Take a step into the deep, velvety darkness of the night and revel in the unparalleled splendour of New Zealand’s unencumbered night sky.
With a uniquely clear view of the skies, jaw-dropping celestial features, and magical landscapes, stargazing in the country is a breathtaking experience.
It has relatively little light pollution and is home to some of the most accessible observatories in the world, making it the ideal location to enjoy stargazing year-round. However, winter is undeniably regarded as the best time to partake in viewing the celestial figures, as the air holds less water vapour, allowing stargazers a much clearer view of the twinkling wonders.
Equally, the planet is better positioned during the colder months for witnessing the centre of the Milky Way, so whilst it may be tempting to stay nestled up at home by the fire, you won’t regret bundling up in your thermals and bringing a mug of hot chocolate to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience and be transported to the heavens.
New Zealand has a plethora of locations across both the North and South Islands for your celestial journey. Home to two of the world’s 22 Dark Sky Reserves alongside three Dark Sky Sanctuaries and three Dark Sky Parks, the country offers enchanting stargazing experiences that will leave viewers craving more.
A must-do for aurora hunters is the mesmerising phenomenon known as the Southern Lights in New Zealand’s Southern Hemisphere. Watch in wonder as the skies light up with glimmers of pink, red, green, and purple as solar winds pass through the atmosphere and react with the Earth’s magnetic field.
Don’t miss this opportunity to bring science and the natural beauty of the world to life. Wrap up warm, find a cosy spot, and be ready to enjoy the great canopy of space.
Prominent star gazing operators include the Dark Sky Project in Lake Tekapo, a leader in astrotourism that is proud to connect visitors with night skies and ignite a passion for dark sky preservation; the Star Safari in Ponatahi, which offers more than just stargazing but an astronomical journey with a personal touch; and the Dark Sky Kaikōura, which has been officially designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International and boasts a stunning view of the Milky Way.
