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The Planetarium at Carter Observatory

Delegates can step back in time and travel to the edge of the Universe in Wellington thanks to two new major visitor attractions and venues.

New Zealand’s ‘Place for Space’, Carter Observatory has been completely revamped with interactive exhibits and a new 9m dome digital planetarium. Just two minutes’ walk from the top of the iconic Cable Car, delegates can take a virtual trip to the Milky Way (Te Ikaroa) and beyond in the same amount of time it takes to walk from one side of the cultural capital to the other and back again. Seated in comfortable reclined seats, they’ll be taken on a 40 minute virtual motion tour from Wellington to the edge of our Solar System and beyond.

The Planetarium can host 60 pax for a seated dinner under the stars that doesn’t require a back up plan, and the Cooke Telescope Dome accommodates up to 40 pax for cocktail functions. Meetings in the OMV Exploration Room can host up to 30 boardroom-style or 100 pax seated theatre style.

ZEALANDIA's brand new visitor centre incorporates a world class exhibition, large function space and restaurant with stunning views over the sanctuary lake. The main foyer can host cocktail functions for 100 pax, with the café seating 65 pax indoors and a comfortable 100 pax when incorporating the covered balcony. The Hihi room can host 8 pax boardroom-style.

Recently named among the top 75 green companies in the world by The Guardian UK, ZEALANDIA gives visitors the opportunity to be part of history in the re-making just a few minutes’ drive from the centre of New Zealand’s capital city.

ZEALANDIA’s new state-of-the-art interactive exhibition takes visitors back in time to the day before humans arrived. You’ll get to meet the extinct giant moa and fearsome Haast's eagle, hear the haunting song of the extinct huia, discover the impact of human settlement on a fragile paradise and learn about ZEALANDIA's vision to turn back the clock 1,000 years.

Delegates can then tour through the world-first wildlife safe haven, or refresh themselves at the brand new terrace café, Rata, before taking a night tour in search of tuatara, glow worms and kiwi.

:: The Wellington Convention Bureau is on hand to assist with ideas on how organisers can incorporate these fantastic new products and venues into your event itinerary. Email the team or phone Martin Boland on +64 4 916 1219.

:: The latest Wellington Convention Guide is now online; order your hard copy by emailing your details to Bureau@WellingtonNZ.com

For more information about Carter Observatory, please contact:
Dawn Muir
+64 4 910 3140
Dawn.Muir@wmt.org.nz 

For more information about ZEALANDIA: The Exhibition, please contact:
Richard Fewtrell
+ 64 4 920 9209
richardf@sanctuary.org.nz