Big Sky Stargazing

We wanted to do a stargazing tour at mt cook but the forecast wasn’t good either day until it cleared up almost completely at 8pm. They allowed us to sign up for the 1030 tour without charging our card in case the weather changed quickly. We made it onto the tour and took a short bus ride to the “star base” next to the airport. It was a wonderful experience with amazing stargazing and fantastic guides. There were about 20 people with 10 on each telescope and it was about 80 minutes out there. In the last 15 minutes they allowed guests to take photos and assisted. Highly recommended

Absolutely phenomenal! We had a perfectly clear night and were mesmerized by the sky. The guides were knowledgeable, helpful, and fun. We were there in June, off-peak, and it was cold! They have heavy parkas that were warm but you need to be prepared at that time of year. The guides also have the coolest laser pointer I've ever seen. Highly recommended.

Exceptional experience! Can’t not recommend highly enough. Be aware, the experience can be cancelled at very short notice due to weather. Meet them at past midnight (or 22:30pm) at reception and they will take you to the Star base , a heated cabin down the road where the telescopes are set and ready for you to have a look at different objects. The astronomers were so great explaining all details while the clouds open and engaging with us. They even explained how to take pics on the phone of the night sky. LOVE IT! Don’t make the same mistake as I did, choose the correct date! thankfully they change the booking date accordingly to our hotel booking with no extra charge (🙏🏻)

My girlfriend and I had the best time! The transport to the viewing position was short. They provide plenty of warm coats and blankets and a hot chocolate! The guides were very knowledgeable and very happy to answer our questions. The nights sky view is beautiful and the lack of light pollution allows for that which is great. Highly recommend!!

Our guide Jack is amazing and incredibly knowledgeable. I attended both the planetarium and the outdoor tour and enjoyed both of them. Jack is engaging, helpful, funny and just so passionate about astronomy!! He went above and beyond to show us stars and planets even though there were lots of cloud cover. And being in the middle of the majestic mountains at night is an unreal experience. Highly recommend!!

Had a great time with the star gazing tour, warm outer layers are provided. Guides were very knowledgeable and learnt so much more about constellations and astrology! Was cool looking into a powerful telescope too

Loved this! It was a cold night (-8) but they provide coats and blankets to keep you warm, as well as a delicious hot chocolate! The guides were very informative and clearly had lots of knowledge that they were happy to share. Being able to see some of the stars through the big telescopes was great. Got there via a 10 minute bus ride from the Hermitage, nice and easy!

Really cool experience especially if you are not used to seeing the night sky so vibrant and unpolluted by light. Got to look through the telescope to see different constellations and even saw Saturns rings. Pictures don’t really do it justice but it was a clear and beautiful night. Buy tickets in advance because it fills up regularly.