Dark Sky Experience: Journey Through 13.8 Billion Years

Embark on a 13.8 billion-year journey with the Dark Sky Experience. Explore Māori astronomy, immersive visuals, and the restored Brashear telescope.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Dark Sky Project - An immersive delight, the Dark Sky Experience combines science, Māori astronomy, and captivating multi-media displays in a spectacular fusion of wonder and inspiration. Stimulating, informative, and engaging, the Dark Sky Experience is genuinely one-of-a-kind and is sure to positively transform your perspective.
What's Included
  • 45 minutes guided tour through four zones, delivered by passionate guides
  • Get up and close with the viewing of the restored 125-year-old Brashear Victorian-era telescope
  • Explore the science based narrative of how living beings came to be
  • Delve into the depths of the Milky Way
Additional Information

Get ready to embark on a journey 13.8 billion years in the making. A treat for the senses, the Dark Sky Experience brings science, Māori astronomy and fascinating multi-media installations together in a ‘Big Bang’ of awe and inspiration.
Using incredible immersive visual displays, we explore the science based narrative of how living beings came to be,…

Location
1 Motuariki Lane
Motuariki Lane
Beside the 4 Square supermarket
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.3
(56 Ratings)
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1 star
Tonyd2860
Mar 20, 2024
The things you didn’t know! - A very interesting and educational experience. The guide was excellent and hugely knowledgeable. A good way to spend a spare hour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R6964krrobertd
Nov 16, 2023
Fun and educational - The sky above you will be explained to you with enthusiasm. The presenter knows what she is talking about. And the media portrays everything well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarah
Jul 14, 2023
Worth waiting up for - Of our group of 8, 4 of us drew the short straw and had to go at 11pm rather than 7.15. But it was worth the wait as the sky had cleared, the wind had dropped and Saturn had risen. The guides were enthusiastic and knowledgeable the night sky was incredibly beautiful, made clearer by the fact there was no moon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kmlrm
Jun 6, 2023
Under the stars at the Crater Experience - Booked on a whim as we had a nightly stopover at Tekapo on our road trip, and the Dark Sky Project satisfied such a good astronomical experience! We checked out their visitor centre in the village and staff were friendly and also kept us to date about weather conditions (should it be cancelled, there would be alternative plans like their virtual experience or a full refund). We booked for the 8.45pm session and were brought onto a coach with other guests hosted by the driver the friendly Satoshi-san (yes, an English-speaking Japanese guide!). In less than a 5-minutes drive, we reached the crater and were brought around by our guide for the evening, Estella, a budding astronomer who shared her love and passion of the stars and skies with us. Estella's knowledge of the stars were remarkable and all the guests had a hands-on viewing experience of some stars as far as Alpha Centauri via the telescopes at the observatory. Altogether we had a good evening and lucked out with super clear skies and a bright moon that night!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nrllee
May 19, 2023
Informative - Informative and helpful. Visually engaging. We had a small group attend so that was good. Loved the information about the Māori past and now they hunted with the stars
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bbyma
Dec 23, 2023
Good tour for rainy day - Good way to spend a cloudy day, we went for the 130$NZD family ticket (daytime planetarium experience). Mikey is a good narrator and we were taken into three different rooms that displayed image projections. Leant about Māori creation stories and also how to navigate the night sky.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
W3670bmmonicam
Jul 15, 2023
Astronomy lesson in the winter - Amazing astronomy adventure viewing the southern hemisphere sky! Knowledgeable astronomers and staff with several telescopes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
22ccsydney
Jan 11, 2024
Disappointed - This was a bit disappointing for the price. Geared more for younger kids - not space literate teenagers and adults. I hoped to learn a bit more about the Dark Sky Project, research etc but it was mostly about Māori astronomy, which was quite interesting, but not sure it was enough to sustain the 45mins at the $180 it cost for our family. .
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Absolutetravel
Sep 23, 2023
Starry night - A beautiful night sky and an informative speaker. We did the Crater Experience (just a man made area you stand in to view the night sky) Three telescopes were set up for us to look through. It was freezing but we were offered jackets if required etc. A shuttle bus took us from the centre to the site. The experience lasted about an hour but was marred by people interrupting etc. It needed to be more strongly managed so everyone could listen, see and contribute. It was also very expensive for what it was. I did a similar one in NT which was better value for money.
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Rodders2011
Sep 13, 2024
$50 price tag on a $20 tour - $50 per person was a bit over the top for this half hour experience. You got to watch a video on constellations on the big screen and then moved on to a room about suns, another projection about constellations and the. See the big telescope. While I’m sure out guide was very knowledgeable he was very difficult to understand. Definitely would not recommend for the money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $35
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).