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The completely revamped Carter Observatory, which can be reached just a short walk from the top of the Wellington Cable Car. PHOTO CREDIT: Nick Servian

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

New Zealand’s ‘Place for Space’, Carter Observatory, revealed a completely revamped observatory with interactive exhibits and new 9m dome digital planetarium when it opened on the weekend (Saturday March 27). The observatory’s launch is followed by the opening of ZEALANDIA: The Exhibition over Easter.

Positively Wellington Tourism Chief Executive David Perks says the two attractions are adding vital chapters to the capital’s book of New Zealand stories.

“Te Papa shares the stories of New Zealand’s people to an average of 1.3 million visitors a year; now locals and our visitors can learn about our Southern Skies at Carter Observatory and the tales of our country’s precious flora and fauna at ZEALANDIA.”

Visitors to Carter Observatory 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. Seated in comfortable reclining seats, you’ll be taken on a virtual motion tour from Wellington to the edge of our Solar System and beyond.

ZEALANDIA: The Karori Sanctuary Experience – recently named among the top 75 green companies in the world by The Guardian UK, 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.

The new state-of-the-art interactive exhibition takes you 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. Visitors can then take a walk or tour through the world-first wildlife safe haven, and refresh themselves at the brand new terrace café, Rata, with views out over the lake. 

But wait, there’s more – a few snippets from other Wellington tourism happenings of late:

:: This month has also seen the opening of two new services for Wellington’s visitors - an i-SITE Visitor Centre on the Interislander’s Kaitaki vessel that provides a booking and information service to passengers and a waterfront metropolitan motorhome park.

The Wellington Waterfront Motorhome Park is just three minutes’ drive away from both ferry terminals, providing a convenient base for campervan travellers right in the heart of the city – it’s within a few minutes’ walk of Te Papa, the Wellington Cable Car, Lambton Quay and Cuba Street.

:: Meanwhile the best little zoo in the world has been hailed as having the best new large exhibit at the Regional Zoo and Aquarium Association Awards in Australia. The award is fantastic recognition for Wellington Zoo’s amazing new animal hospital, The Nest – Te Kohunga.

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