Tekapo Star Gazing Tour - Soak in the Stars
Overview
Soak in the Stars is Tekapo Springs' signature 90-minute experience — the only guided hot pools and stargazing tour in New Zealand. Set within the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, expert guides use high-powered telescopes to reveal planets, galaxies and southern stars, weaving in astronomy and Māori star stories (if clouds roll in, guides switch to an immersive VR journey through the Tekapo night sky, with stunning 360° imagery and interactive visuals exploring constellations and galaxies beyond what a telescope alone can show). Guests then soak in an exclusive hot pool at 37.5–38.5°C, drifting on hammocks under the stars while guides keep sharing stories poolside. Runs in all weather; children under 10 not permitted.
What's Included
- Exclusive use of the hot pools at night in a group of no more than 32
- Pick up/drop off from Lake Tekapo Township (subject to availability and upon request only)
- A warm woolen blanket to use whilst outside exploring the universe.
- A floating hammock to use whilst floating in the hot pools
- Professionally guided tour of the largest dark sky reserve.
- Food and non-alcoholic drinks (some hot drinks provided on the tour)
- Alcoholic drinks (cannot be brought to the premises)
- Swimwear, robes and towels available to borrow
Meeting and Pickup
300 Lakeside Drive
Lake Tekapo 7945, New Zealand
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
What To Expect
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Tekapo Star Gazing
1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age to join the tour is 10 years old.
- Dress accordingly to the weather conditions. A warm blanket will be provided but temperatures can be very low in our alpine environment.
- Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required due to limited availability
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather (snow, extreme ice, lightning storms), you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund. Tours go ahead regardless if some or none of the night sky is visible. If the sky is not visible an informative indoor tour takes place to highlight the significance of the Aoraki MacKenzie Dark Sky Reserve and local Maori understanding of the night sky. Regardless of the weather, the relaxing hot pools as the second half will still go ahead.
- Limited Telescope Viewing, if weather conditions result in less than 30 minutes of telescope viewing, a 25% refund of the ticket price will be granted. The refund adjustment will be processed and sent to [BRAND] within 48 hours of the tour. The remainder of the guided stargazing experience will continue indoors using Virtual Reality. The hot pool portion of the tour will continue as normal, with a guide poolside.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 34 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (7)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Tekapo Star Gazing Tour – Soak in the Stars?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-50255P3
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.61 out of 5 stars based on 101 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
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- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (NZDT).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Exclusive use of the hot pools at night in a group of no more than 32.
- Pick up/drop off from Lake Tekapo Township (subject to availability and upon request only).
- A warm woolen blanket to use whilst outside exploring the universe.
- A floating hammock to use whilst floating in the hot pools.
- Professionally guided tour of the largest dark sky reserve.
- Food and non-alcoholic drinks (some hot drinks provided on the tour).
- Alcoholic drinks (cannot be brought to the premises).
- Swimwear, robes and towels available to borrow.
The minimum age to participate is 10. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Tekapo Star Gazing Tour - Soak in the Stars is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Tekapo Star Gazing Tour – Soak in the Stars will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Exclusive use of the hot pools at night in a group of no more than 32
- Pick up/drop off from Lake Tekapo Township (subject to availability and upon request only)
- A warm woolen blanket to use whilst outside exploring the universe.
- A floating hammock to use whilst floating in the hot pools
- Professionally guided tour of the largest dark sky reserve.
- Food and non-alcoholic drinks (some hot drinks provided on the tour)
- Alcoholic drinks (cannot be brought to the premises)
- Swimwear, robes and towels available to borrow
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age to join the tour is 10 years old.
- Dress accordingly to the weather conditions. A warm blanket will be provided but temperatures can be very low in our alpine environment.
- Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking if wheelchair assistance is required due to limited availability
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather (snow, extreme ice, lightning storms), you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund. Tours go ahead regardless if some or none of the night sky is visible. If the sky is not visible an informative indoor tour takes place to highlight the significance of the Aoraki MacKenzie Dark Sky Reserve and local Maori understanding of the night sky. Regardless of the weather, the relaxing hot pools as the second half will still go ahead.
- Limited Telescope Viewing, if weather conditions result in less than 30 minutes of telescope viewing, a 25% refund of the ticket price will be granted. The refund adjustment will be processed and sent to Viator within 48 hours of the tour. The remainder of the guided stargazing experience will continue indoors using Virtual Reality. The hot pool portion of the tour will continue as normal, with a guide poolside.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 34 travelers
