Tekapo Star Gazing Tour - Soak in the Stars
4.3 / 5 · 121 traveler reviews
Soak in the Stars is Tekapo Springs' signature 90-minute experience — the only guided hot pools and stargazing tour in New Zealand. Set within the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, expert guides use high-powered telescopes to reveal planets, galaxies and southern stars, weaving in astronomy and Māori star stories (if clouds roll in, guides switch to an immersive VR journey through the Tekapo night sky, with stunning 360° imagery and interactive visuals exploring constellations and galaxies beyond what a telescope alone can show). Guests then soak in an exclusive hot pool at 37.5–38.5°C, drifting on hammocks under the stars while guides keep sharing stories poolside. Runs in all weather; children under 10 not permitted.
Your experience
Stop 1
Tekapo Star Gazing is the only guided hot pools and star gazing experience in New Zealand. The tour operates from the renowned facilities of Tekapo Springs, combining the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with our soul-warming hot pools. The guided portion of the tour focuses on the mythology and legend attributed to celestial objects by different cultures around the world. If the skies do not co-operate for outdoor stargazing, an informative indoor experience is run instead, featuring the use of a high-definition projector and stunning full-color satellite images of deep space as well as interactive elements and similar fascinating and informative content as in the outdoor tour - including an introduction to our telescopes. The second half of the tour is where it really gets magical in a (37.5-38.5-degree Celsius) hot pool, let the real world melt away as you lie back with the help of a floating hammock to ensure ultimate relaxation and easy sky viewing.
What’s included
- Exclusive use of the hot pools at night in a group of no more than 32
- Pick up/drop off from Lake Tekapo Township (subject to availability and upon request only)
- A warm woolen blanket to use whilst outside exploring the universe.
- A floating hammock to use whilst floating in the hot pools
- Professionally guided tour of the largest dark sky reserve.
Not included
- Food and non-alcoholic drinks (some hot drinks provided on the tour)
- Alcoholic drinks (cannot be brought to the premises)
- Swimwear, robes and towels available to borrow
Before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age to join the tour is 10 years old.
- Dress accordingly to the weather conditions. A warm blanket will be provided but temperatures can be very low in our alpine environment.
- Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required due to limited availability
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather (snow, extreme ice, lightning storms), you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund. Tours go ahead regardless if some or none of the night sky is visible. If the sky is not visible an informative indoor tour takes place to highlight the significance of the Aoraki MacKenzie Dark Sky Reserve and local Maori understanding of the night sky. Regardless of the weather, the relaxing hot pools as the second half will still go ahead.
- Limited Telescope Viewing, if weather conditions result in less than 30 minutes of telescope viewing, a 25% refund of the ticket price will be granted. The refund adjustment will be processed and sent to Viator within 48 hours of the tour. The remainder of the guided stargazing experience will continue indoors using Virtual Reality. The hot pool portion of the tour will continue as normal, with a guide poolside.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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