Stargazing

Breathtaking Dark Skies

Thousands of glittering constellations simply take your breath away in the Mackenzie Region.

International Dark Sky Reserve

In 2012, the 4300sq km area was declared as the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is the southern hemisphere’s sole dark sky reserve and one of only eight in the world. With “light pollution” strictly controlled this is a stargazing experience that is second to none.

Around the world, the ability to see stars is diminishing due to light and air pollution. As the Mackenzie Region is almost totally free from light pollution, “to put it simply, it is one of the best stargazing sites on earth,” Bob Parks, Executive Direct of the International Dark-Sky Association.