Aurora Australis: how to spot southern lights and the best places to see them

Heading into the crisp and cool longer nights of winter can mean bunkering in and snuggling down but it’s also the perfect time to venture out after dark and see one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles – the aurora. As another form of ‘noctourism’, a travel trend that involves getting out in nature or going to festivals and events at night, aurora-chasing can be an addictive and often rewarding pastime.

Can the aurora be seen in Australia?

The Aurora Australis, as the aurora that is visible in the southern hemisphere is known, can be an elusive phenomenon. But with a little know-how, it is entirely possible to see the Aurora Australis in many places in Australia.

Typically, it is only possible to see the aurora in the most southern parts of the Australian mainland and Tasmania. But there have also been some recent events in May 2024 and May 2025 where the Aurora was captured in long exposure photos with a camera or smartphone as far north as Queensland.

Aurora Australis over Coles Bay. Credit: Luke O’Brien Photography

The most important requirements for seeing an aurora, aside from being close enough to the South Pole should one happen, is to have a clear view of the horizon to the south from your location – and a clear sky or one with noctilucent clouds – clouds that are high-altitude enough to capture a silvery-blue glow after the sun has gone down.

It’s also best to view the aurora far from city lights, as these can compete with the aurora, making it hard to see with the naked eye, even in the best conditions.

How do I know when an aurora will happen?

While the “Merry Dancers” (as they are known in Orkney and Shetland, on the other side of the world) may seem like magic, a little scientific knowledge allows us to make some fairly good guesses about when an aurora will occur, if not exactly where it will be visible.

In the simplest terms, an aurora event happens when a significant solar flare or “coronal mass ejection” (CME) from the sun is directed at Earth. When this burst of charged particles reaches our planet, it interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, causing a disturbance known as a geomagnetic storm.

These particles are funnelled toward the polar regions by Earth’s magnetic field, where they collide with gases in the upper atmosphere — mostly oxygen and nitrogen — creating the shimmering lights we know as an aurora.

One good way to find out when an aurora may happen is to join an aurora-focused social media group such as Aurora Australis Tasmania, where more than 360,000 people already gather online to share photos and chatter about potential upcoming aurora events.

If you want to go a step further, you could also bookmark the Glendale App on your smartphone screen. Don’t be deterred by the plethora of charts! At the bottom of each chart is a popup to explain what each one means.

The two most important charts track the status of a substorm that could cause an aurora, and the IMF (interplanetary magnetic field) chart. You may also have heard of the KP Index, a measure of geomagnetic activity over the last three-hour period, but word is Glendale’s measurements are more accurate.

When is the best time to see an aurora?

The best time to see an aurora depends on a number of factors: the season, the time of night, moon phases and twilight times.

1. Season: Auroras are more easily seen in the cooler months, when nights are longer and darker. In the Southern Hemisphere, that means from March to September. Winter offers the best chance to view auroras simply because there's more darkness — even though auroral activity itself isn’t seasonal.
2. Time of night: The most active period for aurorae tends to fall between 10pm and 2am, with midnight often being the peak. However, displays can occur anytime it’s dark, so it’s worth keeping watch earlier in the evening too.
3. Moon phase and timing: A new moon (when the moon is dark) offers the darkest skies, ideal for aurora spotting. A bright full moon can wash out faint displays — but if an aurora is particularly strong, it can still be visible. Also check moonrise and moonset times, as even a full moon isn’t a problem if it’s below the horizon.
4. Twilight times: You’ll want to wait until astronomical twilight ends, which is when the sky is truly dark. In summer, this can be quite late — or not happen at all in far southern or northern latitudes.

Where is the best place to see an aurora?

Anywhere with a clear, dark view to the south is a potential stage for the Aurora Australis. But for the best chance — and a comfortable stay while you wait for the sky to light up — it pays to plan a trip to one of The NRMA’s beautifully situated holiday parks and resorts.

Places to view the aurora from Tasmania

Whether you're glamping in Tasmania or tucked into a cosy cabin on the coast, these locations offer the perfect blend of stargazing and relaxation. Places to view the aurora from in Tasmania Tasmania is hands down the best place to view the aurora from in Australia, without a doubt.

Port Arthur Holiday Park

Port Arthur Holiday Park offers more than just proximity to the historic site. With minimal light pollution and wide open skies facing south, it’s an ideal launchpad for aurora viewing. Choose from self-contained cabins, safari tents or powered sites — all surrounded by the natural beauty of the Tasman Peninsula.

Freycinet Lodge

Freycinet Lodge brings a touch of luxury to your skywatching adventure. Nestled inside Freycinet National Park with uninterrupted views over Great Oyster Bay, this is aurora viewing at its most serene. Walk the pink granite cliffs by day and settle in with a glass of wine under the stars by night. To escape the lights, head over to 9 Mile Beach.

Views across Coles Bay from Freycinet Lodge. Credit: RACT Destinations

Strahan Village

Strahan Village is perched on the edge of Macquarie Harbour in Tasmania’s rugged west. With the hills of the Southwest National Park framing Long Bay, this is a front-row seat to nature — perfect for spotting the southern lights dancing above the wild waters.

Places to view the aurora from in South Australia

Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park

Victor Harbor Beachfront Holiday Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula is already a beloved spot for families and weekenders, but it also doubles as a scenic spot for aurora-chasers. Step right onto the sand for a panoramic view of the southern horizon, or head to nearby Petrel Cover or The Bluff for a higher vantage point.

Night sky at Petrel Cove, South Australia. Credit: Laszlo Bilki

Places to view the aurora from in Victoria

There are places a-plenty from which to view the aurora in Victoria also.

Portland Bay Holiday Park

Portland Bay Holiday Park is a favourite on Victoria’s far southwest coast. With ocean views and easy beach access, it’s a relaxed and practical base for scanning the skies.

Warrnambool Riverside Holiday Park

Warrnambool Riverside Holiday Park is tucked along the banks of the Hopkins River. While it’s not right on the beach, the short drive to Logan’s Beach or Thunder Point makes aurora hunting a breeze.

The Twelve Apostles at sunset. Credit: Visit Victoria

Port Campbell Holiday

Park Port Campbell Holiday Park puts you near the iconic Twelve Apostles. The towering cliffs and moody seas make an epic foreground for any aurora sighting — plus, it’s one of Victoria’s darkest coastal spots.

Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park

Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park is on the north side of the island but it’s a short drive to top spots like Forrest Caves Beach and Pyramid Rock Lookout from which to set up a camera and keep watch for those elusive green and pink ribbons.

Southern skyline from Forrest Caves Beach, Phillip Island. Credit: Visit Victoria

Places to view the aurora from in New South Wales

While a stunning Aurora Australis sighting is less likely the further north you go, NSW also has some good holiday stays with decent views to the south.

Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort

Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort sits high above the sand with sweeping ocean views to the south-east. On a strong aurora night, it’s one of the best vantage points in the state. Bonus: it’s only 75 minutes to Green Cape Lighthouse, a prime dark-sky site right on the edge of the continent.

Tathra Beachfront Holiday Park

Tathra Beachfront Holiday Park is all about relaxed, under-the-stars holidays. With the beach just steps away and low levels of surrounding development, it’s a decent bet for skywatchers in southern NSW.

Scenic Tathra coastline as viewed from Kianinny Boat Ramp. Credit: Destination NSW

Broulee Holiday Park

Broulee Holiday Park sits between two beautiful beaches and offers plenty of open sky. While aurora events here are rarer, it's a tranquil and well-situated base for a family getaway that could turn unexpectedly cosmic.

Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Park

Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Park is nestled beside a national park and just north of Batemans Bay. Kangaroos on the beach and stars overhead — and if the conditions are right, maybe even a glimpse of the southern lights.

All in all, Australia’s southern coastlines offer some of the best opportunities to catch a glimpse of the magical Aurora Australis — from the dark sky surrounds of Port Arthur and the wild west coast of Strahan, to the scenic beaches of Phillip Island and Victor Harbor.

Whether you’re setting up a tripod by the shore or watching from your cabin deck, these locations give you a clear view to the south — the direction in which the amazing Aurora Australis appears in the Southern Hemisphere.

For the best chance of seeing an aurora, aim for the cooler months when nights are longer and darker (March to September), and check scientific tools like the Glendale app. Try to avoid nights with a full moon or heavy cloud, and always head somewhere away from city lights. With a bit of planning and a dash of luck, your next holiday could come with a spectacular light show across the southern sky.