NZ by night …

FROM a vast Dark Sky Reserve above the Southern Alps to immense limestone cave systems lit by millions of glow worms, Tourism #NewZealand has rounded up some of the best night activities the country has to offer. 

Aurora Australis … The Aurora Australis or Southern Lights are particularly spectacular in New Zealand.  It’s not unusual to see this natural phenomenon in New Zealand’s deep south, and this year has seen some of the most vivid displays on record. The Aurora Australis is best viewed between March and September, but it can be viewed in all its glory – any day of the year – from the Otago Museum’s new planetarium in Dunedin. Cutting-edge technology is used to give visitors a close-up view of Aurora Australis without having to brave the midnight temperatures.  www.otagomuseum.nz

Stargaze at Aoraki Mackenzie dark sky reserve … New Zealand is home to one of just five international Dark Sky Reserves, a protected area of land possessing an exceptional quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment while also preserving the visibility of the night skies. Head to Aoraki Mackenzie, a dark sky reserve almost completely free of light pollution in the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island. Stargazing opportunities include guided tours of the solar system and visits to world-class observatories.  www.earthandskynz.com   

Spot the Kiwi … New Zealand’s most famous native bird, the kiwi, is nocturnal, so to catch a glimpse of these elusive birds, visitors are going to need a torch – and some guidance on where to find them. Try a night tour at Wellington’s Zealandia Sanctuary. The 555-acre valley provides routes suitable for everyone from wheelchair-users to regular hikers. The guided night tour allows visitors to explore the valley by torchlight while searching out some of the more distinctive sights and sounds of New Zealand’s bush.  www.visitzealandia.com

Paddle to the glow worms … Ten minutes from Tauranga city in the North Island’s Bay of Plenty region is Waimarino Adventure Park on the banks of the Wairoa river. Focused on the recreational activity of kayaking, Waimarino takes guests on guided night kayak tours to see the ethereal shine of thousands of glow worms.  www.waimarino.com

Creatures of the night in Rotorua … Canopy Tours in Rotorua has launched a unique night adventure. Creatures of the Night departs at dusk and takes explorers on a guided zip lining tour through a forest, where they discover a world of insects unique to New Zealand.  www.canopytours.co.nz

www.newzealand.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/127665714@N08/23004468385">Aurora Australis</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/119551085@N06/15354931168">One Starry Night</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license)