Tekapo Star Gazing Tour - Soak in the Stars
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
The ultimate in stellar relaxation, Tekapo Star Gazing is the only guided stargazing and hot pools tour in New Zealand! It combines the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with the soul-warming hot pools of Tekapo Springs. A 1.5-hour experience, the first half of the tour begins with an introduction to the night sky using high-powered telescopes and a fascinating combination of astronomy and storytelling. The second half is spent floating in our 37.5-38.5 degree hot pool on inflatable hammocks, gazing up at the night sky as our guides continue to entertain with cultural and scientific stories of the sky. The tour includes complimentary towels, robes and hot drinks.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age to join the tour is 10 years old.
Dress accordingly to the weather conditions. A warm blanket will be provided but temperatures can be very low in our alpine environment.
Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required due to limited availability
Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather (snow, extreme ice, lightning storms), you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund. Tours go ahead regardless if some or none of the night sky is visible. If the sky is not visible an informative indoor tour takes place to highlight the significance of the Aoraki MacKenzie Dark Sky Reserve and local Maori understanding of the night sky. Regardless of the weather, the relaxing hot pools as the second half will still go ahead.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Tekapo Star Gazing
Tekapo Star Gazing is the only guided hot pools and star gazing experience in New Zealand. The tour operates from the renowned facilities of Tekapo Springs, combining the stunning Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve with our soul-warming hot pools. The guided portion of the tour focuses on the mythology and legend attributed to celestial objects by different cultures around the world. If the skies do not co-operate for outdoor stargazing, an informative indoor experience is run instead, featuring the use of a high-definition projector and stunning full-color satellite images of deep space as well as interactive elements and similar fascinating and informative content as in the outdoor tour - including an introduction to our telescopes. The second half of the tour is where it really gets magical in a (37.5-38.5-degree Celsius) hot pool, let the real world melt away as you lie back with the help of a floating hammock to ensure ultimate relaxation and easy sky viewing.
What‘s Included
Exclusive use of the hot pools at night in a group of no more than 32
Pick up/drop off from Lake Tekapo Township (subject to availability and upon request only)
A warm woolen blanket to use whilst outside exploring the universe.
A floating hammock to use whilst floating in the hot pools
Professionally guided tour of the largest dark sky reserve.
Food and non-alcoholic drinks (some hot drinks provided on the tour)
Alcoholic drinks (cannot be brought to the premises)
Swimwear, robes and towels available to borrow
Options
Soak in the Stars Tour
Reviews
109 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Relaxing soak in the dark
silveranicore,,Jan 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00On a clear night, I'd recommend this in a heartbeat. Sadly it was fully overcast on the day I went. The 45 minute soak in the hot pools at night with red ambient light was still very relaxing, and the 45 minute VR show that followed was well-conceptualized. No substitute for the real thing, but the guides kept us engaged anyway. Would've appreciated a discount for lack of actual stargazing.
Knowledgeable guides and...
Nora T,,Dec 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Knowledgeable guides and lovely hot springs, with refreshments, showers, and nice amenities. Really enjoyed learning about the stars, especially those you can only see in the Southern Hemisphere. At first we considered canceling when we saw that low cloud cover would be 100%. However, the weather and clouds completely cleared up in time for us to see Saturn, Betelgeuse, Sirius, and many other stars.
Amazing Stargazing and Hot Pools
Elena N,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Enjoyed the virtual reality portion and we were lucky that the clouds cleared and we were able to see the milky way. The hot pools were wonderful. The guides were so knowledgeable and absolutely a pleasure to chat with. I would absolutely recommend this to my friends
Due to weather, there was...
Nikunj K,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Due to weather, there was VR show. Either the booking should have been refunded or should have been rescheduled. Disappointing!!!!!
Great experience!
Mobile05838413740,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great knowledge of stars and planets. Also such a relaxing atmosphere with the warm hot spring. Definitely would recommend.
Perfect way to experience...
Vineela R,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Perfect way to experience the largest dark sky reserve in the world! The hot springs were cozy, the guides were highly informative and the sky was clear - what more can we ask for!
Star Gazing experience
carlbY7466YG,,Jun 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sébastien was excellent and clearly passionate about the stars—it truly showed throughout the experience. Ending the night with a relaxing soak in the hot pools was the perfect finishing touch.
It's not worth it.
Sightsee41573377328,,May 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00The telescopes don't really show anything special. Lots of yellow dots. The stars are seen simply looking up at the sky wherever you are in the area. There is also a snow or ice machine for the skating rink and they are not able to turn it off for the 45 minutes of stargazing. The noise takes away a lot of charm. Later we looked to the sky from the garden of the house we rented and enjoyed it much more quietly. The noise prevents even the guides from listening, all very friendly, but with the noise we could not follow the whole conversation so between the telescopes that do not serve and the guides that are not heard.... It was a very cold night and we were offered blankets. Inside is a fireplace. They could keep them inside and deliver them warm. They were so cold they looked wet. Then we went to the pools. The waters aren't hot springs but well, with that cold one getting into the hot waters was nice. The locker room had very low lights, you could hardly find things. Here tb, bathrobes and towels could be delivered warm not cold as with ice. At the end there were jugs of water. Is it so hard to put a warm tea? They don’t know how to service and make an experience unforgettable. I don't think it's worth it. The stars are seen from anywhere. Telescopes are not a plus and the hot water service does not have a mini. By the way, the guides and all the staff involved, all very friendly. It is the excursion itself that is ill-posed.
Decent spa - nothing fancy but was nice to do
jval2014,,May 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Went here in April 2025 with a friend (both in our mid 30's). It was a decent time and the price was good as well. They aren't natural hot spring but that was okay as it was still relaxing and nice. Three hot pools and one other one for children. Only one hot pool children could not go in, so we did chose to hang out in there most of the time (no offence to children, but they just aren't relaxing to me .. ) We also got the package that included the sauna's which I would recommend (if you like that I suppose). They had a small cold plunge outside of them that you could do which was a good amount of cold that you could stay in for a minute or 2 and was refreshing! Overall it was a nice few hours spent, but not something I would say you MUST do.
Unique stargazing experience
JamesB4329,,Apr 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really recommend this! Combines interesting stargazing with relaxing hot pools. The guides were helpful, well informed and interesting. The facility was great - mix of stargazing in a real dark sky reserve using telescopes and a VR backup experience for any cloudy moments. Thermal pools were relaxing and atmospheric under the stars. Good facilities - free & easy parking etc.
From NZ$189.00
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