Great Barrier Island has once again captured international attention, earning a spot on Lonely Planet’s latest travel guide, 15 of the World’s Best Adventures to Have at Night.
The island was credited for its pristine environment and remarkable stargazing conditions, highlighted as one of the premier locations for nighttime hiking and celestial observation.
“There’s a certain excitement in hiking after sunset, as the day melts into the night and nocturnal wildlife take over their shift under the stars,” writes travel journalist Shraddha Chowdhury.
“Designated Dark Sky parks the world over, such as Great Barrier Island and Stewart Island/Rakiura in New Zealand, provide exceptional conditions for nighttime hiking and stargazing.” she adds.
As the Lonely Planet feature underscores, with light pollution growing at an alarming rate globally, places like Great Barrier Island provide a rare and increasingly valuable experience.
Chowdhury notes, “Scores of destinations across 22 countries are certified by Dark Sky International for being protected from excessive artificial light and, thereby, light pollution.” Great Barrier Island stands proudly among these elite locations, offering “some of the best views of the Milky Way.” she says.
The article highlights the growing interest in night-time adventures, from witnessing “wonders by moonlight” at iconic landmarks to “wildlife-watch on a night safari in Africa.”
From “open canyons and national parks to deserts and forests,” the article lists Great Barrier Island alongside other esteemed locations such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand, the Pitcairn Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean, “Death Valley National Park in California, Atacama Desert in Chile and the Desengano State Park in Rio de Janeiro.”
Read the article in full, here.
