Summit Experience: Mt John Observatory

110 Ratings

Lake Tekapo

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Discover the universe at Mt John Observatory. Explore the Milky Way, distant galaxies, and more with expert guides in New Zealand’s premier stargazing experience.

Duration: 2 hours

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Dark Sky Project - Dive into the breathtaking environment, unspoiled night skies, and advanced viewing technologies while our knowledgeable guides reveal the science and tales of our Southern Skies.

What's Included

Pickup and drop-off from our Lake Tekapo Office
Professional guide
Expert astronomy guides share their intimate knowledge of the Southern skies
Exclusive access to Mount John’s 1,029 metre peak
View the night sky with the naked eye (guided by the handheld lasers of guides)
Look through our powerful telescopes, and through our Mount John…

What's Not Included

Dinner
Snacks

Additional Information

Our most popular astronomy experience at the world-renowned astronomical research centre. Prepare for an awe-inspiring evening of discovery.
Immerse yourself in the stunning surrounds, pristine night skies and sophisticated viewing technologies as our expert guides share the science and stories of our Southern Skies.
High atop Mount John’s 1,029 metre…

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

4.4

(110 Ratings)

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Hazelpw6984cv

Sep 5, 2024

Perfect night - Fantastic experience starting with an amusing bus drive with Phillipa. Owen and his crew were a wealth of knowledge on our solar system. We learned so much and enjoyed looking up close through the telescopes. The coats provided were an extra much needed tough!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Gwhiz93

Aug 22, 2024

Chilly but really cool! - We arrived a little early and could wander around the gift shop, which actually had some really nice and unique things for sale. There’s a small interactive space you can play around with bottle rocket and some other things as well gawk at a big telescope. They have big warm jackets you can wear and take up Mt John, which we needed, it was freezing, would recommend bringing some gloves too. The drive up was entertaining with Philipa the driver talking about the area and the researchers, as well as just being hilarious. The guides on the mountain were really knowledgeable, they explained different consolations and then moved onto looking through a few different telescopes and a few different stars. It was really cool to see the planets and nebula, and we could also see so many stars with just our eyes. Recommend for a different experience and to learn new things, and just see some cool stuff!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Lachlantm

Aug 21, 2024

Mesmerising sky full of stars - A mesmerising experience on top of Mount John. Our guides were full of knowledge, explained big concepts in an understandable way, and showed us the moon and the stars in a magnificent light. Absolutely recommend!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Terence_low

Aug 3, 2024

Astounding - A must do - the summit experience introduced us to a world that we knew so little about and brought to life the realization of how vast our galaxy is and a world that stretches beyond imagination.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Kiwiwanderers02

May 23, 2024

An excellent experience! - We chose to do the 10pm viewing and we’re not disappointed. After a short bus ride to the top we were met by our guide for the night who gave us a briefing then off up the hill to the first level where the aurora could be seen, a first for us which was great! Then on up the hill to the top where two telescopes were set up adjacent to a much bigger indoor telescope. Great viewing was had by all with a good clear sky. Our guide was very knowledgeable and shared lots of information with us. While there the breeze came up so we appreciated the extra warm long jackets that had been provided. Back on the bus and to Te Anau after midnight - well pleased with the entire experience. If you are interested in the night sky, this is a must do and we highly recommend it. Keep looking up!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Gurleend2021

May 16, 2024

The Summit Experience - It was an incredible experience. We booked onto the summit experience on the 3rd May 2024 and were so lucky to have a crystal clear night. Not only that, the moon was nearing a new moon so there wasn't much interference from moonlight either. The milky way was out in all its glory and we saw a couple of shooting stars too. Our guide was Josh and he was funny, enthusiastic, and very knowledgeable. We were able to see the Southern Cross, Alpha and beta centuri, Arceturus, Sirius, Canopus, the Magellan Clouds, Scorpio, and more. I initially thought the clouds were just that - clouds. To find out we were looking at two extra galaxies with the naked eye was mind-boggling. It was really interesting to also look through the telescopes. We were able to see the Tarantula nebula, baby stars, elderly stars, and more. Our trip up to the summit on the "rocket ship" was piloted by Philippa (apologies if I have misremembered her name). She was a rider of Rohan and took our photo at the end of the trip, which was pretty amazing. Her soundtrack of choice going up and down the summit was great and she was hilarious. Sadly we had to return the extra cosy jackets we borrowed (they were so comfortable). All in all, we were very lucky and had a brilliant time.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Maryann

May 5, 2024

Great experience - Fantastic experience! Warm jackets against the cold, spectacular clear star gazing, guided use of telescopes and excellent commentary/education from our friendly knowledgeable guide Sarah. My amateur astronomer husband loved it too.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Chinatsu_f

Sep 3, 2024

Wonderful Stars! - I had a good experience to exploring stars. At first I requested an English tour, but they changed into Japanese tour quickely! Our guide was so nice, she has a lots of knowledge and I learned about southern sky stars.

Review provided by Viator

Irisz511

Sep 3, 2024

The business called to inform us the activity was cancelled due to the weather. - The same evening, due to rain and cloudiness, the business called to inform us that the activity was cancelled due to the weather and a full chargeback would be given. But as of today, there's no chargeback. There's no reply to messages left to businesses.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Sparky536

Aug 4, 2024

ICY ROADS IN WINTER.... WHO KNEW? - Disappointment is an understatement. A perfectly clear night at Lake Tekapo, perfect for star gazing, and our trip was cancelled at the last minute because their bus is apparently incapable of getting up the hill when it's icy. Maybe it's me, but I find this ridiculous. Snow and ice are regular occurrences in the winter here, so it was hardly exceptional, in fact highly predictable. This experience is supposed to be the showcase for exploring New Zealand's dark sky and it seems pathetic that they don't have the appropriate vehicles to get you up there when it's cold. It's all very well getting a refund but having been here many times in the past when skies have not been clear enough to see stars, to be cancelled on a perfectly clear night was a major let-down and unless there is a compelling explanation, totally inexcusable.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $132

up to 10 guests

1 Adult