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DESTINATIONS LIGHTS AT NIGHT | AUSTRASIA dark sky reserve


of the BEST


LIGHTS AT NIGHT


Stargazing and southern lights or Vivid Sydney by night – Katie McGonagle finds the best


attractions lighting up the night sky 1 vivid sydney


The city is a stunner at any time of year, but visit during the Vivid Sydney festival and you’ll see it lit up in a kaleidoscope of colour from 6pm daily, transforming its landmarks into a canvas for artists from around the world. Last year saw Sydney Opera House turn hot pink to reflect Australia’s tropical plants, a multicoloured ‘river of light’ run through the Royal Botanic Garden, and a piece highlighting plastic waste take over Circular Quay. Book it: Vivid Sydney runs from May 22-June 13. Travel 2’s 10-night Sydney and the Central Coast starts at £1,569, including accommodation, car hire, day tours and flights on May 4. travel2.com


diving in papua new guinea


The diving is thrilling off the northeastern island of New Ireland, where strong currents attract huge schools of pelagic fish, along with reef sharks and pygmy seahorses. Lewis Copper at Dive Worldwide says: “While staying at the tranquil Lissenung Island Resort, a highlight is a night dive on the house reef. Divers will see bioluminescence along the shoreline, as the dark sea mirrors the night sky.” Book it: A two-week tailor-made diving trip including Lissenung Island Resort starts at £4,995 with Dive Worldwide, including flights, accommodation, meals, dives and transfers. diveworldwide.co.uk


field of light


Uluru is unforgettable, so imagine seeing it with a world-famous art installation in front. Artist Bruce Munro’s Field of Light comprises 50,000 stems topped with solar-powered spheres that slowly light up as the sun sets. Most tours are in the evening, but AAT Kings offers a sunrise visit. Senior sales manager Joanna Guest says: “It’s a truly magical experience.” Book it: AAT Kings’ Uluru Sunrise & Field of Light costs £45 per adult and £23 per child. aatkings.com


See the southern cross and a host of other constellations with the best stargazing in the southern hemisphere at Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealand – which, at 1,660 square miles, is the largest dark sky reserve in the world. Alternatively, book guided stargazing at Skyline Queenstown, or head farther south to Dunedin or Stewart Island in the hope of spotting the southern lights. Book it: Big Sky Stargazing at Aoraki offers hour-long guided stargazing using state-of-the-art telescopes from £39 for adults or £22 for kids. hermitage.co.nz


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waitomo glowworm caves


This one isn’t strictly at night but it’s certainly dark – or at least it is until you get down to the water-filled depths of the caves, file silently on to small boats and glide through the cave as tiny pinpricks of light suddenly ‘switch on’ overhead, covering the ceiling like a blanket of stars. The rest of the caves are interesting too, full of stalactites dripping down like melted candlewax and a fascinating Maori heritage. Book it: Do Something Different offers a tour from £29 per adult and £14 per child. dosomethingdifferent.com


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travelweekly.co.uk


2 JANUARY 2020


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PICTURES: Shutterstock; Corin Walker Bain; Hamilton Lund; Nicholas Kavo


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