Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve
4.5
About
Dark Sky Reserve is an Astro Tourism business which is dedicated to the richness in astronomy and science. We are firm believers that astronomy above and surounding areas within the Mackenzie country is for everyone forever.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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4.5
12 reviews
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88_Gem
Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand227 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
We saw over 10 meteors one night. Stunning skies on a clear night. Unless you know alot about astronomy I would recommend a tour (either at Mount John observatory, Cowen hill observatory or at the hot springs) we did a tour that started at midnight at the hot springs learnt alot about the stars and got to look through some really powerful telescopes and then relax in the hot pools star gazing for 45 mins. Priceless
Written 16 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alys847
Dunedin, New Zealand137 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
We drove to a dark area near Benmore Dam. Found a safe area and lay on our backs and watched the Milky Way and the Universe move by very slowly. We saw manmade sattelites going overhead with only a little less awe than we felt when watching the first Sputnik going over. The timing for a tour didn't suit us but I would've been highly interested in listening to someone knowledgeable telling me just what stars or planets I was seeing.
Written 13 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gtangg
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia558 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
However you choose to do this - just finding a clear open space and tilting your head back to admire the Milky Way, or via a stargazing tour, you will not be disappointed. It’s a stunningly breathtaking view that no artist can ever replicate. The Mount John observatory tour is the best and most expensive way to take this in. The coolness factor of peering through one of their domed telescopes cannot be understated.
Written 12 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brook L
Dallas, TX3 contributions
May 2024 • Family
Amazing experience as my partner always keen to do star gazing. We were lucky to have near to no moon night. Beautiful sky with milky way. Best stargazing experience ever.
Written 27 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bmhabib87
Parramatta, Australia2 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Drove out to the place at night from where we were staying as we read amazing reviews, reached the observatory, gates were locked and the stars werent that great in the clear sky, there were a few visible but the moon was super bright could have seen the same amount of stars anywhere. Not worth the drive. It might be different in winter.
Written 17 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SteveM999
St Helens, UK326 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
Amazing night sky. Shame the moon was almost full as caused some light pollution. Shame we can't do anything about that!! Anyway, did manage to see the Milky Way for the first time. Just can't see it at home because of light pollution so was magical to see it.
Written 15 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah T
Hamilton, New Zealand18 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
Best starry skies I've ever seen thanks to low light pollution and the perfect place to try your hand at astro-photography. We were absolute beginners but managed to get some memorable shots.
Written 19 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimH-WallaWalla
Walla Walla, WA11 contributions
Nov 2019
If you are in the region, do this. Wonderful star gazing with more information than I can comprehend! Make sure you use their very warm coats. It can get cold on the mountain. JIM H
Written 11 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelEnthu_8
Bengaluru, India121 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
We were disappointed to find that most places where you get good views of stars had to be gone to through paid astro tours. And they weren't cheap - at 99 NZD per person.
We were lucky to have a clear night in Lake Tekapo in an otherwise cloudy NZ trip but it was rendered useless, thanks to a bright moon on a full moon night :( We did try driving to a few dark places to stop and try and look at the stars but it wasn't impressive at all :(
We did try to go to the Mount John Observatory but that was closed. I do think it should be open longer so more folks can enjoy this place without having to pay through the nose for a tour.
All in all, when people say the night sky is beautiful and all those pictures you see - there are a lot of things which need to fall in place, weather, you should be on a tour and the moon shouldn't be too bright etc etc :)
We were lucky to have a clear night in Lake Tekapo in an otherwise cloudy NZ trip but it was rendered useless, thanks to a bright moon on a full moon night :( We did try driving to a few dark places to stop and try and look at the stars but it wasn't impressive at all :(
We did try to go to the Mount John Observatory but that was closed. I do think it should be open longer so more folks can enjoy this place without having to pay through the nose for a tour.
All in all, when people say the night sky is beautiful and all those pictures you see - there are a lot of things which need to fall in place, weather, you should be on a tour and the moon shouldn't be too bright etc etc :)
Written 2 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ladybugsSydney
sydney1,952 contributions
Oct 2018 • Friends
After a previous visit several years ago when the trip was rained out and I couldn't see a star, it was amazing to see the stars on this trip while staying at Mount Cook village. I've never seen so many stars! A highlight of my three weeks in NZ.
Written 4 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How to reach here from India?can anybody please give some details.
Written 12 September 2023
If we don't necessarily want the guided tour, can we still set up our gear at the Mt.John ? Or do i need a booking regardless?
Written 8 May 2019
I don’t believe it is possible to go up to the top as the area is owned by the observatory. You could set up your equipment in the open areas surrounding Lake Tekapo. The town generally observes the blackout so you should have decent photos.
Written 10 May 2019
Do we need to book or schedule a trip to visit the reserve or do we just make our way over during open business times?
Written 30 January 2019
If you want to have a guided tour of one of the two observatories (Mt John or Cowan), then booking is required. If you are bringing your own gear or just plan to find a spot to star gaze, then booking is not required.
Written 11 February 2019
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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