Observatory Tower and Exhibition tour

Join a 30-minute guided tour of the Observatory Tower and hear the stories of how it was used from 1896 to today. Find out about the amazing heritage restoration of the part‐collapsed Tower.

View the exhibition on the first floor, Te Waiatatanga Mai o te Atua The Song of the Gods, an exhibition which tells a version of the Ngāi Tahu creation story, as written down in 1849 by Matiaha Tiramōrehu.

Climb the 75 steep wooden stairs to the top to the Dome Room, see the restored Townsend Teece Telescope. If the weather allows, have a walk out onto the Tower balcony for one of the best views in Christchurch.

 As this is a daytime tour, the telescope will not be available for use, but photographs are welcome.

NOTE: this tour involves ascending and descending four flights of steep heritage wooden stairs, there is no elevator and no wheelchair or stroller access, sorry. Large bags or backpacks should also not be brought, due to the narrow winding wooden staircase. The dome room is small and so you should be comfortable in tight spaces.