Whether you live here or are visiting we have found the best places to take you on Stargazing. We collect you in our 4WD land rovers, choosing from many of our dark sky locations to guide and photograph you under the Southern Night Sky. Come along with us NZ Astro tourism Academy qualified Guides this Summer 2023/4 and discover star navigation, the meaning and language of our constellations and using our Unistellar EVscope and night binoculars we choose the most interesting features viewable that night for you to see close up. We professionally shoot your portrait with the galactic core as a backdrop. Often snow will be under our feet. NZ Award winning photographers, we deliver you with a set of images from your experience to cherish along with images from our telescope that we viewed together live. Customers love this tour who are also budding astrophotographers -ask us for tuition and bring your camera/ tripod is also an option. We are the only Queenstown bespoke star gazing tour.
Posted By : laskyrose
Simon was the best! This experience exceeded our expectations. First, he was so proactive with looking at the weather patterns and worked with us to ensure we would get the best experience while we were there - and indeed we did. Not only did it work out to have the clear skies but we also left with strong knowledge of our solar system and all that lives within it. The guide shared extensive knowledge of the indigenous people of this land, which made the experience even more special. The culture, the science, and the attention to details to ensure we had the best experience made this a highlight of our trip. Our kids 21 and 19 also loved it. Oh, and did I mention how amazing the photos are? We loved it all! Thank you, Simon.
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Posted On : 2024-06-27 04:12:26 
Posted By : elleseas17
We went out for a night of stargazing and astrophotography with Simon. It was a brilliant night. We were lucky with the weather and had a clear, cloudless sky. Simon taught us a lot about the stars and solar system and how indigenous cultures in the region advance our ideas, and how to find what I needed to improve my astrophotography. He made it easy and fun, and the images he took of us are gorgeous. Also, he provides excellent hot chocolate and an additional warm coat for when the temperature drops. I couldn’t recommend this enough. It was fun and informative.
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Posted On : 2024-06-22 01:11:29
Posted By : jemyap
Who would have thought that a Solo Star gazing tour would have a huge impact in my life. 😌
2 1/2 years ago I decided to do a solo trip to the South Island as part of my Healing Journey and Grief Therapy. I was blessed to meet a couple who made me inspired, amazed and humbled. I met Simon and Emma . ♥️
Simon didn’t just talk about the stars,the milky way ,the galaxy. He made me understand and love it so much that i look at the stars and night sky differently now. Its his knowledge,passion ,heart ,kindness and sincerity that made it an “experience” instead of merely a tour. I still remember the feeling of seeing The Milky Way for the first time after my eyes have adjusted to the darkness in 12 Mile Delta. I still remember how i was amazed by the respect and love Simon showed when he asked permission in front of that lake and it felt like nature answered. I treasured Every moment of that trip .
“Let’s find Hope in Sparkles” - when Emma mentioned this during our conversation in instagram , i knew in my heart that i’ll be meeting someone who is heaven sent to be part of my Healing Journey.
I wanted to do a Normal Review but it wouldn’t feel sincere if i don’t share the main reason why i did the Stargazing trip in the first place.
If you love the stars, the galaxy,the milky way ,nature or just wanna learn more and experience its magic then you have the best couple to do the trip with.
If you were like me who just wanted to feel a loved ones hug by looking at the stars and the night sky .Believing they are up there looking after us … give this trip a go. 😌
I hope you will find Hope in Sparkles ,just like i did. ✨
Thank you Simon and Emma. 🥹
Gratitude is an Understatement. ✨♥️
Much Love always,
Jemjem
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Posted On : 2024-04-24 19:08:43
Posted By : Charlotta_D
The guide was wonderful and knowledgeable. Telling us about the Mauri history with the stars . Highly recommended and appreciated
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Posted On : 2024-03-08 17:05:10 
Posted By : MaddieM89
It exceeded expectations by miles, we were so impressed, even my dad and brother who weren’t so interested before we left were completely absorbed in the experience before we left. It was the highlight of our Queenstown trip. Simon really made it interesting blending culture and science. Can’t wait to do other experiences like this is the future.
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Posted On : 2024-02-09 19:25:30
Posted By : Sara_R
One of best experiences we had during New Zealand Trip. Simon is very professional and passionate about what he does. We learned so much about how to navigate the southern dark sky, saw too many incredible stars, images, also Māori culture. The Milky Way is absolutely stunning, the nightscape portrait is unmatched, we will value this experience, the photos are amazing, unbelievable! Thank you so much for this extraordinary tour! Highly recommend!
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Posted On : 2024-01-03 06:29:20
Posted By : reja2023
The best private star gazing trip! It was amazing and the photos were amazing too! We learned a lot from it.
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Posted On : 2023-12-26 17:34:53
Posted By : lapetitelucette
I booked this experience with Simon on a whim for me and my friend because I've always been fascinated by the night sky.
The communication was great from the word go. Simon picked us up from our hotel and drove us to what he considered to be the best location for the experience on the night. We had such fun listening to Simon who was clearly very passionate about the night sky and explaining every single object we were interested in.
We were very lucky as our trip was at the tail end of the Geminid meteor showers so we were treated to 5 shooting stars. We also had a very clear view of the Milky Way, Carina and Orion, complete with a reddish auroral glow.
Simon took some photos of us which he promptly sent to us the very next day and we were super delighted by them!
It's one of the best things we've chosen to do in New Zealand. Click that 'book' button now!
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Posted On : 2023-12-19 03:42:03
Posted By : radbevan
This was a great tour, Simon made it such a memorable experience tailored to us, a couple wanting something a bit different. Simon really thought about our needs even to the fact that he brought a small chair up the mountain because I had recently broken my ankle and he made sure I was comfortable throughout the evening.
Simon is a true gentleman and has a passion for astronomy, photography and the Maori culture. He has his own telescope which he used to show us the stars and plants as he explained about them linking to the beliefs of the Maori people. It is such an interesting and unique experience whilst in New Zealand.
Simon also taught me about how to photograph the night sky using my own camera and spent time explaining exposure factors and allowing me to practice to produce my own photographs.
He then took some professional photos of us with the magical night sky as the backdrop, which we can download as a reminder of the fantastic evening.
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Posted On : 2023-12-13 06:28:00
Posted By : Paul B
Simon picked us up at our B&B on time and drove us a few miles out of town and up a mountain. We had a great evening. Simon is very knowledgeable and more than willing to answer any questions. My wife had recently broken her ankle and was concerned whether she could make it up the mountain, Simon helped her and brought a chair for her. And supplied quilted coats for the cold.
The hot chocolate and was also a lovely touch.
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Posted On : 2023-12-13 05:52:31
