These Are the 10 Best Places to Stargaze in New Zealand

As cities sprawl ever outwards, they bring their big lights with them, and the once-dark night skies overhead are being lost. But in New Zealand, thanks to its low population density, the skies have remained surprisingly dark, and over 96 percent of its landmass still has views of the Milky Way at night.

DarkSky Internationala nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the night sky, has identified some of the best spots for witnessing the wonders of the cosmos across the island country. New Zealand is home to 10 Dark Sky locationsincluding the country’s first Dark Sky Community, Naseby.

While much of the country has incredible night skies, here are the 10 best places to stargaze in New Zealand, according to DarkSky International.

Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve

The country’s first Dark Sky place, Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserveis one of 24 reserves in the world. Aoraki Mackenzie encompasses Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park on New Zealand’s South Island, and the dark skies are particularly important in this part of the country because of their cultural significance. The area’s first inhabitants, the Māori peopleused the night sky to navigate and integrated astronomy into their daily lives.

Aotea Great Barrier Island Dark Sky Sanctuary

The Aotea Great Barrier Island sits northeast of central Auckland on the country’s North Island. It became a Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2017 and is a standout member of the network. There are just 1,000 permanent residents here, and nearly 60 percent of the land is part of a nature reserve. Both factors help keep the night skies delightfully dark.

Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary

Kaikōura Dark Sky Sanctuary is situated in a remote part of the South Island with mountains that rise right out of the Pacific Ocean. That remoteness, paired with ample preserved lands, makes this newer Dark Sky Sanctuary (designated 2024) one of the best places to view the Milky Way. Plus, it’s home to the world’s first astro-zipline.

Gibbston Dark Sky Park

Unlike some of the more remote dark sky areas on this list, Gibbston Dark Sky Park is located between two major cities, Queenstown and Cromwell. Rather uniquely, this area is overshadowed by gorges and massive mountains, which block out city lights.

Naseby, New Zealand

The town of Naseby was the first New Zealand town to be recognized as a Dark Sky Community, a designation it received in 2025. Naseby is tiny, with just 150 residents, and on some nights the Southern Dawn can be glimpsed with the naked eye.

Oxford Forest Conservation Area

Another popular South Island star-spotting area is the Oxford Forest Conservation Areawhich was designated as a Dark Sky Park in 2024. The park remains wonderfully dark because it has no lighting or power supply within it. Its night skies feel particularly majestic with ancient beech and podocarp forests that are located within the conservation area.

Stewart Island/Rakiura

Stewart Island/Rakiura may be New Zealand’s third-largest island by land area, but it is home to just 390 residents. Its small population, paired with the fact that it’s located at the far southern tip of New Zealand and that Rakiura National Park takes up 85 percent of the land on the island, ensures the stars shine bright at night.

Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary

Tāhuna Glenorchy Dark Sky Sanctuary is largely located within Te Wāhipounamu — South West New Zealand UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mount Aspiring National Park. The Dark Sky Sanctuary was not only created to keep the skies dark for people, but for the 35 at-risk species that live in the area. The sanctuary earned its designation in 2025.

Low-Water

Low-Water was established as Dark Sky Park in 2020. The night sky park is located on the South Island of New Zealand near the city of Nelson and covers over 330 acres of land. It is a common stargazing destination for people living in Nelson, and it has plenty of after-dark offerings.

Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve

This Dark Sky Reserve is located on the North Island of New Zealand in the Wairarapa Valley. The Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve is home to around 21,000 residents who follow dark-sky lighting regulations, and the property also includes Planet Forest Park public lands.