Sure, for most of us these shorter days mean fewer camping trips and beach swims, but there are lots of reasons to venture out. We reckon it is the perfect time to do some stargazing. Here are three Tohu Whenua across the motu that offer spectacular night skies.

Dark Sky Sanctuary at Fyffe House at Wai o puka

In 2024, Kaikōura was officially designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, and one of the best stargazing locations in town is Fyffe House. Fyffe House sits within Wai o puka, an area steeped in history: long periods of Māori settlement, and then European whaling and settler families. Moana Skies operate stargazing nights on the grassy area in front of Fyffe House – the ideal place to lie down and gaze at the stars, celestial wonders and a stunningly clear Te Ikaroa (Milky Way).

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.

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.