When the weather prevents us from stargazing outdoors, your astronomical adventure doesn’t end - it simply transforms. Our Weather Alternative Experience is a premium, indoor astronomy journey designed exclusively for guests whose tours are impacted by cloud, wind, or adverse conditions.
Blending expert guidance, immersive space‑science visuals, and Dark Sky Project’s signature storytelling, this experience ensures your visit remains engaging, informative, and deeply memorable - whatever the weather.
What to Expect
Your Night Sky - Recreated Indoors
Even when the stars are hidden, you won’t miss what makes the Mackenzie Region so extraordinary.
Using real‑time astronomical data, our team will simulate the exact night sky you would have seen on your tour, including visible planets, constellations, and deep‑sky objects.
You’ll still learn the night sky as it appears right now - giving you everything you need to continue stargazing on your own if the weather improves later in your stay.
Live Guidance From Our Astronomy Experts
Guided by our knowledgeable astronomy hosts, you’ll explore the science and stories of the universe through engaging narration, cultural context, and expert insight.
From tātai arorangi (Māori astronomy) to modern space science, this experience connects humanity’s past, present, and future relationship with the night sky.
Explore Iconic Dark Sky Project Spaces
As part of the experience, you’ll journey through a selection of Dark Sky Project’s signature indoor spaces, including:
- The Brashear Telescope, where you’ll learn about its history, design, and role in observing the universe
- The Pond Room, offering a moment of reflection and storytelling inspired by light, darkness, and our place within the cosmos
- The Model Stars and Sun Room, where scale, movement, and light help illustrate our solar system and the wider universe
These spaces deepen your understanding of both the science and the story behind what lies above us.
Immersive Space‑Science Visuals
Through high‑definition astronomical imagery, animations, and projections, you’ll travel through our solar system, across the Milky Way, and into the wider universe.
These visuals highlight the awe and scale of the cosmos - even on nights when nature keeps us indoors.
A Meaningful Alternative to Outdoor Stargazing
Designed specifically for weather‑impacted guests, this experience ensures you still receive a rich and rewarding astronomy journey with the unmatched storytelling that defines Dark Sky Project.
You’ll leave with new knowledge, a deeper connection to the night sky, and the tools to continue exploring it long after your visit.
Pricing
Pricing valid to September 30 2026.
Adult |
$89 |
Child |
$45 |
Family (2 adults and 2 children) |
$223 |
Alternative Weather Experience
The Weather Alternative Experience is an indoor alternative offered only when outdoor stargazing can’t operate due to weather. It includes live astronomy storytelling, cultural connections, space‑science content, and a simulated version of the night sky you would have seen that evening, so you still learn what’s visible during your stay.
The Dark Sky Experience is a separate, bookable product - an immersive cultural and scientific journey through Māori astronomy, cosmology, and space science. It doesn’t focus on the specific night sky or replicate the outdoor tour.
Absolutely. Using real‑time astronomical data, our team simulates the exact night sky for your tour night, including planets, constellations, and deep‑sky objects. This means you can still learn how to identify what’s above Aoraki Mackenzie - and use that knowledge for your own stargazing if the weather improves later in your visit.
If you’d prefer to experience the night sky outdoors at a later date, we’re happy to reschedule your tour (subject to availability). Alternatively, we can provide a voucher for future use or arrange a refund, if that better suits your plans.
