Lake Tekapo: Mount John Summit Stargazing Experience

About This Experience

Of the tours on this site, the Summit Experience is the only one that takes you to the top of Mount John, the 1,029-metre hill above Lake Tekapo that carries the University of Canterbury's Mt John Observatory. The research site opened in 1965 and is New Zealand's premier astronomy field station; outside of this tour, the access road is open only in daytime.

You check in at the Dark Sky Project building on the Tekapo lakefront, pull on an extreme cold weather jacket, and ride a bus up the mountain — about 15 minutes each way. At the summit, astronomy guides use handheld lasers to walk you through the southern sky with the naked eye before you move to the telescopes, which range from 9¼ to 16 inches and include one inside an observatory dome.

It is the most dramatic setting of any Tekapo tour: working research domes around you, the lake a black shape below and the whole Mackenzie Basin dark to the horizon. That altitude also means wind and cold, which is why the jackets are included and why the operator asks for warm clothing year-round.

Guests need to walk about 100 metres on a gravel incline and climb a few steps in the dark, so the tour is not wheelchair accessible. The minimum age is 10, and commentary is offered in English, Chinese and Japanese.

Highlights

• The only tour that takes you to the summit of Mount John, beside a working university observatory
• Stargazing from 1,029 metres above sea level, above the lake and the village lights
• Telescopes from 9¼ to 16 inches, including one inside an observatory dome
• A naked-eye laser tour of the southern sky before you move to the eyepieces
• An extreme cold weather jacket to wear for the whole tour
• Return bus between the Dark Sky Project base and the summit, about 15 minutes each way

What's Included

• ✓ Guided mountaintop stargazing experience, 1 hour 45 minutes round trip
• ✓ Access to the Mount John Observatory summit (1,029 m)
• ✓ Expert astronomy guide and storytelling
• ✓ Use of telescopes, including one in an observatory dome
• ✓ Return bus between the Dark Sky Project base and the summit
• ✓ Extreme cold weather jacket

Not Included

• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

What to Bring

• Warm clothing, whatever the season
• A hat and gloves
• Closed shoes with grip for the gravel path
• Your own camera if you want photos (flash is not allowed)

Good to Know & Caveats

• You need to walk about 100 metres on a gravel incline and climb a couple of steps in the dark.
• Minimum age is 10 years.
• The tour is weather dependent. In bad weather you are offered an indoor alternative experience or a full refund.
• Check in at the Dark Sky Project building at least 20 minutes before departure.
• You must understand the tour language for safety reasons; tours run in English, Chinese and Japanese.
• Flash photography is not allowed at the summit.

Meeting Point

Dark Sky Project, 1 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo (Takapō) — the lakefront building in the village. Check in 20 minutes before departure; the bus to the summit leaves from here.