Stargazing & Nighttime Activities

The name Rakiura means glowing skies in te Reo Māori (the Māori language), and it's aptly named because it's an ideal spot for stargazing and spotting the Aurora Australis Southern Lights. It’s one of the reasons it has been named an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Because of the excellent dark sky quality, it's a must to try at least one of the nighttime activities the island has to offer. From gazing up at the stars with Twinkle Dark Sky Tours to spotting the iconic kiwi, here are some of our favourite activities to do in the dark on Rakiura.