Aurora chasers will tell you there can be no “best” place to see Aurora Australis in Australia because as long as the lights are bright enough, you can see the Southern Lights in most states. This includes New South Wales and South Australia, but people in Southern Victoria and Tasmania will have the best chance of seeing these auroras from May to September because they often appear on the southern horizon and become more visible the further away you get from artificial light (use lightpollutionmap.info).
Typically, the aurora isn’t bright enough to see with the naked eye. However, you might be able to capture it with your mobile phone camera, and if that fails, a professional camera with a long exposure and suitable lens.
The places we’ve listed below are favourite spots for photographers due to their backdrops and locations. If you’re looking for a complete list of places, check out this list curated by the Facebook Group “Aurora Australis Tasmania,” which lists all of their member’s favourite locations from around Australia.
NOTE: No matter what other news organisations tell you, there is no way to forecast auroras before they happen. The most up-to-date information about Australia’s Southern Lights can be found at the Glendale App, which issues updates every few minutes and shares information about dates and times the auroras appear.
When publishing, the Glendale App reports that “an aurora is likely on camera in Tasmania on 30th of July, 2024, as soon as it gets dark if conditions hold. It will be dark enough tonight after 18:07 until the 27% moon rises at 03:12. Further moderate activity is likely within the next few hours.”
The soonest you might know if an aurora will occur is one hour beforehand, as the storm passes the DISCOVR spacecraft in Earth’s orbit.
Best Places to See Aurora Australis at a Glance
Highlights from our list include the following options:
- Best in Tasmania: South Arm
- Best in Victoria: Campbells Cove
Now you’ve read our favourites, let’s check out the complete list.
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Best Places to See Aurora Australis in Tasmania
If you’re heading out from Hobart, check out the following locations:
- Bellerive Beach
- Three Capes Track
- Lunawanna
- Abels Bay
- Rokeby Beach
- Cygnet
- South Arm
- Taroona Beach
- Howden Boat Ramp
- Mount Nelson
- Mount Wellington
- Eaglehawk Neck
- Carlton Beach
- Remarkable Cave
- Bruny Island
- Primrose Sands
If you’re heading out from Launceston, check out the following locations:
- Gorge Hill
- Brady’s Lookout
- Central Plateau Conservation Area
- Hillwood Jetty
- Nile Road, Evandale
- Lower Barrington
- Shannon Lagoon
- Sheffield
- Deddington Road
Best Places to See Aurora Australis in Victoria
If you’re heading out from Melbourne CBD, check out the following locations:
- Campbells Cove
- Wyndham Harbour
- Blind Bight
- Koo Wee Rup
- Werribee South Beach
- Balnarring Beach
- Barwon Heads
If you’re heading out from the Greater Melbourne area, check out the following locations:
- Fleurieu Peninsula
- Mount Sabine
- Flinders Golf Course Beach
- Cape Liptrap
- Wilson’s Prom
- West Barwon Dam
- Aireys Inlet
Best Places to See Aurora Australis in New South Wales
If you’re heading out from Sydney CBD, check out the following locations:
- Bilgola Beach
- Bundeena
- Stanwell Tops
- Gerroa
- Wilton
- Blue Mountains
- Cape Solander
- La Peruse
- North Head
- Palm Beach
- Mona Vale
- Dee Why
- Cronulla
- Kurnell
NOTE: People in Sydney will not see pink lights with the naked eye unless the lights are extremely bright. Your best chance of seeing the lights is from a headland spot with an ocean view to the south.