My top picks for a spectacular dawn or dusk in the great outdoors of New Zealand.
There is a part of me that believes you haven’t truly seen a place until you have seen it at dawn or dusk. The change of light magnifies the beauty that the landscape already holds and it takes on an almost magical feel. But with limited time on our hands, we can’t possibly be everywhere for sunrise and sunset otherwise we wouldn’t get very far, so here is a list of some of my favourite spots to help you narrow down your options when choosing your next adventure.
North Island
On the North Island, three regions in particular have captured my heart when it comes to this time of day: Taranaki, Northland and the Coromandel.
Taranaki
Taranaki offers spectacular views out to the coast and back across the Central Plateau out to Ruapehu and Ngaurahoe and there is more than one spot to visit depending on the level of adventure you are seeking.
Taranaki Summit Track
The best 360 view is hosted by the summit track, which is a fantastic spot for sunrise if you are up for a very early start and confident with a challenging climb. The reward for slogging up in the dark is breathtaking views from all sides, and if you are lucky you will see the shadow of the maunga stretching out across the landscape below. This isn’t for the feint hearted and if you are scared of heights or dislike scree slopes, then maybe this one isn’t for you. It is a 6-10 hour round trip depending on your pace and should only be attempted in good conditions.
Syme Hut
If you are happy on scree slopes and with challenging climbs but don’t want to take on the summit track or would prefer an overnight stay, then Syme Hut is an awesome option. Perched on Fantham’s Peak, the track up to the Hut takes around 3 hours and is easily do-able in a day, however it is well worth staying the night as this offers incredible views of the sunset and sunrise with the mountain in frame. This is not a bookable Hut and so is first come, first served and it is often full, especially at weekends so make sure you bring a tent just in case.
Pouākai Tarn
If you aren’t an experiences hiker, then the Pouākai Tarn offers a less advanced option. There are numerous trails that get you into the tarn depending how much time you have. You can either head up from the Mangorei road end (approximately 2 hour walk), or you can visit as part of the Pouākai Circuit which is a one-to-two-night circuit starting at the North Egmont Visitors Centre where you can choose to stay at Pouākai Hut and/or Holly Hut. These are both bookable Huts. As ever, you have to get lucky with the weather, as the Mountain is often hidden under cloud, but when you manage to find the right conditions, the view is second to none! This track is physically challenging as you are going up hill for a lot of it, however, isn’t technically as challenging as the Summit Track or Syme Hut as the infrastructure is incredible with most of the track being boardwalk or stairs. The Tarn is a great place for both sunrise or sunset, however if it is reflections you are after then you tend to have more luck in the morning before the wind builds up.
Northland
Cape Brett
One of the first Christmas’s I spent in New Zealand I headed out to Cape Brett with friends and was rewarded not only with incredible light displays, but also Orca swimming by on Christmas Eve. It therefore retains a special place in my heart, despite the trek in being somewhat on the strenuous side. The track is quite exposed with little opportunity for shelter from the sun along the way, so make sure you prepare for that with plenty of water and sunscreen! You can get a water taxi directly into/from the hut or into/from Deep Water Cove which cuts off the first 3 hours of the track to conserve a bit of energy for the sunset. With views out over the East Coast you get a great sunrise if you walk up above the lighthouse. The sunset colours are best enjoyed from closer to the Hut over one of the many bays that you can easily walk to.
Duke’s Nose
Another great place to go in Northland is the Duke’s Nose Summit which looks out over Whangaroa Harbour. You can get up early and walk the 2.5 hours in for sunrise, or you can stay at Lane Cove Hut which is situated in a beautiful little Bay below the Duke’s Nose. This hut is also bookable via the DOC website. From here is just a 20-30 minute walk up to the summit. You can get a water taxi directly into the Hut for an even easier option if you are short on time. It is worth noting that the last section of the summit trail requires you to climb up a rock face. There is a rail to help you, but for those scared of heights, its worth reading up about this first. I enjoyed both sunrise and sunset up here on my visit and given the 360 views, it is spectacular for both.
Coromandel
I have never really had much luck with sunrises in the Coromandel despite my best efforts to get up early. However, I have seen some incredible sunsets, and my top two picks would be Crosbie’s Hut and the Pinnacles Walk.
Crosbies Hut
This is a bookable Hut and is one of my favourites. It is relatively new, has a cosy fire and every time I have been there I have been treated to a wonderful sunset. There are several tracks into the hut, all of which have been affected by slips or other repair works in the time I have been here. Always check the DOC website before heading out to make sure the track you choose is open. My personal favourite is the Waiotahi Track as you get some nice views back across the water on your way up.
Kauaeranga Kauri Trail (Pinnacles Walk)
Heading to the summit of the Pinnacles is another must do if you are in the region. I have tended to do this for sunset and then walk back out in the dark as the track is pretty well formed and I am comfortable walking out with a headtorch, but there is also the option to stay at the Pinnacles Hut which again is bookable and sleeps up to 80 people! It is around 2.5 hours up to the hut and the summit is around 30 – 40 minutes from there depending on your pace and involves a lot of steps and then some scrambling up rocks towards the end.
South Island
From my perspective, you can’t beat being in the Mountains when it comes to sunrise and sunset, and the South Island is the place to be when it comes to those! I have stuck to places that you can get to in one day rather than multiday trails, so for that reason I have focussed in on Aoraki National Park, Angelus Hut and Roy’s Peak.
Roys Peak, Wanaka
It is cliché as so many people head there for the famous Instagram spot, but there is a reason they all go. For both sunrise and sunset you get spectacular views out across the lakes and mountains and the walk, whilst physically strenuous (arduous at times) is not difficult technically and so lends itself to being able to head up or down when it is dark provided you have a light with you. A good option if you are limited on time in Wanaka and want to make the most of it.
Angelus Hut, Nelson Lakes National Park
Nelson Lakes National Park offers many incredible spots to enjoy the views, often with lake and mountain views as well. My favourite to date has been sunset at Angelus Hut. We headed out from the Hut and up one of the nearby peaks for sunset, but aborted too early as about 45 minutes after the sun disappeared below the horizon we got an incredible display of red across the sky so ran up behind the Hut to enjoy! You can get to Angelus Hut along many trails. We walked up the Speargrass Track and then down the Cascade Route back to Coldwater Hut, nestled on the banks of Lake Rotoiti. However, you can also head in from the Sabine Saddle or up the Robert Ridge, so numerous possibilities depending on your preferences.
Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park
Leaving the best until last, Aoraki is hands down my favourite place for an overnight trip because the sunrise and sunset never disappoint! There are numerous options, including driving along to the view point on the Mount Cook Road and watching from the shoreline on Lake Pukaki, or going for a relatively easy walk along to the Hooker Lake.
However, my favourites are up a bit higher and involve a bit more effort to get there.
Sefton Bivvy
Sefton Bivvy is a two person Hut which is used by mountaineers as a base for heading up the mountain, but also provides a great destination for hikers. There are plenty of camping spots around the hut and the views are well worth the effort of the climb. This is a track that requires good technical ability as there are sections you need to scramble up rocks and the consequences of getting things wrong would be severe, so make sure you have the skills needed and check conditions with DOC before attempting. Once up there, sit back and enjoy the show out across Lake Pukaki – it’s breathtaking!
Mueller Hut
This is my absolute favourite view and you can see why from the photos. Whether sunrise or sunset you are treated to a magical show with so many colours. The reason I favour this over Sefton Bivvy is that you also get a view of Aoraki/Mount Cook which is hidden when you are at the Bivvy. As the highest Peak in New Zealand the sun catches the summit at golden hour and creates something pretty special. It is a reasonably challenging walk with a lot of steps and a more technical section at the end, so again make sure conditions are good and that you have the skills required before heading up. The hut is bookable and there are also plenty of camping spots up here, so you can walk up just beyond the hut and enjoy a slightly quieter view of the show if being around lots of people isn’t for you.
Not feeling as adventurous?
If you are not looking for a big trek but still want to get out there for great dawn or dusk view then here are some other options:
Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty - 40 minute walk, mainly uphill but not technical.
Castlepoint Lighthouse, Wairarapa - 5 minute easy walk from the car park.
Truman Track, Punakaiki - 10 minute easy walk from the road end, but make sure you time it with low tide otherwise you can’t get out onto the beach.
