Lake Tekapo: Crater Stargazing at Cowan's Observatory

About This Experience

The Crater Experience is Dark Sky Project's shorter, gentler tour. It runs at Cowan's Private Observatory, about five minutes' drive from the company's lakefront base, where the viewing areas are purpose-built craters dug into the ground to shelter you from the wind and screen out stray light.

Transport to and from the observatory is included. Guides start with the naked eye, tracing constellations with handheld lasers, then move you to the telescopes — instruments from 9¼ to 14 inches, plus an observatory dome — for planets, galaxies and star clusters.

Because the craters cut the wind and the tour is 75 minutes rather than nearly two hours, it is the easier Dark Sky Project choice for families and first-timers. The minimum age is five, against ten for the Mount John summit tour.

Commentary is offered in English, Chinese and Japanese. It is still an outdoor night experience in an alpine basin, so dress warmly in any season.

Highlights

• Stargazing from purpose-built viewing craters that shelter you from wind and stray light
• Telescopes from 9¼ to 14 inches plus an observatory dome at Cowan's Private Observatory
• A naked-eye laser tour of the constellations before the telescopes
• A shorter 75-minute format that suits families and first-time stargazers
• Children welcome from five years old
• Return transport from the Dark Sky Project base, about five minutes each way

What's Included

• ✓ Guided stargazing experience at Cowan's Private Observatory (about 75 minutes)
• ✓ Access to the purpose-built observation craters
• ✓ Use of telescopes and the observatory dome
• ✓ Expert astronomy guide and commentary
• ✓ Return transport between the Dark Sky Project base and the observatory

Not Included

• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup
• Cold-weather jackets (bring your own warm layers)

What to Bring

• Warm clothing, in every season
• A hat
• A scarf
• Gloves

Good to Know & Caveats

• Minimum age is 5 years.
• The experience is outdoors and weather dependent.
• In poor weather you are offered an indoor alternative, a reschedule or a full refund.
• Wheelchair users can follow the transport in their own vehicle.
• Flash photography is not allowed.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start time.

Meeting Point

Dark Sky Project, 1 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo (Takapō) — check in here; return transport to Cowan's Observatory, about five minutes away, is included.