Silver River Guided Alpine Stargazing

Overview

This is a 1 hour 15 minute guided stargazing session run by Silver River Stargazing, a local operator based at 12 Rapuwai Lane in Lake Tekapo. You check in at their office, get a short safety briefing, then ride a transfer of about five minutes out to a stargazing site on private farmland. The land sits within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, and one reviewer noted the site is free of stray light from the town.

Once on site, the guide leads roughly an hour of viewing. The group is capped at 10 people, which keeps the ratio of telescopes to guests small. You get time on 14-inch telescopes pointed at deep-sky objects, plus astro-lasers the guide uses to trace constellations. Warm down jackets are provided, and at the end the guide takes a photo of the group under the stars, weather permitting, which is sent by email within 48 hours. A five minute transfer returns you to the office.

It suits travellers who want a short, structured introduction to the southern sky rather than a long night out. The tour runs in English and Japanese. One reviewer who brought children recommended it for kids who can manage a late night, and the booking page allows one infant per tour on the earliest departure of the night.

Itinerary

1. Check in at Silver River StargazingMeet at 12 Rapuwai Lane, Lake Tekapo. The evening starts here with check in and warm jackets if needed.
2. Safety briefingA five minute briefing at Lake Tekapo before departure.
3. Transfer to stargazing siteA five minute ride from the office to the private farmland viewing site.
4. Guided stargazing tourOne hour of guided viewing with 14-inch telescopes and astro-lasers, ending with a group photo under the stars, weather permitting.
5. Transfer backA five minute return ride to Silver River Stargazing.

Common Questions