These two new buildings are the same in design as our current building, with just a couple of small adaptations to improve thermal performance. The Magic of the Dark in a Dark Sky Sanctuary. This includes a selection of Muesli, Yoghurt, Fresh Fruit, Croissants, Local Jam, Juice, Tea and Coffee. Thanks for everything!”.

Outside, in a sunken courtyard, you can relax in a 2m long stainless steel-cedar bathtub. The glass house is set back against the hills at the back of a large farm/ranch. The 4,300sq km area is inside the Mackenzie Basin of the South Island, which encapsulates Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and the villages of Tekapo, Twizel and Mt Cook.. A little further south, Queenstown also offers magical stargazing. The shape of the building, chosen to reflect the angles of the mountain peaks around, is recessed into the ground to allow guests to feel part of the landscape. Incredible Nights Under a Canopy of Stars. Tips: arrive in daylight...it is worth the sunset but also easier to find. In June 2012, the region gained further international recognition as the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve – at 4300 sqkm, it is the world’s largest international park in the sky.
acknowledge the value that the Stewart Island/Rakiura community places on environmental protection and help to preserve the pristine skies. With the unit recessed into the ground, you feel part of the environment, whilst also having shelter and privacy. High County Lodge and Backpackers now offers unique motel and backpacker accommodation in the heart of our naturally beautiful Mckenzie Region. Relax with a glass of wine and be overwhelmed with the darkness of our sky and the clarity of the stars and Milky Way. Covering much of the Aoraki/Mount Cook Mackenzie region, the Dark Sky Reserve has been labelled as one of the best stargazing sites on Earth. We stayed two nights at the end of a road... What a treat! No chemicals are added – just pure fresh water – sourced from a nearby spring. The glass house is set back against the hills at the back of a large farm/ranch.... read moreWhat a great experience. Recently, Stewart Island/Rakiura was officially recognised as the world's fifth International Dark Sky Sanctuary and the second Island Sanctuary in the world. We stayed two nights in absolute luxury. for uninterrupted star viewing and cloud watching. Hard to get back to sleep after that and watched the sun rise over the farm. Watching the sun come up over the valley was another highlight. If you travel New Zealand in winter, you might be lucky enough to catch the symphony of colour that is the Aurora Australis. read less, Incredible Nights Under a Canopy of Stars What a treat! 23 Mackenzie Drive, Twizel ,South Canterbury, New Zealand, “We really loved our time at the High Country Holiday Lodge! Leafy salad greens, local feta cheese, local smoked salmon, pickled beetroot, cherry tomatoes, orange segments, sweet lemon dressing and fresh bread. We stayed two nights in absolute luxury. The SkyBed is nestled in the hillside of the stunning Mackenzie Country, in the South Island of New Zealand. Twizel is part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve. Being so close to the Southern Alps means our weather is very changeable and often we have four seasons in one day – so come prepared for all eventualities! For stargazing at Mount Cook, head to Big Sky Stargazing(opens in new window) at the foot of Mount Cook or join one of Dark Sky Project(opens in new window) (formerly Earth & Sky) tours at Tekapo's Mount John Observatory. What a treat! See constellations and shooting stars in glittering dark skies; much of New Zealand has no light pollution and is home to some of the most accessible observatories in the world. Dark, clear skies, unique celestial features and otherworldly landscapes make stargazing in New Zealand a breathtakingly magical experience. Check out what other travelers say about New Zealand on TripAdvisor. The house is completely off grid, but still has all of the mod-cons (except a microwave) with automated temperature control, wifi etc. The 4300sq km area is bounded by a spectacular alpine landscape with the Southern Alps in the west, and the Two Thumb Range in the east. We wish we had more time to spend in Twizel to stay even longer with them! See our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy to understand how you can manage cookies. We are excited to announce the opening of two new SkyScape units on the 1st of May, or earlier if completed. Recently, 4,300 square kilometres of New Zealand’s South Island was recognised as an International Dark Sky Reserve, the largest reserve of this type worldwide. This building is the creation of New Zealand designer, Ian Perry. Please note that all guests must be over the age of 16 years. We stayed two nights in absolute luxury. No chlorine is added, just 100% pure NZ water. Find airfares. Central heating keeps you warm during the cooler months. Their private and secluded location provides you with the feeling of being alone in the vast Mackenzie Country. Totally reccommend it! The shape of the building, chosen to reflect the angles of the mountain peaks around, is recessed into the ground to allow guests to feel part of the landscape. To help blend the building into the environment. The house is completely off grid, but still has all of the mod-cons (except a microwave) with automated temperature control, wifi etc. Winter in New Zealand is also a time to celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year. Here, you'll enjoy professional telescopes and knowledgeable, passionate guides for an unforgettable stargazing experience.

Use the bath!

Enjoy Good Heavens Dark Sky Experiences with stargazing packages for individuals or groups including "Dining with the Stars". We cooked up some High Country local slamon that we bought from the farm in Twizel for dinner (best to plan ahead as Twizel is a bit of a drive to a restaurant, and many places seemed closed on Monday night anyway). Local policies acknowledge the value that the Stewart Island/Rakiura community places on environmental protection and help to preserve the pristine skies. A stunning place. We stayed two nights in absolute luxury. Each SkyScape unit will be fitted with blinds for added privacy. Identical to the Northern Lights, this phenomenon is caused by the collision of atoms and energy-charged particles above the North and South Poles. Here at SkyScape we are completely off-grid, using solar, gas and a back- up generator for those cloudy days, so we ask you to please conserve energy where possible. We had two absolutely crystal clear nights to stargaze from the outside bath. The facilities were clean and never more than a few steps away and the staff was a delight to deal with. To view cookie details and how to opt-out, please see our Cookie Policy. Hotels near Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo on Tripadvisor: Find 11,898 traveller reviews, 6,199 candid photos, and prices for 14 hotels near Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. We use cookies to provide you with a better experience on this site. A dirt road leads to your SkyScape accommodation, traversable by standard 2WD vehicles. Keep browsing if you're happy with this. Our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy explain how we use your data and who our partners are. Option One- Antipasto Platter for 2. Option Two – The Ultimate Salad for 2. Your browser does not support iframes. Concrete mass, ventilation, extraction fans, roof blinds and an air conditioning unit all help keep the SkyBed cool in summer. The Only Dark Sky Reserve in the Southern Hemisphere

We also use cookies to show you the best of New Zealand on other platforms. Watching the sun come up over the valley was another highlight.
To maximise your chances, aim for a clear winter's night sky close to a new moon in either July or August. These collisions are brought to life by spectacular sheets of purple, green, yellow and blue that dance silently across the night sky. All planting around the unit is native to the area to help the SkyBed blend into the environment. This means that the stars you see in Twizel, Tekapo or Mt Cook are some of the clearest in the world.

Here are some of the best stargazing experiences in New Zealand. One of New Zealand’s most iconic photo locations is on the shores of Lake Tekapo.

We stayed two nights at the end of a road... read moreWhat a treat! Let us show you the best of New Zealand on other platforms by selecting 'On' and allowing us to share data from your visit(s) with our partners. Accommodation Mackenzie Region With breathtaking scenery and a wealth of things to see and do it’s the perfect excuse to stay awhile and explore more. Payment will not be taken for “on Request” bookings until they are fully confirmed. The glass house is set back against the hills at the back of a large farm/ranch.

We stayed two nights at the end of a road trip.

These are ‘On Request’ bookings and are subject to confirmation upon the new units being completed. This is a great opportunity to learn more about this star cluster and the significance it holds in Māori culture. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is the world’s largest such reserve (4367 square km), the first in the southern hemisphere and the first to be declared with gold tier status, the highest that can be accorded, and its formation is a recognition of the pristine skies of the Mackenzie which are essentially completely free of light pollution. The dark sky reserve is located in the Mackenzie Basin, in the South Island of New Zealand, and includes Aoraki Mt Cook National Park and the villages of Lake Tekapo, Twizel and Mt Cook. Summers are usually very hot and winters cold, often with a frost in the early morning followed by a clear sunny day. Totally unique experience What a great experience. This unique building comprises a glass-roofed bedroom, as well as a grass roofed kitchenette and bathroom. It was cloudy (drizzling) when we went to bed, but I woke at about 4am to a full sky of stars & Milky Way. New Zealand holds the world’s largest dark sky reserve, the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve. What a great experience. Frosty nights were no deterrent...it was a warm and cosy stay. Bring easy to eat food....crackers and cheese, there is local wine in the mini bar but you can take your own and sit and watch sunsets and stars from the bath. It is pure magic! Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo: Address, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve Reviews: 4.5/5 South Pacific New Zealand Absolutely great place to visit. Local cheeses, local smoked salmon, cured meats, chutney, fresh vegetable sticks, fresh bread and crackers. International Dark Sky Reserve The 4300sq km area has been declared as the southern hemisphere’s sole dark sky reserve. The spring water, sourced from deep under the Ben Ohau Range, is as pure as it gets and free from contaminants. An evening dinner platter or salad is available on request. In addition to above, we use other cookies and analytics to provide a better site experience. You can take part in festivities around New Zealand that mark Matariki, such as light shows on the Auckland Harbour Bridge or at Te Papa Museum in Wellington.