Aurora australis Gore tonight

A scenic reserve in the Hokonui Hills southwest of Gore, known for mature podocarp forest and native birds. At night the park is dark and quiet. The elevated terrain above the Mataura River valley gives a wider southern horizon than the valley floor. The park is open all hours and has a car park accessible by sealed road. Bortle Class 2-3 conditions from the ridgeline above the trees. Gore's light dome is to the northeast, leaving the south and southwest sky largely unaffected. At Kp 3, aurora australis appears above the southern skyline from the elevated positions within the reserve. Dolamore is within reach of Invercargill, Gore, and Dunedin as a dark sky base.

The Hokonui Hills west of Gore rise to 500-600 m above the Southland Plains. The ridgeline gives an elevated open sky with 360° views above the valley haze. At night the hills are dark - no settlement on the ridgeline and minimal glow from Gore to the northeast and Invercargill to the west. The southern horizon from the hills extends across the Southland Plains toward Foveaux Strait. At Kp 3, aurora australis appears on the southern horizon, above the flat farmland silhouette. Access is via Dolamore Park Road and unsealed hill tracks. Standard vehicle on the main hill road; 4WD advised for summit tracks.

The flat Mataura River farming country north of Gore gives an open southern horizon with Bortle Class 2-3 conditions. Pull off on rural roads near Mandeville or Riversdale for positions with minimal obstructions in any direction. The flat Southland Plains here give a lower horizon than the Hokonui Hills positions, but less driving distance from Gore. At Kp 3, aurora australis appears above the flat southern skyline. The main limitation is wind and frost on open country nights - dress accordingly. The Mandeville airfield area north of Gore has an especially open sky in all directions.