Equipped with polar jackets and red light torches.

We were brought up to the Mt John Observatory by bus. Amazing night sky viewed and explained by enthusiastic guides/researchers.

Reviewed about 7 years ago

We had clear sky making great viewing.

Knowledgable and social guide. Sam Jupiter and 4 moons, Saturn and a number of mini galaxies etc. Better value if half the $95 price. Rug up!

Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

This is not really an observatory tour, as some reviews suggest, but organized star gazing from the hilltop of the Mt.

John Observatory (the research equipment is in unvisited buildings). As others note, they will cancel if the weather might interfere: if this is an important tour for you, allow some extra time in case of cancellation. We were up on a full moon (only window of time we had)--again, if important you might like to aim for a moonless (or crescent moon) night where the darkness of this area will be shown to best advantage. A guide points out some of the key features of the southern sky before all get to see a number of objects through a large domed scope and several smaller telescopes all manned by guides. An astrophotography setup is also available. This setup allows visitors to be looking through a telescope most of the time, so you don't have a lot of down time. For casual visitors and those from the northern hemisphere this is a fun tour. For advanced amateurs from the southern hemisphere this might be a bit thin, though the guides are pretty knowledgeable.

Reviewed almost 12 years ago

This was purchased as a Birthday Gift for me, from my partner and his parents; in December.

Unethical Business & Bad Service

We are Queenstown residents. Paid $290.00 full price for 2 people to go on the tour which includes Star Gazing. (kind of the whole point)

Unfortunately, even though the expiry date is noted on the Voucher, we didn't look at the expiry date and assumed this would be valid for 1 year as most GC are 1 Year. However Earth & Sky choose to make their expiry date only six months. We didn't realize until May that it was expiring at the end of May. We have full time jobs and commitments so I called and spoke with someone; asked if we could extend the voucher for a few months as we don't have very many opportunities to get out to Tekapo. (3.5 hours one way from Queenstown) She was quite rude and stated that the terms and conditions are clearly written on the voucher. Then reluctantly said she could only extend for one month. Unfortunately with only 1 month extension we had to change plans and make arrangements but we made it to Tekapo this past weekend; only to find that the weather had taken a turn and a storm was coming in.

It was terribly cold and windy and we were advised by staff there was 100% cloud cover; and that everyone could either go on the tour and have the "presentation" (in the cold crazy wind) without star gazing; or we could get a full refund (minus the booking fee of $20).

But this refund did not apply to us, as we have a Gift Voucher. (which we paid full price for.)

We were really disappointed that Star Gazing wasn't an option that night and really wanted the full experience since we've already paid $290.00.

i've since spoken with the Manager "Mili" and Admin Manager "Wendy" and they've both advised that they cannot extend the voucher any longer, and will not honor or refund the voucher. Wendy, she was quite rude saying "it's all there in the terms and conditions".

My partner called as well and Wendy hung up on him.

Sad

Reviewed over 8 years ago

Equipped with polar jackets and red light torches.

We were brought up to the Mt John Observatory by bus. Amazing night sky viewed and explained by enthusiastic guides/researchers.

Reviewed about 7 years ago

We had clear sky making great viewing.

Knowledgable and social guide. Sam Jupiter and 4 moons, Saturn and a number of mini galaxies etc. Better value if half the $95 price. Rug up!

Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016

This was purchased as a Birthday Gift for me, from my partner and his parents; in December.

Unethical Business & Bad Service

We are Queenstown residents. Paid $290.00 full price for 2 people to go on the tour which includes Star Gazing. (kind of the whole point)

Unfortunately, even though the expiry date is noted on the Voucher, we didn't look at the expiry date and assumed this would be valid for 1 year as most GC are 1 Year. However Earth & Sky choose to make their expiry date only six months. We didn't realize until May that it was expiring at the end of May. We have full time jobs and commitments so I called and spoke with someone; asked if we could extend the voucher for a few months as we don't have very many opportunities to get out to Tekapo. (3.5 hours one way from Queenstown) She was quite rude and stated that the terms and conditions are clearly written on the voucher. Then reluctantly said she could only extend for one month. Unfortunately with only 1 month extension we had to change plans and make arrangements but we made it to Tekapo this past weekend; only to find that the weather had taken a turn and a storm was coming in.

It was terribly cold and windy and we were advised by staff there was 100% cloud cover; and that everyone could either go on the tour and have the "presentation" (in the cold crazy wind) without star gazing; or we could get a full refund (minus the booking fee of $20).

But this refund did not apply to us, as we have a Gift Voucher. (which we paid full price for.)

We were really disappointed that Star Gazing wasn't an option that night and really wanted the full experience since we've already paid $290.00.

i've since spoken with the Manager "Mili" and Admin Manager "Wendy" and they've both advised that they cannot extend the voucher any longer, and will not honor or refund the voucher. Wendy, she was quite rude saying "it's all there in the terms and conditions".

My partner called as well and Wendy hung up on him.

Sad

Reviewed over 8 years ago

This was the only thing we did on our trip that we didn't check on rankers first, and we certainly paid for it!

Disappointing to say the least. We we're very excited for this and to learn more about the stars. It was a pretty cold windy night (11 degree), the bus dropped us up the top of Cowan's observatory & our guide talked for about 15 mins abort the sky which we found interesting.... But freezing! We then had 3 telescopes among the 25 or so of us there to look at some stars, which honestly looked the same as with the naked eye, the sane magnification and wow small.... pretty unimpressive and for the rest of the 80 minutes that's was it. Honestly the star apps on your tablet can give you more info and be more interactive. If your visiting NZ I highly recommend the Antarctic center in Christchurch for an enjoyable 1/2 day for the whole family for $53 each online tickets - we loved it and learned so much compared to this which was $90 each and I feel it was a waste of money unfortunately.

Reviewed over 8 years ago

Blessed with a crystal clear night and no moon, plus two knowledgable hosts.

Quite pricey but a great way to pick up some astro information.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

There was far too many people on the tour.

The information given was very basic and a limited amount. As the group was so large in our 2 hour tour we only saw 5 objects through the telescope! which meant the majority of the 2 hours was spent queueing to look through the telescope and all the queueing was done in silence!

The only bonus is the true dark sky, just a shame they dont take advantage of this and give us a bit more information, or have smaller groups so we can see more objects.

There are better tours of this type on the south island and for a better price!

Reviewed about 11 years ago

This is not really an observatory tour, as some reviews suggest, but organized star gazing from the hilltop of the Mt.

John Observatory (the research equipment is in unvisited buildings). As others note, they will cancel if the weather might interfere: if this is an important tour for you, allow some extra time in case of cancellation. We were up on a full moon (only window of time we had)--again, if important you might like to aim for a moonless (or crescent moon) night where the darkness of this area will be shown to best advantage. A guide points out some of the key features of the southern sky before all get to see a number of objects through a large domed scope and several smaller telescopes all manned by guides. An astrophotography setup is also available. This setup allows visitors to be looking through a telescope most of the time, so you don't have a lot of down time. For casual visitors and those from the northern hemisphere this is a fun tour. For advanced amateurs from the southern hemisphere this might be a bit thin, though the guides are pretty knowledgeable.

Reviewed almost 12 years ago

You do not pay in advance so with bad weather no tour or you get a discount.

Lots of information, beautiful sights of the sky, photographers onsite to help you take great pictures of the stars.

Reviewed almost 13 years ago

Travelled especially to Lake Tekapo for the observatory.

It was a beautiful clear night. We turned up for our 9pm tour to be told it was cancelled due to poor weather on the radar. They couldn't walk outside and see that it was a perfect night for star gazing. Don't waste your time going to visit as they might just cancel it on you for no apparent reason

Reviewed over 13 years ago

Great views of the lakes from this viewpoint.

You also get a real appreciation of how glaciers sculpted the landscape.

Reviewed over 13 years ago

Due to heavy winds, the tour was relocated to a smaller private observatory nearby.

E & S Tours showed flexibility, and they also charged less. The southern night sky was great, the tour was quite instructive, but a real beginner's one. I would have appreciated comments to be more scientific and less anecdotal.

Reviewed over 13 years ago

Went on the late night tour which we were offered at a reduced price as it was slightly cloudy.

Although the weather then miraculously cleared and we still got the full tour at the lower price - spectacular experience and great customer service.

Reviewed almost 14 years ago