Top 4 places to sleep under the stars

To us at A Journey DownUnder, an accommodation is much more than just a place to sleep. It is an experience all on its own. Would you like to join us and begin to dream? Here are four unique stays in Australia and New Zealand where you can sleep under the brightest stars.

1. Canoe and sleep under the stars in a traditional ‘swag’

Get ‘off the beaten’ track and uncover the secrets of the Top End of Australia by canoe. As you paddle down the river, listen out for the trees swaying and birds chirping. Enjoy exclusive picnics in remote spots, go swimming in natural water holes and spot wildlife along the way. After an adventurous day, you will come ashore.

Spend your evening around the campfire and be treated to an authentic Aussie meal, created by your local guide. As the sun disappears and the river becomes black, you will witness endless stars appearing above you. The sky is so clear, you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye. When it’s time for bed, take one more glance at the starry sky before turning in for the night in your ‘Aussie swag’, set under a canopy of stars.

2. Spend a night in a glass house within an International Dark Sky Reserve

Nestled amongst native scrubs and tussocks on a hillside, this accommodation is ‘off the grid’ on a Mackenzie Country farm station. Float in your outdoor cedar bathtub and let the days turn into nights. Switch off all the lights and count the stars amongst an International Dark Sky Reserve. Ready for bed? Made predominantly of glass, your bedroom offers panoramic views, even from above.

3. Admire the starry night sky from your wilderness tent

Discover a place where the outback meets the reef! Nestled in the dunes of Cape Range National Park, on the shores of Ningaloo Reef are luxury wilderness tents. Wake up to spectacular nature, canyons, colourful coral reefs and fall asleep under a stunning starry sky. Go swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, fishing, or take long walks down the beach.

4. Learn the ins and outs of the southern night sky

Your host Alastair is an astronomer and has special instruments to observe the night sky - the moon, stars, planets and galaxies. Hear stories of how local Maori and Polynesian voyagers used them to navigate across the Pacific Ocean. Bursting with enthusiasm, Alastair shares his knowledge during your stay at his lodge accommodation on the picturesque Coromandel Peninsula.