Stargazing Experience at Cowan's Private Observatory
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum age is 5 years
Dress warm all year round
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
Language - You are required to speak the language of the tour due to Health & Safety purposes, if you cannot speak the language, you will not be allowed to join the tour.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Dark Sky Project
Check-in with the team at the Dark Sky Project base in Lake Tekapo, and from there we will transport you to the Cowan's Private Observatory, just 5 minutes drive in our shuttle. From Cowan's Observatory, you will be sheltered from any wind and light pollution, in our purpose built Craters. This is a fantastic introduction to stargazing, making it suitable for everyone, including families and younger children.
Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
Enjoy a stargazing experience within the largest Gold Standard International Dark Sky Reserve. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is one of the best places to stargaze in the world. It is listed as Gold Standard, meaning it has some of the biggest, darkest and clearest skies, making the stars and the milky way clearer than anywhere else in the world. From Cowan's Private Observatory, you will enjoy learning from your expert astronomy guide, who will educate and entertain using a mixture of handheld lasers and powerful telecopes. The Observatory is sheltered from any wind or light pollution, so you can stargaze in comfort, year-round.
What‘s Included
Stargazing is within secluded, private craters, sheltered from wind and light
Return transport to the stargazing location from the Dark Sky base
Private facility with powerful telescopic viewing technologies
Discover the dark skies of the largest International Gold Standard Dark Sky Reserve
Explore the endless Southern skies, observe planets, galaxies, and the depths of the Milky Way
Expert astronomy guides who will tailor your experience according to what is visible on that night
Food and drinks, unless specified
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting points
Dark Sky Project
1 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo New Zealand
End points
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Options
Crater Experience in Mandarin
Mandarin speaking tour: This Crater Experience is taken by our Mandarin speaking guides.
Crater Experience - English
Reviews
84 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Crater - MAGICAL if weather & moon cooperate - PLAN ahead.
Safari187273,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Crater experience last night was SUPERB. You need LUCK and PLANNING. 1. Weather, no clouds or high winds 2. A new moon ideally, check in advance. 3. A knowledgeable commentator. We were so lucky, currently gibbous moon phase. Did the 10:30pm tour and we had 90% visibility, but not so lucky if you went later as the moon fully emerged reducing visibility. With naked eye could see so much including Jupiter & Saturn. In addition, 4 telescopes trained on Saturn, Jupiter, a star “nursery” and Magellan galaxy. Presenter (Marina?) used a laser pointer to illustrate stars & constellations and was very knowledgeable and answered scientific questions expertly. Magical experience.
We arrived at the meeting...
Tracia C,,Dec 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00We arrived at the meeting place at 12:04am and the staff told us the bus has left and they cannot send us to the stargazing spot which is about 15min away. We tried to explain it was midnight and the kids tried really hard to wake up and we thought the meeting time is 12am. The staff were very cold and without any empathy. They told us to leave and blame Victor for not informing us about the meeting time. They do not care about the customers at all.
Star Gazing in the Southern Hemisphere
gatoreed,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Cowan's private observatory crater experience as part of a G-Adventures tour package. Our star guides were excellent and knew the stars/planets/constellations of the southern skies. We were bussed to the crater (dark red lights on the busses to adapt our eyes to night vision0 where three large reflective telescopes were available to view specific points in the sky. Additionally, our guides pointed out the major constellations and stars. This is truly a great experience for anyone/family interested in the night skies.
Great view of the stars
754rachell,,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were lucky - the clouds moved away just in time for our tour. Our guide had excellent knowledge of the night sky and pointed out things that were unique to the southern hemisphere sky. The setup is great because you can only see the stars and don’t get light interference from the nearby road.
Beautiful
Eurf,,Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very informative! Beautiful nightsky, looking through the telescopes we saw things of beauty Kate and Hore-san the perfect nightsky guides
Fascinating experience under the stars
DEMOPHONGEORGE,,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Took the 75-minute Crater Experience at the Dark Sky Project and really enjoyed it. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about astronomy, explaining everything clearly and with enthusiasm. Huge shout-out to the German guide (I couldn’t quite catch her name) — she made the experience engaging, educational, and fun. The views of the night sky were breathtaking. This tour is an absolute must-do in Tekapo — perfect for anyone who loves stars, science, or simply wants to feel small under the vast sky.
An alright experience
Roam62547985231,,Nov 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00It was okay, the guide was really enthusiastic which was great but honestly, on a good clear night it would have been better to use an app. The microscopes were cool but with so many people in a group you just queue to look through to a blurry image.
Great night
DennisR466,,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great views Oscar was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. We now know a lot more about the stars and the cheese on the moon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Breathtaking Experience Under the Stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Melissabrisvagas,,Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My family and I recently joined the Dark Sky Project Tour at the observatory, and it was one of the most memorable experiences we’ve ever had. From start to finish, everything was beautifully organized — the guides were incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and made complex astronomy easy to understand for adults and kids alike. The evening began with an informative presentation about the night sky and the view was simply magical. The clarity of the stars was unbelievable — I could see the Milky Way stretching across the sky like a river of light. Through the high-powered telescopes, we observed Saturn’s rings, distant star clusters, and even details of our moon. The location itself was peaceful and pristine, far from city lights — the perfect place to reconnect with nature and the cosmos. I left feeling both humbled and inspired, with a new appreciation for our universe and the need to protect these dark skies. Highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting the Lake Tekapo area — whether you’re a science lover, a photographer, or just looking for something awe-inspiring and different. It’s an experience you’ll never forget!
Fantastic star gazing
Climber09661346230,,Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00@DarkSkyProjectNZ We loved looking through the telescopes, learning about the constellations and enjoying our night sky. Thank you- you were all a lovely positive bunch! Not really accessible for my mother
From NZ$132.31
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