Astronomy Bites

Akaroa's Ultimate Day-to-Night Cosmic & Culinary Journey!

Indulge in a spectacular 3-hour experience, from sungazing to stargazing, complemented by a delicious local grazing platter. The perfect blend of science, nature, and gourmet delight.

SPECIAL OFFER: $50 OFF Astronomy Bites! Limited to 50 Spots Remaining! Use code WINTER at checkout.

SPECIAL OFFER: $50 OFF Astronomy Bites! Limited to 50 Spots Remaining! Use code WINTER at checkout.

Why Choose Astronomy Bites: A Complete Akaroa Cosmic Experience

  • Night sky filled with stars and the Milky Way galaxy visible above a silhouette of mountains and trees, with a setting or rising sun near the horizon.

    DAY-TO-NIGHT TRANSFORMATION

    Witness the Sun's dynamic surface through specialized solar telescopes, then stay to watch twilight transition into a sky ablaze with stars.

  • Outdoor scene at sunset with a view of Akaroa harbour and mountains, a table with charcuterie including cheese, crackers, grapes, and bread, palm trees in the foreground, and a bright golden sky with clouds.

    GOURMET GRAZING PLATTER

    Indulge in a carefully crafted grazing platter, featuring local flavours and delicacies, paired with refreshing drinks. Enjoy your culinary delights whilst taking in the stunning views of Akaroa's best-kept secret sunset viewing spot.

  • A photograph of the Orion Nebula, with bright stars and colorful gas clouds, taken by Seestar S50 telescope on April 25, 2025, showing the nebula's intricate structure and star formation.

    COMPREHENSIVE STARGAZING

    Explore the night sky with our powerful 10-inch Dobsonian telescope and capture stunning celestial images with the ZWO Seestar S50 smart telescope. Luca will guide you through constellations, planets, and distant galaxies.

  • A person with a backpack and wide-brimmed hat observing the night sky through a telescope outdoors at night, with the Milky Way galaxy and pink aurora in the background.

    UNFORGETTABLE SOUVENIRS

    Take home a digital photo of you under the stars, along with the incredible celestial images captured by our Seestar S50, delivered to your inbox the following day.

  • People stargazing at night outdoors with a telescope, under a clear, starry sky, sitting on chairs and a bench, with a table holding drinks and a thermos.

    INTIMATE & ENGAGING

    Enjoy a comfortable and personal experience with knowledgeable guides, cozy blankets, and comfortable seating, making for a truly memorable evening.

Check availability and book

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM APRIL TO AUGUST.

PRICING

  • Child (5 - 15) $179

  • Adult (16+) $349

DEPARTURE TIME

Departure times vary with sunset, see below schedule for estimated starting times.

  • April: 5:00PM

  • May-June: 4:00PM

  • July: 4:30PM

  • August: 5:00PM

MEETING POINT

Akaroa Heritage Park, 280 Long Bay Road, Akaroa 7583

Google Maps link

DURATION

3 hours

GROUP SIZE

Maximum 6 participants - Please inquire for larger groups.

INCLUDED

  • State-of-the-art solarscope and telescope

  • Local grazing platter

  • Take home a lasting memory: a digital photo of you under the stars.

  • Hot drink to keep you warm and cozy

  • Comfortable outdoor seating area to relax and gaze

  • Blankets for snuggling up

NOT INCLUDED

  • Transfers, pick-ups, & drop-offs

WHAT TO BRING

  • Comfortable shoes

  • Warm clothing

  • Water bottle

  • Camera and smartphone

Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for further details, including our cancellation policy.

WHAT OUR GUESTS ARE SAYING ABOUT US

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Went on a stargazing tour with Luca at 10pm.
He started right off passionately about light pollution and went on explaining different star constellations, stars themselves and galaxies, as well as nebulas. And all this very visible through his telescope. He even provided blankets and warm tea during the chilly night.
Would book again!”

— Written 27 February 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“My friends and I loved the stargazing tour! We learned a lot of new things and you can really tell that Luca is passionate about this topic. I enjoyed this tour so much that I joined their new daytime Cosmic Quest Tour a week later. You could see the sun through their special telescope and take your own photos with your phone trough the telescope as well. This tour is great for children too, as it is very interactive!”

— Written 21 February 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Stargazing with Luca is one of the best things you can do in New Zealand. As my friend and I did already the planetarium projection at Lucas place and saw how passionate this man is and how much we can learn from him, we decided that we want to come back for stargazing. Best decision, because we had an absolutely amazing night and were so lucky with the completely clear sky. Luca taught us so many things and took a lot of time to answer our questions understandably. The view on the moon, planets and stars through his telescope was just incredible. For warm up there was hot tea and blankets. All in all a perfect night for us.”

— Written 4 February 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This tour is a must for anyone curious about the stars or the night sky. Luca has an amazing knowledge of the southern sky and makes the experience most impressive. We were lucky that during our tour, not only did we get to see some incredible stars but the Aurora Australis put on quite a show as well. It was remarkable how much we were able to see and learn due to this tour being so well organised. Thank you Luca and Akaroa Stargazing for a night we'll never forget.”

— Written 12 October 2024

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