At 1,029m high, Mt John offers unrivalled 360-degree views across the largest accredited International Dark Sky Reserve in the world.
Our expert astronomy guides bring the night sky to life, sharing the science and the stories of our Southern skies. Stargaze using the naked eye guided by lasers and then proceed to explore deeper through up to 16" optical telescopes, including in our private observatory dome. Take in the incredible Milky Way, far off planets, star clusters, solar systems, and even distant galaxies; every night sky beholds something different.
Our exclusive Summit Experience runs for 2 hours, includes transport to and from Mt John, use of our ECW (extreme cold weather jackets) to keep you warm at the summit, and the full use of our telescopes.
The nature of the terrain on Mount John requires a certain level of fitness, you need to be confident walking 100 meters on a gravel incline and be able to climb a couple of steps in the dark. Guests looking for a more accessible tour should check out our Crater Experience at Cowan’s Private Observatory, which is an ideal accessible alternative.
Our Summit Experience is a weather dependent activity. If it is not possible to observe due to weather, your booking will be cancelled and fully refunded.
What to Expect
Location
University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory, Summit of Mount John
Time of Day
Evening, outdoors
Minimum Age
10 years & over
Length
2 Hours
Tour Times
Various times throughout the year depending on time of sunset. Available 7 days.
Tour Itinerary
Check In
Please check in at least 20 minutes prior to departure at Dark Sky Project Base, Takapō (Tekapo) lakefront.
ECW Jackets
Guests receive their ECW jacket.
Transport
Travel 15 minutes by bus to the Mount John Summit.
Stargazing
Stargazing with the naked eye (guided by lasers), telescopes and through our observatory dome.
Transport
Travel 15 minutes by bus back to Dark Sky Project base.
Summit Experience Image Gallery
