Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre and the University of Canterbury welcome you and your whānau to join us on a short, affordable stargazing experience in the heart of the city.

The telescope was donated by English settler James Townsend to Canterbury College in 1891, and the Observatory Tower build in 1896. The University of Canterbury operated the observatory with regular public viewings up until the Canterbury earthquakes.

The tower and telescope have now both have been meticulously restored. Become part of the long history of astronomy at The Arts Centre. 

These experiences run every Friday night until 22 September and are weather dependent. The tour will last 30 minutes and you must be able to climb 75 steep stairs and be comfortable in confined spaces. There is no lift in this historic tower.