Private Astronomy Experience

Discover the Southern Hemisphere night sky with an exclusive private visit to Antimony Observatory in Gibbston.

Your evening begins with a luxury transfer from your Queenstown accommodation before travelling through the Kawarau Gorge to the private observatory. Hosted by professional astronomer Professor Brian Boyle, this personalised experience introduces you to the Southern sky through visual observation, binoculars and professional telescope equipment.

Learn how to identify constellations and celestial objects, photograph the night sky and operate the observatory’s main telescope to help create a unique deep-sky image.

The experience can also be combined with a private wine tasting or dinner in Gibbston, creating a memorable evening tailored entirely around you.

Journey beyond Queenstown’s lights for a private astronomy experience at Antimony Observatory, located within a secluded Gibbston vineyard and the Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park.

Your BLACK guide will collect you from your accommodation and provide luxury return transport to the observatory, where you will meet Professor Brian Boyle. With more than 35 years of experience as a professional astronomer, Brian will personally guide you through the evening’s most interesting celestial features.

Each experience is adapted to the season, weather conditions and your interests. Using visual observation, binoculars and telescope equipment, you may discover planets, constellations, star clusters, nebulae and distant galaxies.

Guests can also receive guidance on night-sky photography and may have the opportunity to operate Antimony Observatory’s main telescope to create a unique deep-sky image.

Inclusions:

– Private luxury return transport from Queenstown
– Personally hosted private astronomy experience
– Visual and binocular exploration of the Southern night sky
– Access to professional telescope equipment
– Astrophotography guidance
– Opportunity to create a deep-sky image
– Personalised itinerary and experience
– Optional wine tasting or dinner arranged on request