

Thrilling new experience

We took our two 6 year olds, both have an early but general interest in the solar system. The experience was great for us, but it was not as interactive as we thought that it could have been, it also was somewhat slower moving for a day time showing. The kids both lost interest close to the end the initial awe or seeing the dome lit up in moving projections had worn off sadly. Our kiddies loved seeing the value placed on Māori constellations and the diagrams bringing the stars into formations. We would have rated it a 5 had we known what to expect. But highly recommend this for anyone interested in the solar system.

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shintajuanitan from New Zealand wrote on 20 May 2022

Just ok

It’s great for astronomy lovers otherwise it’s quite boring with the lengthy presentation with no humour in between

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Alana from New Zealand wrote on 03 August 2024

Cool little Friday night activity with the kids

It was cool being in the Stardome at night, the show was good, we got to look through the courtyard telescope at the end (it was cloudy but we were able to see Alpha Centauri, and got a "rain check" voucher to come back another clearer night). There were couples on dates and families - so a good outing for everyone. Staff are great - knowledgable and friendly. Highly recommend!

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