- Sunday 12 Oct 2025, 11am to 2pm
- Sunday 19 Oct 2025, 11am to 2pm
- Sunday 26 Oct 2025, 11am to 2pm
12 October 2025
Observatory Tower and Exhibition tour
Join a guided tour of the Observatory Tower, Exhibition and Dome Room to see the Townsend Teece Telescope from 1864. View Christchurch from the balcony!
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.
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.
Location
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, 2 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch Central
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, 2 Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch Central
Event contact
Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre
03 366 0989
info@artscentre.org.nz
www.artscentre.org.nz/whats-on/
www.facebook.com/artscentrechch/
www.instagram.com/artscentrechch/
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