The Omaka Observatory Charity Trust

The Omaka Observatory Charity Trust has established a unique open air 'Crater' Observatory in the Omaka Valley, Marlborough. Run as a Charitable Trust,the organisation has state of the art telescopes and astronomy equipment and is run by a team of volunteers.

We offer the Omaka Observatory Tour and VR Experience for visitors who can discover the Southern Skies at our purpose build Crater Observatory at Omaka in Marlborough! The design minimises light pollution and the effects of the wind and allows our Astronomy Tours to take place under the canvas of the night sky. Our professionally trained guides will give take you on a tour of the solar system with their hand held laser pointers before giving you hands on experience with our telescopes. Through our range of telescopes you will be able to view planets, galaxies, star clusters as well as view the moon in close detail. We will have astro-photography equipment available for you to capture your own photos from your evening. The content of the tours will vary throughout the year as the sky changes with the seasons and will run from Easter through to November.

Our bus will pick you up at the tour time from the Blenheim Railway Station (opposite the i-site) and take you to the Observatory. Travel time to / from site is approximately 30 minutes, total tour length takes 2 hours