Your stargazing adventure doesn’t end when the night does! Every Scope at the Stars stargazing ticket includes a complimentary daytime hot pools pass at Tekapo Springs, giving you another chance to relax and make the most of your Tekapo visit.

Take a dip in the steaming hot pools, surrounded by breathtaking alpine views, either on the day of your tour or the following day. Whether you choose to relax before an evening under the stars or start your next day with a peaceful soak, this added experience makes your Tekapo visit truly unforgettable.

When weather conditions limit telescope viewing, guests continue their experience indoors with our immersive Virtual Reality experience. Through immersive 360° visuals, captured right here in Lake Tekapo, and guide-led storytelling, you’ll explore the Tekapo night sky from some of the region’s most iconic locations, including the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Mt John summit. We’ll explore constellations, deep-sky objects and Māori astronomy from a different perspective. It’s a different way to experience the southern night sky, with close-up views and guided interpretation that add to what you would normally see through a telescope.

As part of your experience, our guides introduce Māori astronomy through the stars of the southern sky and the Milky Way. You’ll learn about important celestial features such as Matariki and the Southern Cross, and how these helped people understand the seasons, direction and the natural world. It’s a meaningful way to experience the night sky through both astronomy and Aotearoa’s cultural knowledge.