Alpha Crux Stargizing

"Private, fully mobile stargazing and astrophotography in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve—your guide comes to your accommodation; exclusive, flexible, with a chance to capture the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis)."

Alpha CruX is the go-to for an intimate, crowd-free night-sky experience. As a fully mobile operator, your guide travels to your accommodation around Lake Tekapo, Twizel, and Ōhau, so you skip queues, avoid big bus groups, and make the most of clear-sky windows. Under the internationally renowned Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, you’ll explore glittering star clusters, glowing nebulae, and the sweep of the Milky Way; in season, the Magellanic Clouds often frame the view—and with a bit of luck, geomagnetic activity and weather may even reveal the Southern Lights, a stunning bonus for your photo collection. Each session includes premium optics, typically a computer-guided telescope, plus laser-assisted constellation tours and accessible explanations that bring the science and stories of the night sky to life. On request, you can add a keepsake astro-portrait beneath the stars; children under six can join free with an adult.
Photographers can step up to private astrophotography tours of around three hours or choose the Ultimate Deep Sky Experience of up to four hours. You’ll get hands-on coaching for camera setup, manual focus in the dark, exposure strategy, star tracking, stacking, and deep-sky capture; loaner gear and a structured post-processing workflow can be included to accelerate results. If you prefer learning from home, Alpha CruX also runs remote Lightroom and Photoshop workshops with session recordings for later review. Bespoke shoots for couples, families, and brands are available too—from starlit engagements to commercial astro content for lodges and tourism partners.
In short, Alpha CruX blends one-to-one guidance, pro-level equipment, and the freedom of a private, on-location setup to deliver a concentrated night-sky experience—complete with the thrilling possibility of Southern Lights when the opportunity arises.