stargazing at mt cook lakeside retreat

Stargazing

At Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat

Stargazing at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is an unparalleled opportunity to look into the universe and experience in the beauty and wonder of one of the world’s purest skies.

Among the great joys of our location is its place at the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. The Dark Sky Reserve is world-renowned for its lack of light pollution, creating a spectacular and immense night sky brimming with stars.

To celebrate this beauty and share it with our guests, we constructed the purpose-built Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory. We welcome guests to this inviting, intimate and elegant space with a glass of wine or tot of whisky from our carefully curated cellar. Then we step into the adjoining observatory, equipped with a retractable roof and telescope for the perfect exploration of the Southern stars.

Photography enthusiasts should be sure to bring your DSLR camera for some amazing astrophotography opportunities.

We offer private stargazing as an add-on experience for guests staying in our luxury villas, or as a standalone experience for visitors who are not staying in our accommodation. It’s also a magical addition to any special event or celebration.

Me mātau tau ki te whetū, i mua i te kōkiri o te haere.

Before you set forth on a journey, be sure you know the stars.

— Witi Ihimaera

Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve

Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat is situated at the heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, meaning it stands in one of the best locations in the world to view clear, dark skies and brilliant stars.

At the time it was certified in 2012, the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve was the first dark sky reserve in the Southern Hemisphere and the first anywhere to be declared with Gold Tier status. This is the highest dark sky certification that can be accorded, and is a recognition of the pristine skies of the Mackenzie Region, which are essentially completely free of light pollution.

The peaceful and beautiful experience of darkness and starlight is one that is being lost, as light pollution becomes the norm in urban and suburban areas around the world. When you stay at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, we hope you will take the time to step outside, look up, and gaze into one of the world’s purest, clearest night skies.

The Dark Sky Reserve is recognised and certified by the International Dark-Sky Association, based in Arizona, which is the international body giving accreditation for Dark Sky Reserves and Dark Sky Places worldwide.

Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory

Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory

Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory

We created our Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory to share the beauty of the Dark Sky Reserve with our guests through small, private gatherings in a comfortable, intimate setting.

The purpose-built wine cellar and observatory began from the concept of an underground space. Its thick concrete walls maintain the cool temperature needed to cellar our wines, and the sitting area allows us to share drinks and nibbles with guests while we introduce the Southern sky and the spectacular stargazing experience to come.

The observatory itself features a retractable roof and 6-inch refractor telescope. When the roof recedes, the observatory walls frame a breathtaking window to the stars. Our telescope is capable of sighting the rings of Saturn and bands of Jupiter, as well as sparkling star clusters, nebula and planets. The telescope can also be used for astrophotography, for guests with an interest in night sky photography.

Astrophotography

Astrophotography

Astrophotography

The Retreat’s setting in the heart of the Dark Sky Reserve makes it an ideal location for astrophotography.

Set up your camera under some of the clearest, darkest skies in the world, and be mesmerized by stars like many have never seen. On special nights you may also get a glimpse of the Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis.

As part of our guided stargazing experience, we are able to help you learn basic techniques for how to take your own night sky images. Or, if you prefer, simply relax and enjoy stargazing, and we will take a photograph for you. This one-of-a-kind image of your party under the beautiful New Zealand night sky is the perfect keepsake to remember your journey.

We also offer deep space astrophotography using our observatory telescope. From the very first image we shot through the telescope of the Orion Nebula, we were in awe of the beauty of this colourful object sitting quietly in the Orion Constellation 1,344 light years away. Deep space astrophotography is a unique experience, a rare opportunity to venture into the past using a simple DSLR camera. Join us in the observatory and we will show you how to photograph nebula, star clusters and planets.

For guests interested to further hone their skills, we can arrange a private astrophotography session with a professional photographer. The photographer will meet you on site for a personalised workshop to develop your astrophotography knowledge and technique.

Our Wine Cellar

Our Wine Cellar

Our Wine Cellar

We’ve worked with some of New Zealand’s leading wineries to curate a selection of superb wines to populate our wine cellar.

Of course, being in the heart of the Mackenzie Country, with its history of Scottish settlement, it would have been a tragedy if we did not also include fine whiskies in our collection – the beverage of the Scottish Highlands, which some say is the “nectar of the Gods.”

Every dark sky experience in the Pukaki Wine Cellar and Observatory begins in our wine cellar. Enjoy nibbles and a glass of wine or tot of whisky from our collection whilst being introduced to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve and the features of the Southern sky.

Having traveled the North and South Islands, staying at several accommodations, none compared to our stay at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat! The cottage was elegant in every way! The cuisine superb! The view…breathtaking! The experience…PERFECT! I couldn’t consider a better place for a wedding than on the lawn with that turquoise lake and Mt Cook in the background. Thank you for the personal tour of the southern sky in your observatory/wine cellar! WOW!!! Thank you for making our wedding so amazing.

Patrick Missouri
Patrick

We are continually innovating to bring you fresh, exciting experiences with our special events at Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat. Purchase your tickets or reserve your spot on our website, and feel free to contact us with any questions.

Matariki 9 Course Degustation Dinner

Matariki 9 Course Degustation Dinner

Date: 15 July 2023

Time: 6.30pm - 10pm

Mothers Day High Tea at Moraine Lodge

Mothers Day High Tea at Moraine Lodge

Date: Sunday 14 May 2023

Time: 11am - 1pm

Matariki Dawn Celebration and Breakfast

Matariki Dawn Celebration and Breakfast

Date: Friday 14 July 2023

Time: 6am - 8.30am

Billion Star Dining

Billion Star Dining

Date: By Arrangement

Time: By Arrangement

Trust the Chef Dinner Reservation

Trust the Chef Dinner Reservation

Date: By Arrangement

Time: By Arrangement

Stargazing at Pukaki Wine Cellar Observatory

Stargazing at Pukaki Wine Cellar Observatory

Date: By Arrangement

Time: By Arrangement

Tastes of Nature Cooking Demonstration and Lunch

Tastes of Nature Cooking Demonstration and Lunch

Date: By Arrangement

Time: By Arrangement