Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower — Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve

About this spectacle

Standing beneath the vast Canterbury skies within the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower offers one of the Southern Hemisphere's finest annual light shows. Active in early May, debris shed by Halley's Comet streaks across the darkness in swift, often earthgrazing trails that leave glowing wakes across the Milky Way. The reserve's exceptional darkness — among the best-protected night skies on Earth — means visitors can count dozens of meteors per hour at peak. The cold, crisp autumn air carries the scent of tussock grassland, and the silence is broken only by the wind as brilliant streaks fire silently overhead. Lake Tekapo's still waters occasionally mirror the display, adding a second sky below your feet. The low light pollution and high-altitude terrain make this a premier destination for astrophotographers chasing long-exposure trails against the Southern Cross.

When to go

Jan — Dec, peak May

Getting there

Nearest airport: CHC. Nearest city: Timaru.

Booking options

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