Night Awe

#1 on TripAdvisor for Evening Tours in Akaroa

Don't just take our word for it—join the experience that is ranked #1 on TripAdvisor for Evening Tours in Akaroa. Our guests consistently rate us as a top Akaroa attraction for an unforgettable night under the stars.

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Why Night Awe is Akaroa's Must-Do Stargazing Tour

  • Night sky filled with countless stars and the Milky Way galaxy, with a bright orange moon setting over mountains on the horizon and a silhouette of trees and hills in the foreground.

    PRISTINE DARK SKIES

    Escape city lights at our exceptional location in Akaroa Heritage Park, only a short drive from Akaroa township, offering unparalleled views of the Milky Way, distant nebulae, and celestial objects in stunning clarity.

  • A man with curly hair and glasses stands outdoors against a cloudy sky, wearing a black jacket.

    GUIDED BY EXPERTS

    Our passionate team of guides, lead by Luca, brings the universe to life with captivating storytelling, fascinating scientific insights, and a sprinkle of Māori mythology, making complex concepts easy and enjoyable for all.

  • Group of six people standing on grass under a starry night sky with clouds and some visible planets or stars in the background.

    INTIMATE & COMFORTABLE

    Enjoy a truly personal experience with small group sizes (max 10 participants). Relax in comfy outdoor chairs, wrapped in warm blankets, with a delicious hot drink in hand as you gaze at the stars.

  • A telescope set up outdoors at night, pointed towards a star-filled sky, capturing the Milky Way galaxy.

    EXPLORE WITH POWERFUL TELESCOPES

    Peer through the incredible details of planets, star clusters, and galaxies using our powerful telescope. For live, vibrant views and stunning astrophotography of deep-sky objects, we also utilize the innovative ZWO Seestar S50 smart telescope.

  • A person with a backpack and wide-brim hat looking through a telescope at the night sky, which is filled with stars and the Milky Way, with pinkish aurora near the horizon.

    LASTING MEMORIES

    Receive a complimentary digital souvenir photo of you under the stars, along with the incredible celestial images captured by our Seestar S50, delivered to your inbox the following day!

Leaving in Awe: What Our Stargazers Say

PRICING

  • Child (5 - 15) $69

  • Adult (16+) $109

  • Senior (65+) $99

  • Student $89

  • Family (2 adults + 2 children) $319

Children under 5s join us for free!

DEPARTURE TIME

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

  • December-January: 10:30PM, 12:30AM

  • February: 10:00PM, 12:00AM

  • March: 9:30PM, 11:30PM

  • April-August: 7:30PM, 9:30PM

  • September: 8:00PM, 10:00PM

  • October: 9:30PM, 11:30PM

  • November: 10:00PM, 12:00AM

MEETING POINT

Akaroa Heritage Park, 280 Long Bay Road, Akaroa 7583

Google Maps link

DURATION

90 minutes

GROUP SIZE

Maximum 10 participants

INCLUDED

  • State-of-the-art 10-inch Dobsonian telescope

  • ZWO Seestar S50 smart telescope

  • High-resolution Deep-Sky images captured by the Seestar S50 (shared at the end of the tour)

  • Digital souvenir photo of you under the stars (shared the following day or so)

  • 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

  • Food

WHAT TO BRING

  • Comfortable shoes

  • Warm clothing

  • Camera and smartphone

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

Explore More Akaroa Stargazing experiences

  • Silhouette of two people observing the sunset with a telescope on a mountain, at Akaroa Heritage Park.

    Astronomy Bites - The taste of Akaroa

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  • A young woman with long blonde hair looking through a solar telescope on a mountain observation deck during daytime, at Akaroa Lighthouse.

    Solar Explorer - See the Sun like never before

    Discover the active surface of our Sun safely by day, including FREE pictures of our Sun. Unique insights for all ages!