Place to visit
Upper Air Observatory, New Zealand: what it is and when to go
Upper Air Observatory is an observatory in New Zealand (Waitakere City). Interests: Stargazing. The best time to visit is May to September. In December there are 14 h 31 of daylight, and in June, 9 h 30. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Observatory · Stargazing
- Where
- New Zealand
- You can go
- May to September.
- Nearest airport
- AKL Auckland, 28 km as the crow flies
- Run by
- MetService
- Coordinates
- -36.79439, 174.61915
What it is and where
Upper Air Observatory is an observatory in New Zealand (Waitakere City).
It is in Waitakere City, where this site lists 38 more places to see, 8.7 km from the centre.
Its coordinates are -36.79439, 174.61915; the nearest main airport is Auckland International Airport (AKL, Auckland), 28 km as the crow flies. How to get around New Zealand (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
- Run by
- MetService
It is one of the Stargazing places in New Zealand. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
Months when you can visit Upper Air Observatory: May to September.
- JanBetter not14:15
- FebBetter not13:21
- MarBetter not12:17
- AprBetter not11:03
- MayPossible10:02
- JunPossible9:30
- JulPossible9:43
- AugPossible10:35
- SepPossible11:47
- OctBetter not12:58
- NovBetter not14:00
- DecBetter not14:31
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In December there are 14 h 31 of daylight, and in June, 9 h 30. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
When to go to New Zealand in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to New Zealand
To enter New Zealand there are 8 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Car, ferry and huts, booked well in advance”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the New Zealand checklist. Currency: New Zealand dollar (NZD); plugs: Type I · 230 V · 50 Hz (two flat pins in a V: adapter essential); emergencies: 111.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- Tōtara InletInlet of the Waitematā Harbour, New Zealand1.9 km
- Clarks Lane FootbridgeFootbridge in Hobsonville, Auckland, New Zealand2.5 km
- HMNZS Otago1958 Rothesay-class frigate2.9 km
- Westgate Pedestrian and Cycle BridgeBridge in Auckland, New Zealand3.1 km
- Mill HouseHistoric house in Hobsonville, Auckland, New Zealand4.1 km
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the New Zealand guide.
More in New Zealand: Stargazing
- Mount John University Observatory: astronomical research observatory in New Zealand
- Stardome Observatory: astronomical observatory in New Zealand
- Space Place at Carter Observatory: historic observatory in Wellington, New Zealand
- Ward Observatory: observatory in Whanganui
- Beverly-Begg Observatory: observatory in New Zealand
- Nankivell Observatory: astronomical observatory in New Zealand
Every New Zealand place under Stargazing, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Upper Air Observatory?
It is an observatory in New Zealand.
When is the best time to visit Upper Air Observatory?
May to September. In December there are 14 h 31 of daylight, and in June, 9 h 30.
How do you get to Upper Air Observatory?
The nearest main airport is Auckland International Airport (AKL), 28 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around New Zealand is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the New Zealand map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have Tōtara Inlet, Clarks Lane Footbridge, HMNZS Otago. The rest is in the New Zealand guide.
Keep reading
- Waitakere City38 places to see in and around Waitakere City, New Zealand: Whatipu, Anawhata, Te Henga / Bethells Beach. Best time: October to April.
- Stargazing19 places for stargazing in New Zealand, from Mount John University Observatory to spots hardly anyone knows. Each with its own season by altitude and daylight.
- New ZealandBefore travelling to New Zealand: 8 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. You need the NZeTA before flying (a visa waiver, not a visa), and the IVL tourist l…
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.