Gifford Observatory

The Gifford Observatory is an astronomical observation facility located in the suburb of Mount Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand.

Operated by the Gifford Observatory Trust with the intent of making it available for use to Wellington school children, it is primarily used by secondary school students, and members of the Wellington Astronomical Society.

The observatory was first established in 1912 by the efforts of Charles Gifford, a science teacher.

The observatory fell into disrepair in the late 1970s due to a momentary lack of time and enthusiasm from staff and students at the school.

Since being moved to its present location in 1924, the observatory has housed a 130 mm Zeiss refracting telescope.