AuthenticAs Star Gazing -Nightscape Portrait Photography Tour

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.