Gifford Observatory

Gifford Observatory sits in the Mount Victoria suburb of Wellington, New Zealand, where it has long served as a window to the night sky for the city's school students.

About Gifford Observatory

Gifford Observatory is an astronomical observation facility in Mount Victoria, a hillside suburb close to central Wellington. It is operated by the Gifford Observatory Trust, whose mission is to make astronomical observation accessible to Wellington's school children, and it remains primarily used by secondary school students and members of the Wellington Astronomical Society.

Location & getting there

The observatory occupies a hilltop position in Mount Victoria, one of Wellington's inner suburbs, giving it clear sightlines over the city and harbour. Its position close to the CBD makes it one of the more accessible urban observatories in New Zealand.

Visiting Gifford Observatory

Gifford Observatory is used mainly for organised sessions with secondary school groups and the Wellington Astronomical Society rather than casual drop-in visits. If you'd like to attend a viewing night, check with the Wellington Astronomical Society or the observatory trust for current session times before travelling.

See your named star from here

The astronomers and volunteers who run sessions at Gifford Observatory can aim its telescope using precise coordinates, meaning a star named through Star Register can be located from this very hilltop. Name a star or search the catalogue to find one already registered.