Here, the heavens appear closer to Earth.

Compared to many countries, New Zealand has relatively little light pollution. It is also home to some of the most accessible night-sky observatories in the world.

When to go

Stargazing can be enjoyed year-round, but winter is the best time to see the night sky. While it might be tempting to stay home and rug up, the colder weather means the air holds less water vapor, so stargazers get a much clearer view of the night sky. Additionally, the Earth is better positioned during winter for viewing the centre of the Milky Way.