Te Whatu Stardome | Observatory & Planetarium

With an exciting mix of hands-on exhibits, shows for all ages – including special astronomy shows for kids, there’s something for dreamers of every age.

Choose from these six shows below:

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

Uncover the beauty of the evening sky with Our Sky Tonight, Stardome’s signature live planetarium show. Led by a knowledgeable astronomer, guests will journey through the stars, constellations, and celestial stories visible above Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on the night of their visit. Relax beneath the immersive digital dome as the experience unfolds in real time, creating a unique adventure every evening. Families with children under 10 are encouraged to enjoy the more suitable Looking Up presentation.

Ngā Whetū o Takurua (The Stars of Winter) | Aimed at ages 10+ | 50 minutes

Discover Ngā Whetū o Takurua (The Stars of Winter), an engaging planetarium experience that explores the night sky through a Māori worldview. Find out how the maramataka (lunar calendar) and Matariki link the heavens with the land and sea. Combining treasured pūrākau (stories) with modern astronomy, this inspiring journey travels from ancestral knowledge to the far reaches of the cosmos.

The Psychedelic Mixtape | Aimed at all ages | 45 minutes

Step intoThe Psychedelic Mixtape, a dazzling shared-reality audiovisual journey set to music by Radiohead, David Bowie, George Harrison, and The Flaming Lips. Acclaimed DJ and visual artist Chris Holmes blends handcrafted kaleidoscopes, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable soundtracks to create a mesmerising sensory adventure unlike any other for every audience member.

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

Experience the cosmos without leaving your seat. This live, interactive planetarium show takes you on a tour of our solar system—from scorching Venus to the quiet outer planets—with a special look at Mars, humanity's next frontier.

One Sky | Aimed at ages 7+ | 50 minutes

One Sky is a collection of six short planetarium films exploring constellations, tools, and star lore across global cultures. Each short is brought to life through a distinct artistic style created by international artists. Since ancient times, humanity has turned to the stars for navigation, timekeeping, and shared identity. Discover how traditional celestial knowledge connects us all beneath one shared sky.

T-Rex | Aimed at ages 5+ | 45 minutes

Dinosaurs may rule the box office, but Tyrannosaurus rex remains the ultimate king. Anchored by stunning 360-degree imagery—including footage filmed in Otago—this immersive film dives deep into the Cretaceous world. By uniting leading paleontologists, natural history experts, and top-tier visual effects artists, it offers what aims to be the most visually stunning and scientifically accurate T. rex documentary ever created.