Pukaki Stargazing & Wine Cellar Observatory

Experience the world’s largest dark sky reserve from the comfort of the intimate Pukaki Wine Cellar & Observatory at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat. This exclusive stargazing experience takes place in a purpose-built observatory, equipped with a retractable roof and 6-inch refractor telescope. With a glass of wine or whisky in hand, gaze up at the clear night sky and soak in the stars and constellations unique to the southern hemisphere.

Located on the shore of the spectacular Lake Pukaki, Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat sits in the centre of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. With limited light pollution, this 4300-kilometre area is famous for its clear dark skies and unrivalled views of star clusters, planets and nebulas. At Pukaki Wine Cellar & Observatory, your private guide takes you on a tour of the southern sky, with a telescope even capable of capturing the bands of Jupiter and rings of Saturn. This intimate setting at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is perfect for small groups looking for a special experience and those interested in astrophotography.

Upon arrival at Pukaki, enjoy a glass of leading New Zealand wine or, to celebrate the Mackenzie Country’s Scottish heritage, a dram of whisky with some nibbles in the wine cellar. After being introduced to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, move into the observatory and begin your stargazing tour with opportunities to open the retractable roof and look through the telescope. Sit back and take in the splendour of the dark sky reserve, or set up your own DSLR camera to take some pictures on this unforgettable private stargazing experience.