Mount John Observatory

Mt John, a hill overlooking Lake Tekapo, is the site for anobservatory, operated by the University of Canterbury. Mt John was selected as the best site in New Zealand because it has a high number of clear nights, is remote from bright lights, the air is transparent and steady and it is close to roading and electricity. Mt John Observatory, Tekapo is one of the best places in the world for star gazing.
Mt John is now open to the public and it is possible to walk or drive to the top to get magnificent views. A walking route through the trees starts at the lakeside beyond the camping ground next to the ice rink. It is a stiff climb and will take over an hour one way depending on your level of fitness,
A Tekapo based company, Earth & Sky, operates day tours of the observatory as well as nightly star gazing tours.

Dark Sky Reserve: The Aoraki-Mackenzie Dark-Sky Reserve has been officially approved by a global astronomical body.The reserve, which includes Canterbury University's Mt John Observatory above Lake Tekapo, Twizel and Aoraki-Mt Cook village, is only the fourth in the world and the second in the Southern Hemisphere.

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