Earth & Sky

Guides will inspire you with facts about neighbouring stars, galaxies, star clusters, and planets. Let us help you explore the boundaries of space at Mt John Observatory.

Qualmark - 100% Pure Assurance

Whether you're looking for places to stay, things to do or ways to getting around, the Qualmark provides the quality assurance you need. Qualmark assured businesses can be found across New Zealand.

When you see the Qualmark it means that those businesses have been independently assessed against a set of national quality standards. It identifies professional and trustworthy businesses so you can book and buy with confidence.

Great Places to Stay

Whether you're looking for a luxury hotel, a family motel, a budget backpacker, a homely bed & breakfast, a holiday home or a spacious holiday park, the Qualmark identifies quality assured accommodation suitable for any type of traveller.

Accommodation providers have undergone a rigorous assessment and licensing process to become part of the Qualmark licensing system. They will meet your essential requirements of cleanliness, safety, security and comfort; and offer a range and quality of services appropriate to their star grade.

Accommodation providers are also assessed on environment performance.

The star grading and classification system applies to accommodation. The Qualmark gives you details on both the accommodation category and their star grading. When you see a Qualmark Enviro Award logo it identifies their level of environmental performance.

Things to Do & Ways to Get Around

If you're looking for things to do and ways to get around, Qualmark endorsed visitor services, transport and visitor activities are the smartest choice, from abseiling to yachting, art galleries to wilderness walks, to tour buses.

Businesses that carry the Qualmark have met quality standards in safety, facilities, equipment, customer service and more. You can count on them to deliver a quality experience. Qualmarked businesses are also assessed on environmental performance. Look for the Qualmark Enviro Award logo for top performers in this area.

Qualmark Enviro Awards

All tourism businesses with a Qualmark logo have been assessed on their environmental performance; meaning that they have met a set of benchmark criteria and actions. These include the completion of environmental review and action plans, recycling options, and other initiatives.

The Qualmark Enviro Awards recognise those businesses that go beyond the benchmark. By demonstrating a commitment to being the best possible advocate within the community and continuing to minimise their environmental impact and resource usage; they earn the right to display and use an Enviro Gold, Silver or Bronze logo.

For you, recognising top performing Qualmark Enviro businesses is easy. Look for the Enviro Award logos on online listings and in other promotional material such as guide books and brochures. This is part of New Zealand tourism's commitment to looking after New Zealand for future generations to continue to enjoy.

Find out more about Qualmark on www.qualmark.co.nz

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Contact us by

  • Phone +64 3 680 6960
Astrophotography
Southern Cross
Beautiful evening colours on our Twilight Tour
Enthusiastic group learning about our mysterious Universe
Inside the Moa Telescope
Milky Way above the MOA
Day Tours
Great setting for an Observatory Tour
Astronomy is for all!
Astro Cafe
Stunning Views inside and outside!!

About

Mt John is regarded internationally as the most beautiful, easily accessible Observatory in the World, just 15 minutes from Lake Tekapo

Experience the darkest night skies.

By day, view nature, vast landscapes, mountain ranges & turquoise water of Lake Tekapo. Tekapo is a three hour drive from the nearest city of Christchurch.

Earth & Sky operate guided tours at night (and day) to Mt John, where the general public can experience ‘Lake Tekapo’s sanctuary for the stars’ view the transformation as Earth farewell’s daylight and welcomes in the stunning southern night sky.

Tours run every day and night excluding Christmas Day, tours are suitable for all ages and special tours can be arranged for educational groups or touring groups.

Opening times

  • Business hours: Summer 9am - 12am (1 November - 31 March). Winter 9am - 10pm (1 April - 31 October)
  • Months of operation: All months of the year

Facilities and Features

  • Proximity to airport: 15 minutes from Lake Tekapo Airport
  • Proximity to coach terminal: Earth&Sky Office is located on the main street; Mt John Observatory is located 15 minutes from Lake Tekapo Township.
  • Proximity to town: Earth&Sky Office is located on the main street; Mt John Observatory is located 15 minutes from Lake Tekapo Township.

Physical address

Earth & Sky, State Highway 8, Main Street, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch - Canterbury, 7945, New Zealand.

Pricing and Conditions

Adult $50.00 - $105.00
  • Further pricing information: Earth & Sky Terms and Conditions Full payment of your tour is required at time of booking. Earth & Sky asks you to consider this statement prior to payment. Earth & Sky wishes to advise it is unable to guarantee full clarity of the night sky.   Periodically our Mt John Astronomy Tours may be subject to partial or full cloud cover  for some or possibly all of the tour.  In any event we will, however, continue the tour  using the night sky which is visible; we may also make use of a multi­media presentation  and observatory facilities (where access is possible). • Please be aware your tour is not subject to refunds or discounts (Refer to Cancellation Policy below). • If you have any questions regarding the tour format and/or weather please ask  our office staff prior to tour departure. • On payment, these terms and conditions have been accepted by you.   The  Cancellation Policy below will apply.  

Language support

  Written Spoken
Japanese Yes Yes
Portuguese Yes Yes
Spanish Yes Yes
Chinese (Simplified) Yes Yes

Contact us by

  • Phone +64 3 680 6960
  • Fax +64 3 680 6950

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