Last year my wife and I travelled around the South Island for three weeks, perfectly timed with the moon cycle to make astrophotography a bit easier.

By the time we reached the Aoraki Mt Cook area, the moon was getting brighter. This didn't stop us hiking out to see Mt Cook in all its glory, with the Milky Way arching up above and the moon setting over Mt Sefton.

WORTH THE HIKE: Mike Mackinven put his astrophotography skills to work.

MOONRAKER: The Milky Way high over Mt Sefton.

More photos: Southern night lights