Private stargazing tours

Beat the crowds and avoid the hassle of transport by having a private tour coming directly to your accommodation (or a nearby suitable location) in the Mackenzie Basin area (Lake Tekapo, Twizel, Fairlie, Mt Cook, Omarama).


Discover the great Southern Sky through a high-powered, 12" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope and astronomy binoculars. Learn about and see nebulae, planets, star clusters and more.


Try your hand at DSLR deep-sky imaging with our camera (or even your own if we have the compatible telescope adapters). Keep a record of your sights with you smartphone. Get your astronomy portrait under the stars.


Delivered by an astrotourism expert, asteroid and supernova hunter, and science educator.

$500for a 1-2h session (regardless of number of participants)
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Includes

  • 1-2h session (depending on weather conditions)
  • Laser assisted naked-eye stargazing
  • High-powered telescope viewing
  • Astronomy portrait under the stars
  • Ideal group size: 1-9 people
  • Minimum recommended age is 7 years old (but everyone welcome)
  • Languages spoken: English, French, Spanish
  • Full refund in case of bad weather

Equipment

  • Meade LX200 12" telescope
  • Tele Vue 35mm and 11mm eyepieces
  • 20x80 astronomy binoculars
  • Canon 5DII astro-modified (for deep-sky imaging)
  • Canon 100D with Samyang 10mm f/2.8 lens (for portraits)

Timings

Tours start at different times throughout the year. Stargazing becomes possible from the start of astronomical twilight, which is when the Sun reaches 12 degrees below the horizon. Use the form below to check the timings for your preferred date, and see the Moon phase and visibility of planets for that night.