Total Solar Eclipse 2028 New Zealand

Central Otago Accommodation for the 2028 New Zealand Solar Eclipse

On Saturday 22 July 2028, the sky above New Zealand’s Central Otago region is going to go dark in the middle of the afternoon. It’s called the Great Australasian Eclipse, a total solar eclipse crossing Australia and New Zealand, and Earnscleugh Castle sits inside the path of totality, the narrow band where the eclipse is total rather than partial, right here in Clyde, along with Alexandra and the rest of Central Otago.

We’ve already had enquiries about it, more than two years out, so we thought it was time to update everyone on our plans.

What Is the Great Australasian Eclipse and What Happens on 22 July 2028?

For a few minutes, the moon passes directly in front of the sun. It gets dark, properly dark, not just cloudy-afternoon dark, the temperature drops and the birds go quiet, thinking it’s night. Then it’s over and the light comes back like nothing happened.

This is a total eclipse, not the partial kind where you need glasses to notice anything’s different. New Zealand hasn’t had one like this since 1965, and the next one through this part of the country is centuries away. Otago astronomers have traced it back further: the last time a total eclipse crossed this part of the region was December 1163, which puts 2028 at more than 850 years since anyone here last saw one – incredible!

Where the 2028 Solar Eclipse Is Visible in New Zealand: Central Otago and Clyde?

Earnscleugh Castle is a Category 1 Heritage New Zealand listed manor with a fascinating history (the old rabbit canning enterprise that used to operate on this land is a story for another day, or ask us about it when you’re here). We’ve been part of Central Otago for a long time. It seemed fitting we’d want to be part of this too.

Central Otago’s winter skies are usually clear and famously dark at night, which is part of why people already come here for stargazing. Put that together with a castle, the sauna, icebath, pool and spa, the extensive outdoor decks for viewing the kind of landscape people already drive down here to photograph, and eclipse day should be something worth building a trip around.

How Long Will the 2028 Solar Eclipse Last?

The eclipse itself runs for a couple of hours from start to finish, but that’s mostly the partial phase, the moon slowly creeping across the sun. Totality, the bit everyone’s actually travelling here for, is much shorter. Along this stretch of Central Otago, including Queenstown and Dunedin either side of us, totality runs for somewhere around 2 minutes and 45 to 50 seconds, with the whole thing reaching its peak in the mid to late afternoon, NZ time.

A few minutes of true darkness in the middle of the day, with the sun’s corona visible around the edge of the moon, is the kind of thing people fly across the world for and we are so excited to be in a prime position to experience it.

Our 2028 Eclipse Accommodation Package

We’re working on a small number of eclipse weekend packages, a 3 night stay running Friday to Monday over eclipse weekend itself. Not just a room for the night, but something built around the day itself: a guided tour of the castle, time in the sauna and spa, food and wine from local Central Otago producers we already work with, and a guided viewing of the eclipse from the grounds.

We only have 6 guest suites and rooms in the Castle and 3 in the Coach House, so will be a personalised and highly curated experience.

When Will 2028 Eclipse Packages Be Released?

We’re still finalising pricing and exact inclusions, and that’ll take a few months yet. Given the level of interest already, including from overseas, we’d say don’t wait until it’s all locked in to register your interest.

Easiest way to hear about it first is to follow us on Instagram or Facebook or just get in touch directly via email.