If you are wondering where in New Zealand you should go stargazing, look no further. We have got the answer for you. There are so many aspects that make Aotea Great Barrier Island good, including our Dark Sky Sanctuary, our unique island location and Good Heavens. In fact, we think this is the best place for stargazing in New Zealand and possibly in the world.
Let us fill you in!
Stargazing packages - Easy!
Good Heavens organise stargazing packages: flights, accommodation, and car rental. Easy!
If you dread lining up flights, accommodation and a rental car for your island experience, Good Heavens can help. Deb and Hilde both have beautiful accommodation that we love to share and because we deal with our airline and car rental company all the time, it's easy for us. So send us an email with your requirements and we'll do the rest. Being romantics, we especially welcome proposal trips and honeymoons. There's nothing quite like time under the stars, to make your love shine!
Stargazing on the dunes by the ocean
Imagine... Stargazing on the sand dunes overlooking the ocean! Hearing the waves while you look up and get lost...
When you embark on an experience as special as stargazing, the setting is important. On Aotea, we are so lucky to have our big island back yard! Our group experiences take place on top of the sand dunes with the sound of the waves in the background. It's such a brilliant spot to connect with the rest of the universe.
Friendly local guides
If you decide to go stargazing with Good Heavens, their guides are experienced, knowledgeable and local. They will personalise your experience and make it fun and entertaining. As the guides are also the owners of the Good Heavens business, they really care you have the best experience, it's not just a job. They have been sharing their love for the Dark Sky Sanctuary stars since 2017. They remain in awe of the magnificence of the celestial wonders, plus they have the skills to adept your experience to your group and to what is going on in the sky. And because they are local and have lived on the island for decades, they will be able to answer and 'island questions' you may have as well.
Dark Sky Sanctuary - Certified spectacular
All of Aotea is a Dark Sky Sanctuary amongst the darkest of all the Dark Sky Places and this is great for both stargazers and astrophotographers.
On Aotea, soon after sunset, as soon as you step out of the door, it's incredibly dark. No need to travel to look for a spot dark enough to see the stars, they will be right there in their full glory. Though, sometimes there may be a tree in the way!! 😉
Nature lovers: 60% of Aotea is park
Nature lovers and bird watchers rejoice! The Aotea Conservation Park is the biggest conservation park in the Auckland Area. The island is bigger than most people realise. It's 3 times bigger than neighbour Waiheke, for instance, while Waiheke has 7x more residents, a 21X difference in population density. Aotea is still a wilderness at heart.
Within this heart you will find the Aotea Track. This is a multi-day hike with two Department of Conservation huts to overnight in. The hike is a loop with many access points and even if you have limited time, you can explore interesting bits not far from the road, such as Windy Canyon and the natural thermal hot pools in the Kaitoke Swamp. A number of flora species are unique to the island and many endangered bird species call the island home. It's the main reason why there are so many conservation groups on the island.
Water babies and beach bums: bring togs!
If you love the water and being on a beach, make sure to bring your bathing costumes, snorkels, wet suits.
The island's beaches are stunning, there are many in great variation and often, there's not another soul on it. Whether you like the tranquil coves of Tryphena and Okupu, the deep harbours of Whangaparapara and Port Fitzroy, or the sprawling ocean beaches of Medlands, Awana, Harataonga and Whangapoua, there's something for all lovers of the ocean. And inland, there's a hidden treasure, too. The Kaitoke Hot Pools are natural thermal pools half an hours walking distance from the road. They are said to have healing powers, but even if not, having a soak surrounded by lush bush is just divine.
Sea water temperatures range from just over 20C in summer to around 14C in winter. The hot pools are around 38C.
Trampers overwhelm: 100+ kms of tracks
If you are into stars and hikes, Aotea is the place for you. There is over 100 kilometers of signposted tracks here. And not only that: there is incredible variety in length and landscapes: from a five minute hike to a look out, via a half our walk to a waterfall, to a 4 hour coastal walkway. The unspoiled landscapes these walks take you through are worth every effort. They can be lush and subtropical or wind blown and bonsai. To find your way around there are island maps available from the tourist information office at the airfield in Claris.
Alternative lifestyles
Aotea is an off-grid, zero waste island. Islanders embrace their alternative lifestyle and you may spot the odd a remnant of hippy-times.
All of the island is off-grid. This means that every household generates its own power. In the past power was often generated by diesel generator. Now, most houses have a solar system taking that takes care of electricity needs. This means islanders need to live within their power means and that they are frugal with their power. You may notice that in your accommodation devices with heating elements, such as hair-dryers and rice-cookers, are not popular. So on Aotea it's back to the future with a tiny carbon footprint.
And the fact that our landfill is full, means that all waste is shipped off island. This is the reason islanders are keen to keep waste to a minimum. We consume less and reduce where we can, eating from our gardens and the sea and from our Growers and Makers market. We also have a flash recycling hub, Anamata, where islanders donate items that are no longer needed and pick up pre-loved items, too. A visit is recommended!
Aotea is an artistic haven
Arts and crafts aficionados will be in their element on Aotea. It's an artistic haven with half a dozen quirky galleries. Aotea Great Barrier Island attracts a certain type of person. The islands' isolation encourages self-sufficiency. Islanders are creative and able to think outside the box. And in a place this stunning, there's inspiration galore. There are half a dozen galleries on the island, including a Community Art Gallery in Claris. Art work created is high quality and you will find a wide variety of wonderful arts and crafts and also, products made with natural local resources, such as manuka honey or beauty products based on local bees wax and medicinal plants.
Explore Southern Skies
Did you know that the Southern Hemisphere is better for stargazing? Not only are southern hemisphere skies clearer, the celestial hemisphere visible from the Southern Hemisphere has more interesting objects, too. This is true for both naked eye and telescope observing.
The three brightest stars: Sirius, Canopus and Alpha Centauri are visible from the Southern Hemisphere. It also has the best examples of almost every type of astronomical object. New Zealand, in addition, has a superb view of the Large & Small Magellanic Clouds. These two extraordinary clouds are galaxies, visible to the naked eye, but only in the Southern Hemisphere.
Visitors to New Zealand can also gaze into the centre of the Milky Way, directly overhead during winter and visible at some time of the night from February - November. South of the Tropic of Capricorn the Southern Cross is visible throughout the year. All of NZ is in this position.
The two largest globular clusters in the sky are also only visible in our southern hemisphere sky, though not always at the same time.
Moon Walks for Moon Lovers
On Aotea, a large moon shimmers on the ocean around ten days each month, and there is nothing quite like seeing the light of the Moon dance on the ocean. Gazing at the Moon through a telescope is an unforgettable experience. 10 days each month, Good Heavens offer Moon Walks, when the visible side of the Moon is illuminated at least 50%. With the moon so bright in the evening sky, the night sky will also be brighter during your Moon Walk Experience.
Our moon is absolutely stunning to view at this time! Note that if you would like to see the Milky Way in all its glory, it's best to join us at another time. When the moon is a waxing crescent for instance, or not in the evening sky at all. Use this moon phase link to help you plan your visit.
The island climate
Easy travel from Auckland
This Dark Sky Sanctuary is only ½ hour by plane from Auckland Airport! In countries where the sky is very light polluted, it can take a long time to travel to a spot that's dark enough to experience the night-time magnificence of our galaxy. To step from a large city like Auckland into a Dark Sky Sanctuary like Aotea within just half an hours travel is quite unique. Especially as, within our Dark Sky Sanctuary, there is a whole community of people who are happy to welcome you, to host you, feed you and to guide you through the stars! OOps that was 14 reasons... and we could think of a few more. We'll tell you all about it in our itinerary suggestions you will receive when you book a package with Good Heavens.
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