New Zealand's southernmost city puts you within a degree of Stewart Island's geomagnetic latitude while keeping an airport, a road network and somewhere warm to wait. Oreti Beach and the lookout above Bluff both face south over Foveaux Strait, so the horizon the aurora rises from is water rather than hills.
Why it works
- Southernmost city in New Zealand
- South-facing coast at Oreti Beach and Bluff
- The staging point for Stewart Island
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 Invercargill
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- Booking.com
Aurora cabins & lodges
Cabins, lodges and aurora-view stays near Invercargill — 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 Invercargill — remote, cold and weather-dependent — from a few dollars a day.
Get covered
Where it’s reliable