Tekapo Star Gazing Tour - Soak in the Stars

Overview

Available languages

English

1 hour 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

The ultimate in stellar relaxation, Tekapo Star Gazing is the only guided stargazing and hot pools tour in New Zealand! It combines the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with the soul-warming hot pools of Tekapo Springs. A 1.5-hour experience, the first half of the tour begins with an introduction to the night sky using high-powered telescopes and a fascinating combination of astronomy and storytelling. The second half is spent floating in our 37.5-38.5 degree hot pool on inflatable hammocks, gazing up at the night sky as our guides continue to entertain with cultural and scientific stories of the sky. The tour includes complimentary towels, robes and hot drinks.

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible

All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Minimum age to join the tour is 10 years old.

Dress accordingly to the weather conditions. A warm blanket will be provided but temperatures can be very low in our alpine environment.

Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required due to limited availability

Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather (snow, extreme ice, lightning storms), you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund. Tours go ahead regardless if some or none of the night sky is visible. If the sky is not visible an informative indoor tour takes place to highlight the significance of the Aoraki MacKenzie Dark Sky Reserve and local Maori understanding of the night sky. Regardless of the weather, the relaxing hot pools as the second half will still go ahead.

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Exclusive use of the hot pools at night in a group of no more than 32

Pick up/drop off from Lake Tekapo Township (subject to availability and upon request only)

A warm woolen blanket to use whilst outside exploring the universe.

A floating hammock to use whilst floating in the hot pools

Professionally guided tour of the largest dark sky reserve.

Food and non-alcoholic drinks (some hot drinks provided on the tour)

Alcoholic drinks (cannot be brought to the premises)

Swimwear, robes and towels available to borrow

What To Expect

Tekapo Star Gazing

Tekapo Star Gazing is the only guided hot pools and star gazing experience in New Zealand. The tour operates from the renowned facilities of Tekapo Springs, combining the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with our soul-warming hot pools. The guided portion of the tour focuses on the mythology and legend attributed to celestial objects by different cultures around the world. If the skies do not co-operate for outdoor stargazing, an informative indoor experience is run instead, featuring the use of a high-definition projector and stunning full-color satellite images of deep space as well as interactive elements and similar fascinating and informative content as in the outdoor tour - including an introduction to our telescopes. The second half of the tour is where it really gets magical in a (37.5-38.5-degree Celsius) hot pool, let the real world melt away as you lie back with the help of a floating hammock to ensure ultimate relaxation and easy sky viewing.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Soak in the Stars Tour

Reviews

4.35

102 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Star Gazing experience
carlbY7466YG,
Jun 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Sébastien was excellent and clearly passionate about the stars—it truly showed throughout the experience. Ending the night with a relaxing soak in the hot pools was the perfect finishing touch.
It's not worth it.
Sightsee41573377328,
May 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00
The telescopes don't really show anything special. Lots of yellow dots. The stars are seen simply looking up at the sky wherever you are in the area. There is also a snow or ice machine for the skating rink and they are not able to turn it off for the 45 minutes of stargazing. The noise takes away a lot of charm. Later we looked to the sky from the garden of the house we rented and enjoyed it much more quietly. The noise prevents even the guides from listening, all very friendly, but with the noise we could not follow the whole conversation so between the telescopes that do not serve and the guides that are not heard.... It was a very cold night and we were offered blankets. Inside is a fireplace. They could keep them inside and deliver them warm. They were so cold they looked wet. Then we went to the pools. The waters aren't hot springs but well, with that cold one getting into the hot waters was nice. The locker room had very low lights, you could hardly find things. Here tb, bathrobes and towels could be delivered warm not cold as with ice. At the end there were jugs of water. Is it so hard to put a warm tea? They don’t know how to service and make an experience unforgettable. I don't think it's worth it. The stars are seen from anywhere. Telescopes are not a plus and the hot water service does not have a mini. By the way, the guides and all the staff involved, all very friendly. It is the excursion itself that is ill-posed.
Decent spa - nothing fancy but was nice to do
jval2014,
May 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Went here in April 2025 with a friend (both in our mid 30's). It was a decent time and the price was good as well. They aren't natural hot spring but that was okay as it was still relaxing and nice. Three hot pools and one other one for children. Only one hot pool children could not go in, so we did chose to hang out in there most of the time (no offence to children, but they just aren't relaxing to me .. ) We also got the package that included the sauna's which I would recommend (if you like that I suppose). They had a small cold plunge outside of them that you could do which was a good amount of cold that you could stay in for a minute or 2 and was refreshing! Overall it was a nice few hours spent, but not something I would say you MUST do.
Unique stargazing experience
JamesB4329,
Apr 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Really recommend this! Combines interesting stargazing with relaxing hot pools. The guides were helpful, well informed and interesting. The facility was great - mix of stargazing in a real dark sky reserve using telescopes and a VR backup experience for any cloudy moments. Thermal pools were relaxing and atmospheric under the stars. Good facilities - free & easy parking etc.
5 out of 5 stars! Great experience!
EvelynH169,
Feb 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Tonight, my husband and I really enjoyed our Soak in the Stars experience with Tekapo Springs. Our Star Expert Patrick regaled us with fascinating facts on stars, galaxies, planets, meteor / meteorites, shooting stars. He showed us how to use the southern cross constellation to identify due south. After using powerful telescopes on the star deck for an up close look at the fascinating night sky, we all changed into our togs and were provided cozy robes on our way to the hot springs pool. Aaaah, it was heavenly to slip into the warm, soothing waters and relax on the floating hammocks provided, under a blanket of stars. Patrick did a Q&A as many of us were eager to learn more about the stars. Patrick shared the Māori lore about Ranginui - father sky and Papatūānuku -Mother Earth. It felt magical to listen to the stories, while floating under a dark sky lit up with constellations of stars strewn like diamonds across the Milky Way. It made us feel more connected and in awe of the universe we live in. We highly recommend this experience to anyone passing by Lake Tekapo! 2 thumbs up and 5 out of 5 stars! P.S. The rest of the crew were very friendly and helpful making the experience pleasant, organized and safe. Thank you team Tekapo Springs! We appreciated you and will spread the good word.
Unique Stargazing Experience!
R VanderHorn1,
Dec 12, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
An unforgettable evening under the clear skies at Tekapo Springs! The first hour was spent exploring the stars through preprogrammed telescopes, and we were thrilled to see the rings of Saturn up close. The hot springs portion was equally delightful, with the guides sharing trivia as we soaked and stargazed. We've experienced other stargazing tours before, but this was one of the best!
Well worth the visit.
carterg585,
Nov 22, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Blah blah blah it was great blah. The guides were fantastic, informative and funny, the sky was clear and blankets were provided for us all, and we enjoyed the hot pool for more viewing, information and stories afterwards. An incredible experience.
Stellar
Sean G,
Nov 13, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00
Great experience. The moon was a little too bright and caused poor conditions for star gazing. However what we could see was explained and shown to the group effectively. The dip in the hot pools with more info about the stars and random interesting facts was great. I'd suggest it for anyone. Although make sure the moon is not on the way to becoming full.
Absolutely magical
Resort37816611803,
May 28, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wow! Absolutely loved our experience. The guides were wonderful, knowledgeable and humorous. We were lucky as the night before it was pouring with rain but for us it was almost clear. Our guides knew their stuff, were open to questions, able to have a laugh and even though I’m sure they have done this 100s of times they still seemed just as excited as I was seeing it for the first time. Floating around in the hammocks staring at the stars was magical, a couple of shooting stars put on a show for us Thank you so much
Great tour with José
Shane P,
Apr 29, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00
Absolutely amazing journey with Jose as our guide. Very well versed in Incan history (as a history nerd myself). Very personable and made our afternoon a pleasure. Would highly recommend this company and José whilst in Cusco!