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Crater Experience at Cowan's Observatory
3.8
57 Ratings
Lake Tekapo
Discover the Southern skies at Cowan’s Observatory. Enjoy 75 minutes of stargazing with expert guides, powerful telescopes, and minimal light pollution.
Duration:
1 hour, 15 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Dark Sky Project - Allow one of our astronomy guides to introduce you to the southern night sky. Take a look through our telescopes at Cowan’s hill and discover a few hidden secrets throughout the Milky Way. This tour is perfect for your first stargazing experience, and will only operate if the sky is clear enough to see some of our southern night sky objects.
The facilities we keep at Cowan’s Observatory are similar to what you’d be using on Mt John, but the tour is a little shorter. It is a dark sky location just like Mount John. Cowan’s observatory is closer to the township, offering a more sheltered environment. This makes it a great choice for families. Warm clothing is essential, all year round.
What's Included
- Discover the stars and planets using our guide’s lasers and telescopes
- Private facility with powerful telescopic viewing technologies
- Explore the endless Southern skies, observe planets, galaxies, and the depths of the Milky Way
- Expert astronomy guide
- Return transport to the Crater facility from the Dark Sky base
- Expert astronomy guides who will tailor your experience according to what is visible on that night
What's Not Included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
The ultimate stargazing experience. Enjoy maximum time under the stars whilst enhancing your knowledge of the Southern skies at our private observatory.
Designed specifically with stargazing in mind, Cowan’s Observatory is the perfect introductory stargazing experience. Over 75 minutes, you’ll explore the stars with both the naked eye and powerful telescopes.
Every night offers a new spectacle. From the Milky Way to distant galaxies beyond, our guides use handheld lasers to show you the best of the evolving night sky. They’ll help you discover the stars and planets, and understand what it all means.
Nestled in a giant purpose-built crater to provide maximum wind protection and minimum light pollution, our expert astronomy guides will enhance your knowledge and understanding of our Southern Skies as you admire and ponder the possibilities through our powerful optical telescopes.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age is 5 years
- Dress warm all year round
- A minimum of 2 people per tour is required. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Location
Dark Sky Project
1 Motuariki Lane,
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.8
(57 Ratings)
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Pame382
May 6, 2024
Great Star Gazing in Spite of Full Moon - This was an unexpectedly fun experience that was included with our tour. The guides were knowledgeable and patient and made sure everyone had an opportunity to view stars and the moon through their 3 telescopes. They also used a really strong laser to point out objects in the night sky. If the sky is clear and you're in the area, take advantage of this opportunity.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Iwuverine83
Apr 6, 2024
Amazing, Must-do experience on the South Island - New Zealand is full of beautiful and wonderful experiences, and I have to say - this was possibly the most memorable one of our 2 week trip. Very fortunate that our tour to the crater could proceed so we could see the millions of stars in the night sky. Not just a simple stargazing trip, the staff were so knowledgeable and approachable giving us a crash course in astronomy 101. Would definitely visit again if I have the good fortune to visit NZ in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Georgem926
Mar 26, 2024
Made the very best of conditions - We could not go to the summit due to high winds . We were offered a full refund but decided to go to the other activity . This was somewhat blighted by cloud and bright moon . That said the guides were great and making the best of what must also be for them disappointing conditions . We still had a great experience and I’m sure all would have been satisfied but just as we were leaving we were told we all had a 50% refund . Great customers service and despite the elements against us and enjoyable time
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Reviewer4691
Mar 7, 2024
Great experience - Although we were booked on the summit tour this tour was amazing. The guides were very knowledgeable and views great. And Phillipa are shuttle driver kindly took us back to the campsite.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G7624kpjimh
Feb 25, 2024
Such a Fascinating tour! - Our tour was at 11 pm and we were concerned that the cloud cover would prevent us from doing this tour, but we got lucky because the clouds started clearing as we drove out to the crater. This was probably the most informative tours that we have ever been on. The lecturer was so informative of the constellations, the solar system and the various stars. They had 3 telescopes set up to look deep into the sky, but the most interesting part of the tour was just listening to the lecturer and seeing him point out all the objects in the sky. Would highly recommend this! Just be aware that it was pretty chilly with a good wind, so I suggest that your dress accordingly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Taniabaxter
Jan 13, 2024
Don’t miss this experience - We absolutely loved the Dark Sky Crater Experience! It is one of the best tours I’ve been on. Me, my partner and our teenage daughter were all blown away by the whole experience, and there were so many highlights: just seeing the stars without the usual light pollution; looking thru the telescopes at Jupiter, Alpha Centauri, and other stars, clusters and galaxies, and we were especially impressed with the guide called Marina. She is enthusiastic with a wealth of knowledge and she made the experience extra special. I’ve been camping many times and seen the stars but Marina really explained the night sky and how to find various constellations and how to navigate using the Southern Cross etc. A must-see experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Torontopaul2014
Mar 26, 2024
Not worth the cost - While the tour leader was enthusiastic , I didn’t think the experience was worth the cost. Most of the time was spent waiting to have a quick turn at one of the two available telescopes. I would not recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
357silkeu
Feb 20, 2024
Unfortunately the trip was cancelled - The trip to the crater was canceled due to a large grey cloud & we were given a refund which was great.
We were offered a talk in the observatory which was inspiring .
There was a lack of Oxygen in the room which prompted me to leave early.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robert
Mar 28, 2024
Scam. - Say this company run a scam. Avoid. If there are clouds they will not refund you’re trip the claim their Terms and Conditions allow them to keep your money and give a subpar indoor talk. AVOID
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Misshk2009
Jan 9, 2024
Unreasonable Arrangement for Cancellation - We had booked the stargazing tour for Christmas Eve (12:00 midnight). After we reached the gathering point inside the Dark Project building at 11:30pm, the staff advised us to walk around in the building for a while for other customers to arrive.
Well, we wandered in the souvenir shop then. At about 12:00, the staff waved all the customers to the front desk but declared that the activity had to be cancelled for cloudy/ rainy weather. And customers could only either:
1) switch to another indoor stargazing activity which fee is much lower than the outdoor one we enrolled
2) get refund, not full refund but only the difference between the amount we had paid and the fee of the indoor activity.
The arrangement is so ridiculous. Firstly, why not notify customers well in advance that the tour has to be cancelled? The weather was not that good whole day. We were still asked to walk around for a while in the gathering point before their declaration of cancellation. Secondly, cancellation for bad weather is at no fault of customers but no full refund is allowed (except booking via agent which we did, luckily).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
