Canterbury Top Stargazing Experiences
With low light pollution and crisp clear skies, Canterbury is a special place to view expansive stars that shine bright.
There’s nothing quite like the wonder of gazing into the dark night and seeing the infinite world up above – Milky Way, far-off planets, star clusters… it’s a mesmerizing scene. Here are some of the top stargazing experiences in Canterbury.
Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area | Castle Hill
In just over an hour from Christchurch you can arrive at Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area | Castle Hill, a special place to visit during the day and night. With rolling green hills, blankets of golden tussocks and other-worldly rock formations, it’s no wonder this is a popular spot to explore. But did you know Castle Hill is also an amazing place to see the stars? With incredibly dark nights, the stars dazzle bright all year round. Stay in the local village and head out once the sun goes down for a spectacular starry show.
Oxford Dark Sky Reserve
An internationally accredited dark sky park, The Oxford Forest Conservation Area is accessible all year round making this a reliable option for stunning starry nights. Particularly good in winter with cold, clear nights, you can enjoy Matariki rising or peer straight into the Galactic Core. The area is close by to the Oxford township, where you can stay the night and enjoy the town's hospitality.
The Port Hills
The majestic Port Hills are not only perfect for daytime adventures and exploring, but also for evening missions of exquisite views and you guessed it – stunning starry nights. With many spots to park up and watch the city fade into darkness, why not make a night of it with fish and chips or takeaway dinner as the sun sets? The twinkling lights of the city is a beautiful sight to see and when you look up, you’ll feel closer to the stars than ever.
Akaroa Stargazing
If Akaroa wasn’t already charming enough, the night skies are a huge draw card for the little harbour village. For those new to star gazing and curious to learn about the southern night skies, Akaroa Stargazing offer small group tours to explore the stellar stars. Just a short drive from the township, learn about the cosmos, planets and galaxies with the help of telescopes and binoculars as well as your own eye. There is also a virtual stargazing tour available, as well as a solar explorer for daytime options.
PurePods
Ever dreamt of watching the starry night appear from the comfort of a luxurious bed? PurePods offer just this – a unique stay tucked away in nature, with fully glass walls and ceiling. That means views of the expansive dark sky all night, while keeping cosy and comfortable in your luxurious pod. With four locations in Canterbury, this is a must book for all nature lovers and dark sky enthusiasts.
Christchurch Adventure Park
Who says star gazing has to be peaceful and quiet? For all adrenaline junkies, this one is for you. Fly down the countries longest zipline at night for ultimate thrill and epic views. That’s right, the Christchurch Adventure Park offer The Night Zipline every Wednesday evening, a 2.5 hour tour featuring all four ziplines. Talk about a starry night adventure!
He Puna Taimoana Late Night Session
Soaking in hot pools on the beach, watching waves crash to the shore is a pretty dreamy experience – but doing so under a blanket of shining stars really takes this to another level. He Puna Taimoana offer a late-night session every Friday, allowing you to book in a soak as the sun goes down and the dark sky appears. From 8pm-9.45pm, the adults only slot is a perfect way to end the week. If you are more of an early bird, the sunrise soak is a special experience – watch the dark night fade as the sun rises over the Pacific Ocean.
