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- Participants gain the confidence to become amateur astronomers:
- School teachers who attend gain knowledge to enthuse their students.
- Amateur astronomers who have attended previous courses have entered Aotearoa’s thriving astrotourism industry as night-sky guides.
- Budding photographers who attend learn how to overcome the unique challenges of photographing celestial bodies.
- It’s for anyone who wants to learn more about the stars and the night sky!
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WHEN COURSE DETAILS ARE CONFIRMED
Kūaotunu, Coromandel Peninsula, NZ
Astrotourism and stargazing course in Kūaotunu, 18-20 September 2026
Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy is excited to announce a stargazing and astronomy course in the Coromandel in September 2026.
This hands-on course is designed for stargazing enthusiasts, aspiring amateur astronomers and astrophotographers, for Earth and Space Science school teachers and for anyone who wants to have fun navigating the night sky by telescope or binoculars.
An introduction to Matariki and Māori astronomy will be included in the course. This will provide a solid foundation for anyone who is interested in entering the astrotourism industry.
No previous experience is required. Numbers are limited so do book early!
Enrolments
Early-bird fee (till Fri 28 August 2026): $295
From Sat 29 August 2026: $385
Who is this course for?
Participants will gain the confidence to become amateur astronomers:
- Stargazing night-sky guides in current astrotourism ventures
- School teachers who attend will enthuse their students taking Earth and Space Science
- Amateur astronomers who attend may well want to enter Aotearoa’s thriving astrotourism industry as a night-sky guide after doing our AAA course.
- Budding photographers who attend will learn how to overcome the unique challenges of photographing celestial bodies.
- Members of the public who just want to know more about the stars and the night sky will gain much from participating in our course.
What you will learn
Over a long weekend, you will learn how to:
- Identify and observe constellations, planets and other celestial bodies in the Southern Hemisphere both with the unaided eye and by using binoculars or a small telescope
- Take photographs at night from top Kiwi astrophotographer, John Drummond
- Set up and use a small telescope for night-time observations from your place
- Experience the night sky using a portable telescope (weather permitting)
- Share your new knowledge with others in your communities, schools and family
- Join New Zealand’s growing astrotourism industry by establishing an astroguiding business, if this inspires you.
- Join New Zealand’s dark sky movement, which aims to protect our night skies from light pollution.
Delivered by expert instructors led by Professor John Hearnshaw who helped to establish Tekapo’s Dark Sky Reserve, this immersion course will comprise lectures and educational workshops during the day and practical observing sessions with telescopes over two evenings (weather permitting).
Unique in the world, our past courses have received exceptional acclaim for enthusing our participants and our professionalism.
VENUE
Kūaotunu Community Hall (during the day)
12 Black Jack Road
Kūaotunu
Coromandel Peninsula 3592
New Zealand.
(16km north of Whitianga)
Stargazers B&B and Astro Tours observatory
(Friday and Saturday evenings from 8 pm)
9 School of Mines Lane
392 State Highway 25
Kūaotunu
Coromandel Peninsula 3592
(2km south of the Community Hall)
Course Manager
Alastair Brickell
AAA has appointed Alastair as manager of the Coromandel course. He will oversee the catering for the course and manage the logistics of the course delivery and ensure everything runs smoothly on the days of the course.
Alastair will also be a guest instructor at the course, as he runs Stargazers B&B in Kūaotunu from his private observatory at his home https://www.stargazersbb.com
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY ABOUT OUR COURSES
AAANZ Venues
Alexandra, Otago
Auckland
Kāpiti Coast, Wellington
Martinborough, Wairarapa
Napier, Hawkes Bay
Naseby, Otago
Tekapo, Canterbury
