New Zealand is known for having unparalleled beauty no matter which direction you look. That includes looking up! Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights, is the cousin to the famous Aurora Borealis, and can be more easily viewed the closer you get to the South Pole. When solar particles collide with our atmosphere’s gasses, stunning neon lights paint the sky, and can be watched from a few prime locations in New Zealand. Winter is the best season to see New Zealand’s light show, although they still light up the sky year round, just later and for shorter bursts. Follow the New Zealand Aurora Forecast and check out this list of New Zealand’s top light-gazing spots to see some solar magic!
1. Lake Tekapo
This legendary South Island lake town is one of the best spots to witness the Aurora Australis. Lake Tekapo resides between Christchurch and Queenstown and makes for an unmissable stopoff between the two, day or night. The glassy surface of the lake provides the perfect reflection of the Southern Lights, so you get two for the price of one! As a Dark Sky Reserve, Lake Tekapo offers a stargazing experience free of any light pollution. You can even head up to the observatory on the summit of Mount John for an unforgettable summit experience or a night tour of the facility.
Really make a trip of it and check out Mount Cook, just around the corner! Here’s our list of 5 Things to Do in Aoraki Mount Cook.
2. Christchurch/Southern Lights Flight
If you are seeking the Southern Lights on your way from Christchurch, don’t leave until you’ve booked in to experience the Southern Lights by Flight. This is a truly once-in-a-lifetime way to experience the Aurora Australis, by flying toward Antarctica! Fly far away from any light pollution on a fully catered Air New Zealand service, where expert astronomers provide insight while passengers observe the constellations. It’s the Southern Lights in a way you’d never see them on land.
3. Queenstown
When you get to Queenstown, the shores of Lake Wakatipu or Lake Hayes make for excellent night-time picnic viewpoints from which to observe New Zealand’s neon sky. There’s even a dedicated Facebook page where locals discuss the best times to witness the phenomena. With the promise of adventure, Queenstown is a hotspot for those who want to experience the outdoors at their best. Witnessing the Southern Lights is another drawcard to this fantastic adventure town!
4. The Catlins
The length of rugged coastline between Balclutha and Invercargill known as The Catlins, provides a nature-centric experience of the Southern Lights in New Zealand. At the south-east tip of the South Island, it’s close enough to Antarctica to get stunning views of the lights off its coast. You can experience many gorgeous camping locations such as Purakaunui Bay campsite. Or head down to one of the many south-facing beaches. Just watch out for the seals!
When in the deep south, check out some more good stuff from our list of 7 Amazing Things to do in The Catlins.
5. Stewart Island/Rakiura
Located off the southernmost coast, Stewart Island is the closest populated island New Zealand has to the Antarctic. You can reach Stewart Island by catching a flight from Invercargill or a ferry from Bluff. Light pollution doesn’t interfere with these incredible lights due to the isolation and distance from any large city. Accommodation on Stewart Island ranges from budget to luxury offerings, so there’s plenty of places to stay.
6. Invercargill
The Southern Lights in New Zealand don’t have to be viewed from the middle of nowhere. If you’re staying in New Zealand’s southernmost city of Invercargill, a quick drive 10km west to Ōreti Beach will give you stunning night time visuals of the Aurora Australis. Also in the area is the very tip of Bluff, which is about a 20-minute drive from the city, and offers a direct view south. You can even stay in Bluff overnight and try the local and very popular oysters!
