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Mt. John Observatory Tour

2-Hour

Tour Details

Join us on our famous observatory tour on Mt John. Spend the evening discovering what the southern sky has to offer, and experience the thrill of looking deep into the cosmos with our powerful telescopes. When the stars are hidden from view, take a journey with us behind closed doors and get a glimpse of what a life is like as an astronomer. See a range of research equipment that is out of bounds to the general public, and learn all about the different research that goes on at Mt John.

On a clear night we will introduce you to the objects and constellations visible in the sky to the naked eye, then move on to looking through several of Earth & Sky's telescopes. These are portable yet powerful, and we set them up outside under the stars each night. Bring up your DSLR camera and our astrophotographers may be able to capture the night sky for you.

What if it's cloudy? Is it cancelled?

If it is cloudy we are privileged to have the opportunity to visit the southern most optical research facility in the world. The University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory is usually not accessible to anyone other than the astronomers, who are carrying out ground breaking research each night.

On cloudy nights, the stars are hidden from view and so the astronomers take a well deserved break – allowing our knowledgeable astronomy guides to showcase the cutting edge research facility

Tours will be cancelled if there are high winds, rain, ice or snow.

For our full terms and conditions, click here.

Special Notes

  • "US Antarctic Expedition" jackets that really went to Antarctica
  • Solar-charged LED flashlight, for you to keep at the end of the tour
  • Hot chocolate to warm up your hands
  • Minimum age of the tour is 8 years old

Trip Plan

Tour Length: 2 hours

Minimum Number: From 1 person. If you would like to book a group charter, please contact us for a quote.

Itinerary:

Please contact us for available time

*NOTE: Due to changing sunset times throughout the year, we will confirm your departure time one week prior to your tour

What to Bring: For the most enjoyable experience, we recommend that you bring:

  • Shoes
  • Long sleeve recommended for summer
  • Jackets and gloves for winter

Tour Cost

$185.00 NZD / person
$104.00 NZD / Children

Tour Cost

The Navi Team works hard to bring you the best pricing anywhere! Let us know if you can find better pricing.

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 NZD / person
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Mt. John Observatory Tour

Contact Details

Tour Enquiry

When you enquire about a tour, we will contact you to verify and finalize your booking details, and then email you an invoice to pay by credit card, or by Paypal.

Important: your booking is not reserved until payment is made. Please do that as early as possible to guarantee your place.

Please Book Tour Now if the tour date is important to your plans.

Payment Details

When your tour is booked, we will finalize details, and then email you an invoice to pay by credit card, or by Paypal.

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When this tour is booked, you will be taken to our payment page to finalize your reservation.

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Adults
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Children
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CC Fees
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Tour Application Terms & Conditions

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Special Note for this Tour

All terms & conditions below apply as normal, with these differences;

Booking

  • A minimum of 2 adults must be attending the tour for the tour to take place.
  • Application for a tour must be made by phone, fax or e-mail no later than 5:00 PM of the day before the tour.
  • Your application may not be accepted if the tour is full, prior to your booking.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

  • Cancellation of tours is free if carried out by 5:00 PM, two working days before the tour.
  • Cancellation of tours carried out by 5:00 PM one working day before the tour will cost 50% of the price of the tour.
  • Cancellation of tours after 5:00 PM one working day before the tour will cost the full price of the tour.
  • Cancellation of fishing tours will cost 20% of the tour cost after you have sent in your form as the boat will be chartered.
  • Cancellation of Hobbiton movie set tours will cost NZ$35.00 per person as a cancellation of lunch fee if cancelled after 5:00 pm four working days before the tour.
  • Cancellation of Hobbiton evening banquet tours will cost the full price of the tour if cancelled after 5:00 pm eight working days before the tour.
  • If you won't show up at the pick-up time even after 15 mins of the time, we have to start the tours without you.

Tour Costs

  • If there are two adults attending the tour, the cost of the tour written is the cost for one person.
  • If there are two adults attending the tour, children ( aged 5~11 ) will cost half of what is written.

Warning

  • Please understand that changes of schedule, cost and tours may occur with no notice.
  • Photos are only images.