Aurora australis in Milford Sound tonight

The wharf at Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) faces west down the fjord toward the Tasman Sea. At night, with no settlement within 120 km, the sky above the fjord walls is Bortle Class 2. The steep valley walls restrict the horizon above 30-40° in some directions, but the fjord axis opens to the south and southwest where aurora australis appears. The Mitre Peak reflection in the calm fjord water, when combined with aurora overhead, is one of the more dramatic possible aurora foregrounds in New Zealand. Milford Sound has very limited visitor accommodation - most visitors are day-trippers. Those staying overnight have the fjord effectively to themselves after dark.

A series of small lakes beside the Milford Road in the Eglinton Valley, 60 km south of Milford Sound. The flat valley floor gives wide southern sky access between the mountain ranges. At night the lakes reflect the sky perfectly when calm - including any aurora australis to the south. The Eglinton Valley is one of the most accessible Bortle Class 1-2 dark sky positions in New Zealand on a sealed, maintained road. The Mirror Lakes car park is a safe stopping point. The southern horizon is open down the valley. Aurora appears to the south at Kp 5, above the valley floor line.

The eastern approach to the Homer Tunnel cuts through the Darran Mountains at 945 m elevation. The valley below the tunnel eastern portal faces east-southeast with an open sky above the treeline on the valley floor. Bortle Class 1-2 conditions - no artificial light within 100 km in most directions. The surrounding Fiordland National Park wilderness means no background sky glow. Pull off in the waiting bay below the tunnel portal. The narrow gorge restricts some of the western horizon but leaves the south and southeast open. At Kp 4, aurora australis is detectable above the valley rim to the south. Note: the tunnel has scheduled opening hours - check NZTA for current times before driving at night.