Akaroa Stargazing Shop
Bring the Wonders of the Southern Sky Home
Discover everything you need to begin your own journey: from fascinating books and official sky charts to powerful binoculars, engaging games, unique apparel, and our popular Celestial Buddies.
Books & MatarikiThe Library
Plan your next celestial adventure with the ultimate guide to astrotourism. Stargazing Around the World presents 45 breathtaking dark-sky sites and national parks across the globe—including the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve—plus over 20 destinations to observe space phenomena and auroras in action.
Whether you are a seasoned astronomer or an armchair traveler, this fascinating guide provides everything you need to experience the universe from the best vantage points on Earth.
Expert Guidance: Written by astrotourism expert Valerie Stimac, with a foreword by the "Bad Astronomer" Phil Plait.
Global Destinations: Features top-tier sites like Uluru (Australia), Jasper National Park (Canada), and Wadi Rum (Jordan).
Skills & Gear: Includes an introduction to astrophotography for beginners, equipment tips, and calendars for meteor showers and eclipses.
Beautifully Illustrated: Packed with stunning photography and constellation diagrams that make it a perfect coffee table gift.
Written by Mike Shaw
Start capturing the cosmos with The Beginner's Guide to Astrophotography by Mike Shaw, the perfect book for anyone new to this fascinating hobby. This accessible guide proves you can create stunning images of the night sky using any camera, from your smartphone to a DSLR. It walks you through every step of the process, from choosing your gear to mastering camera settings and perfecting your images with post-processing. You'll learn to capture everything from the moon and planets to breathtaking constellations and the Milky Way.
Based on the #1 bestselling book, Matariki Around the World, this captivating colouring and activity book is perfect for introducing young minds to the magic of the Māori New Year.
Packed with puzzles, mazes, and creative colouring pages inspired by the bestselling book's themes, this resource makes learning about the Matariki star cluster and its rich cultural significance fun and hands-on. It's an essential educational tool for families and educators, reinforcing the stories of the Southern Skies while promoting creativity and cultural connection.
Written by Rangi Matamua & Miriama Kamo
Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
The Matariki cluster (or Pleiades) is known by many different names and is seen and celebrated by many cultures around the world. This book features 21 stories: 9 of which highlight the Māori Matariki stars, while the others reference the stories about this cluster from different cultures, from the Pacific Islands to Australia, Asia, the Americas, Europe and Africa.
Home & LifestyleGifts & Apparel
Celestial Buddy Saturn
Our Celestial Buddy Jupiter is the ultimate giant companion! Featuring its beautifully swirled atmospheric bands, this plush toy is a fun and educational representation of the solar system’s largest planet. Standing approximately 7 inches tall when seated and appropriate for all ages, it’s a massive yet cuddly addition perfect for play or display.
Show off your space credentials with these classic Space Button Badges! These lightweight button badges feature iconic imagery from the history of space flight—including the legendary NASA "Meatball" logo, the Space Shuttle, and deep-space mission graphics.
Designed with a high-gloss finish and a sturdy safety-pin back, these badges are the perfect way to "space-ify" your school bag, denim jacket, or camera strap.
Classic Button Style: Lightweight and easy to wear on any fabric.
Vibrant Graphics: High-quality printing captures the bold colours and details of NASA and space mission logos.
Pin-Back Fastening: Simple and secure metal pin on the reverse for easy attachment.
Great for Groups: A fantastic, affordable gift for birthday party bags or a fun "treat" for a junior scientist.
Note for Online Orders: These collectible button badges come in a variety of stellar designs. When you order online, one badge will be selected at random for you. It’s a surprise mission every time! If you are looking for a specific design, please visit us in-store at Akaroa Stargazing Space to take your pick.
Optics & NavigationThe Observatory
Navigate the heavens like a pro! Our Night Sky Planisphere is an essential, easy-to-use tool designed specifically for observers in New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere. Whether you are standing in the dark at Akaroa Heritage Park or in your own backyard, this "star wheel" helps you identify constellations, stars, and deep-sky objects for any date and time of the year.
Customized for NZ: Accurately mapped for Southern latitudes to ensure the stars you see on the wheel match the sky above you.
Simple to Use: Just rotate the inner disc to align the date with the time, and the map reveals exactly which constellations are visible.
Weather Resistant: Made from durable, high-quality materials designed to withstand the dampness of night-time dew during long stargazing sessions.
Educational: A perfect companion for beginners, students, or seasoned astronomers looking for a quick reference without needing a screen.
Product Description
The Celestron UpClose G2 16x32mm Roof Binoculars are a compact and lightweight companion, perfect for all your outdoor adventures from stargazing to wildlife watching. With a powerful 16x magnification and 32mm objective lenses, they deliver sharp, clear views of distant subjects thanks to their multi-coated optics. The durable, rubber-armored aluminum body is both easy to carry and built to last, making them a reliable tool for any exploration.
Discover the beauty of the Southern Hemisphere sky with the official New Zealand's Night Sky map from Stardome Observatory. This isn't just a map; it’s a functional tool designed for the field. The chart features two detailed maps that glow in the dark, allowing you to reference the stars without needing a bright flashlight that ruins your night vision.
Whether you are at a dark-sky site or in your backyard, this durable chart is the perfect companion for identifying the celestial wonders above Aotearoa.
Dual-Map Design: Features two detailed maps covering the seasonal changes in the New Zealand sky.
Glow-in-the-Dark: Specially printed to remain visible in the dark—just "charge" it under a light before you head outside!
Durable & Portable: Printed on heavy-duty card designed to withstand night-time use.
Educational: Includes a comprehensive list of constellations and useful descriptions to help you master the Southern Cross and beyond.
Publisher: Celestron
An ideal tool for both beginner and seasoned astronomers, the Celestron Observer's Map of the Moon is a durable, double-sided guide to the lunar surface. Created with lunar cartographer Ralph Aeschliman, this map is packed with detailed photos, observing tips, and a full directory of lunar regions. Its waterproof and tear-resistant design makes it a perfect companion for your telescope, wherever you go.
Tabletop & StrategyThe Game Room
2-4 players
14+
The moon has fallen, plunging the world into a new dark age. Now, rival factions emerge from the ashes to fight for dominance...Tsukuyumi: Full Moon Down is a highly asymmetrical area-control game where each faction has its own unique rules and objectives. On a turn, you take control of one of these distinct factions—from the cyber-samurai to the enigmatic Moon Princess—and battle for control of the ruined Earth. Each faction has its own unique path to victory, challenging you to outwit your opponents in a fierce struggle for survival.
1+ players
8+
Full of galactic facts & trivia to test your memory and observation skills
150 individual questions and 25 conversation starter topics
One or more players will enjoy a game in around 10 minutes with rapid turn based gameplay
Fun & educational for kids, developing the skills needed for life-long learning
Game contains: 25x game cards, 1x 6-sided die, 1x ten second timer
