Sure, for most of us these shorter days mean fewer camping trips and beach swims, but there are lots of reasons to venture outside and explore our beautiful country – the autumnal weather and turning leaves, the way a hike or mountain bike can warm you up better than anything. We reckon it is also the perfect time to do some stargazing. Here are four Tohu Whenua that offer spectacular night skies.

Ōkārito, Te Tai Poutini West Coast

Te Tai Poutini the West Coast of Aotearoa can offer exceptionally clear and dark nights, allowing for a rich and detailed view of the Milky Way and other celestial objects. Remote, peaceful and hundreds of kilometres from the nearest big city – Ōkārito in south Westland is a spectacular spot to gaze at the night sky. Kayaking tours of the famously biodiverse lagoon run through the winter, and a brisk hike up to the trig is a sure way to keep warm.

Rākaumangamanga Cape Brett, Te Tai Tokerau Northland

Heading up to the top of the motu, Rākaumangamanga in Northland was the landing point of the first seven waka that travelled from Hawaiiki to Aotearoa, navigated using the stars above. Your arrival at the cape will be easier to navigate whether you choose the well sign-posted eight-hour hike or the half hour trip in a water taxi. Whichever you choose, it will be worth it when you emerge from the lighthouse keeper’s cottage (book this accommodation via DOC) at night to observe the stars. Being on the east coast, this is also the perfect place to get up super early and spot the rising of Matariki in the northeast sky this coming June.

Arrowtown, Otago

The charming Otago town of Arrowtown has limited light pollution making it a stunning spot for a winter getaway. Check out the 150-year-old shop fronts and wander around the Chinese goldminers’ village (pictured is Ah Lum’s store, one of few remaining buildings constructed by nineteenth-century Chinese goldminers), backlit by the clear Otago night sky.

Denniston Mine, Te Tai Poutini West Coast

Denniston Mine is in a remote and isolated plateau at the top of the West Coast, and its high altitude (518 meters) provides the perfect vantage point for stargazing, with clear skies and an undistorted view of the stars. The area's rich history as a coal mining town adds a unique dimension to the stargazing experience, with the remnants of mining infrastructure providing a backdrop for the night sky, as seen here.