Lake Tekapo Dark Sky Reserve

Background

In June 2012 the area around Lake Tekapo was designated the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve by the International Dark-Sky Association; covering 4,367 km², it was then the largest in the world and the only one in the southern hemisphere. Lighting had been restricted in local planning since 1981, preserving the dark night sky. The Church of the Good Shepherd by the lake, built in 1935, was the first church in the Mackenzie Basin, with a bronze statue of a sheepdog beside it. The University of Canterbury Mount John Observatory on nearby Mount John is New Zealand's main astronomical research observatory. The aurora australis can be seen from New Zealand, with the best chances on clear winter nights.

Local customs

• The town's lights are shielded and point downwards
• please help reduce light pollution at night

Religion & beliefs

• The Church of the Good Shepherd is still used for worship
• please keep quiet inside.

Travel tips

• The aurora australis is rarer than the northern lights: come for the stars and treat any aurora as a bonus. It's about 3 hours' drive from Christchurch, and you can join a stargazing tour on Mount John. The aurora depends on solar activity and weather, so check the aurora forecast (Kp index) and cloud cover before you go
• chances are usually best between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Get away from city lights, bring a tripod and dress very warmly.