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Best stargazing destinations in Oceania

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Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park
Sacred Red Rock and Majestic Domes
8.4
Sounds of Silence dinners at Uluru include a talk by an astronomer beneath the stars of the outback. Guests use telescopes to view the Southern Cross and planets. Aboriginal Anangu people tell stories of the Seven Sisters in the Pleiades. The huge red rock stands dark on the horizon.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Experience Uluru’s mesmerizing sunset color changes
  • 🥾 Hike the Valley of the Winds trail at Kata Tjuta
  • 🪨 Walk the base trail around the sacred Uluru rock
Lake Tekapo
The Glacial Gem of the South Island
8.6
Mount John University Observatory sits at about 1,030 metres above Lake Tekapo in New Zealand. Guided tours use large telescopes to show planets and star clusters. The lake glows turquoise by day and black at night. The tiny Church of the Good Shepherd stands under the Milky Way.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax and soak in the Tekapo Springs hot pools
  • 🌌 Stargaze in the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve
  • ⛪ Visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd
Ningaloo Coast
Australia's Accessible Underwater Wonderland
9.1
Ningaloo Coast in Western Australia is a remote strip of desert beside a long fringing reef. The nearest large town is hundreds of kilometres away. Campsites along the shore sit beneath wide cloudless skies for much of the year. The Milky Way rises over the Indian Ocean after dark.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Explore Cape Range National Park’s rugged gorges
  • 🤿 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs from sandy beaches
  • 🦈 Swim with gentle whale sharks off the coast
Mount Cook National Park
New Zealand’s alpine wonderland
8.8
Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve covers Mount Cook National Park and the Mackenzie Basin. It was designated in 2012 and spans more than 4,000 square kilometres. Few lights shine across the high alpine plains. Visitors can see the Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds above snowy peaks.
Highlights:
  • 🛶 Kayak on Tasman Lake near the majestic Tasman Glacier
  • 🚁 Take a scenic helicopter ride above Mount Cook
  • 🥾 Hike the stunning Hooker Valley Track for glacier views
Fiordland National Park
New Zealand’s Wildest Water World
8.7
Doubtful Sound in Fiordland runs deep into wild mountains with no roads or towns nearby. Overnight cruises anchor in quiet arms of the fiord. Guests step on deck to see the Southern Cross above dark cliffs. On rare nights the aurora glows low on the horizon.
Highlights:
  • 🪶 Scenic fly over dramatic fjords and hidden alpine lakes
  • 🥾 Hike the world-famous Milford Track through lush rainforest
  • 🛥️ Cruise through majestic Milford Sound and spot playful dolphins
Tasmania
Wilderness, Wildlife and Wild Coasts
8.7
Tasmania sits far south where the aurora australis can sometimes be seen on strong solar storm nights. Bruny Island and the south coast have little light pollution. Photographers watch for green and red glows over the water. The Milky Way rises above wild beaches and forests.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Tour the convict ruins at Port Arthur Historic Site
  • ⛰️ Explore Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park trails
  • 🏖️ Hike to Wineglass Bay and marvel at its white sand
Kakadu National Park
Ancient Rock Art and Wild Wetlands
8.3
Kakadu National Park in Australia's Northern Territory is huge and has few lights. The dry season from May to October brings clear skies. Ubirr rock art site sits beneath a wide sky after sunset. Local Aboriginal people have long told stories of the Emu in the Milky Way.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Take a challenging hike to Jim Jim Falls gorge
  • 🦅 Cruise the Yellow Water Billabong for crocs and birdlife
  • 🌄 Watch the sunset over Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr
Kangaroo Island
Wildlife, Wonders and Rugged Coast
8.6
Flinders Chase National Park on Kangaroo Island lies far from city lights on the southwest corner of the island. The Remarkable Rocks are huge granite boulders shaped by wind and sea. Photographers place them beneath the Milky Way. Sea air is clean and the horizon is wide open.
Highlights:
  • 🦭 Swim with playful sea lions at Seal Bay
  • 🪨 Marvel at the Remarkable Rocks and their surreal formations
  • 🦘 See wild kangaroos and koalas roaming freely at Flinders Chase
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