Stonehenge Aotearoa

Stonehenge Aotearoa is a modern adaptation of the Stonehenge ruins on the Salisbury Plain of England. The henge contains 24 pillars and is 30m in diameter and about 4m high. The pillars are capped with lintels, completing the circle, and a 5m-tall obelisk marks the centre of the henge.

The modern henge was designed to demonstrate how ancient peoples used such constructions to understand astronomy. When viewed from the centre, the stones mark the daily rising and setting positions of the sun. The stone circle also forms a Polynesian star compass, showing the bearings taken by Polynesian seafarers travelling to and from New Zealand.

To discover the secrets of Stonehenge Aotearoa and other stone circles we recommend that you book into one of our guided tours which provides a complete experience and is tailored to weather conditions. Our tours include tales from antiquity of the solstices, equinoxes and signs of the zodiac. You will discover how stones, posts and shadows were used to unlock mysteries of the earth and sky which formed a cornerstone to the rise of civilisation.

Guided tours are held at at 11am, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Tour runs for 75mins.

Stones treks - self-guided tours are available most days (excluding weddings, ceremonies etc).

A number of special presentations and events are held throughout the year including celebrations of solstices, equinoxes and Matariki.

We are always open on weekends and public holidays other than 24-27 Dec. Other days open are seasonal, so please check our webpage for the current information. Generally, summer is 7 days a week, Autumn and Spring, 5 days a week and mid-winter weekends only. We open for most school holidays and public holdays.