Stargazing Guide

Job Description

Hello everyone! I am Brian and I am the manager at the Pukaki Observatory and Wine Cellar, just outside of Twizel, NZ. We are a part of Mount Cook Lakeside Retreat and I am looking for stargazing guides to join our team in 2026.

We are a high-end luxury resort with only five villas right on the shore of Lake Pukaki, a stunningly blue glacial lake next to New Zealand’s tallest peak. In 2024 we were named by TIME as one of the best places on Earth! We have a fine dining restaurant where we do a 7 course chef’s tasting meal and are trying to earn one of New Zealand’s first Michelin stars this year. We also have one of the best tennis courts in the world right on the shore of Lake Pukaki, which is one of the most beautiful places on Earth (I might be biased, but I really think so)! We also happen to be directly in the middle of the world’s largest gold-tier Dark Sky Reserve, it’s truly amazing on a clear night with no moon.

Our main experience is called “Billion Star Dining” which starts with a 7 course chefs tasting menu before the guests head over to the observatory just down the road on the property. We start our stargazing tours in the wine cellar attached to the observatory. We give guests (10 maximum per session) a taste of local wine or a variety of Scottish whiskeys. I have added Scott Base wine and Shackleton whiskey to our collection this past week. This helps tie the experience to Antarctica and the science happening there. Guests also enjoy an amazing space themed chocolate made by our pastry chefs.

We then move to the observatory next door, which has a roll-off roof and a 9.25 Celestron SCT telescope on a pier mount. I have also started collecting items to show guests and tie into the stories I tell, such as:

Tektites and meteorites
Aerogel
Sextants
Diffraction gratings
Antique telescopes
UV fluorescent minerals
Fischer Space Pen

On cloudy nights when we can not use the telescope, we offer the guests a “Touch the Stars” experience. We talk about science topics, the key features of the Southern Hemisphere skies, and the origins of auroras, the ties between New Zealand and Antarctica. If the skies are clear, we take a long-exposure photo of the guests and send it to them in a thank-you email.

I have started a “Cosmic Chat” program. Once or twice a week, our guides give a 20-30 minute talk on a science topic of their choice to villa guests before dinner. We also plan to host one free public science talk for the local community every quarter.

This role is perfect for someone with a science background, particularly in astronomy or astrophysics. If you love storytelling and educating people about the universe, you will love this role.
If you are an American aged 30 or below, you can fairly easily and quickly get a working holiday visa. This allows you to spend one year in New Zealand working and traveling. If you have the science background but are not familiar with telescope use, I can train you in that.

Compensation

Pay: 30-35 NZD per hour depending on experience (very competitive for this area)

Start Date: ASAP, though we can be flexible for later in the year
Location: We are semi-remote on a 66-acre property. A car is very useful, and reliable cars are fairly cheap in New Zealand.

Housing: Single occupancy housing is available for very cheap compared to the local area, it has a beautiful view of the Ben Ohau mountain range. The staff kitchen and bathroom/showers are communal and shared with the other staff (our staff comes from all over the world), all recently built and in good condition.

Other Stuff: We are located down the road from Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand, drive right to a glacier, kayak on the lake, hike around Mount Cook (the same place Sir Ed Hillary trained for Everest and Antarctica). There is also the possibility to go on free or discounted helicopter flights, boat tours, skydiving, etc with local operators.

I am flexible on the working arrangement since this involves night hours and weather plays a factor. If you are interested or know someone who might be a good fit, please reach out to me!

You can learn more about the Retreat by going to our website at https://mtcookretreat.nz/