Best time to see aurora australis. From your knowledgeable, local guides to your new best friend, you will share this journey with a great group of people that will remain friends for life. Relax in the nearby hot pools or enjoy star gazing at the Mt John Observatory and make the most of staying in an International Dark Sky Reserve, plus there are plenty of hike and cycle options to choose from. Travel. . The Southern Light will give you a very good introduction of why we love New Zealand - this section also offers some very special camp spots that we have strategically placed so we can bring you much closer to nature than you’d ever have expected. New Zealand is a space enthusiast’s dream. If you lack the time to do the complete Summer Blast trip, the Southern Light South Island Adventure Tour is a fantastic alternative to take in and experience some of the most magnificent and varied scenery on the planet. Little River, New Zealand. Tour options in New Zealand can range from day trips to extended holidays that explore many of the most stunning sights on the South Island, the North Island or both. Southern Lights: Witness the world most remarkable natural light show the Aurora Australis! If you’re not up for a tour, you could also book a night or two at Skyscape or PurePods. Mount Cook (Maori name - Aoraki meaning 'cloud piercer') dominates the skyline at 3,724m and is New Zealand's highest mountain. See our detailed itinerary for details of which meals are included on a day-to-day basis. Something wrong? Apparently they are a good bet to see... New Zealand. For a guided experience, visit Big Sky Stargazing at the foot of Aoraki/Mt. This is a camping and adventure tour for intrepid lovers of nature as well as those seeking a unique snapshot of our great outdoors. We then head through more jaw dropping landscapes (they don’t stop in the South Island) to the picture postcard, Lake Tekapo. Buy tickets. Set up on the southern-facing ocean shores or pitch a tent on one of the campgrounds and gaze at the sky to look out for aurora. Featured image by Paul Stewart via Flickr. For cyclists there is the chance to cycle into camp and for the hikers this camp offers some great short treks (ask your guide about secret glow worm trails). From late August to mid-April, travellers from all over the world search for the Northern Lights. What I didn't expect to see was the Aurora Australis or the southern lights. If you are out and hunt for aurora, do not forget to enjoy the stunning night sky! An hour into our flight, my window began to glow green. This trip is the perfect way to experience the outdoor beauty and excitement of New Zealand. On a dark night with the right conditions, viewing the aurora australis is possible from pretty much anywhere in the park as long as you stay away from light sources and allow your eyes to adjust. More than 100 passengers witnessed the spectacular event in the first-ever chartered "Flight to the Lights" - Bike Rides: These include sections of the NZ Cycle Trail, on-road cycling and bike paths, something for everyone. on 01/01/2019. If you lack the time to do the complete Summer Blast trip, the Southern Light South Island Adventure Tour is a fantastic alternative to take in and experience some of the most magnificent and varied scenery on the planet. The Best Time of Year to See the Southern Lights in New Zealand, The Best Places in New Zealand to See the Southern Lights, Popular Tours & Day Trips to See the Southern Lights, Queenstown Aurora Australis Facebook group, Aurora Australis – New Zealand CURRENT ALERTS, The 4 Best Places to See the Southern Lights in Patagonia, 11 Things You Need to Know to See the Northern Lights, The 13 Best Places to See the Southern Lights in Tasmania. Accommodation is in stunning locations by … An Air New Zealand jet flew into an aurora storm on a tour from Christchurch last night to view the Southern Lights. See the spectacular southern lights. If rafting isn’t for you soak it all in with a morning cycle or walk through Peel forest. In this post, you’ll find everything you need to improve your chances of seeing the aurora during your trip. It is also a spectacular location, nestled beside the deep blue of Lake Wakatipu by the foot of the Remarkables Range. Australia Tasmania. Discover the Best New Zealand Tours. Watching the Southern Lights in Invercargill. From the top of the South Island, our trip takes you to a huge range of natural wonders from glaciers and mountains to beautiful beaches and wild coastlines. Stewart Island, New Zealand: Not only can you spot the southern lights, you might even be greeted by the small furry kiwi bird. Enjoy the tasteful street art, artwork from the earthquake and local crafts to purchase in the city. This is the river where you can try white water raft tomorrow morning -- highly recommended! While there are no multi-day aurora and/or stargazing tours that we were able to find, here are a couple tours worth checking out if you’re traveling in New Zealand: Both of these tours take place within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, so they offer the darkest skies you can find in New Zealand. This trip is the perfect way to experience the outdoor beauty and excitement of New Zealand. Perfect for making the most of all Queenstown as to offer. The Aurora Australis, otherwise known as the Southern Lights, is the lesser known counterpart to its famous alternative, the Northern Lights. You can learn more about my mission here or read about me and the rest of the team here. Although it is only relatively small, this trio of islands in the Pacific is filled with dream-like landscapes, promising an experience like never before. , View this post on Instagram. From late August to mid-April, travellers from all over the world search for the Northern Lights. Hiring a car or campervan by yourself can both be expensive and lonely, but joining a tour is anything but! Also located within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, there is nearly no light pollution out here, making for some stellar views of the sky. Christchurch arrival. If you’re visiting the South Island of New Zealand by yourself, a tour is likely to be the best way to see the country. . Today is a real chance to immerse yourself in the snow-capped mountain scenery that New Zealand is famous for. Best places to see the southern lights in New Zealand Stewart Island. Queenstown thrives year round with its superb alpine facilities and ski slopes - it was recently voted one of the top 25 cities in the World by a top travel magazine and we know why! A tour company is packing Air New Zealand Dreamliners with aurora hunters and launching flights chasing the 'Southern Lights'. This unique VR Tour experience of Lake Tekapo’s Dark Night Sky Reserve features stunning 360 degree images of the stars in an incredible time lapse of the entire night sky including the ‘Aurora Australis’ or Southern Lights. We then have the chance to explore this quaint seaside town before heading through Christchurch to collect and drop off those starting /ending here. Sometimes referred to as the 8th wonder of the world this Fiord is quite incredible with towering sea cliffs and dramatic waterfalls the Milford cruise is one of the highlights of any trip to New Zealand. Flying Kiwi Southern Light - 10 day tour from Picton to Queenstown. Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand is our final destination on the Southern Light, where you can rest your legs from numerous hikes and bikes or opt for a challenge and jump out of a plane if that’s on your bucket list. We have been creating Self Drive Holidays, Tours & Vacations in NZ since 2004 and our local expert knowledge means you get the best advice from New Zealand based experts. Talk to our crew in the office about how we can create you the perfect trip. Tonight we camp with the sound of the waves – perfect! travelled SOUTH ISLAND TOURS NORTH ISLAND TOURS NATIONWIDE TOURS. Tonight’s unique camp is at the Shearer’s Headquarters (an actual operating farm) located at the foothills of the Southern Alps. The South Island of New Zealand is a visual paradise filled with jaw dropping scenery hosting adventurous activities. It is also the location of the Mt. From there it’s a short drive down the coast to the small village of Moeraki. This morning is all about exploring Fiordland National Park and we’re heading to Milford Sound, one of the most iconic places in New Zealand. Phillip Island. It is also the location of the Mt. As the most southern populated island in New Zealand, Steward island can be reached by flying into Oban... Queenstown. The South Pole is the place where the aurora australis originates, and New Zealand is the closest country, so if you head far enough south, you might just see a dance of light like no other! Through spring, it is still possible to see the southern lights over New Zealand, and the weather is improving (reducing the need for extra layers and trying to stay warm while you wait for the aurora to appear). Most importantly, it is a prime location to chase the southern lights. Claire from GB Queenstown, New Zealand (chemc/iStock) There are a number of places on New Zealand’s South Island that have proven again and again to be hotbeds for spotting southern lights… , Every year people flock to Iceland and Norway to view the spectacle in the Arctic Circle, but its relatively unknown southern equal can be a surprising delight and well worth the trip to Tasmania, where it can best be viewed. However, if you'd like to avoid the crowds, Alaska is a great option. Over the weekend the Southern Lights were visible from Canterbury and Otago. Experience something amazing with Beaks & Feathers' guided … Southern Light South Island Tour There are plenty of wildlife encounters along the way (such as whales, dolphins, seals and penguins) as well as the odd adrenalin rush such as rafting grade 5 rapids and many other great activities. New Zealand may not have “flights to nowhere”, but it arguably has something even better (and certainly less directionless): A scenic flight to see the Southern Lights. hiking and cycling tours: Flying Kiwi adventure tours have been operating award wining tours since 1988. Answer 1 of 9: Having investigated the northern lights the southern lights are lesser known but a good bet on South Island, a trip to Christchurch in the longest darkest part of winter increases the chances of seeing them? This trip makes a great introduction to see for yourself why we love New Zealand. Even given these resources, don’t be discouraged if you don’t see the southern lights on any one night. It is best to head far from city lights to minimize light pollution that brightens the sky, fading out the stars and aurora. Suggest an edit . Simply outstanding. travelled . Cook National Park. Best Place To See The Southern Lights in New Zealand A mesmerising swirl of vibrant green and pink lights, the Aurora Australis is harder to catch than its northern counterpart. Not to mention, there is abundant natural beauty that begs exploring, too! This picturesque town sits right on the ocean at the foot of the mountains – a spectacular spot. Visit maui campervan hire Auckland for more details. Having investigated the northern lights the southern lights are lesser known but a good bet on South Island, a trip to Christchurch in the longest darkest part of winter increases the chances of seeing them?. This small group luxury tour combines rail, coach & an exclusive overnight cruise.Perfect for those who wish to enjoy the best of New Zealand at a relaxed pace. Home ; Self Drive Tours . Tonight you get the opportunity to dine out at one of Queenstown’s many delicious eateries - a great chance for your group to enjoy a true kiwi feast (own cost). , https://nzpocketguide.com/5-places-to-see-the-southern-lights-in-new-zealand Here’s a quick guide to each season and your chances of seeing the southern lights while visiting during each. You can start this trip in Picton (10 days) or Christchurch (9 days). Both of these accommodations are designed to maximize your chances to enjoy the night sky and possibly see aurora if it’s visible! Get here by bus or drive in from Christchurch (141mi/227km away) or Queenstown (160mi/256km away). The chances are low to photograph them with a sensitive camera, and even lower to see one that is strong enough to be visible by eye. Southern Light South Island Tour Please visit our how it works page for everything you need to know. - Food: Delicious, tasty and healthy meals are included. Tabea Schlasser from DE I would definitely do it again. And personalized attention to detail from Genna and Charlene - I've not come across such warm and professional tours guides before. If planning a visit here, be sure to check our New Zealand travel guide. Its southerly location combined with the minimal light pollution makes it ideal for an aurora-inspired trip. While you have better chances of seeing the aurora in New Zealand during certain parts of the year, you can definitely try to see them year-round. New Zealand is one of the best places to witness the Southern Lights. This sparsely populated, forested coastal area is on the southeastern region of the Southern Island, where you can escape from city lights. Chelsea M'Govern from US This trip makes a great introduction to see for yourself why we love New Zealand. Northern Lights Tours & Trips. Watching the Southern Lights in Invercargill. Aurora Australis (Southern Lights) Forecast for Wednesday, April 14, 2021 Latest Forecast = in 15 minutes, the Aurora will be Quiet When and Where are the Southern Lights tonight in Australia and New Zealand? Never went camping before but have definitely started to love it. The South Island offers a number of great observatory areas to enjoy spectacular displays of multicolored southern lights. New Zealand is one of the best places to witness the Southern Lights. All this is made better by the people on our tours. Identical to the Northern Lights, this phenomenon is caused by the collision of atoms and energy-charged particles above the North and South Poles. End of Trip Transport Options:The Southern Light tour has you finishing in Queenstown where there are regular daily flights to Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland with either Air New Zealand or Jetstar. New Zealand is known for a lot of natural wonders, and Aurora Australis (The Southern Lights) has to be one of the most wonderful of all.