Night Awe Stargazing Tour
Ranked #1 on TripAdvisor for Evening Tours, Night Awe is your intimate journey into the Southern Skies.
Forget the city lights—this is the closest truly pristine dark sky experience to Christchurch, just a 90 minutes drive away.
Why Night Awe is Akaroa's MUST-DO Stargazing Tour
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PRISTINE DARK SKIES & OUR DARK SKY MISSION
Escape city lights at our exceptional location in Akaroa Heritage Park. This spot offers unparalleled views of the Milky Way, distant nebulae, and celestial objects in stunning clarity. We are actively working toward gaining Dark Sky Reserve status for Akaroa and the Banks Peninsula. Why? Because a pristine dark sky is essential for true astronomy and the health of our environment. Join us to see the stars as they were meant to be seen.
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GUIDED BY EXPERTS
Our passionate team of guides brings the universe to life with captivating storytelling, fascinating scientific insights, and a sprinkle of Māori mythology. We make complex concepts easy and enjoyable for all, giving you unique insights you won't find anywhere else.
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INTIMATE & COMFORTABLE
Enjoy a truly personal stargazing 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. This setting creates a personal and awe-inspiring atmosphere, perfect for couples or anyone seeking a deep connection with the night sky.
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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. This state-of-the-art equipment ensures you get the best possible view. Plus you get to keep all the pictures taken LIVE during your tour!
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LASTING MEMORIES
Every Night Awe guest gets a complimentary digital souvenir photo taken under the breathtaking Akaroa night sky, making your experience last long after the tour ends. In addition to your personal keepsake, you’ll receive the celestial images captured during your tour by our innovative Seestar S50 smart telescope. These high-quality photos showcase the beauty of distant star clusters, galaxies, nebulae and other deep-sky objects witnessed during your stargazing adventure. All images are conveniently delivered to your inbox the next day, allowing you to easily share the memories and stunning skies of Akaroa with family and friends.
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
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Astronomy Bites - The taste of Akaroa
From sungazing to stargazing with a local grazing platter (a full cosmic & culinary journey).
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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!