Stardome Observatory & 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 these nine shows below:

One Sky |Aimed at all ages | 50 minutes

One Sky is a collection of six beautiful short planetarium films that explore constellations, astronomical instruments, and scientific knowledge from cultures around the world. For millennia, people worldwide have looked to the heavens for navigation, time-keeping, and a sense of shared identity. These films highlight how celestial knowledge has helped humanity explore new lands and thrive in their environments.

Orbital |Aimed at all ages | 50 minutes

Experience Earth from an astronaut’s perspective in Orbital, a 2025 film by Guy Reid and Planetary Collective. Through hyper-realistic animations and first-hand accounts, this meditative journey explores our world via abstract landscapes of light, bioluminescence, and aurorae. Guided by the voices of those who have seen Earth from space, you’ll experience the "Overview Effect"—a profound shift in awareness and connection to our home planet.

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

Discover the wonders above with Our Sky Tonight, the flagship live planetarium experience. Guided by an expert astronomer, you’ll explore the stars, constellations, and stories currently visible in the night sky over Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and beyond. Sit back in the immersive digital theater for a real-time tour of the cosmos, tailored to the specific night of your visit. For younger stargazers (under 10), we recommend the family-friendly show, Looking Up.

Cosmic Legacy: Tribute to Queen | Aimed at ages 8+ | 50 minutes

Get ready to rock out under the stars! Stardome invites you to an epic full-dome journey celebrating the legendary music of Queen. Experience ten of their iconic anthems, including ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, 'I Want to Break Free', and the electrifying ‘We Will Rock You’, brought to life with mesmerising cosmic visuals. Immerse yourself in the power of Queen's music with stunning 5.1 surround sound – an audiovisual spectacle you won't want to miss.

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

Experience the vastness of space without leaving your seat. This interactive planetarium show takes you on a guided tour through our solar system, from the scorching heat of Venus to the icy reaches of the outer planets. Highlights include an up-close exploration of Mars—a world that humans may walk upon within our lifetime.

The Navigators | Aimed at ages 6+ | 50 minutes

Join Moko, a young girl dreaming of becoming a master star navigator. This family-friendly animated show follows Moko's journey as she discovers the incredible voyaging traditions of Māori, Pasifika, and European navigators who crossed the vast Pacific to reach Aotearoa. The show is followed by an immersive full-dome presentation of the night sky.

Looking Up! | Aimed at ages 5+ | 50 minutes

Spark a wonder for space! Don't let an early bedtime stop kids from seeing the stars, planets, and constellations visible above Auckland. This indoor live planetarium tour is the perfect children's version of our popular Our Sky Tonight show.

T. rex | Aimed at ages 5+ | 45 minutes

T. rex has commanded blockbuster status for decades, but the time has come for a fulldome revolution! Thanks to advancements in CGI and paleontology, this immersive 360-degree film plunges you into the Cretaceous period. Experience the world of the Tyrant Lizard King up close. (Includes footage filmed in Otago.)

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

A brilliant hamster scientist living in a junkyard is ignored by the local rats until a crashed robot lands in his garden. Suddenly, his ambitious plans for space travel become a reality. 3-2-1 Liftoff! is an adventurous animated film about the courage and wits needed to reach space and back.

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