ELECTRIC DREAMS
SOUTHERN LIGHTS
Best seen between March and September, the Southern Lights
can be equally as dazzling as their northern counterpartsMore elusive than the Northern
Lights, the limited amount of
land from which to view the
skies — and the fickle nature
of the aurora itself — means
glimpsing the Southern
Lights (the Aurora Australis) is
significantly more difficult.
However, aurora-hunters
willing to make the effort are
often rewarded by stunning
ribbons of colour lighting
up the night sky, in displays
arguably more impressive than
their boreal counterparts. May
is peak aurora-viewing season
as the southern winter draws
in, so journey south for the
chance to catch sight of
nature’s most electrifying show.New Zealand
Light pollution is close to zero in
the South Island’s Lake Tekapo
area, and the summit of Mount
John is possibly the best place
to head. Book a late evening,
two-hour tour of the University
of Canterbury Mount John
Observatory to look through
some of the most powerful
telescopes in the country and, if
luck’s on your side, admire the
colourful display of the aurora.
Group tours cost around NZ$185
(£90), but for a private guided
experience here and at other
locations in the country, Black
Tomato can tailor-make an
itinerary. blacktomato.com
darkskyproject.co.nzAustralia
It’s possible to spot
the aurora year-round on
Tasmania — the best viewpoints
are places without light
pollution and with unobstructed
views to the south. The Tasman
Peninsula, Fortescue Bay, Lime
Bay and White Beach are great
spots, but for a true off-the-
beaten-track experience,
join Par Avaion’s three-day
Southwest Wilderness Camp
tour for the chance to explore
Bathurst Harbour Marine Nature
Reserve and the waterways of
Port Davey — and hopefully
see the Southern Lights in all
their glory. From AU$2,495
(£1,290). paravion.com.auAntarctica
With virtually no light pollution,
the White Continent is perhaps
the best place on the planet
to catch the Lights. A good
time for sightings is towards
the end of the cruise season
(around April) — incidentally
a great time for whale-spotting
too. Wildfoot Travel offers the
13-night Crossing the Antarctic
Circle tour, which ventures as far
south as Adelaide Island, with
plenty of opportunities
to admire the continent’s
wildlife and otherworldly
natural beauty. Departs 15
February 2021. From £8,000
per person. wildfoottravel.com
SAM LEWISIMAGE: GETTY
May/Jun 2020 23SMART TRAVELLER