Stargazing Tour at Cardrona Alpine Resort

Highlights 

• Cardrona is the closet place to go stargazing from Queenstown & Wanaka 
• Cardona is great for stargazing as there is minimal light pollution 
• Use of the top of the line portable telescope 
• Enjoy a late shared evening hot meal 

Description

Join Cardrona Alpine Resort this summer for a unique stargazing experience. The Cardrona Valley is located in the heart of the Southern Alps, providing it with some of the best conditions possible for stargazing. The area has dark sky with very little light pollution and also offers a great vantage point to view the Southern Sky, with the chance to even see the Southern Lights!

The tour is split into two parts. First your guide will take you on an astronomy tour with the naked eye only. Your guide will discuss the night sky, covering the Southern Sky, constellations, planets movement, celestial navigation and what can be seen without a telescope.

During the second part you will use the top of the line telescopes to see (when visible): star clusters & nebulae, the Highlands, Maria & craters of our Moon, the moons of Jupiter, rings of Saturn, binary stars and other galaxies.

Trip Includes

• 1.5 hour Stargazing tour
• Canadian goose jacket & snow boots provided 
• Hot drinks such as hot chocolate provided 
• Knowledgable and friendly tour guides
• Use of telescopes and the naked eye
• Enjoy a late shared evening hot meal 
• Dome tent shelter 
• Free transport from Wanaka or bottom of Cardrona mountain road

Duration

• Allow 2 hours

Departures

• Transfers from Bascamp Wanaka, 50 Cardrona Valley Road depart at 7.15 pm (June-Sept) and 8:15 pm (Sept-Oct)
• If self driving from Queenstown, shuttle service available from bottom of Cardrona mountain road
• Operates daily all year

Other Information

• It is cold on the mountain at night, so bring plenty of layers - you are provided with warm Canada goose down jackets & snow boots
• Stargazing is not recommended for small children
• Recommended age 12 years and above
• Charter transfers available from Wanaka town or the Cardrona Hotel on request
• Maximum of 9 people per tour 
• There is one tour per night & tour times will vary based on light
• Stargazing is subject to weather conditions. A call will be made by 5 pm each day & you will be informed if the tour is not running as scheduled
• Interested in skiing or snowboarding? Cardrona packages available for First Timer, Refresher and Advanced level
• Check out summer activities at Cardrona: downhill mountain biking here & mountain carting here