Mount John Observatory Stargazing Experience, Tekapo

Overview

Available languages

Chinese

English

1 hour 45 minutes

Mobile ticket

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 peak, you'll be at the heart of the Southern Hemisphere's largest International Dark Sky Reserve. Every night sky reveals something new. The incredible Milky Way. Far-off planets. Star clusters, solar systems, constellations. You might even glimpse a distant galaxy.

Don't miss New Zealand's premier stargazing experience. Exclusive to Dark Sky Project, the Summit Experience at Mt John Observatory is in partnership with the University of Canterbury.

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Children must be accompanied by an adult

A maximum of 22 people per trip time

If you are booking a time after midnight please double check the date you are booking

If weather prevents the tour from operating, an alternate indoor experience may be offered as an alternative

Not recommended with travelers with mobility issues

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Return transport from Tekapo township

Telescope viewing through advanced observatory equipment

Guided naked-eye stargazing with laser pointers

Exclusive access to Mount John Observatory summit

Expert astronomy guides (English & Mandarin)

Extreme Cold Weather jackets provided

Meals and snacks

Hotel pickup/drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting points

Dark Sky Project

1 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo New Zealand

End points

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Dark Sky Project

Check-in with the Dark Sky Project team in Lake Tekapo, and be transported up to the summit of Mount John, 1029m above Tekapo and overlooking the surrounding mountains and lakes.

15 minutes • Admission Included

University of Canterbury Mt. John Observatory

Enjoy a mountaintop stargazing experience from the Summit of Mount John. With exclusive access to the summit, your expert astronomy guide will provide an educational and entertaining experience, deep in the heart of the Aoraki McKenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest Gold standard reserve in the world. Guides will use a combination of naked-eye stargazing with powerful telescopes, all surrounded by the University of Canterbury research centre, an internationally recognised, world class facility.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Summit Experience - English

English Tour

Summit Experience - Mandarin

Summit Experience in Mandarin

Reviews

4.34

148 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

101

Go if you can.
201jackied,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Magical. It was an experience of a lifetime. Our guide was excellent and looking through the telescopes incredible. Need to be a bit lucky with the weather and book a long time in advance.
Nigh Sky Tour
xochi45,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Such a fun and unique experience! We learned so much while having a wonderful time. Our guides were super nice and gave a great tour. A much if you are in the area! They even provide jackets if you don't have something warm because it gets really cold after dark up there.
Interesting and insightful
AndyP883,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A superb experience with knowledgeable guides who had great insight and passion for their subject, I would recommend to everyone.
Star gazing 9-11-25.
linhmyquach,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Good experience despite weather not being optimal and cloudy. Noticeably more stars in the sky in this part of the Southern hemisphere despite the weather conditions. Main guide was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. Team were accomodating and they tailored our experience well according to the weather that night. As a result of bad weather, a partial refund was provided for customers which was very considerate and professional of them.
To improve!
jusli2015,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00
My crater experience was cancelled due to bad weather, no similar tour to the hours according to refund proposal or interior experience. I took the inner experience for not coming to Tekapo for nothing but I did not like it. Passionate guide but very poor visit on the constellations, no link with Maori ... Yet it could be much better in view of the material. I do not recommend indoors based on price/content
Gazing the stars
Wayne D,
Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Exceptional staff knowledge, timely and engaging. Although slightly cloudy on occasion throughout the experience it didn’t detract from the experience.
Summit experience was amazing, especially with Oscar as guide
ylm22,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
With a bit of luck, we had clear skies when we arrived on Mount John. Summit Experience / tour was incredible, and we were thoroughly impressed with Oscar, our main guide. Oscar made the experience much more worthwhile with his passion, communication skills, story telling ability. There is depth to this tour in terms of understanding the science (astrophysics) and not just a stargazing activity. Would encourage everyone to do the Summit Experience to learn more about our skies, celestial objects and doing our small part to support research and dark sky efforts
Good but not great
RonG1871,
Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
It wasn't what I expected. There were lots of people and very little time to see through the telescope. The guide was very knowledgeable with the stars. Was disappointed couldn't see the moon as the clouds came through. But it is what it is. Driver played chinese music in the bus , May be try a play english so everyone feels inclusive. Just a thought. I expected more time to see visit other domes, rather then just 1 dome and couple other telescopes. That's just me.
Must do experience!
leannesT7670LQ,
Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Amazing experience! Very knowledgeable tour guides. A must see and do experience! If the weather permits the sky puts on the best show you will ever see.
Will be back
Jake D,
Sep 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Booking had to be changed due to bad weather but we switched to the indoor experience as a result. Our guide, Kieran was very knowledgeable and interesting and made it fun, and the experience was a nice little substitute. Will definitely be back next time with hopefully better weather.