Stargazing Experience at Cowan's Private Observatory
- 1h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 3 languages
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
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.
Inclusions
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
- Discover the dark skies of the largest International Gold Standard Dark Sky Reserve
- Private facility with powerful telescopic viewing technologies
- 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
What's not
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Itinerary
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.
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.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
3.9
- 551
- 413
- 310
- 25
- 112
Ratings come from 91 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 22 travellers
- Operated by
- Dark Sky Project
- 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.
How it compares in New Zealand, outside the cities
- Its from-price is 170% above the median of the 8 attraction tickets we list in New Zealand, outside the cities.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 3 of 8.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
Special offers in New Zealand, outside the cities
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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