About Us
We are a family-operated stargazing company based in Lake Tekapo, who love to share our understanding of the night sky and everything astronomy.
We offer fully guided, in-depth experiences from New Zealand’s premier stargazing location, using powerful telescopes and multicultural storytelling
Why Astro Tekapo
Our main location is an open grassland space lined by conifers on the eastern shores of Lake Tekapo. During daytime, people love to stretch their legs or play a game of disc golf in this section of Takapō Regional Park. As soon as night falls, though, visitors will be rewarded with spectacular vistas of the night skies. Sitting within the world-famous Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the quality of the night sky is certified. Getting here from the town centre of Lake Tekapo takes only a few minutes by car, or half an hour walking.
With the unaided, naked eye we can see the mighty Milky Way, neighbouring galaxies and count thousands of stars above us in the heavens. How do you view star constellations? What is your perspective of the cosmos? We love to captivate our guests with multicultural stories from all around the world. How do master navigators use their knowledge of the night sky to explore huge expanses of the oceans – without using modern technology and hardly ever getting lost? As you will be part of a small group of maximum 10 participants, we endeavor to answer each of your many questions. But there is more, so much more, simply waiting to be discovered.
To make the invisible, visible, astronomers use handy tools called telescopes. Our primary telescope, a Celestron CPC Deluxe 925 HD, is within its class of portable telescopes, probably the best-performing one. It combines a 9.25” aperture and HD optics with a computerized mount and integrated GPS. On top of that, for optimal viewing experiences of the Moon, planets, star clusters and nebulae, we only use premium eyepieces and accessories. Our second instrument, a state-of-the-art 'smart' telescope, will allow us to look even deeper into space, revealing space clouds and distant galaxies in magnificent colours and incredibly fine detail.
Your experience is our number one core value. That is why the 90-minute tour from within the Dark Sky Reserve is not only fully guided, but also includes the use of superb telescopes and comfortable moon chairs, while fleece blankets and hot chocolate will help keep you warm. A photo of your individual party with the night sky in the background will be sent to you.
Our guests said
Posted on Google
Daniel Tan10 September 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
really meaningful and fun experience with Sang. we learnt a lot about stars, galaxies and nebulae and Sang was super patient and knowledgeable, very willing to share with us his insights and knowledge about astronomy and stargazing. we would highly recommend!+3Posted on Google
BL Millan7 September 2026We had a fantastic time with Sang. The weather was perfect, and we were able to see a lot of nebulas, stars and constellations. A humbling and informative experience! The hot chocolate and cozy seats were a plus and we had photos taken too. Small groups so it feels unrushed. Highly recommended!+2Posted on Google
Eva Dhaugoda7 September 2026A little stargazing, a LOT of jaw-dropping with Sang⭐️🌟🌠 We had such a wonderful experience. It genuinely felt like we had booked a private session, as we were the only group there! We learned so much about the stars, including how to navigate our way through the night sky and find our bearings using the stars when needed. One of the coolest things we learned was how to use the Southern Cross to trace and locate the Southern celestial stars. We also got to explore different nebulae, star formations, and so many fascinating little details of the night sky that I would have otherwise never noticed. And Sang was SOOOO lovely throughout the entire experience. He is knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely passionate about what he was sharing with us. Overall, it was such a holistic and memorable experience. If you're even remotely curious about the night sky, highly, highly recommend! 🔭✨Posted on Google
Kerri Ann Dowling5 September 2026An incredible experience from start to finish! Our tour guide Sang was very helpful and took the time to answer any questions we had throughout! Hot chocolate and fleece blankets were a great addition and the telescopes showed amazing views. I would highly recommend booking with Astro Tekapo for a high quality experience while you’re in Tekapo! 🌠Posted on Google
Hwee Lin Cheng15 August 2026Immensely grateful to Sang for pushing in the tour despite mixed weather and me being the only participant! The weather cleared up at the beginning of the tour and we had a good time looking at the stars. He explained what stars we can see visibly that night, how to recognize and the origins of them. Incredibly insightful! He has 2 modern telescopes, 1 of which with astrophotography function. And professional DSLR for your photo with the sky. He sent the pictures in email the very next morning! Amazing how fast he works 👍 I would go with Sang again when I’m back in Tekapo!+3Posted on Google
Giorgia Di tolla14 August 2026The experience was truly amazing, and our guide was very kind and welcoming. We had a great time! I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who prefers a cozy, intimate atmosphere rather than an overcrowded and overly touristy experience.+0Posted on Google
Dawn Tang10 August 2026My family and I love the stargazing experience. Sang is very passionate and knowledgeable about the sky. He answered all our questions with his heart. He is also very thoughtful and prepared everything like the chairs, blankets and hot cocoa. There are 2 telescopes and we could take turn looking at them and got mesmerized by how beautiful the stars were. And the best part, Sang will take a group photo of us under the Milky Way. Best souvenir ever!!!! I did another stargazing tour before and I enjoyed this one by Astro Tekapo much more as it is a smaller group and I could tell Sang really enjoys doing what he is doing. Highly recommend to everyone who visits lake tekapo for the experience.+4Posted on Google
Yi Xun Choy4 August 2026We booked with Astro Tekapo just two hours before the tour, and it ended up being an incredible experience! Huge thanks to Sang, our guide! His knowledge of astronomy and the night sky is truly outstanding. He showed us many beautiful nebulas and star clusters through his telescopes and shared fascinating insights about the significance of different stars across various cultures. On top of the amazing stargazing, the cozy blankets and hot chocolate were such a thoughtful touch that made the cold night super comfortable. Will be back next year with our families too! Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting!Posted on Google
Jennifer Narozny25 July 2026A fantastic experience and one of the highlights of our time in Tekapo! Sang was knowledgeable, engaging, and made the night sky easy to understand. Even with some clouds, we had spectacular views, and the small group made the experience feel very personal. The hot chocolate was perfect on such a cold night, and the photos he took and shared with us were an unexpected and much-appreciated touch.Posted on Google
Kevin Du15 July 2026We did our experience on a Saturday. It was a very busy Matariki public holiday long weekend at Lake Tekapo but the tour was very intimate with us (family of 4) and 2 others. Our guide Sang was very knowledgeable and approachable. He was very happy to answer any questions we have about the stars. We had very comfy seats, blankets and delicious hot chocolate. It was nice to have a small group experience where everyone had plenty of time to look through the telescope and ask lots of questions.Posted on Google
Anu Palihakkara13 July 2026Me, my husband and our 6 year old daughter had a wonderful experience stargazing a week ago. Sang was very helpful in rescheduling the day as we couldn't go ahead due to bad weather on the day we booked. Telescopes were of high quality and we were able to see amazing images during our session. Our daughter loved having hot chocolate in the snow. Overall it was a memorable experience and highly recommend for stargazing around lake tekapo.+0Posted on Google
나인재6 July 2026뉴질랜드 남섬 여행 일정 중 만족도가 정말 높은 경험 중 하나였습니다! 가이드 분께서도 너무 친절하시고 천체에 대한 설명과 함께 다양한 별들을 구경할 수 있어서 좋았어요. 도보로 가게 될 경우 구글 지도에서 추천하는 고속도로 경로는 밤길에 많이 위험할 수 있으니 선한 목자의 교회와 호숫가를 끼고 가시는 걸 추천드립니다.+2Posted on Google
Harrison Liu4 July 2026Our Astro Tekapo experience was absolutely unforgettable and one of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand. Our guide, Sang, was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about astronomy. He explained the stars, constellations, nebulae, and the night sky in such an interesting and easy-to-understand way. Even though we had no astronomy background, we learned so much and enjoyed every minute. The small group made the experience feel personal and relaxed. The telescopes were amazing, and seeing the Moon, beautiful nebulae, and countless stars under the world-famous Dark Sky Reserve was simply breathtaking. One of the best surprises was receiving our edited night-sky portrait and several bonus astrophotography images by email the next morning. That was such a thoughtful touch and gave us wonderful memories to take home. If you're visiting Lake Tekapo, I highly recommend Astro Tekapo. It is definitely worth every dollar and an experience you will never forget. Thank you again, Sang, for making our evening so special. We hope to come back again one day! Greetings from Taiwan! We will definitely recommend Astro Tekapo to our friends and family.+4Posted on Google
David W22 June 2026We were the only customers on this tour so had Sang all to ourselves. Sang proved to be very knowledgeable, patient and informative. His equipment was first class and the blankets and hot chocolate were much appreciated. We had a clear night and the viewing was out of this world. The photos of our experience are viewed often and remind us of how good this experience was. The only warning is that you are in an open space and it can get very cold so make sure you wear many layers of warm clothes.+0Posted on Google
Steffen Baumgart18 June 2026The Stargazing Experience with Sang was fantastic. He took plenty of time to answer all our questions and tailored the experience to our specific wishes. We saw so much, and the photos are a wonderful keepsake. The hot chocolate was the perfect finishing touch to the experience on a cold evening. We definitely recommend this tour!Posted on Google
Maisie Atchison-Darby15 June 2026I had the privilege of attending Sang’s tour recently. It was such an incredible experience, I was really impressed with his depth of knowledge surrounding the night sky. It was so much fun learning about the stars, and getting to view them via a telescope. Delicious hot chocolate, cosy blankets and chairs were all provided making the tour feel very welcoming and tailored. Thank you so much Sang, it’s the best star gazing tour I’ve ever been on!Posted on Google
Khor mszee11 June 2026Wonderful stargazing tour!!! Super informative & interesting tour, enjoy it so much !!Posted on Google
Eli W9 June 2026This was such an amazing experience, my partner and I couldn't be happier with the night, we learnt a lot and got to see some beautiful sights through a telescope. 10/10 experience.Posted on Google
Tamara and Nick4 June 2026Sang made our first stargazing experience truly unforgettable for our family. From the very beginning, he went above and beyond to create a magical evening. Despite rain on our original booking date, he was incredibly accommodating and made the rescheduling process smooth and stress-free. During the tour, Sang patiently guided us through the night sky, helping us view incredible sights through the telescope including Omega Centauri, the Sombrero Galaxy, the Southern Beehive Star Cluster, the Wishing Well Star Cluster, and the two Sun-like stars of Alpha Centauri. He also showed us constellations with the naked eye, making everything fascinating, engaging, and fun to understand for our children. What made the experience even more special was hearing how different cultures interpret the patterns in the stars and constellations. Sang’s passion, knowledge, and kindness created such a warm atmosphere. It was far more than a tour it was a magical experience and a memory our family will treasure for a lifetime.Posted on Google
Steve Stebbings19 May 2026Thank you very much for the photos and wonderful event last night. We had a wonderful time and learnt a lot We loved the opportunity to do stargazing with the telescopes and naked eye. You truly opened up a world and universe that was inspiring and a joy to see. The stories and knowledge shared were very helpful in understanding the history and methodology of the stars A truly extraordinary and unique experience Our guide Sang was amazing and very friendlyPosted on Google
Nics W18 May 2026We decided to join the tour very last minute but it was the best decision ever. Sang was very knowledgeable, great story teller. Though it was a one man operation but he has 2 professional telescopes, bean bags, blankets and a hot chocolate provided for us. It was a short drive to where we did the stargazing - very convenience place/ quite private. We were lucky enough to get the glimpse of a southern light that night and Sang took a great photo as a souvenir for us as well. If you are hesitate about booking this tour - DO NOT. You won’t regret it. It’s so much different from just looking up in the sky, stare at those stars or use an app by yourselves. I have done all those myself but with Sang’s tour - it was very very impressive. It’s definitely worth for your life time thing :)Posted on Google
Léo Bernazzani18 May 2026We had an amazing time, thanks to Sang who is a great guide, patient, so nice and a great storyteller, and to his telescopes which allowed us to see clearly nebulas, stars, planets... And let's not forget about the hot cocoa under the clear sky. Thanks, Sang!Posted on Google
Mandy Wu17 May 2026That was an amazing night for us. We have never seen such an incredible sky in our lifetime. And Sang was so sweet and so professional in his work, he prepared hot chocolate for every one of our team and lots of knowledge of astronomy in his work. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to join Sang’s work.+3Posted on Google
lucy pendlebury13 May 2026We had a fantastic night under the stars. Sang was our guide and he was brilliant—patient with all our questions and a great storyteller. He was very kind and let me switch to a later session last minute, which made my trip so much easier. The hot chocolate was a lovely touch, and having professional photos to take home is the perfect memento of an unforgettable night. Don't miss this!Posted on Google
María Strozzi12 May 2026Amazing experience, absolutely incredible! Sang was extremely professional and gave such an interesting and informative explanation throughout the experience. He even uses two telescopes to show and explain the stars, which makes everything even more special. It’s definitely worth it, and the price is very reasonable for the quality of the experience. If you’re in Lake Tekapo, this is a must-do!Posted on Google
Meg Harding11 May 2026Sang was a wonderful host and we really enjoyed our stargazing experience 🤩Posted on Google
Francesca Louise27 April 2026Amazing experience, we were so glad we booked! Sang was awesome! Sang also sent photos of what we saw on the telescope and a photo of us the morning after. Sky was so clear even managed to get a photo of the milk way on my old phone!Posted on Google
Kato Dens21 April 2026Our guide Sang gave us an amazing stargazing experience. In a tiny group of only four people he provided us with tuns of information about the galaxy and the billions of stars up there. Using the telescope made it even more interesting. Would highly recommend, it won’t disappoint!+0Posted on Google
Sean Stebbings18 April 2026What an absolutely incredible experience. Sang was the best guide you could hope for. A must-do if you’re visiting Tekapo!+0Posted on Google
Margarita Beale18 April 2026Was fantasticPosted on Google
Rica Wong14 April 2026My husband and I did a stargazing tour with Astro and really enjoyed it! Sang was extremely knowledgeable and shared lots of interesting stories and facts throughout the night. Loved the hot chocolate too. Thank you for this experience Sang!Posted on Google
Veronica Verghese13 April 2026A beautiful evening with Sang and the stars! I would totally recommend Astro Tepako for stargazing!Posted on Google
Robin Hansen10 April 2026Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Stargazing with Sang was super cool. The night started out cloudy, but we were able to look through the telescope and still see a lot. I really liked how he used the laser pointer to map out some of the constellations. Only gave it 4 stars because I never saw on the website that there was a later tour(?) If I had the choice when I booked I would have preferred the later option.Posted on Google
Benjamin Feather8 April 2026Thanks to Sang, I can never look at stars again the same. By chance, we had a private stargazing experience with Sang on a very cold summer night. My partner and I had limited stargazing experience before, and therefore it may be difficult at times to visualize patterns in the sky (often it is said it takes a bit of imagination). Yet, Sang very kindly set things up (including amazing telescopic equipment) to not only enable us to easily visualize the magic going on in the stars but appreciate their beauty further by explaining the stories and lore behind their origin. Thanks to this, we were able to take stargazing to another level even when we were on our own for other segments of the trip. Sang’s passion was contagious, and will highly recommend Sang to our friends visiting Tekapo.Posted on Google
임우진6 April 2026정말 엄청난 경험이었습니다. 저희의 가이드였던 Sang은 너무나도 친절하고 전문적이었습니다. 알아듣기 쉽게 좋은 딕션과 어렵지 않은 단어로 언어적 문제는 크게 없었습니다. 그가 준비해준 핫초코와 담요는 따뜻했습니다. 동행한 와이프도 너무 행복해했고 최고의 경험이라고 했습니다. 테카포에 방문한다면 강력 추천합니다Posted on Google
Ashley Chilcott1 April 2026Sang is a great tour guide with plenty of knowledge and care for his guests. We had a great time, would recommend.Posted on Google
W K28 March 2026Happy to have found Astro Tekapo for our stargazing experience! Small group (around 10 pax) with a private location (compared to the crowd, noise and light pollution at the church). Comfortable chairs, blankets and hot chocolate provided. Photos arrived in mailbox promptly next morning. Highly recommended!Posted on Google
Valeria Faccarello21 March 2026My partner and I joined Sang for a brilliant start gazing experience. We had 2 telescopes at our disposal amongst a small group of people , which allowed plenty of telescope time. Sang was very knowledgeable and organised, and which made the nightsky very accessible. He took great photos of us and the sky, which were very promptly sent to us on the following morning. Highly recommend!Posted on Google
Nicole Humbert21 March 2026Amazing moment on my trip ! Being in a small group with a passionate guide was just perfect. And the hot chocolate, the stories, the pictures we got after made it even better. Thank you !!!Posted on Google
Frank Thelosen19 March 2026Very nice stargazing experience. Sang was a very knowledgeable and clear guide. We learned a lot about stars !Posted on Google
The Mo18 March 2026Amazing experience, we were lucky enough to have clear skies, no moon shine (due to new moon) and a breathtaking sky full of stars. Sang was super friendly and answered all of our astronomy questions. The telescopes enabled us to see far into the universe - this was worth every minute and every dollar spent, we went home with amazing memories.+0Posted on Google
Rob Rutherford17 March 2026Great Astro experience. Sang provides informative knowledge on the stars and galaxies, taking you through technical and historical information with great viewing through a couple of excellent telescopes. Intimate setting with smaller group, comfy chairs, blankets and hot chocolate. We enjoyed perfect cloudless, cool weather which obviously helped a lot. Sang is a wealth of knowledge and so wiling to share and answer all questions.Posted on Google
Dominik16 March 2026The stargazing tour provided by Sang was a really amazing experience. The location at Lake Tekapo in the dark sky reserve is perfectly chosen by him - almost no light pollution and a clear view to nearly the full night sky. The sky itself was completely cloudless when we did the tour and using Sang's two telescopes we could have a look to planets, star clusters and distant nebulas. However, for us the view by eye was maybe even more amazing as you could see so many stars, the band of the milky way and even two other galaxies - impossible to do in a bigger city or more dense populated region. Beside to the "star content" Sang provided us with chairs, blankets, hot chocolate and his very wide knowledge about astronomy but also with some local cultural stories related to what we could see in the sky. Overall, it has been a wonderful experience and I could just recommend this tour to everyone who wants to have a not-overcrowded and more personal stargazing experience at Lake Tekapo!Posted on Google
Stefanie Felder16 March 2026We had a wonderful evening with Sang, who told us a lot of interesting things about our sky. We had a closer look at different stars and planets. Sang really knows a lot and could explain everything. We really enjoyed this experience.Posted on Google
Katie Goddard15 March 2026Amazing experience, Sang is an excellent guide and has top quality equipment. Two different types of telescopes, chairs, blankets and hot chocolate (dairy only) & photo with night sky includedPosted on Google
Christina Neumeister14 March 2026It was our first experience with astronomy with Sang, and one thing we can say for sure: it will remain unforgettable for us. His professional demeanor, incredibly deep knowledge, and calm manner made this experience truly special for us. We were very lucky to be part of a very exclusive tour and to discover the stars and other celestial bodies under a clear sky. The tour was perfectly rounded off with a hot chocolate and a lovely souvenir photos. Thank you so much, Sang!Posted on Google
Célia CHARRE12 March 2026Super expérience à regarder les étoiles, avec la voie lactée en prime ! Sang est pédagogue, passionné et passionnant. Je recommande !Posted on Google
Dominik Appenrodt7 March 2026What a fantastic experience at Lake Tekapo! We booked the stargazing tour at Lake Tekapo quite spontaneously and had never done anything like it before, so we were a bit unsure at first. But any doubts disappeared very quickly once the tour started. Sang is such a likeable guide. He knows an incredible amount about the night sky, constellations, and astronomy, and was able to answer all of our questions. He also shared fascinating insights into how different cultures view and interpret the night sky. What we really appreciated was how clearly and simply he explained everything, which made it easy for us to follow even though we’re not native English speakers. He has very impressive telescopes and took the time to explain how they work. We were given hot cocoa, and Sang had chairs and blankets ready so we could comfortably enjoy the night sky. We were also lucky enough to be the only two people on the tour that evening, so it felt like a private tour, which made it even more special. At the end, Sang even sent us photos from the tour, which was a wonderful way to round off the experience.Posted on Google
Brenna Mulholland7 March 2026You need to go on this tour! It is absolutely faultless and we had the best time. Thank you so much to Sang for a wonderful eveningPosted on Google
Theresia L5 March 2026We absolutely enjoyed our experience with Sang! We were really lucky as we were the only ones who had booked on a very clear night, so we got a private tour. Sang is very knowledgeable and told us many details about the nightsky. He also provided us with blankets on the rather chilly night. Would totally recommend, worth every penny, all the 5 star reviews are well earned. Thank you again, Sang, it was an absolute highlight of our trip. And thanks heaps for the photos!
Posted on Tripadvisor
Giorgia D14 August 2026Verified
Stargazing The experience was truly amazing, and our guide was very kind and welcoming. We had a great time! I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who prefers a cozy, intimate atmosphere rather than an overcrowded and overly touristy experience.Posted on Tripadvisor
Harrison4 July 2026A Truly Unforgettable Stargazing Experience! Our Astro Tekapo experience was absolutely unforgettable and one of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand. Our guide, Sang, was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about astronomy. He explained the stars, constellations, nebulae, and the night sky in such an interesting and easy-to-understand way. Even though we had no astronomy background, we learned so much and enjoyed every minute. The small group made the experience feel personal and relaxed. The telescopes were amazing, and seeing the Moon, beautiful nebulae, and countless stars under the world-famous Dark Sky Reserve was simply breathtaking. One of the best surprises was receiving our edited night-sky portrait and several bonus astrophotography images by email the next morning. That was such a thoughtful touch and gave us wonderful memories to take home. If you're visiting Lake Tekapo, I highly recommend Astro Tekapo. It is definitely worth every dollar and an experience you will never forget. Thank you again, Sang, for making our evening so special. We hope to come back again one day! Greetings from Taiwan! We will definitely recommend Astro Tekapo to our friends and family.Posted on Tripadvisor
David W22 June 2026A wonderful experience. We were the only customers on this tour so had Sang all to ourselves. Sang proved to be very knowledgeable, patient and informative. His equipment was first class and the blankets and hot chocolate were much appreciated. We had a clear night and the viewing was out of this world. The photos of our experience are viewed often and remind us of how good this experience was. The only warning is that you are in an open space and it gets very cold so make sure you wear many layers of warm clothes.Posted on Tripadvisor
José M11 June 2026Amazing My girlfriend and I had an incredible stargazing experience. The guide was outstanding—very knowledgeable, passionate, and able to explain astronomy in a way that was both interesting and easy to understand. You could really tell that he loves what he does, and that made the whole tour even more enjoyable. The views through the telescopes were absolutely amazing, and sharing the experience with other people made the night even more special. We left with unforgettable memories and would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area.Posted on Tripadvisor
Khor m11 June 2026Amazing stargazing tour Amazing stargazing tour !! Super recommended!!Posted on Tripadvisor
Ju Y6 June 2026Wonderful experience learning about the skies above! We booked the experience a day before as we were dissatisified with what we were able to see on our own :). AND Sang did not disappoint! We had a great time learning about the stars and the galaxies at the dark sky reserve. Sang, was fantastic. He is incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and engaging. He made the night both educational and magical. The entire experience was thoughtfully organized. Cozy chairs, hot chocolate and warm blankets, were provided; making the experience really comfortable and relaxing. As a final testament of his thoughfulness and efficiency, Sang also provided us with a family photo and a few photos he took of the deep skies via his incredible telescopes a day after the event! Thanks for making this night so magical for us!Posted on Tripadvisor
Nics W18 May 2026DO NOT HESITATE. Best experience ever :) We decided to join the tour very last minute but it was the best decision ever. Sang was very knowledgeable, great story teller. Though it was a one man operation but he has 2 professional telescopes, bean bags, blankets and a hot chocolate provided for us. It was a short drive to where we did the stargazing - very convenience place/ quite private. We were lucky enough to get the glimpse of a southern light that night and Sang took a great photo as a souvenir for us as well. If you are hesitate about booking this tour - DO NOT. You won’t regret it. It’s so much different from just looking up in the sky, stare at those stars or use an app by yourselves. I have done all those myself but with Sang’s tour - it was very very impressive. It’s definitely worth for your life time thing :)Posted on Tripadvisor
Kylie C12 May 2026Magical views We had a fabulous night with a beautiful star filled sky, telescopes, hot chocolate and a blanket. Our guide Sang was very helpful and informative. He was able to answer all our questions (Group of Five people). Would strongly recommend. 😊Posted on Tripadvisor
Chris5 May 2026Great guide Sky was disappointing; but Sang who leads it was lovely. Earnest, accomodating, engaged and a good storyteller. He had set up a lovely space with comfy camp chairs and warm blankets and hot tea/bev. It was presented in a space away from the town but not unduly difficult to get to. Will definitely contact him again when we are back in Tekapo.Posted on Tripadvisor
jill1 May 2026Fantastic star gazing experience Sang was full of knowledge and answered many questions. It was a great night, absorbing, learning and seeing stars and plantes while also relaxing all rugged up with cup of hot chocolate while we talked, saw and listened. Highly recommend.Posted on Tripadvisor
Gerry D22 April 2026A wonderful evening watching the stars The experience was personal, instructive and very enjoyable. Sang’s knowledge of the night sky is extraordinary and he was able to bring it down to our fairly basic level. The sky was clear, the air crisp. But Sang had blankets for the cold and hot chocolate for inner warmth! Completely recommend this lovely experience for anyone staying at Tekapo.Posted on Tripadvisortim_from_hong_kong13 April 2026First Time Seeing Nebulas and Jupiter's Rings with my own eyes – Totally Worth It! Sang was incredibly helpful from day one. When we were booking, he actually looked into moon phases, sunset times, and all that stuff to find the best nights for stargazing. And when we had to push our trip back a week, he was super cool about working with us on new dates. The night itself was amazing. Yeah, it was cold, but Sang had thought of everything—comfy chairs, blankets, and hot chocolate to keep us warm. His telescope was seriously impressive; I've never seen anything that clear. Seeing nebulas for the first time absolutely blew my mind, and then we spotted Jupiter with its rings and moons. Just incredible. What really made it special was Sang himself. He knows his stuff and loves sharing stories about Greek mythology and Māori culture. The kids were totally into it, and honestly, I learned heaps too. It wasn't just about pointing out stars—it was like getting a history and culture lesson all wrapped up in one. The location was perfect too. Out there with zero light pollution, it's just dark and quiet. No one else around, just us and the universe. That's honestly what you want for something like this. Pro tip: Before you go, visit an optometrist and get prescription glasses if you don't have them. I have good eyesight, but when I borrowed my wife's glasses to look up at the sky, everything became so much clearer. It made a huge difference in what I could see. Sang's a legend. If you're in Tekapo, definitely book this. Don't miss it.Posted on TripadvisorVeronica V12 April 2026Beautiful night sky! A beautiful evening with Sang and the stars! Even got my first sighting of a fireball shooting star. I would totally recommend Astro Tepako for stargazing!Posted on Tripadvisor
Paul S2 April 2026Amazing Stargazing! Fantastic experience with Astro Tekapo. It was only us and one other couple. We got great information and saw the Southern Lights, the Milky Way and other amazing sights through the telescopes. We got some great pictures via email the next morning as well. I highly recommend this experience in Lake Tekapo.Posted on Tripadvisor
Ashley C31 March 2026Great personalised stargazing We had a great time stargazing with Sang. His knowledge of the stars and care for his guests is exceptional. Would recommend. Thanks Sang!Posted on Tripadvisor
Jacki H8 March 2026A sky full of stars In a small clearing between the trees a neat set up with comfy chairs and 2 telescopes. Sang was very friendly, knowledgeable and took his tim e clearly explaining everything. No question too silly or too much. We saw some awesome things so without spoiling it further, just go, it’s great!Posted on Tripadvisor
Allan S6 March 2026Great experience Excellent experience stargazing with Sang. Very knowledgable and made it fun and interesting. Nice small group. Great telescopes and ….. hot chocolate. And some great photographs as a souvenir.Posted on Tripadvisor
Niels G28 February 2026Great stargazing experience This was a great experience! Sang was a great guide and we even got digital pictures of both the constellations we saw and ourselves with the starry sky free of charge. If the experience is cancelled due to weather conditions you can easily reschedule or get your money back.Posted on Tripadvisor
Agatha G27 February 2026Highly recommended absolutely fantastic experience and very nice tour, leant interesting knowledge and enjoyed the stars very much. I think it is really worth the money compare with other star tours.Posted on Tripadvisor
Jen D.9 February 2026A fabulous stargazing experience. sang was an amazing guide. Super knowledgeable, with very powerful telescopes. I walked away with a better understanding of my galaxy (and a couple of others that we saw). The photos we were given afterwards came out amazingly.Posted on Tripadvisor
Charlie M4 February 2026A wonderful experience. Very personal experience and great knowledge. I got dragged into it by my daughter but ended up really enjoying the experience. We were even sent pics of what we looked at through the telescopes.Posted on Tripadvisor
Thomas C19 January 2026Great expérience With excellent conditions for stargazing, we had a wonderful time. Sang has extensive knowledge and knows how to share it. Being in a small group made interaction easier. I highly recommend it!Posted on Tripadvisor
Nina D24 December 2025Let's go So nice experience with Sang, there was cloudy, but we had learn so many things and saw so many constellations with the storiesPosted on Tripadvisor
Rosemary Y29 November 2025Very positive Our night sky stargazing tour was very informative and educational. It was an awe-inspiring experience for me and my family from Singapore. We had a wonderful time with Astro Tekapo and with Sang as a guide. His in-depth knowledge of the Night sky filled us with wonder and his patience in answering all our questions left us with a very positive impression.Posted on Tripadvisor
Andrzej K22 November 2025Wonderful visual astronomy and stargazing experience with a bonus of real time images made with astrophotography ! I love visual astronomy stargazing tours and this was an excellent experience. Sang is very knowledgeable about the night sky he’s added a wonderful new perspective using a second telescope which is digital . This telescope stacks images of deep sky objects while we are looking at constellations or through the optical telescope . When enough stacked images produce an enhanced image we would look through it and see the result : basically Astro photography producing an image through an eyepiece in real time. Sang points out significant constellations and provides both classical and New Zealand mythology behind them. This is a small group setting , perfect for interaction and the keepsake astrophotography and photo of each attendee are wonderful. Thank you for a memorable experience !Posted on Tripadvisor
Sophie22 November 2025Magnifique experience Très belle expérience. Le temps était idéal pour observer les étoiles. Notre guide était très clair et connaissait parfaitement le ciel . Les télescopes bien réglés. Comme nous n'étions que 10 nous avions accès facilement à eux. Assis confortablement dans des fauteuils en buvant un chocolat chaud nous avions le temps d'admirer le ciel et de discuter avec notre guide. Astonomie mais aussi astrologie Maori et croyances spirituelles. De plus nous faisons une photo de nous en pause lente pour avoir le ciel étoilé en arrière plan. A faire sans hésitation A truly wonderful experience. The weather was perfect for stargazing. Our guide was very clear and had an excellent knowledge of the sky. The telescopes were well-adjusted. As there were only 10 of us, we had easy access to them. Comfortably seated in armchairs, sipping hot chocolate, we had plenty of time to admire the sky and chat with our guide. We learned about astronomy, but also Maori astrology and spiritual beliefs. A truly wonderful moment of discovery and wonder. In addition, we take a photo of ourselves using a slow exposure to have the starry sky in the background. Definitely worth doing.Posted on TripadvisorBeke G21 November 2025Unvergessliches und interessantes Astroerlebnis Sang hat uns viel über die Sterne, Sternenbilder und Planeten erzählt. Ein unvergessliches Erlebnis. Wir haben viel gelernt (wie navigiert man mit Hilfe der Sterne), es war sehr interessant und abwechslungsreich gestaltet. Zwischen den Blicken durch die beiden Teleskope (wir haben z.B. den Tarantula Nebel und den Saturn gesehen), gab es eine Pause mit heißer Schokolade, Decken und das Highlight war ein Foto von uns unter dem Sternenhimmel. Highly recommended!Posted on Tripadvisor
Ao19 November 2025Must Try! Astro Tekapo was great experience. Sang, the owner, was very knowledgeable about the stars and would explain everything in great detail. He also had equipment that would allow you to see stars from another galaxy. Deinitely a must try!Posted on Tripadvisor
Miriam A18 November 2025Highly recommended Die Stargazing Nacht mit Sang war eins unserer beeindruckendsten Erlebnisse in NZ. So einen Sternenhimmel sieht man wohl nur noch an ganz wenigen Orten auf der Welt. Sang gab viele interessante Infos zu den Konstellationen am Firmament der südlichen Hemisphäre, von denen wir einige auch durch die Teleskope betrachten durften. Mit Decken und leckerer hot chocolate wusste Sang auch dem nächtlichen Frösteln Einhalt zu gebieten. Und man bekommt auch noch tolle Fotos von dem Erlebnis zugemailt. Ein absolutes Muss, wenn ihr in Tekapo seid!Posted on Tripadvisor
Kim K15 November 2025Really good stargazing experience with engaged condution The most exiting stargazing experience you can imagine. Sang De Brabander Did an amazing introduction to the actual stars and stories related to Māori culture’s interpretation of the stars and their constellations. Highly recommended if you are seeking a well preparred and well conducted stargazing eventPosted on TripadvisorNadia T14 November 2025Great stargazing experience! I had a lovely time! Sang is very knowlegdable and can tell a lot of (fun) facts about the stars. Because it was a little cloudy, the tour was prosponed with an hour so we would see more stars. Halfway through you get a blanket and hot chocolad, altough I would still advise warm clothes, since it is quite cold. At the end, Sang takes pictures of you with the stars, which is a very cool souvenir to have🤩.Posted on Tripadvisor
Susann P2 November 2025Einmaliges Erlebnis für die ganze Familie Ich hatte die Tour mit Sang als Überraschung für meine Familie gebucht und es war ein voller Erfolg. Unsere Kinder ( 10 und 11 Jahre alt ) waren begeistert von den Teleskopen, den vielen Erklärungen und natürlich auch vom warmen Kakao 😅 Sang hat uns immer Zeit gelassen, das Gesagte für die Kinder in deutsch zu übersetzen und war grundsätzlich sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit. Da im Anschluß keine Tour gebucht war, hat er uns sogar noch etwas extra Zeit gegeben 🤩 Wir haben sooo viel über den Himmel erfahren, dass wir nun wohl öfter draußen sitzen und in die Sterne schauen. Mein besonderes Highlight ist ein Foto vom Mond 🌛, welches ich durch eins seiner Teleskope machen konnte. Wir sind mehr als dankbar für diese einmalige Erfahrung und können es nur jedem wärmstens empfehlen.Posted on Tripadvisor
Colin31 October 2025Beautiful & Must Do Experience! My girlfriend and I both agree that this was one of the highlights of our stay in New Zealand! Our guide, Sang, was very kind, informative, and humorous, and he told us all these fascinating stories about the stars and constellations, including how some of them could be used for navigation. It was very easy to follow, and there was plenty of room for questions. Since we were in such a small group, it felt very comfortable to ask them as well. Because there were no bookings for the later tour that evening, Sang even extended our session a little to make sure we got the most out of the experience. The next morning, we woke up to find the photos of us under the starry sky already in our inbox, a perfect way to relive the experience. Thank you, Sang!Posted on TripadvisorDylan T9 October 2025Awesome experience It was a really cool experience and everything was explained with lots of detail and was easy to understand, we had lots of funPosted on TripadvisorRomana F26 September 2025Stars, chocolate and friendship Great experience. A nice guide to discover the sky… we look at the stars and drink hot chocolate. Super telescope and nice chatting. Really really nice …. professional and familiar at the same time.Posted on Tripadvisor
Angela M23 September 2025A Memory to Cherish We organised this experience while on a family holiday to Lake Tekapo. Sang was an exceptional guide - right from the start he made us feel welcome, with comfortable chairs, warm blankets and hot chocolate in the middle of the tour. While the weather looked menacing, we were fortunate to have excellent viewing conditions. This was a family experience to remember. Thank you Sang and the Astro Tekapo team!Posted on Tripadvisor
Victoria L22 September 2025Exception and Breathtaking Tekapo Skies This was hands down the best stargazing experience I have ever had. Incredibly knowledgeable, immersive, and breathtaking. The telescopes were exceptional and I really did not think we were going to see what we did. We had a private experience in our backyard for our family and was absolutely wonderful. Highly recommend. Take advantage of the unique Tekapo sky and book with AstroTekapo!Posted on Tripadvisor
Cara C18 September 2025Exceptional experience! Absolutely fantastic experience with Astro Tekapo. Highly recommend!! Sang was a fantastic host- he answered all of our question, was very accommodating and did his best to ensure everyone had a wonderful experience. Thank you, Sang!Posted on Tripadvisorkem1612 September 2025Incredible stargazing tour Such an amazing tour. I went in not really knowing what to expect and was blown away by Sang's knowledge and just how many different star systems we could see on the telescopes. The equipment was amazing and what we could see through them was incredible. And Sang's knowledge and expertise made it a really interesting and engaging time looking at the constellations. The little touches with the blanket and hot chocolate were appreciate. Would recommend this tour to anyone visiting DunedinPosted on Tripadvisor
Susan L20 August 2025Passionate Host, Incredible Experience We had the most incredible stargazing experience! Our host went above and beyond to make the night truly unforgettable. Not only was he knowledgeable and passionate about the stars, but he also showed such kindness and dedication by staying back with us until midnight to make sure we could enjoy the full beauty of the night sky. His enthusiasm was contagious, and he explained everything with so much patience and detail that even beginners like me felt completely immersed in the wonders above. It wasn’t just a tour, it felt like a magical journey through the universe. We left with full hearts, inspired minds, and memories we will cherish forever. Thank you Sang for making the night so special with your extra effort and generosity. Highly highly recommend to anyone who wants a once in a lifetime experience! 🌌✨Posted on TripadvisorFiona R10 August 2025a night of wonder Highly recommend Astro Tekapo if you are looking for an intimate guided stargazing experience. Our guide Sang was excellent - and we shared stories of the stars, as well as having 2 telescopes set up so we could see constellations, nebulas and galaxies far, far, away. We were sent a few photos to remember the experience as well - it was truly a night of wonder. The hot chocolate was a lovely extra touchPosted on TripadvisorAmber K5 August 2025Don't go home before you do this! We were lucky enough to book a night with beautiful clear skies and no other customers which meant we accidentally got a private viewing experience. Our guide was amazing, so knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions we had about the skies and the technology of the telescopes we were using. The complimentary hot chocolate went a long way to warming us up on a particular crispy night. By far the highlight is sitting back in the moon chairs, looking at the sky with just your own two eyes and hearing about the history of constellations and how different cultures interpreted the stars hundreds of years before we were sat there staring up at them. Such a treat and a highlight of our trip (which is saying a lot, we did so much cool stuff in New Zealand). Cannot recommend them enough.Posted on TripadvisorVivian W31 July 2025It was AMAZING It was our first time stargazing, and Sang set a high standard. His explanations were easy to follow yet informative. Stargazing with Sang is a must-do in TekapoPosted on Tripadvisor
alex1 July 2025Amazing stargazing experience! Sang gave us an amazing experience, showing a variety of stars, clusters, galaxies and nebulas on his 2 impressive telescopes. His explanations were easy to understand but also detailed and we enjoyed the features he was able to point out when looking with the naked eye as well. We felt like we had plenty of time to view everything and ask questions which was great, and the lovely hot chocolate was a nice bonus. Thank you Sang!Posted on Tripadvisor
tauna642 May 2025Interesting stories and gorgeous views Although, our group had to wait for some time before the skies cleared, our guide was well prepared for cool weather with blankets and hot chocolate. Information about the night sky, stars, and constellations was interesting.Posted on Tripadvisor
Amanda B27 April 2025An unforgettable night under the stars! Astro Tekapo delivered one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had! From start to finish, everything was incredibly well-organized, welcoming, and thoughtfully curated. Sang, our guide, was knowledgeable, passionate, and so friendly — they made complex astronomy facts feel exciting and accessible, no matter your background. The telescope viewing was absolutely breathtaking. Seeing distant galaxies, star clusters, and planets with such clarity felt surreal, and the guides were fantastic at pointing out hidden wonders in the night sky that I would have never noticed on my own. The location itself couldn’t have been better — the dark skies over Lake Tekapo are pure magic. Plus, the warm drinks and relaxed atmosphere afterward made it all the more special. It felt personal, authentic, and truly connected to the beauty of the Mackenzie region. If you’re even thinking about doing a stargazing tour while in Tekapo, don’t hesitate — this experience will stay with you forever. Thank you, Astro Tekapo team, for an unforgettable night!Posted on Tripadvisor
Kelly Smythe24 April 2025Stargazing Lake Tekapo Wonderful family experience. Our guide Sang was very knowledgeable and the hot chocolate was awesome. Totally recommendPosted on Tripadvisor
ai-lin G12 April 2025An amazing and memorable experience Sang provided an absolutely amazing experience that we will remember as one of the highlights of our trip to New Zealand. He was clearly passionate about astronomy, and was eager to share his knowledge with us. We learned a lot!Posted on Tripadvisor
Jeffrey L26 March 2025Great personalised stargazing experience My family and I had an wonderful experience, together with a few other family groups, with our guide Sang. Everything went as expected even though the sky over Tekapo was a little cloudy in the afternoon and evening but we were in luck as the sky above us cleared up during our 90 minutes tour. We were provided with red light torches to walk safely to the middle of a really dark field. From there, we could see plenty of tiny stars and the Milky Way. Even spotted some moving satellites too. Chairs, blankets and hot chocolate were provided and we were introduced to various constellations like Orion, Canis Major and Southern Cross. Sang even explained a little on how to use the stars for navigation. We took turns to peek into the 2 telescopes provided to see various nebulas, star clusters, binary stars etc. Star gazing on a clear night is a must-do activity when visiting the Dark Sky reserve in Lake Tekapo.Posted on Tripadvisor
Chrissy O20 March 2025Recommend A worthwhile experience. Some great glimpses of deep space with excellent equipment. Sang was great and helpful. Small group makes it a more intimate experience.
Our story
My name is Sang. I was born in Korea and grew up in Belgium. Both places are notoriously bad in terms of light pollution. But a love for adventure, travel and the outdoors brought me to the Atacama Desert, in northern Chile. The world’s driest (non-polar) desert boasts some of the best pristine night skies and inspired a new interest – this time for stargazing and astronomy.
It is no coincidence that several of the world’s top observatories are in the Atacama. I was lucky enough to take astronomy courses there with renowned professors Massimo Tarenghi (European Southern Observatory) and Eric Escalera (Astronomica del Sur Ltda). My earlier career as a qualified geographer, environmental research scientist and surveyor also may have helped in the transformation of becoming a semi-decent and confident astronomy guide.
Fast forward to 2024. With nine years of professional guiding experience under the belt – with the world’s leading expedition company as well as for stargazing operators in Aotearoa New Zealand – the time has come to offer quality experiences from a new observatory at the very heart of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve: Astro Tekapo. Are you ready for an exciting journey through the cosmos?
Ready to explore the night sky with us?
Book your experience today and discover why Lake Tekapo is one of the world’s premier stargazing destinations.