Stargazing in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve – evening
Discover the wonders of the southern hemisphere’s night sky at the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. This area has been awarded Gold Tier status for its remarkably dark night skies and minimal light pollution.
Your experience begins in the planetarium, where an expert guide specialising in astronomy will provide a digital introduction to the southern celestial sphere.
Next, you’ll take a short drive to an outdoor stargazing spot, completely free from light pollution, where you can marvel at the stunning southern night sky. With the naked eye, powerful binoculars, and advanced telescopes, you’ll be able to explore the Milky Way, various constellations—including the Southern Cross, which also appears on New Zealand’s flag—along with planets, moons, and distant galaxies.
The brightness of the moon can affect how well you see objects in the night sky, so we recommend booking your experience around the new moon if you can. See the moon calendar here: https://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2025&country=30
Look forward to a magical evening beneath the stars!
Start and end point: Activity desk in the lobby at The Hermitage Hotel (address and time can be found on your voucher).
Duration: Approx. 90 minutes (around 20 minutes in the planetarium, 45 minutes under the open sky. and 25 minutes of transport time).
Group size: Maximum 18 people.
Price includes: Guide and transport.
Remember to bring: Warm clothing suitable for the weather.
Note: This tour departs daily except on December 25th. Children must be at least 8 years old to join this tour.
This tour is highly weather-dependent and will only go ahead if the sky is clear. If it is cancelled, you will receive a refund when you return home.
