Top Things to do in South Island
Countries
5 Observatories & Planetariums in South Island That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in South Island, New Zealand including Kiwi Observatory, Geraldine Observatory, Otago Museum, Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, Big Sky Stargazing.
Restaurants in South Island
1. Kiwi Observatory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Kiwi Observatory is a private observatory. Our observatory has a dome on a sliding roof, allowing us the ability to use different telescopes. Home to a 12 inch and 11 inch telescopes on computer controlled mounts. we also have other telescopes which we use outside depending on the number of visitors. Solar observing of the sun during the day can also be arranged on request, using special H-Alpha solar telescope. We ask for a donation only (details on our website and when booking) which goes to the up keep of the equipment. We look forward to showing you the night sky and providing informative tour.
2. Geraldine Observatory
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 208 reviews
Geraldine Observatory is one of New Zealands best private observatories. Operated by Peter and Wyn Aldous, the observatory has a 14 inch, six inch refractor, four inch triplit refractor, all mounted on a Paramont ME mount in a large roll on roll off observatory, a 11 inch HD Edge telescope in a domed observatory as well as others. Peters main interest is super nova hunting (exploding stars)and sharing the joys of the night sky with members of the public. Peter has over 40 years experience as a amateur astronomer.Donations go to promoting outreach astronomy in South Canterbury.
Reviewed By lpowell502 - Christchurch, New Zealand
We had a great evening with Peter. He is such an enthusiast and so knowledgeable about the heavens. We loved seeing the planets and nebula so close - a wonderful insight into the night sky that we tend to ignore or take for granted. We went as a family and would thoroughly recommend an evening with Peter who is friendly, personable and a natural educator sharing his passion for astronomy. Thanks a million Peter. God Bless!
3. Otago Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,124 reviews
Reviewed By geckopoo
We visited this place 12 years ago when on holiday with our kids, so excited to come back after all these years, and so relieved it is still as good as we remembered (if not better!). Always loved the Animal Attic, great homage to the old-fashioned classical museum collections complete with stuffed specimens in original glass cabinets, fantastic! We were staying just a block away so we just loved visiting the Animal Attic first thing in the morning as the museum opened when it was nice, quiet and oh so peaceful out there, just us and the animals, it was like having our own private museum. A floor down was the maritime gallery and natural history section, also our favourite areas - the moa skeletons on display are well curated, labels very informative and interesting. On the first floor is the special exhibits area which until April this year honours 130 years of collecting in New Zealand, very intriguing array of examples ranging from the heart of a great white shark to a petrified rat collection to gold coins from the Elizabethan period. This is a very modern and spacious museum yet it still has a rather conservative and traditional feel - we love it! The technology is well used to enhance and inform without being too gimmicky and glitzy. Good toilets, water fountains and rest areas on all floors too. Best of all, it’s free. Well done, Dunedin for having this excellent museum in your midst!
4. Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 603 reviews
Designed to educate and entertain, the centre features a spectacular state-of-the-art 3D movie, New Zealand's first full dome digital Planetarium and Museum which documents the pioneering heart of the region and features the impressive Hillary Gallery. The cafe and bar area offers indoor and outdoor seating and floor to ceiling mountain views.
Reviewed By Kiwifreespirits - Auckland, New Zealand
We visited this exhibition on our last visit a few years ago and wanted to have another look . We again really enjoyed looking at the memorabilia on display . It is much more than an exhibition on Sir Edmund Hilary as important as this undoubtedly is . Even in respect of Sir Ed it is a reminder of his Antartic adventures and achievements which understandably tend to be overshadowed by the legend of Everest .There is excellent information on other notable mountaineers and also the very interesting history of Mt Cook Airlines and the the Mt Cook area including developement over the years . Well worth a visit . Last time we also watched the excellent film in the theaterette but skipped it this time. Not sure how often the fil runs at the moment as unusual times with less visitors about
5. Big Sky Stargazing
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By 171SusanS171 - Miranda, Australia
Really enjoyed seeing the constellations in this biggest dark sky reserve in the world. Our guide was super knowledgeable and the experts on hand operating the telescopes had real expertise. It was cold, so take your beanie and enjoy a hot chocolate!
