Mount Cook is far from the city lights and therefore has some of the darkest skies in New Zealand - perfect for viewing the night sky!
In June 2012 the Aoraki Mackenzie region, encompassing Mount Cook Village, was approved as one of only a few International Dark Sky Reserves (IDSR) worldwide, meaning the darkness of our night skies is almost unbeatable!

Begin with an introduction and orientation in our Digital Dome Planetarium highlighting the unique features of our southern night sky.
Our informative astronomy guides then take you on a short drive (transport provided) to our outdoor stargazing site. Use telescopes, astronomy binoculars and the naked eye to put your newly acquired knowledge into practice, identifying and exploring different elements of the spectacular southern sky.

Local

Eat and Drink

• The White Pub Cafe & Bar - Fox Glacier (18.9 miles) - The White Pub Café and Bar is open for lunch from 11.30am in the summer only and evening dining fro...
• Matheson Café Fox Glacier - Fox Glacier (20.6 miles) - Enjoy world-class views of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman whilst dining at our contemporary style café at th...
• SNAKE BITE BREWERY - FRANZ JOSEF (24.2 miles) - The emphasis on the food at Snake Bite Brewery is on simplicity and freshness, with contrasting flav...
• Canavans Restaurant - Franz Josef Glacier (24.3 miles) - Canavans Restaurant located within Scenic Hotel Franz Josef, provides hearty West Coast food, with l...
• Canopy Restaurant - Franz Josef Glacier (24.4 miles) - You will enjoy dining among the trees in ‘The Canopy’ restaurant, savouring quality local cuisin...

See and Do

• Big Sky Stargazing Mt Cook (0.0 miles) - Mount Cook is far from the city lights and therefore has some of the darkest skies in New Zealand - ...
• Glacier Explorer Mt Cook (0.1 miles) - The only tour of its kind in New Zealand and one of the only accessible glacial lakes containing ice...
• Mt Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters State Highway 80 (0.5 miles) - Mount Cook Ski Planes and Helicopters are a New Zealand icon and industry leader in alpine scenic fl...
• Mt Cook Glacier Guiding Aroaki/Mt Cook (3.1 miles) - Combine the excitement of walking on a remote part of New Zealand's biggest glacier with the thr...
• Mt Cook Glacier Guiding Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (3.1 miles) - Explore the alpine wonders of Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park and the Tasman Glacier. Combine the exci...

Shopping

• The Fox Glacier Guiding Gift Shop - Fox Glacier (18.8 miles) - The team at the Fox Glacier Guiding Gift Shop just love meeting and talking with customers from all ...
• ReflectioNZ Gifts & Gallery - Fox Glacier (20.5 miles) - ReflectioNZ Gifts and Gallery near Fox Glacier showcases carefully selected, contemporary merchandis...
• ReflectioNZ Gifts & Gallery Fox Glacier - Fox Glacier (20.5 miles) - ReflectioNZ Gifts and Gallery near Fox Glacier showcases carefully selected, contemporary merchandis...