I have been in Beijing where in the middle of the day you can look at the sun without shading your eyes. The chance of seeing stars is so remote there, and in some other parts of the world that going somewhere to see the Night Sky is high on the bucket list of many folk.
If this is you, then the place to come is New Zealand. My friend Ewa Jermakowicz was recently in New Zealand and captured this fantastic shot of herself beneath the milky way – see her photography page for more fantastic shots.
As of 2019 there are 13 designated international Dark Sky Reserves in the world and one of the best of them is here in New Zealand – the Aoraki MacKenzie Dark Sky Reserve, in the South Island of NZ. Thousands of people flock there hoping for a clear sky. The famous image of this is of the Church of the Good Shepherd with the Milky way above it.
However as Ewa’s image above shows, it is not the only place to view the night sky in New Zealand. Just get away from the electric lights, turn your torch off, and look up.
Aoraki MacKenzie Dark Sky Reserve, in the South Island of NZ. Thousands of people flock there hoping for a clear sky. The famous image of this is of the Church of the Good Shepherd with the Milky way above it. Astro Tourism is HOT!
And if you are heading to Lake Tekapo remember a few things
- Accommodation is not easy to get in Tekapo – so book ahead or stay somewhere nearby such as Twizel.
- Have a hot swim under the stars at the Tekapo Springs
- The fantastic Alps to Ocean Cycle trail starts here, definately cycle some of it! My stories of the Cycle Trail here
- Plan a tour to with Earth and Sky to the Mt John Observatory
- Drive to the top of Mt John during the day and visit the Astro Cafe which Lonely Planet have “Possibly the best place on the the globe for a café”
