Share this with someone who loves the night sky! ✨ The night skies in the Wellington Region are so pristine that you can find an International Dark Sky Reserve just an hour away from the CBD. Even a quick 15 minute jaunt down to the beaches on the south coast will reward you with magnificent views of the Milk Way, and if you’re lucky, the Aurora Australis! 📅 When? Thanks to the solar maximum, auroras will be stronger and more frequent throughout 2025. The best time is now through September, but big solar storms can make them visible anytime—so keep an eye on aurora forecasts! 📍 Where? Head south for the best views! Stewart Island, The Catlins, Aoraki, Mackenzie, and Dunedin have some of the darkest skies. But during strong storms, the aurora can even be seen as far north as Wellington, and perhaps even further! 📸 How to capture the aurora—even on your phone: For iPhone (Night Mode): Open the camera, switch to Night Mode, and set the exposure to 10+ seconds. Use a tripod or rest your phone on something steady. For Samsung/Android (Pro Mode): Set your ISO to 800-3200, shutter speed to 10-30 sec, and focus to infinity (∞). Use an app: If your phone doesn’t allow manual settings, apps like NightCap Camera (iPhone) or ProCam X (Android) can give you more control. DSLR/Mirrorless settings: Start with ISO 1600-3200, 10-20 sec shutter speed, and f/2.8. Adjust based on brightness. Bonus tip: The aurora often looks faint to the naked eye but your camera picks up more color! Take test shots even if you don’t see much. ✨ Follow @getlostwithliam for more travel & adventure tips! #aurora #travelnz #newzealandtravel #bucketlisttravel #adventuretravel #wellingtonnz