Private Luxury Queenstown Stargazing & Astro Portraits 4wd Tour

What a memorable, informative and inspiring experience! We learnt so much from Simon, who was such an expert in his field with a palpable passion for astrophysics and the Maori astronomy traditions. He was more than happy to answer all of our questions, and taught us how stars are used to predict the weather or to tell the season of the year, among other things. The location for star gazing was merely 20 minutes from our airbnb in Queenstown, and Simon came prepared with very warm down jackets for each of us. At the end of the session, he took professional portraits under the milky way for each of us, as well as a panoramic photo of the night sky, and close up photos of the moon and the stars from the smart telescope. We also got a reading list to help us dive into the topics of the universe and Maori astronomy. It felt like a private field trip with a Professor, bringing us back to memories of university days :) Thank you so much once again for the great experience!

Not really one to leave reviews, but incredible experience from start to finish. Emma and Simon were great. The communication was out of this world when it came to this booking. They went out of their way to get me out into the mountains to show me the stars early (knowing the inclement weather that was to come later in the week). Dare I say courteous and kind? That was them from the start. Once up there, it was evident that I was dealing with a rare breed with Mr. Simon. The man is very passionate and knowledgeable when it comes to the stars— as well as NZ culture. Learned so much from him in that short time up there. And the view? Stellar! Never seen that many stars in my life— seemed like there were millions up there. Enough to put things into perspective. We got lucky and got to witness a nice set of auroras— breathtaking. You’d be in good hands with these folks. Good peeps/ good views.

Although our tour was cancelled due to bad weather we felt it was important to acknowledge Simon and the tour for his professionalism. He let us know of the cancellation in good time and immediately issued a full refund. We were really disappointed not to be able to do the tour, but safety first always and nobody controls the weather. Hopefully we'll get a chance to return to Queenstown, and if so, we will book in the tour again with Simon.

Bring warm clothes and curiousity! What a special night. You'll learn a bunch about astronomy, astrophysics, photography, Maori legend, history, science and navigation. Still cherishing the memory and photos of our experience six months later. You won't regret it.

A must do for everyone, the ultimate ‘authentic as’ experience! Simon takes you on a journey of next level star gazing, with a Te Ao Māori narrative of the nights sky. The cosmos did not disappoint, in particular the Milky Way from our view point, was a jaw dropping, ‘pinch myself’ and ‘OMG’ moment! Ka mihi nui ki a koe Simon!

Our experience with AuthenticAs doing the Starry Night Adventure was nothing short of incredible. Simon created such a personalised and memorable evening from start to finish — you can genuinely feel how passionate he is about what he does. The entire stargazing experience was magical, relaxing and honestly one of the highlights of our trip. It never felt like a “tour”; it felt intimate, personal and really special. To top it all off, Simon captured the most beautiful photos for us that we’ll treasure for a lifetime. As an added bonus, we were lucky enough to see the Southern Lights, which made the night feel even more surreal and unforgettable. An absolutely perfect evening and recommend this experience when in Queenstown.

We had such an amazing night on this stargazing tour. Simon was so knowledgeable and passionate, and he made the whole experience feel really special. The sky was absolutely mesmerising, and we were lucky enough to see four shooting stars, which was such a magical moment. We also loved learning more about the stars, astronomy, and Māori culture throughout the tour. It honestly opened up our interest in astronomy so much more. Such a beautiful and memorable experience, we’d definitely recommend it!

Beautiful and educational all in one. Simon is a wonderful guide who shared his extensive knowledge of the stars and local indigenous people. His enthusiasm is contagious. I highly recommend this tour. The pictures are awesome and will be a forever memory of this wonderful experience. We were lucky enough to see the southern aurora borealis. Dress warm and be ready to see the beauty of our universe. Gail M

Absolutely incredible experience - the highlight of our entire New Zealand trip, and one of the coolest things we've ever done / experienced. An absolute must-do that I'd recommend to anyone spending time in Queenstown. Simon picked us up from our hotel and drove us about 20-30 minutes to the viewing location. We were able to see the stars like we've never seen before, including a clear view of the milky way, and could faintly see the southern lights with our own eyes. Once we used the professional equipment though, the views became unbelievable. Maybe we got lucky with a great night, but the southern lights were as amazing as I could have imagined - seriously a bucket-list experience. And the professional photographs are amazing - some of the best pictures ever taken of me and my girlfriend, with the most amazing backdrop. It seriously is as advertised and as spectacular as it looks on the website. Besides the incredible views and photographs, Simon was very knowledgeable about the stars, the history of the area, and the history of astronomy. He was also very nice and personable and provided things like binoculars, warm jackets, headlights, and hot chocolate. I'd strongly recommend this tour to everyone. Now that I know how amazing AuthenticAs is, I'll definitely do one of their other tours the next time I visit Queenstown.

I took my 75yr old parents on this trip as their Christmas present, and was not disappointed. They had done other Stargazing trips, but were buzzing at the end of this one. Simon was the perfect host - engaging, and full of knowledge of not only the stars, the astrophysics, but also Te Ao Maori. We were lucky to have the perfect clear sky, and were blown away by the beauty of the skies above us, made all the more special by understanding it all a little more. The hot choccy and biscuits were most appreciated too. Highly recommend, and keen to take my hubby and son next time! Thanks Simon (and Emma)!

Best experience of our lives ! If you do one trip in queenstown make it this one ! Simon’s knowledge of astrology and astronomy and well as the beautiful Māori teachings were second to none. His warmth and welcoming nature as well as stories he told made the experience unforgettable. Not to mention the best photos I have ever seen delivered the next day . A telescope, binoculars, warm coats and hot chocolate and cookies are also provided. Simon thinks of everything and makes you feel so special as well as so connected to the land you are standing on. So knowledgeable, so respectful, and warm ! It you spend your money anywhere visiting queenstown make This small business that place !

The most amazing experience of our lives. Thanks so much to Simon for being so welcoming and accommodating. We even had a back up date when the clouds weren’t favourable. Simon’s knowledge of astrology and astronomy and the Māori stories of the sky were a unique and fascinating touch. Not to mention the photos which are mind blowing and like nothing I’ve ever seen. Truly bringing the magic of the sky here on earth. Thanks so much !

This was such a lovely evening. Simon combined western learning of physics with the teachings of Māori culture. Seeing the Milky Way was lovely, and to add to that, we were at the right time of the month to watch the moon rise over a mountain. Thanks, Simon, for a great evening.

From the very first interaction, Authentic As exceeded all expectations. Emma and Simon have created something truly special in Queenstown — a company built on genuine care, passion, and deep knowledge of their surroundings. Booking our family stargazing experience was effortless. The website was clear, easy to navigate, and payment was simple and stress-free. In the days leading up to our experience, the newsletter we received made us feel informed, excited, and genuinely valued as guests. On the evening itself, Simon stayed in close contact regarding the weather and our meeting location. He met us right on time and guided us into the breathtaking hills and mountain landscapes surrounding Queenstown. Although the clouds weren’t ideal, Simon was honest, positive, and reassuring — and what followed turned into one of the most magical experiences we’ve ever had. He began the night with a beautiful Māori karakia (prayer and offering), instantly setting a meaningful and respectful tone. Fully equipped with binoculars, a telescope, and a laser pointer, Simon explained the night sky in a way that was easy to understand, fascinating, and deeply engaging. His passion for the stars shone through every word. He even captured stunning photographs for us, making the experience feel truly unforgettable. Thoughtfulness was evident in every detail — from hot chocolate and biscuits to keep us warm, to providing cozy coats when the temperature dropped. This gesture meant the world to me, especially as my suitcase had been lost by the airline and I was completely unprepared for the cold. Simon’s warmth, friendliness, and incredible depth of knowledge made the evening exceptional. His personality, storytelling, and genuine love for what he does turned a stargazing tour into a meaningful, memorable experience for our entire family. We came away more knowledgeable, inspired, and excited to look at the night sky in a completely different light. Authentic As is exactly that — authentic, beautiful, and unforgettable. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Great experience! Highly recommend, Simon was very knowledgeable and made for a great evening. Great for family’s

We came to New Zealand on our honeymoon and the night we spent stargazing was a true highlight of the trip. Simon is a true expert on both the stars and the history of their relationship to and influence on Māori culture. We learned so much, feel more grounded in our position on the planet, and had a great time doing it! Would highly recommend spending an evening learning from Simon. And to top it all off, we have some incredible photos to remember it by!

The perfect experience for anyone keen on stargazing! Simon from AuthenticAS effortlessly weaves traditional Maori stories with modern astrophysics to give a fascinating tour of the night sky in the Southern Hemisphere. We had booked for the Friday evening but Simon emailed a couple of days before say he had blocked out the Thursday evening for us if we wanted to swap, since clear skies were forecast for that evening, compared to clouds for the Friday. We are so glad we took his advice - not only did we achieve our dream of studying the stars and galaxies in the Southern Hemisphere, but we were lucky enough to be photographed beneath the Aurora Australis! Thank you, Simon, for the perfect experience.

We were not able to complete our adventure due to weather but wanted to point out the great communication. Ooo with confidence from this group. Queenstown is stunning in itself. A great photograph would be a wonderful keep sake.

Emma and Simon are lovely people! I came to this with no nightscape photography experience and a few hours later I had some great photos, a good foundation for taking more on my own back home, and a better understanding of the local stories centered on the stars. I’d happily do this again if I get to revisit Queenstown!

We as a family of 4 had a great opportunity to do a star gazing trip with Simon. It has been a great experience right from booking the same on their website to any follow ups questions. Communication has been proactive, quick and excellent. Simon is very knowledgeable and gave us a very unique experience with in-depth information sharing of the stars and sky. He went above and beyond in getting extra jackets for us so that we really enjoy the experience. Star gazing photos are also excellent. HIGHLY recommended tour. Thank you, Simon.

Excellent experience. Simon is a very knowledgable photographer. I learned a lot from him I highly recommend AuthenticAs.

There are really no words to adequately describe our experience. The sky was cloudless and with Simon's rich and engaging teaching, we saw amazing stars and galaxies. He has equipment that makes it all very accessible and his clear communication made it all so easy. And then there are the pictures we got as part of the package. OMG! Thanks, Simon for the grand finale to our trip! We are still amazed by it all!

Stunning. We couldn’t have dreamed of anything better Simon was so knowledgeable and we loved the Māori perspective. This is a must for anyone interested in stargazing

An absolute five stars. Wonderful experience, Simon and Emma do a wonderful job. The sky was beautiful, we could see the Milky Way and the Magellanic Clouds (satellite galaxies) He took great photographs of my daughter and I, showed us constellations with binoculars, and galaxies and the moon with a Smart Telescope Simon also shared with us how the Māori people see relate astronomy and astrology and their creation stories Will never forget the experience, the photos arrived via email the next day

What a FANTASTIC adventure!!!!!! Simon is an EXCELLENT host/guide/teacher. We are northern hemisphere folks so the southern sky was spectacular to see. Simon does not disappoint with his knowledge of the stars and the history of the stars and the Māori people. TAKE this tour - the night sky is disappearing - you will NOT be disappointed.

Such a special highlight of our honeymoon. Simon is so knowledgeable, we loved learning about navigating stars and Māori culture, and received incredible photos of us with the night sky. Thank you!!

No surprise that this was such an amazing experience! Everything from the privacy (vs a typical large group tour), the knowledge of the stars and information on Māori culture. Oh and let’s not forget the hot chocolate and cookies! I also really appreciate the commitment to ensure the photos of us turned out perfectly. I will definitely be back to Queenstown and will definitely do this again. Was incredible to see and learn so much! Beautiful, nothing like it

Had an absolutely wonderful star-filled evening with Simon as our guide. Even for two fairly knowledgeable stargazers, Simon provided us with new information about the Southern night sky while weaving in local Maori lore. An amazing part of our trip and one we'll remember for the rest of our lives (even without the great photos Simon took)!

Absolutely amazing experience! Simon created an unforgettable night of learning under the stars for my daughter and I!

There are only a very handful number of times in life when you feel deep appreciation for the life you’re living, and to be fortunate enough to witness something so surreal and transcendent ! We felt that way on a cold Summer night on January 3, when Simon dazzled us with his Starry Nights experience. Simon is a walking almanac on all things celestial, and he was able to articulate Astronomy to my 11 year old as well as he could to us. He kept us warm with his Parkas and hot chocolate ! The fantastic pictures he took of us were an unexpected icing on the cake!

Amazing stories and good communication! We had a interesting night looking at the stars. Good explanation and well planned.

If you are in the Queenstown area and have even a mild interest in the sky at night, then this tour is for you. Our guide Simon met us at our hotel in town and took us to one of the peaks around Queenstown where we witnessed the most spectacular night sky that we have ever seen. Simon has a very interesting way of guiding you through the sky watch. He has an exceptional understanding of Māori culture and their spiritual relationship with the stars. He showed us the main star clusters in the Southern Sky and explained through various stories how their positions and relevance are so important to the Māori culture and history. Simon brought several optics with him including telescopes and cameras suited for viewing. He took several photographs of the night sky and sent them onto us the next morning. The photographs also captured us looking and pointing to the stars which will provide us with wonderful memories. Simon also brought spare coats, hot chocolate and cookies that not only kept us warm, but capped off a wonderful evening. Thank you Simon for your enthusiasm and guidance, making this one of our most enjoyable evenings in New Zealand.

This experience was incredible! Simon was so knowledgable and passionate. He’s also very talented with astrophotography. We now have wonderful beautiful portraits under the New Zealand night sky and photos of some of the stars and clusters we saw. Would absolutely recommend and do again!

Very fast response, good information and straight forward to book. 5 stars service! Knowledgeable and friendly, we learned so much about stars, environment and maori culture. Outdoor safety was taken in consideration. Nice car, hot chocolate and cookies too! High quality photography. Would highly recommend and do it again. Totally worthy! Can’t wait to be back and do other tours w Authentic as.

It was literally THE BEST! Simon was such an expert on the night sky. He had so much information to share but did it in a way that was not overwhelming or above your head. Through the iPad hooked up to the telescope, we saw many nebulae, stars, and nearby galaxies. The photos of my partner and me under the stars were just the icing on the cake! A highlight of our year, thanks, Simon and Emma!

My husband found AuthenticAs Star Gazing while we were in Queenstown. We contacted Simon and he picked us up from our hotel that night at 9:30 p.m. We drove to Coronet Peak. It was a fairly clear night but with a full moon. It was an incredible experience with Simon pointing out the stars in the sky and providing warm down parkas and binoculars. He also talked about the Maori culture. We were emailed several photos that are truly amazing. We highly recommend this experience. Thanks Simon!

Simon provided not only scientific knowledge but also cultural knowledge on how the universe was created and how the Maori's used the stars. Supplied hot chocolate and home made cakes to keep me warm. Took shots of the night sky to help share and remember the experience. Highly recommended Simon's tours whether star gazing or one of his others. Well worth it. Thank you Simon. Syd

Amazing experience and customized for our family. Simon was so accommodating and made it real special for us. Don’t let the price dissuade you as it’s totally worth it. And the pictures taken after were superb. I would do it again and highly recommend it for anyone visiting NZ. The telescopes and his knowledge make for an unreal experience.

What an experience! Our family opted for the stargazing photo tour with "a little extra.” Simon delivered an experience we will remember for a lifetime. Simon's attention to detail and deep knowledge of astronomy and photography made the experience memorable. If you decide to go stargazing with Simon, make sure you opt for “A Little Extra!” The little extra optional upgrade made a world of difference in our experience. To say we are happy with our choice to utilize AuthenticAs would be an understatement. Thanks AuthenticAs!!!

Worth every cent and more. Simon’s dedication to ensuring it was a comfortable evening in the elements was fantastic and his knowledge of the night sky was second to none. His ability to combine his astrophysicist knowledge with traditional Māori learnings was fascinating. Don’t hesitate. Book this trip, it was amazing. You won’t regret it.

Simon was the best! This experience exceeded our expectations. First, he was so proactive with looking at the weather patterns and worked with us to ensure we would get the best experience while we were there - and indeed we did. Not only did it work out to have the clear skies but we also left with strong knowledge of our solar system and all that lives within it. The guide shared extensive knowledge of the indigenous people of this land, which made the experience even more special. The culture, the science, and the attention to details to ensure we had the best experience made this a highlight of our trip. Our kids 21 and 19 also loved it. Oh, and did I mention how amazing the photos are? We loved it all! Thank you, Simon.

We went out for a night of stargazing and astrophotography with Simon. It was a brilliant night. We were lucky with the weather and had a clear, cloudless sky. Simon taught us a lot about the stars and solar system and how indigenous cultures in the region advance our ideas, and how to find what I needed to improve my astrophotography. He made it easy and fun, and the images he took of us are gorgeous. Also, he provides excellent hot chocolate and an additional warm coat for when the temperature drops. I couldn’t recommend this enough. It was fun and informative.

Who would have thought that a Solo Star gazing tour would have a huge impact in my life. 😌 2 1/2 years ago I decided to do a solo trip to the South Island as part of my Healing Journey and Grief Therapy. I was blessed to meet a couple who made me inspired, amazed and humbled. I met Simon and Emma . ♥️ Simon didn’t just talk about the stars,the milky way ,the galaxy. He made me understand and love it so much that i look at the stars and night sky differently now. Its his knowledge,passion ,heart ,kindness and sincerity that made it an “experience” instead of merely a tour. I still remember the feeling of seeing The Milky Way for the first time after my eyes have adjusted to the darkness in 12 Mile Delta. I still remember how i was amazed by the respect and love Simon showed when he asked permission in front of that lake and it felt like nature answered. I treasured Every moment of that trip . “Let’s find Hope in Sparkles” - when Emma mentioned this during our conversation in instagram , i knew in my heart that i’ll be meeting someone who is heaven sent to be part of my Healing Journey. I wanted to do a Normal Review but it wouldn’t feel sincere if i don’t share the main reason why i did the Stargazing trip in the first place. If you love the stars, the galaxy,the milky way ,nature or just wanna learn more and experience its magic then you have the best couple to do the trip with. If you were like me who just wanted to feel a loved ones hug by looking at the stars and the night sky .Believing they are up there looking after us … give this trip a go. 😌 I hope you will find Hope in Sparkles ,just like i did. ✨ Thank you Simon and Emma. 🥹 Gratitude is an Understatement. ✨♥️ Much Love always, Jemjem

The guide was wonderful and knowledgeable. Telling us about the Mauri history with the stars . Highly recommended and appreciated

It exceeded expectations by miles, we were so impressed, even my dad and brother who weren’t so interested before we left were completely absorbed in the experience before we left. It was the highlight of our Queenstown trip. Simon really made it interesting blending culture and science. Can’t wait to do other experiences like this is the future.

One of best experiences we had during New Zealand Trip. Simon is very professional and passionate about what he does. We learned so much about how to navigate the southern dark sky, saw too many incredible stars, images, also Māori culture. The Milky Way is absolutely stunning, the nightscape portrait is unmatched, we will value this experience, the photos are amazing, unbelievable! Thank you so much for this extraordinary tour! Highly recommend!

The best private star gazing trip! It was amazing and the photos were amazing too! We learned a lot from it.

I booked this experience with Simon on a whim for me and my friend because I've always been fascinated by the night sky. The communication was great from the word go. Simon picked us up from our hotel and drove us to what he considered to be the best location for the experience on the night. We had such fun listening to Simon who was clearly very passionate about the night sky and explaining every single object we were interested in. We were very lucky as our trip was at the tail end of the Geminid meteor showers so we were treated to 5 shooting stars. We also had a very clear view of the Milky Way, Carina and Orion, complete with a reddish auroral glow. Simon took some photos of us which he promptly sent to us the very next day and we were super delighted by them! It's one of the best things we've chosen to do in New Zealand. Click that 'book' button now!

This was a great tour, Simon made it such a memorable experience tailored to us, a couple wanting something a bit different. Simon really thought about our needs even to the fact that he brought a small chair up the mountain because I had recently broken my ankle and he made sure I was comfortable throughout the evening. Simon is a true gentleman and has a passion for astronomy, photography and the Maori culture. He has his own telescope which he used to show us the stars and plants as he explained about them linking to the beliefs of the Maori people. It is such an interesting and unique experience whilst in New Zealand. Simon also taught me about how to photograph the night sky using my own camera and spent time explaining exposure factors and allowing me to practice to produce my own photographs. He then took some professional photos of us with the magical night sky as the backdrop, which we can download as a reminder of the fantastic evening.