Lake Tarawera Aurora

On the evening on May 11-12, 2024 I had visited Lake Tarawera with the intention of shooting images of the Milky Way rising. I had shot such photos there a few years back but wasn't totally happy with them and hoped to try again. The clear sky forecast gave me a lot of hope for a successful astro mission and so I made the 6 hour journey from Wellington to Rotorua. 

​

Well, I got completely more than I bargained for! While I was at Lake Tarawera, New Zealand experienced a very intense and rare display of Aurora Australis, or the Southern Lights. People all over New Zealand, even in Cape Reinga were able to see the sky go an intense pink colour. Those in the South Island were treated to a 360 degree view of the lights. And whilst I would have loved to be down South, being at Lake Tarawera was absolutely incredible. Lake Tarawera is where my family holiday after Christmas each year and is very special to me, so it was incredible to witness the aurora there. I even managed to get aurora photos of "our" jetty. Never in a million years did I imagine I would ever experiece the lights at Tarawera. 

 

I shot non-stop from dusk until 2am when the mist came across the lake. For more images, you can visit my Rotorua gallery. 

​

Or, see more of my favourite photos.  You can also return to the first photo in my favourites series where I tell stories behind the images.