Naseby, Otago - 27 to 29 March 2026
Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy
Join a stellar crew of Kiwi astronomers
for an awe-inspiring stargazing experience
Please check in regularly for our next Academy dates and venue
- 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!
JOIN OUR WAITLIST NOW
and we'll be in touch with details of our upcoming courses.
We are excited to announce our next stargazing and astronomy course, in Naseby in March 2026 (the weekend before Easter).
This hands-on course is designed for stargazing enthusiasts, aspiring amateur astronomers and astrophotographers – and for anyone who wants to have fun navigating the night sky by telescope or binoculars. An introduction to Matariki and Māori astronomy and Matariki is included in the course. This provides 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 (till Fri 6 March 2026): $295 | From Sat 7 March 2026: $385
Who is this Course for?
Participants will gain the confidence to become amateur astronomers:
- School teachers who attend will enthuse their students.
- 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.
What you will learn
- 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, with 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.
This immersion course is delivered by expert instructors led by Professor John Hearnshaw, who helped to establish Tekapo’s Dark Sky Reserve. The course includes lectures and educational workshops during the day and practical observing sessions with telescopes over two evenings (weather permitting).
Unique in the world, our courses are widely acclaimed for their exceptional content, engaging delivery and professional excellence.
Naseby Town Hall
28 Leven Street
Naseby 9396
New Zealand
Course Manager
Jill Wolff
Jill oversees the catering and logistics for the course delivery, ensuring everything runs smoothly during the long weekend.
Alexandra, Central Otago, 12th-14th April 2024
The course is designed for people with an interest in improving their knowledge of Astronomy, Astrotourism, Astrophotography, Stargazing/Outreach & NZ’s Dark Sky Movement.
Dates: Friday, 12th April 2.30pm till Sunday, 14th April 5pm.
Venue: Centennial Court, 96 Centennial Avenue, Alexandra, Otago
Places at the course are limited to 24 – 30 people.
Early-bird fee (till 10th March 2024) : $295
From 11th March 2024: $385
Covers all activities, including talks from instructors, workshops and practical observing sessions (weather permitting). Also includes lunches on Saturday and Sunday, morning & afternoon tea during the course, a reception with finger food on Friday evening.
Please note: Dinner on each night of the course is not included.
Topics & Activities include:
- An immersive programme of lectures, workshops, demonstrations with small telescopes and cameras, and practical observing will be offered. We expect to undertake observing and star gazing with telescopes and binoculars.
- Astrotourism and dark sky places in New Zealand
- How binoculars and telescopes work and how to use a telescope
- Our place in the Universe
- Coordinates and time in astronomy
- Principal objects to look at for astrotourists
- The astronomy equipment for you
- Astronomy outreach – 20 tips to remember
- Naming of stars and celestial objects
- Maori astronomy and Matariki
- Astrophotography
- Notes for astro-tour guides
- The lives of the stars : star formation, evolution and star death
- Useful books, publications and software for night sky guides
Workshops:
- Astrophotography
- How to start an astrotourism business
- Practical observing with a small telescope
- Grand astroquiz for all
Alexandra, Central Otago
12th-14th April 2024
You will be asked to provide registration details for each person you are registering.
Payment is by bank transfer, details of our bank account provided at checkout.
AAA is grateful to the Winterstellar Charitable Trust for sponsorship and support.
Winterstellar is a community network of outstanding astrophotographers and educators. who advance the appreciation, understanding and benefits of Otago’s dark skies and who promote Māori Mātauranga through astrophotography, astronomy and other arts.
AAA is grateful to the Dark Sky Project for sponsorship and providing the venue for this course. We are also grateful to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve for sponsorship funding.
Lake Tekapo, 26th - 28th May 2023
The course is designed for people with an interest in improving their knowledge of Astronomy, Astrotourism, Astrophotography, Stargazing/Outreach & NZ’s Dark Sky Movement.
Venue: Dark Sky Project, Lake Tekapo, South Canterbury.
The fee for this course is $295, which includes:
- An immersive programme of lectures, workshops, demonstrations with small telescopes and cameras, and practical observing will be offered. We expect to visit the Cowan’s Hill observatory near Tekapo for observing and star gazing with telescopes and binoculars.
- Astrotourism and dark sky places in New Zealand
- How binoculars and telescopes work and how to use a telescope
- Our place in the Universe
- Coordinates and time in astronomy
- Principal objects to look at for astrotourists
- The astronomy equipment for you
- Astronomy outreach – 20 tips to remember
- Naming of stars and celestial objects
- Maori astronomy and Matariki
- Astrophotography
- Notes for astro-tour guides
- The lives of the stars : star formation, evolution and star death
- Useful books, publications and software for night sky guides
- Astrophotography
- How to start an astrotourism business
- Practical observing with a small telescope
- Grand astroquiz for all
Lake Tekapo
26th-28th May 2023
You will be asked to provide registration details for each person you are registering.
Payment is by bank transfer, details of our bank account provided at checkout.
AAA is grateful to the Dark Sky Project for sponsorship and providing the venue for this course. We are also grateful to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve for sponsorship funding.
AAA course on the Kāpiti Coast to celebrate Matariki, July 21-23, 2023
Arcus Kiwi Event Centre, 29 Arcus Rd, Te Horo (between Ōtaki and Waikanae)
Now open for Earlybird registrations
The second AAA course of 2023 will be at Te Horo on the Kāpiti Coast. This will be a special course to celebrate Matariki, and is especially for amateur astronomers or anyone wanting to learn more about navigating the stars in the night sky using a small telescope or binoculars.
Venue: The Arcus Kiwi Event Centre, 29 Arcus Rd, Te Horo (between Ōtaki and Waikanae) – see https://www.arcus.kiwi/.
Times: Friday 2:30 pm to 10:30 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 10:30 pm; Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Registration fee: $325. Late registration fee (after midnight, Sunday June 25): $425
Participation: about 24 (max 26)
Programme: An immersive programme of lectures, workshops, demonstrations with small telescopes and cameras, and practical observing will be offered. We will visit the private observatory of Nigel Knowles at Te Horo for observing and star gazing (weather permitting).
Do you love gazing up at the night sky?
If you enjoy stargazing and want to learn how to identify constellations and planets, and learn more about Matariki, then this practical course led by some of New Zealand’s top astronomers, is for you.
Held this Matariki on the Kāpiti Coast under the relatively dark skies of Te Horo, this interactive course is for stargazing enthusiasts, aspiring amateur astronomers and astrophotographers, locals interested in Matariki, and anyone who wants to have fun navigating the night sky by telescope or binoculars.
No previous experience is required.
Over a weekend, you will learn how to:
Identify and observe constellations, planets and other celestial bodies in the Southern Hemisphere using a small telescope or binoculars
- Take photographs at night from a top Kiwi astrophotographer, Dr Steve Chadwick
Set up and use a small telescope for night-time observations from your place
Experience the night sky using a telescope located at a private observatory also in Te Horo
Appreciate the significance of Matariki and Māori navigation from top Matariki astronomy expert, Dr Pauline Harris
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.
Kāpiti Coast
July 21-23, 2023
You will be asked to provide registration details for each person you are registering.
Payment is by bank transfer, details of our bank account provided at checkout.
What Attendees Say about AAA’s Courses
AAANZ Venues
Auckland
Martinborough, Wairarapa
Kāpiti Coast, Wellington
Tekapo, Canterbury
Alexandra, Otago
Twizel, Canterbury
