Private Stargazing & Night Portraiture in Tāhuna Queenstown
An exclusive, unhurried night under dark southern skies for discerning travelers, solo adventurers, and small groups.
We travel away from the town lights in our classic Land Rover Defender for a dedicated two-hour exploration of the cosmos. Guided by an astrophysicist, you’ll explore stars, planets, and deep-sky nebulae through professional optics, alongside authentic insights into Tātai Arorangi (Māori astronomy).
Seamlessly woven throughout your night is a dedicated astrophotography session, delivering striking, natural portraits of you beneath the Southern Cross.
Completely private to you—never shared, never rushed.
“I took my 75yr old parents on this trip as their Christmas present, and was not disappointed. They had done other Stargazing trips, but were buzzing at the end of this one. Simon was the perfect host - engaging, and full of knowledge of not only the stars, the astrophysics, but also Te Ao Māori.”
Professional Night Portraiture Included
Beyond capturing the deep sky through our telescopes, we capture you within it. Using specialized low-light photography techniques, Simon creates natural, beautifully lit wide-field portraits of you set against the Milky Way, the Magellanic Clouds, or the glow of the Aurora Australis.
Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, or with family, there is no need to fumble with phone screens or complex camera settings in the dark. We take care of every detail, delivering a curated gallery of high-resolution, professionally edited images the very next day-a permanent, high-end keepsake of your time beneath Aotearoa’s darkest skies.
Specialized Astronomy Equipment
We bring the deep night sky closer using a curated selection of professional optical and digital tools:
Unistellar eVscope Telescope: Our primary deep-sky instrument for private tours. It stacks light in real time, revealing vibrant colors and intricate details of nebulae, distant galaxies, and star clusters directly on connected devices.
Astronomical Binoculars & Laser Guidance: High-powered binoculars allow you to take in wide views of the Magellanic Clouds and star clusters, whilst laser pointers make identifying constellations and navigation effortless.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope: Available for bespoke dark-sky accommodation tours and extended experiences. This precision optical telescope provides classic, high-magnification eyepiece views of the moon, planets, and bright deep-space objects.
Flagship Mirrorless Astrophotography Kit: We shoot with state-of-the-art Nikon full-frame bodies and ultra-wide f/2.8 optics (including the Nikon Z8 and Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S), ensuring exceptional low-light clarity, rich color fidelity, and razor-sharp wide-field portraits under the stars.
Our setup remains fluid based on your viewing location and interest, ensuring you spend maximum time exploring the universe rather than waiting on equipment setup.
“It never felt like a ‘tour’; it felt intimate, personal and really special. To top it all off, Simon captured the most beautiful photos for us that we’ll treasure for a lifetime. As an added bonus, we were lucky enough to see the Southern Lights, which made the night feel even more surreal and unforgettable.”
“Simon was so knowledgeable and passionate, and he made the whole experience feel really special. ... We also loved learning more about the stars, astronomy, and Māori culture throughout the tour. It honestly opened up our interest in astronomy so much more.”
Ngā Kurakura o Hinenuitepō | Aurora Australis
Ngā Kurakura o Hinenuitepō, otherwise known as the Southern Lights, periodically visit the skies above the Southern Lakes. Their intensity ranges from a subtle glow along the southern horizon to sweeping magentas high in the night sky.
While space weather forecasts offer general guidance, true auroral activity fluctuates rapidly. We monitor live satellite data and solar wind updates throughout the evening. If geomagnetic activity surges during your Starry Night Adventure, we adapt our route to clear southern viewpoints across our DOC concessions to capture portraits of you beneath the display.
Want to understand how we track space weather, why our lights skew magenta, and how camera sensors reveal what the eye first sees as soft light?
Flexible &
personalised experience
Tours are tailored to you and the night’s unique conditions. Whether you wish to spend extra time at the telescope, focus on deep-sky astrophotography, or extend your adventure, we adapt the pace to your group.
Moon Phases & Sky Conditions
The phase of the moon acts like a natural dimmer switch for the night sky:
Full Moon & Bright Nights: The moon softly illuminates the surrounding mountains and Lake Wakatipu, creating dramatic landscape portraits whilst making it easy to navigate outdoors. Bright planets and sharp lunar details take center stage through our telescopes.
New Moon & Dark Skies: Faint stars, distant galaxies, and the intricate lanes of the Milky Way emerge in full contrast against a pitch-black canvas.
Our specialized optical equipment allows us to explore deep-space objects regardless of the moon phase. Every night offers a distinct perspective rather than a better or worse one.
Weather Assurance
Clear skies are essential for stargazing. We monitor local satellite forecasts continuously throughout the day. If cloud cover or poor weather interferes on your chosen night, we prioritize rescheduling your tour to another evening during your stay. If conditions do not allow us to go out and rescheduling isn't possible, you will receive a hassle-free, full refund.
“Best experience of our lives! ... His warmth and welcoming nature as well as stories he told made the experience unforgettable. Not to mention the best photos I have ever seen delivered the next day. A telescope, binoculars, warm coats and hot chocolate and cookies are also provided. Simon thinks of everything and makes you feel so special as well as so connected to the land you are standing on.”
“Simon is a very observant, attentive and patient guide explaining how the cosmos intertwined with [Māori] culture. Simon was able to cater to the itinerary as some of my family members were not able to stand the cold for so long. ... We were super lucky to catch the Aurora Australis during our tour and Simon captured the best photos for us during the trip. A high quality tour, away from the big tour groups. Highly recommended!”
Queenstown Starry
Night Adventure
Queenstown’s premier private stargazing & astro-portrait guided tour
At a glance
100% Private Charter: Exclusive to your group (1 to 4 guests). Never shared with other travelers.
Professional Night Portraiture: Wide-field portraits and deep-space telescope images included with next-day gallery delivery.
Expert Local Guide: Led by an astrophysicist and local practitioner of Tātai Aroraki me te taiao.
Door-to-Door Transport: Private return travel in our 2015 Land Rover Defender from your Queenstown accommodation.
Advanced Astronomy Equipment: Unistellar eVscope, high-powered binoculars, laser guidance, and optical telescopes.
Warmth & Local Hospitality: Premium adult outerwear jackets, hot chocolate, and local treats provided.
Pricing & Logistics
NZD $799 per private tour
(Flat private charter rate for 1 to 4 guests - ideal for solo travelers, couples, or small groups.)
Group Size: Up to 4 guests. For groups of 5 or more, please email us directly so we can tailor the experience to your party.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours (plus transport time)
Location: Carefully selected, quiet public spots and DOC estate locations across the Wakatipu Basin
Weather Policy: Clear skies are required for stargazing. If conditions prevent a clear viewing, we will work with you to reschedule or offer a full refund.
Seasonal Start Times & Booking Information
Start times vary throughout the year to align with true darkness in the Southern Lakes:
January & February: 10:30pm
March: 9:30pm
April: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
May, June, July & August: 6:30pm – 7:00pm
September: 7:30pm
October: 9:00pm
November & December: 9:30pm – 10:30pm
Safety and comfort
Your journey takes place aboard our classic 2015 Land Rover Defender, combining rugged backcountry capability with refined comfort. Our vehicle is fully safety-audited, commercially insured, and maintained to the highest
transport standards.
Standing under Aotearoa's mountain skies can get crisp, and during cooler months we often walk across soft snow or uneven alpine terrain to reach our viewing spots. When we meet you at pickup, we simply check in regarding your stability and comfort on your feet so we can tailor the exact location and walking distance to suit your party perfectly.
To keep you cozy, we provide heavy-duty adult outer jackets, extra warm layers, and fresh hot chocolate paired with local sweet treats throughout the evening. Every location across our DOC concessions and secluded Basin spots is carefully evaluated for safety and atmospheric clarity.
What you’ll take home
The AuthenticAs Starry Night Adventure is designed to linger far beyond the night itself. Following your experience, you will receive:
High-Resolution Wide-Field Portraits: Professionally captured and edited photographs of you and your companions set against the Milky Way, Magellanic Clouds, or Aurora Australis.
Deep-Space & Planetary Imagery: Crisp digital photographs of the distant nebulae, star clusters, and planets captured through our telescopes during your tour.
Online Private Gallery: Next-day delivery of your full digital photo collection, ready for high-resolution downloading, sharing, or printing.
Fine Art Printing Options: Direct access to order gallery-quality fine art prints of your night portraits or deep-sky captures to hang in your home.
Unhurried Memories: A rich, personal understanding of Aotearoa's night sky, bridging scientific astrophysics with Tātai Arorani.
An unforgettable night photographing one of the strongest auroral displays I've witnessed at 45° South. From the science of solar wind predictions to the cultural knowledge woven into our night sky, this is the story of Kā Kurakura o Hinenuitepo dancing above Whakatipu Wai Māori—and why protecting our access to darkness matters now more than ever.