An unforgettable night photographing one of the strongest auroral displays I've witnessed at 45° South. From the science of solar wind predictions to the cultural knowledge woven into our night sky, this is the story of Kā Kurakura o Hinenuitepo dancing above Whakatipu Wai Māori—and why protecting our access to darkness matters now more than ever.

From daylight to starlight. A Day into Night Adventure shaped by weather, light, and the kind of moments you don’t plan — you simply feel.

This morning, before dawn, I stood on the slopes of Pā Hā Raki in the biting wind. Awaiting the rise of Whiro, alongside Pipiri, marking Takurua and Te Tau Hou – the start of the new lunar year.

What began as study has become a near-daily practice. A way of observing and connecting with the environment through Te Rā, Te Marama, Kā Whetū & Te Taiao - winds, clouds, temperature, birds, animals, plants and people

I’m still learning, it will never end. What I’ve discovered is a way of connecting that surpass anything I ever imagined.

AuthenticAs is now a Qualmark Silver accredited business. Learn what this award means and how it reflects our personal, safety-focused, and sustainable approach to guiding tours in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Kōaka (Spring) has well and truly sprung. Without a doubt this is one of the most beautiful times of the astronomical year.

Syd's AuthenticAs Adventure in Queenstown was nothing short of magical. From snow-covered landscapes to star-filled skies, this personalized journey combined breathtaking beauty with professional photography, capturing memories that will last a lifetime.

Winter nights in the Southern Lakes have been filled with extraordinary stargazing moments. Our journey through the cosmos, using cutting-edge technology and traditional methods, has made this season unforgettable.

Join us on a journey with Jem, a nurse who found solace and connection in our Starry Nights Adventure back in Winter 2022. Her experience led to life-changing decisions and a move to Queenstown, where she continues to explore the beauty of autumn bliss with her partner.

Explore Punamāhaka, (Moke Lake), a stunning lake surrounded by towering peaks, an absolute gem in the Southern Lakes Crown, day or night.

We're thrilled about using the 8" Dobsonian telescope for our Starry Night Adventures, but its size limits our mobility. To enhance the experience, we introduced the Unistellar eVscope. This camera-like telescope collects photons with a sensor and generates real-time images on our iPad. It's portable, sets up quickly, and tracks celestial objects as Earth moves. The eVscope reveals stunning details of galaxies and cosmic phenomena that are invisible to the naked eye. We can now take our guests on Starry Night walks, capturing memories and offering an immersive experience. The eVscope excels even during bright moonlit nights, transforming our adventures.

The Little Bit Extra option allows you to add extra time to your Starry Nights tour, which is customized to your preference. For example, if you're interested in astrophotography, you can use the extra time to learn about and practice this skill. Alternatively, if you’re looking for an even more personalized experience, you can use the extra time to capture specific photographs or enjoy more stargazing. Ultimately, the Little Bit Extra option allows for a more tailored and personalized experience for you.

Forget the misconceptions that stargazing in summer isn't possible. Not only is the Summer Southern Night Sky outstandingly beautiful, you can also see the Aurora Australis if you're lucky.

Simon, the Astro Guide at AuthenticAs gives you a run down on what to expect on one of their Starry Nights Adventures during the warmer months

A Total Lunar Eclipse happens when our planet Earth sits directly between the Sun and the Moon and as such the light from the Sun which usually reflects off the Moon is dimmed. The Moon itself turns a beautiful deep red colour creating absolute magic all across the heavens. As so often happens in modern life, our focus is often on the detail, not the whole picture. Read about Simon’s night time adventure under the Total Lunar Eclipse as he looks upon the whole sky, not just a close up of the Moon itself, and what an incredible show it was.

It’s time for one of those stories again. What we do, and the way in which we do it, is intentional. We set out to help people design and immerse themselves in an unforgettable experience here in the Southern Lakes. As we slow down and discover, the moments will be captured in breathtaking photographs.

So many people ask us if we’ll be able to see Tahu-nui-a-raki (The Southern Lights) when they are inquiring about our AuthenticAs Starry Nights Tours. Unfortunately, this isn’t the easiest of phenomena to predict, especially a few months in advance. On Friday night, Jakob & Taryn were treated to a spectacular show, that literally came out of nowhere.

People come to Wai Tāhuna (Queenstown) for so many different reasons. One of them, is to celebrate a birthday with their friends. Our amazing little town has so much to offer, it’s perfect, as this group of girls found out as they headed here to celebrate Ash’s 30th. An AuthenticAs Starry Night Adventure proved to be the perfect addition to their packed itiinary.

We love having solo travellers come on our adventures, it allows us to deliver a truly tailored experience so that our manuhiri (visitor) gets exactly what they are looking for. Read about our night under the Stars with Nick, an exceptionally inspiring young man from Melbourne, here in Tāhuna (Queenstown) for a week of snowboarding and adventure seeking.

Is there a more romantic way of proposing than being halfway up a mountain, in the snow, under the stunning Southern Night Sky? We’re not sure there is. It’s even better when it’s disguised as a Star Gazing Tour, keeping the secret safe and amplifying the surprise. Read about Sue & Tania’s unforgettable AuthenticAs Starry Night Adventure here in Tāhuna, Aotearoa (Queenstown, NZ)

AuthenticAs offer a truly unique range of services and skills. During their holiday in Queenstown, Kritika wanted to honour her culture by exchanging rings with her fiancé Sam under the Southern Night Sky. In her dreams, they’d be able to have a personalised star gazing tour and a collection of breathtaking photographs to treasure for years to come. Imagine her delight when we told her we could take care of all of her desires.