New Zealand
Seven Sharp

Beautiful Aurora Australis in the night sky just one reason to visit Naseby

December 19, 2018

The Otago town also boasts the only international standard curling facility in the Southern Hemisphere.

Naseby, population 100, with the slogan "2000 feet above worry level".

Seven Sharp reporter Lucas de Jong visited the Central Otago town as part of the TVNZ1 show's Stay with Us series.

Naseby sits in the elevated Maniototo Plain, right in the heart of gold country.

"The Parker brothers were the prospectors who originally camped here and struck gold, within a matter of weeks there were up to 5000 people in this area," local legend Sam told TVNZ1's Seven Sharp.

Unfortunately, the rush was short-lived but it's still part of the town's psyche.

Today, it's the home of the only indoor curling facility to international standard in the Southern Hemisphere, which plays host to even the Australians.

"Farming and mining were two industries that were pretty much at a standstill in the winter time, what else could you do? Curling," Sam said.

With temperatures getting up to 37C, the community decided they needed an all-year option.

In winter, the town turns into a snow laden wonderland when the sled dogs of The Real Dog Company can take you for a spin.

The real star of the town, though, might just be the night time views and particularly the Aurora Australis, better known as the southern lights.

At an altitude of 600m above sea level, the town offers the perfect view.

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