If you wonder what it will be like to visit a Dark Sky Sanctuary then this is the page for you. It provides stargazing updates and news of what is going on in the sky and on the ground on Aotea. You will also find information that may be of interest to stargazers in general. If there is something you would like to know more about and that you would like covered here, please send us an email.
Good Heavens Newsletter
Also consider subscribing to our quarterly newsletter for more stargazing updates and news. Subscribe via the subscription form at the bottom of this page. In our newsletter we will cover a brief outline of what is currently visible in the sky, some of the activities that are happening on Great Barrier Island, and things that we are working on as Good Heavens...
Travel Info and Media Coverage
If you are specifically looking for travel info, please check out this page. Our media page provides an overview of the media coverage we have received to date, and any recent media releases. And if you are ready to book your stargazing experience with the Good Heavens team, please hop over to the booking page.
GBI best off-the-beaten track place to visit – world wide!
60% of Aotea Great Barrier Island is protected conservation land. Island landscapes are jawdroppingly gorgeous and teeming with flora and fauna, that is sometimes endemic to the island and often endangered. This island is a heaven for nature lovers. Most … Read More
Spectacular Saturn
I was blown away when I first spotted Saturn through a telescope. Seeing this planet and its rings with my own eyes put our solar system and our life within in a different perspective. It kind of made it more … Read More
Gift ideas for the stargazer in your life
Gift ideas for the stargazer in your life When you have a stargazer in your life, or if you like our island, finding the perfect gift is easy! Here are some ideas: A Voucher for a stargazing experience A Sanctuary … Read More
Stargazing Binoculars
Binoculars are a great way to explore the night sky. They are very portable and have a wide field of view. As a bonus you can use them for viewing land based objects in the day time, too. During … Read More
Matariki in Summer
Matariki – Summerstargazing in New Zealand Did you know that Matariki is visible in the New Zealand summer sky? In the above image it’s visible to the left of the stargazer’s head. Many people in New Zealand think that it’s … Read More
Jupiter the King Planet
James Webb image Have you seen Jupiter in this image by the James Webb Space Telescope? Clearly visible in this image are Jupiter’s dust ring and bright auroras at the poles. Just amazing how the human race is now able … Read More
Complimentary ‘Sanctuary’ Book this season
Complimentary ‘Sanctuary’ Book with your booking this summer Five years ago the International Dark Sky Association gave Aotea Great Barrier Island the designation of Dark Sky Sanctuary. The first island sanctuary in the world. So it’s time to celebrate our … Read More
Number one Stargazing Experience in NZ > Tripzilla
Delighted to be named number one stargazing experience in NZ The Good Heavens team are chuffed to be named number one Stargazing Experience in NZ, among many excellent experiences in the country. Our stargazers often comment on our stunning seaside … Read More
Guiding astro tours on Great Barrier Island
Charting the night sky Find out how Deb came to be the director of an astro tours company on Great Barrier Island. Elisabeth Easther chatted to Deborah Kilgallon, co-founder of astro tours, Good Heavens on Great Barrier Island for an … Read More
Which Stargazing Experience Will You Choose?
Guaranteed magnificient skies Aotea Great Barrier Island is a Dark Sky Sanctuary. This means it has spectacular skies for stargazing. If you are coming to the island, why not indulge in a guided stargazing experience? If you’d like a stargazing … Read More
Different stargazing experiences on Great Barrier Island
To cater for all wishes, Good Heavens offer a choice of three different experiences on Aotea Great Barrier Island. This island is a Dark Sky Sanctuary. This means spectacular skies for stargazing. If you are coming to the island, why … Read More
Life in a Dark Sky Sanctuary
Lovers of darkness Looking at the dark silhouettes of the stargazers huddled in their moon chairs around me, I had a little giggle to myself. “These are dark tourists”. It’s a term coined for people that visit places where morbid … Read More
Gift the Stars – Stargazing Vouchers
Gift the stars! Give a gift that provides joy, has long term benefits, and a minimal carbon footprint. A gift that can be used any time in the next two years, provided there is a trip to Aotea Great Barrier … Read More
Moongazing with Good Heavens
Moon rise Did you know that for the two nights after the full moon, you can observe the moon, when it rises out of the sea over the east coast beaches of Great Barrier Island? Quite a sight, when this … Read More
Enjoy Jupiter in July!
Enjoying Jupiter
Night vision
Did you know that it takes about 10 minutes to gain your night vision? And that it reaches ‘top performance’ after 30 minutes in the dark? Many people do not spend that long in the dark but on Great Barrier … Read More