New Zealand - the perfect place to photograph the Milky Way - Part 2
a stunningly beautiful country on the opposite side of the world, viewed at night.
New Zealand Video
Don’t miss my video 'New Zealand - A Night Under the Stars', where I’ve compiled all my timelapse footage into one stunning final video. This video captures an 'entire night' in New Zealand, starting with timelapses of the sunset, transitioning to the rising stars, and concluding with calming timelapses of dusk.
The North Island already convinced by the fact that the night sky in New Zealand can be excellently photographed. On the South Island, predominantly in the Southern Alps, this should be confirmed once again. Therefore, in this second part, there are more places that we/I visited in New Zealand and found particularly suitable for photographing the Milky Way.
Arthur's pass - involuntary overnight stay
Arthur's Pass is a stunning mountain pass that links the cities of Christchurch and Greymouth. It is renowned for its magnificent scenery and diverse wildlife, offering numerous hiking trails, including the popular Avalanche Peak Track. Castle Hill is also nearby, as well as several large rivers and lakes. Consequently, we included this pass in our itinerary and set out from Christchurch toward Greymouth just before New Year's.
In addition to some hikes in Arthur's Pass, we naturally also stopped at Castle Hill. Here, impressive limestone rock formations can be found amidst the Southern Alps. These large, weathered stones create a dramatic and unique landscape, often described as a natural stone garden. It's clear that this place is also stunning under the night sky, especially when the camper won't start anymore.
A problem that had occasionally but briefly appeared in Arthur's Pass more prominent, and our camper wouldn’t start. We had to spend an unplanned night, which I took advantage of by capturing a short time-lapse of the rising stars against these magnificent rock formations. Due to the nearly full moon, the stars were not as visible in this otherwise dark place, but the limestone structures were well-illuminated. The next day, with the help of the New Zealand AA, we discovered that our ignition switch was defective. This was a relief, as we had feared it might be the starter motor or something similarly expensive to repair. Instead, our camper was jump-started with a cable, just like in the movies, allowing us to drive to the nearest workshop to replace the ignition switch. (Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a workshop for the next six months, so our keychain got an unusual addition.)
Rising stars at Castle Hill
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Lake Tekapo - Under the Southern Lights
Lake Tekapo, located in the Canterbury region on New Zealand's South Island, is famous for its stunning natural beauty and clear, starry nights. The area around the lake is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts with a variety of outdoor activities. One of the highlights is the Mount John Summit Track, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Another attraction is Tekapo Springs, a thermal spa and wellness center that provides relaxation with impressive views of the lake and mountains. The area is also part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, one of the best places in the world for stargazing. The Mount John Observatory, operated by the University of Canterbury, offers tours and the opportunity for visitors to look through their powerful telescopes. The iconic Church of the Good Shepherd, a small stone church built in 1935 on the lake's shore, is a popular photo spot and a symbol of the region's pioneer history.
The area around Lake Tekapo was actually one of our last new stops on our road trip through New Zealand. However, we were already familiar with the famous stone church from social media and various travel guides. Since it is a special photo subject during the day, we had planned a photo with the Milky Way long in advance. At the end of February, with clear, starry nights and a new moon, the perfect conditions for this endeavor were in place. Naturally, I was not alone with this idea, and I found a kindred spirit who had already set up his camera before sunset. Additionally, there were other tourists who were not waiting for the Milky Way over the church but for the predicted Southern Lights, as we learned. Although we knew there was often a chance to see the Southern Lights in New Zealand, it wasn't on our radar. It was all the more beautiful to witness this phenomenon at this magnificent location/church. Quickly, the position of the time-lapse was adjusted to capture the church under the red Southern Lights a short while later. To top it all off, several Starlink satellites flew over the church in a line during the evening. The seemingly tangible points of light in the sky, flying in perfect alignment and at equal distances over the church, left everyone present momentarily speechless.
The famous Church of the Good Shepherd under the Southern Lights
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Mount Cook - high up
The Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is located on New Zealand's South Island and is renowned for its impressive glaciers and the highest mountain range in the country, including Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest peak in New Zealand at 3,724 meters. The park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, climbing, and exploring the alpine landscape. Additionally, the national park is an outstanding location for stargazing. As part of the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the park offers exceptionally clear night skies, free from light pollution. Visitors can see the Milky Way, shooting stars, and numerous constellations with the naked eye. Guided tours and special observation programs are available to enhance the experience.
In the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, at an elevation of 1,800 meters, lies the well-known Müller Hut. It offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks, glaciers, and Mount Cook itself. The hut is accessible by a roughly 3-hour hike and also provides the option to stay overnight. The amazing views and minimal light pollution make it perfect for photographing the Milky Way. Consequently, this national park, specifically the Müller Hut, had long been a definite plan for us/me. Several months in advance, we secured a spot at the hut for February 2022. A few days before the planned overnight stay, we arrived at the national park and used the 'White Horse Hill Campground' near Mueller Lake. The campground serves as a perfect starting point for numerous hikes, such as the Hooker Valley track.
On the day we planned to stay overnight, the weather was really bad, so going for a hike didn't make sense. Since we don't visit the National Park often, we had to wait out the bad weather. The forecast predicted better weather in the next few days, but unfortunately, the hut was fully booked for the coming weeks. We decided to wait for the weather to clear and camped next to the hut two days later. We paid a few New Zealand dollars in advance at the 'Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park Visitor Centre' to use the hut's kitchen as campers. Carrying the tent, sleeping bag, and other gear made my backpack heavier, but the sleeping spot with a fantastic view of the valley and Mount Cook was worth it.
Furthermore, the weather was perfect. Despite the dreamy sleeping spot and the cozy sleeping pad, I needed the entire night to capture all the planned photos. Alongside time-lapses of the sunrise and sunset, the plan was to create 360° panoramas at various spots and capture the hut itself under the Milky Way. While photographing, one could often hear the distant sound of the massive glaciers cracking and breaking, adding a special touch to this place under the night sky within the national park. Another colleague, also indulging in the hobby of astrophotography, could be heard. Here, I had to step in as a model on occasion - so if you come across a picture featuring the Milky Way and someone at the Mueller Hut, it might just be me. Additionally, lights were visible on a peak across the valley. As it turned out the next day on social media, 'Kavan Chay' was at Mount Sefton. He's a brilliant (astro-) photographer from New Zealand whose images often serve as motivation for me - greetings to him.
The Milky Way over the famous Mueller Hut
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Small panorama where the Milky Way rises over Mueller Hut
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Timelapse of the Milky Way rising over Mueller Hut
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Panorama of the Milky Way rising over the Mount Cook National Park
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Sunrise in the Mount Cook National Park
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Wanaka/Milford Sound/Queenstown & co.
In this region, I want to mention several places at once, starting with the area around Wanaka. Wanaka is a charming town located on New Zealand's South Island, situated on the shores of Lake Wanaka, which is the country's fourth-largest lake. Wanaka is renowned for outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and water sports. Notable attractions in the area include the Wanaka Tree and the nearby Mount Roy's Peak.
We also planned to visit The Wanaka Tree and Roys Peak. The Wanaka Tree, standing in Lake Wanaka, is known as the most photographed tree in the world. I captured a time-lapse of the sunset and a passing rain behind the tree, taking hundreds of photos to support this claim. As for the sunrise, the best place to capture it is from Roys Peak, offering a fantastic view of Wanaka and the surrounding lakes. To witness the sunrise, we woke up early one morning and hiked for three hours to reach the peak just in time, allowing me to shoot another time-lapse of the area.
Sunrise on Roys Peak
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Lights on Roys Peak
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That Wanaka Tree
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To the south of Wanaka is the beautiful city of Queenstown. This vibrant city, located on New Zealand's South Island, is renowned for its stunning landscape along Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains. Queenstown is a popular destination for adventure and extreme sports such as bungee jumping, skiing, and jet boating.
We were less interested in extreme sports and more captivated by the breathtaking landscapes. There are countless hiking trails and paradisiacal spots by the lakes to discover. We highly recommend the Earnslaw Burn Valley Track, where you can camp under the glacier with numerous waterfalls cascading into the valley. Additionally, the low light pollution in this region is impressive, offering unique opportunities for night sky photography almost everywhere.
First signs of the Milky Way Core
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Timelapse of the rising Milky Way at Lake Ohau
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Night sky behind some trees
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Nugget Point
Nugget Point is a notable headland situated on the southeast coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is renowned for its striking landscape and unique rocky islets that emerge from the sea. The name 'Nugget' originates from the golden-colored rocks that resemble gold nuggets. Visitors can enjoy a stunning view of the Nugget Point lighthouse from the viewing platform. The lighthouse, which has been operational since 1870, is considered one of the most well-known landmarks in the region.
The area around Nugget Point is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, as it is home to sea lions, seals, penguins, and a variety of seabirds, including albatrosses. Hiking trails along the cliffs offer spectacular views of the coast and the sea. Visitors can also explore the nearby Catlins region, which is known for its pristine nature, secluded beaches, and waterfalls. Nugget Point is an impressive destination for nature lovers and photographers seeking to experience the wild beauty of the New Zealand coast.
We didn't know what to expect when we first arrived at the Catlins, as we had only done some superficial research. However, we were impressed by the rugged coastlines, the wildlife encounters, and the overall region. When we caught sight of the Nugget Point lighthouse, I felt a surge of excitement. It was the perfect spot for a photo with the Milky Way in the background. Unfortunately, there was a full moon at the time, which made capturing the photo more challenging. Nevertheless, I was eager to give it a try, as one doesn't visit such magnificent places every day.
I found the perfect perspective of the lighthouse, the rocks, and the sky at the top of the hill a few meters above the official path to the lighthouse. I had seen this view many times on social media, so I was sure that others had also ignored the large red warning sign. Just before sunset, I set up my camera, only to realize that I had forgotten to bring a memory card. Fortunately, the best girlfriend in the world went to the lighthouse for the third time to bring me a memory card, so nothing stood in the way of the next 5 hours at the top of the hill.
After sunset, you could briefly see parts of the Milky Way rising on the horizon. However, as suspected, they were obscured by the bright light of the rising moon. Nevertheless, the rising moon was expected to fit quite spectacularly into the perspective, as it was rising directly behind the lighthouse. In my opinion, it was a brilliant coincidence that added that extra something to the image or the time-lapse. After another hour or two, the core of the Milky Way also rose on the horizon, which, despite the moonlight, can be faintly discerned in the video. After a final five hours, we had had enough and set out in search of a place to sleep, as there are few free campsites in the Catlins or the Nugget Point area.
Moonrise with some stars behind the famous Nugget Point Lighthouse
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Timelapse of a moonrise with some stars behind the famous Nugget Point Lighthouse
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"It's time to say farewell"
As mentioned earlier, that was just a small list of possible places or spots in New Zealand that we could visit during our trip. These places are well-suited for photographing the Milky Way or the night sky. However, New Zealand certainly offers many more places, as the country provides almost perfect conditions for astrophotography alongside its unique landscape.
After nearly 7 months in New Zealand, it was time for us to leave the country. We were able to explore many amazing places (even in daylight), make many new friends, and are deeply impressed by this country on the other side of the world. We then traveled to several other countries before returning to Austria, where we were able to gather many more impressions, visit more places, make new friends, and even collect more pictures and videos on this journey.
