Dunedin trades a little latitude for everything else: direct flights, a real city to stay in, and the Otago Peninsula twenty minutes away, where Sandfly Bay and Hoopers Inlet give a dark southern horizon. New Zealand's aurora-chasing community is centred here, which is the practical reason to start from Dunedin rather than somewhere further south with nowhere to sleep.
Why it works
- Direct flights and a city base, unlike anywhere further south
- Dark south-facing bays on the Otago Peninsula
- Home of New Zealand's aurora-chasing community
When activity is up, face south and get away from town lights — the lower the Kp, the more the display hugs the southern horizon.
Plan your visit
Tours & stays in Dunedin
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- Booking.com
Aurora cabins & lodges
Cabins, lodges and aurora-view stays near Dunedin — settle in and watch the lights.
Find stays - Discover Cars
Rent a car to chase clear skies
Self-drive to dark-sky spots away from town glow. Compare every local supplier.
Compare cars - SafetyWing
Cover the trip
Travel medical cover for a trip to Dunedin — remote, cold and weather-dependent — from a few dollars a day.
Get covered
Where it’s reliable