Learn about the observatory and astronomy Day Tours offered by Earth and Sky

Click a Tour :

Day Tour

Take the

scenic drive up to the Astro Café perched at the summit Mt John where your guide will meet you. Tours will take 30 to 40 minutes, encompassing the history of the observatory, a description of the exciting research done here and a chance to see the professional telescopes.

Be guided through this fully functioning observatory where astronomers from the University of Canterbury (New Zealand) and Nagoya University (Japan) are conducting leading-edge research using a 1.8-metre telescope.

Learn about the exciting MOA2 (Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics) project, geographical features of the Mackenzie Basin, local lore, and top it all off with a visit to NZ’s largest telescope. (To learn more about the telescopes at the observatory, please click here.)

Take time out and relax in the surrounds of our ultra-modern glass Astro Café and enjoy fresh food and great coffee while sitting 300 metres above the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo.

Please note: the mountain road currently opens 10 am and is closed to the public at 5 pm daily.

Tour duration:	Approximately 35 minutes
	Adult	Child (aged 5+)	Family 2A & 2C	Family 2A & 3+C
Prices valid 1st Oct 2013 — 30th Sept 2014	$55	$30	$140	$160
Availability:	Generally daily between 12 pm & 3 pm. Please check with our town office (+64 (0)3 6806960) or e-mail info@earthandsky.co.nz

Click here to read our terms and conditions (also in Japanese / Mandarin)
Click here to download the pricelist (PDF) — Return to Top of Page

Scenic Day Tour

Tour departs from the Earth & Sky Office in the Lake Tekapo township. You will be transported by a Guide to various areas of interest including the Church of the Good Shepherd, the collie dog statue, the Tekapo A Power Station (start of New Zealand's largest hydro power system) then to Mt John Observatory for a day tour and optional walk around the scenic summit walkway (20mins). This is followed by a morning tea, lunch or afternoon tea at the Astro Café (depending on departure time) then we will return you to the town.

Please note: we need a minimum of 4 people to run this tour.

Tour duration:	Approximately 2 hours
Prices valid 1st Oct 2013 — 30th Sept 2014	Adult	Child (aged 5+)	Family 2A & 2C	Family 2A & 3+C
Morning & Afternoon Tea with Tour	$115	$75	$330	$380
Astro Café Lunch with Tour	$125	$95	$390	$450
Availability:	Every day, weather permitting
Departure:	Please contact our town office (+64 (0)3 6806960) regarding tour times, or e-mail info@earthandsky.co.nz

Click here to read our terms and conditions (also in Japanese / Mandarin)
Click here to download the pricelist (PDF) — Return to Top of Page

Please note: The sky varies throughout the year, so Earth & Sky cannot guarantee that all features will be visible on any given tour. The public are not allowed to drive on Mount John after sunset. Please contact us if you have any further queries.

Earth & Sky Ltd., P.O. Box 112, Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand.
E-mail: info@earthandsky.co.nz
Phone: +64 (0)3 6806960 Fax: +64 (0)3 6806950

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