Medlands Beach glimmers in the moonlight, a testament to Aotea/Great Barrier Island’s commitment to preserving the dark, star-filled skies. Photo / Mark Russell
Great Barrier Island lit up Stuff.co.nz’s homepage today, proving yet again it’s a stargazing jewel.
Under the sparkling headline ‘Why the little NZ island of Aotea is perfect for stargazing,’ Aotea’s pristine skies were the star of the show, courtesy of a snippet from Lonely Planet’s guidebook “Stargazing Around the World,”.
The article on the country’s largest news site praises our local tours and untouched night skies, and coincides with the nation’s Matariki public holiday.
Matariki, the Māori New Year, is marked by the rising of the Pleiades star cluster and signifies a time of remembrance, celebration, and planting new crops.
Our celestial hideaway, renowned for its Dark Sky Sanctuary status, dazzles with exclusive views of southern hemisphere specialties like the Southern Cross and the Magellanic Clouds, according to the story.
Good Heavens’ local tours got a shout-out for their expert blend of astronomical science and storytelling.
“Being on an island off the grid, on clear nights you can see forever,” boasts local board chair, Izzy Fordham.
You can grab a copy of “Stargazing Around the World” at www.shop.lonelyplanet.com.
