We are OPEN, operating Wednesday's - Sunday's inclusive, click "book now" for available dates or email [email protected]. Stargazing Dark, clear skies, unique celestial features and otherworldly landscapes make stargazing in New Zealand a breathtakingly magical experience. The tour operates from the renowned facilities of Tekapo Springs, combining the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with our soul-warming hot pools. The ultimate in stellar relaxation, Tekapo Star Gazing is the only hot pools and star gazing experience in New Zealand! Dark Sky Project is located in Takapō (Tekapo) in the South Island of New Zealand. The indoor or outdoor tour is followed by exclusive use of a 38℃ hot pool while your guide tells you more about the stars and shares local stories as well as New Zealand legends. Lucky to have a totally clear night with awe-inspiring numbers of stars and two planets visible and a very knowledgeable, entertaining guide explaining and showing us. This guided portion of the tour focuses on the stars, planets and galaxies that can be currently seen blended with the fascinating mythology and legends attributed to celestial objects by different cultures around the world. The guide did his best to make it entertaining with stories & poetry(reminded me of Sam. Discover the dark sky reserve at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand - one of the world's best places for stargazing. Saw a couple of planets & a few stars as not a particularly clear night. COVID-19 UPDATE: Dark Sky Project is pleased to announce the reopening of The Crater Experience and the Mt John access road from 3 July 2020. . COVID-19 UPDATE: Dark Sky Project is pleased to announce the reopening of The Crater Experience and the Mt John access road from 3 … The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is one of eleven worldwide and the largest one in the Southern Hemisphere. We're proud to operate in the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest Dark Sky Reserve in the world and the first to obtain gold status. Our tours are offered in English speaking only. at University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory. In poor weather, you'll enjoy a customised virtual reality tour of Tekapo's night skies. with hat, scarf, gloves, extra socks in winter - they handed out thick woollen blankets to wrap round ourselves also which were much appreciated. This unique experience features stunning 360 degree images of the stars and artwork that brings the constellations to life with a fusion of science and stories. Due to COVID-19, The Summit Experience is not currently operating. Nau mai, haere mai - we look forward to hosting you. The pool was lovely & we were given clean gowns & towels. At Dark Sky Project, formerly Earth & Sky, we connect manuhiri (visitors) to our night skies, igniting a lifelong passion for dark sky preservation and what lies above. This unique VR Tour experience of Lake Tekapo’s Dark Night Sky Reserve features stunning 360 degree images of the stars in an incredible time lapse of the entire night sky including the ‘Aurora Australis’ or Southern Lights. Let the world melt away as you relax in the soothing hot waters of Tekapo Springs while marvelling at our wondrous universe. The ultimate in stellar relaxation, Tekapo Star Gazing is the only guided hot pools and star gazing experience in New Zealand. This unique experience features stunning 360 degree images of the stars and an incredible time lapse including the Aurora Australis (the Southern lights). A two-hour experience, the first half of this guided indoor and/or outdoor tour introduces you to Tekapo’s amazing night skies with a unique combination of astronomy and storytelling. Due to COVID-19 Dark Sky Experience is not currently operating. Wonder at the dazzling beauty of millions of stars in some of the clearest, darkest night skies in the world! This guided portion of the tour focuses on the stars, planets and galaxies that can be currently seen blended with the fascinating mythology and legends attributed to celestial objects by different cultures around the world. We're proud to be regarded as leaders in astro-tourism and stargazing experiences. The Hot Pools and story telling was a great end to a wonderful tour. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Thousands come from around the world each year to discover, to reflect and to be inspired by the skies above. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. A 2-hour experience, the first half introduces you to Tekapo’s amazing night skies using telescopes and a unique combination of astronomy and storytelling. Really enjoyed our guide's passion for the night sky, with all his knowledge and willingness to answer our questions. Book our guided astronomy & stargazing tours here. In poor weather you'll experience an amazing virtual reality tour of the Lake Tekapo night skies! We use a combination of Celestron and SkyWatcher telescopes to enable us to see into outer space. Please meet at our Tekapo Springs reception 15 minutes prior to the start of your tour. Lovely thing to do to - combining the slightly chilly August stargazing (dress up warm in winter, although blankets are also offered outside) with the soothing. Supplied by SPF, Join us for a virtual night sky tour under Tekapo's famous night sky. Great fun, totally worthwhile. We live in a large spiral galaxy called the Milky Way. Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. COVID-19 UPDATE: Dark Sky Project is pleased to announce the reopening of The Crater Experience and the Mt John access road from 3 July 2020. Definitely not worth the money spent & time taken to detour to Tekapo. The tour operates from the renowned facilities of Tekapo Springs, combining the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with our soul-warming hot pools. hot pools afterwards. Tours currently run Wednesday - Sunday inclusive regardless of weather. Relax on a floating hammock and feel like you’re soaking in the stars as you explore the beauty of night skies! Please keep checking here for updates. Learn more. Wonder at the dazzling beauty of millions of stars in some of the clearest, darkest night skies in the world! The tour operates from the renowned facilities of Tekapo Springs, combining the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with our soul-warming hot pools. We were glad to take in the hot pools calmly by night - we passed by the next day on a hike and it seemed more boisterous with children there - so if you are a couple we would recommend it as a very romantic and unique evening adventure. Fantastic experience, guide was very informative and clear to understand. How ever we. No floating hammocks ever offered or mentioned. Tekapo Star Gazing is situated in the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, the largest dark sky reserve in the world and it is the first in the world to have a Gold rating as given from the International Dark Sky Association - http://www.darksky.org/. Join the club of very few people who have seen the rings of Saturn. Either way, the drive will take you through beautiful NZ scenery and is really enjoyable. Our guides will teach you about the constellations, planets and stars that make up our incredible night sky. We learnt so much about our night sky, planets and stars. Great value for money. Not what we were expecting. Probably the worst thing we did on our South Island trip. Takapō is one of the quietest spots on the planet yet it has one of the busiest night skies in the universe. The ultimate in stellar relaxation, Tekapo Star Gazing is the only guided hot pools and star gazing experience in New Zealand. Hunt). Do take your own torch and dress warm!y. The VR Tour is narrated by well-known New Zealand journalist Lia Shelford and includes a fascinating blend of science and storytelling. LOCATION OF LAKE TEKAPO The Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is located on South Island New Zealand, around a 3-hour drive south from Christchurch. From the darkest depths of the night we become enlightened. Let us take you on a Journey of Discovery to the limits of outer space exploring the amazing features of the southern skies. Enhance your knowledge of the Southern Skies and ponder the possibilities at our purpose-built observatory. Custom drawn artwork bring constellations to life. The tour operates from the renowned facilities of Tekapo Springs, combining the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with our soul-warming hot pools. The ultimate in stellar relaxation, Tekapo Star Gazing is the only hot pools and star gazing experience in New Zealand! Small group of 6 to a telescope meant no pressure to have a hurried glance and move on, knowledgeable guides patiently answered questions, the warm pool was very welcome and we enjoyed listening to stories of the stars as we thawed out. This wouldn't be so awesome if it was a cloudy night, I would strongly suggest using the 3 hour cancelation clause to get a refund. You will then enjoy exclusive use of 37.5 degree hot pool; lie on a floating hammock and feel like you’re soaking in the stars as you explore the wonder of night skies! Didn’t enjoy the virtual reality tour. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is one of eleven worldwide and the largest one in the Southern Hemisphere. more, Recommended experiences in and around Lake Tekapo, Scenic Walking Areas, Observation Decks & Towers. You can also easily drive up to Lake Tekapo from Queenstown, also a 3-hour drive. Silver River Stargazing - Stargazing tours in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. Here, the heavens appear closer to Earth. Copyright © 2018 Tekapo Star GazingAll Rights Reserved Please make your own way to the Tekapo Springs car park located 6 Lakeside Drive. were lucky and had a very clear night 16/09. Please keep checking here for updates. Hotels near The Church of the Good Shepherd, Hotels near Mount John University Observatory, Hotels near Mount John Summit Circuit Track, Hotels near Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Hotels near (CHC) Christchurch Intl Airport, Adrenaline & Extreme Tours in Lake Tekapo, Self-Guided Tours & Rentals in Lake Tekapo, Observation Decks & Towers in Lake Tekapo, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Custom-drawn artwork will bring the constellations to life and is complemented by a fascinating blend of science and storytelling.