Things to do in Mackenzie District

A very special experience. The helicopter ride is about 8 minutes each way. Remember to bring a sun hat and sunglasses as the sun is strong. Other gloves, pants, jackets, and shoes are available on-site, so you don't need to bring them. Walking around on the ice can also get hot. The guide said we were lucky to have an ice cave to take pictures in.

Upon arriving at the stargazing spot, the staff had each member lie down on a lounge chair and provided a thick blanket (the temperature was only a few degrees, very cold). The first step was to observe with the naked eye, and the staff used a celestial pointer to point to the starry sky while explaining astronomical knowledge to us. After viewing with the naked eye, we used a telescope 🔭 to stargaze. There were two telescopes, and the pictures are mostly taken with the smaller one (small, but very powerful). We saw Jupiter's stripes, the Milky Way, a gentle close-up of the moon, and the stars around the Southern Cross, etc. I was so moved that I wanted to cry. Seeing it in person is so much better than in the photos, because you feel like they are alive, they are moving, they are blooming ⭐ The staff also provided everyone with a cup of hot chocolate during the process, and took photos of each team member as a souvenir. Finally, we all gathered around the stove to roast marshmallows 🍡 and happily ended my stargazing trip ~ 🤗

I participated in the Japanese tour and was extremely satisfied. The weather was looking iffy that day, and when I looked up at the sky after dark, it was cloudy, making me worry if the tour would be okay. Fortunately, the sky cleared up just in time for the midnight tour. Choosing the Japanese (my native language) tour was also an excellent decision. Our guide shared fascinating, in-depth knowledge, almost like an astronomy enthusiast, which made observing the New Zealand sky incredibly interesting. The observatory is located high up on a mountain, and it's pitch black with no cell phone lights allowed, so you need to watch your step carefully. However, as long as a normal adult listens to the guide and follows instructions, there shouldn't be any problems. I later learned from an email from the Dark Sky Project that if I had booked directly instead of through an agency, I could have entered a lottery to get a cashback on the participation fee by posting a review on their official site. From now on, I'll consider booking international attractions directly instead of through Klook.

We were incredibly lucky to have perfect weather — it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Both my child and I were thrilled and had a great time. Our guide Jasper that day was exceptionally attentive and considerate, and we all really liked him. We highly recommend everyone to try the glacier hiking tour.

It was so cute and I was really satisfied. You can interact directly with the sheep and cows right next to you. However, there aren't any safety measures, so it might be a bit difficult for babies.

A truly worthwhile experience! The pre-flight safety briefing was very thorough, the helicopter appeared well-maintained, and the pilot was extremely professional. At every stage—boarding, disembarking, and reaching the summit—they meticulously explained all necessary safety precautions, which made us feel very secure. The highlight: Mount Cook from the air is absolutely stunning!

What an incredible experience. Scott is such a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable and cheerful. The hike was around 1.5 hour with lots of time stopping for pictures, so it was not as physically demanding as expected. The glacier is truly mesmerising, it is one of the best memories I have made in NZ!

Director Andy was humorous and patient, which added a lot of fun to the experience. The entire activity was very educational, especially suitable for those with no prior knowledge of celestial bodies. There were down jackets available in various sizes for loan, so there was no need to worry about being cold, and they were all very clean. The only two downsides were that you couldn't lie down to stargaze, only stand and look up; and even with the super telescope, you could only see tiny glowing dots. However, overall, it was a very enjoyable experience, and we were also very lucky to see a bit of the aurora and even capture some photos.

The guide to the star gazing was very professional and he explained it very clearly while gazing the stars. We were fortunate that the night sky was very clear where we could see the stars without any cloud blocking. group size: 4 guide: Wilson