Chameleons are one of the most fascinating creatures on our planet Earth. They are famously able to change their skin pigment in response to their environment; responding to and blending with their surroundings.

The Chamaeleon constellation (Latin form of Chameleon) lies close to the South Celestial Pole in the southern night sky. It is forever in pursuit of the nearby constellation Musca, the fly.

These are two of the smaller and lesser known of the 88 official constellations. Similar to the Chamaeleon constellation, Chameleon Stargazing is a business that is modest in size, but that will help you appreciate and engage with the beauty and science of the night sky.

At Chameleon Stargazing we adapt each tour to meet the individual interests of our guests, providing unforgettable experiences for exclusive small groups of families and friends. 

English Guide Estela

Estela grew up in the desert of the Southwestern United States, looking up at the stars, but lost the connection to the night sky as she moved to the big city for school and work. Swapping out city lights for starry nights turned what was supposed to be a temporary, six-month stay in Lake Tekapo into calling the small village home. 

The predictable comings and goings of constellations and the moon bring comfort in a turbulent world, while cosmic events like comets, planetary alignments, and auroras remind her that she is just one human, on one small planet, orbiting one star in a galaxy of billions of stars. 

Estela hopes to reconnect you to the beauty of the stars here in some of the most pristine skies in the world. 

English Guide Adrià

Originally from Girona, Catalonia. Adrià is a biologist and science teacher whose fascination with the stars dates back to childhood.

After moving to Tekapo in 2017, Adrià rediscovered this passion under some of the clearest skies on Earth. Now, he combines his scientific background and teaching experience to guide travelers through the wonders of the night sky, sharing stories about constellations, planets, and the universe beyond.

Mandarin Guide Mick

This is Mick.

From being bound by screens to being freed by starlight.

While charts and figures command his daylight hours, it’s under the open sky where he feels most alive, watching his customers’ faces light up as they observe craters on a full moon night or glimpse the pink and purple hues of the Orion Nebula for the very first time.

Switching between office life and stargazing has taught him something incredible – while the stars are amazing, it’s the shared moments of discovery that make this job truly special.

Mandarin Guide Althea

Meet Althea, a passionate stargazing guide from Malaysia. Having spent most of her life in the city, she followed her dream of chasing breathtaking night skies and the Milky Way, which led her to Lake Tekapo.

As an adventurous traveler, for her, exploring the mysteries of the universe is a unique form of travel. Her stargazing tours not only showcase the beauty of the night sky but also offer a special adventure, where each star tells a story waiting to be discovered. Even if you’re a complete beginner in astronomy, Althea is ready to unlock the wonders of the cosmos with you.

English/Mandarin Guide George

George has been living in Lake Tekapo and working as an astronomy guide since 2016. He also worked on the MOA telescope at the University of Canterbury’s Mount John Observatory. This gave him great insight into the life of a professional observer.

He enjoys sharing astronomy knowledge with people who are interested in the cosmos. He particularly loves the relaxed atmosphere and personal connections of small tours, when the experience can be fully interactive.