Lyla Lindsey
The Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, is a natural light show visible in the Southern Hemisphere. Unlike the Northern Lights, the Southern Lights are more elusive and rarely seen. However, adventurers seeking to witness this phenomenon can find ideal viewing locations in Australia, specifically in Tasmania. Tasmania's southern latitude, relatively clear skies, and minimal light pollution make it a prime spot for aurora hunting. Here is a guide to the best places to chase the Southern Lights in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Hemisphere | Southern |
| Lights | Green, Pink, Purple, Blue, Red |
| Best time to visit | Winter (June to August) |
| Best places to visit | Tasmania, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, Bruny Island, South Arm Peninsula, Bicheno, Bicheno Beams, Hobart, Carlton Beach, Tinderbox, Kunanyi/Mount Wellington, Goat Bluff, Bellerive Beach, Cloudy Bay Beach House, Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island |
| Other requirements | Dark sky, minimal light pollution, minimal cloud cover, low moonlight, long exposure camera |
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What You'll Learn
Tasmania
The South Arm Peninsula, located just outside Hobart, offers minimal light pollution and great visibility of the auroras. Perennial favourite spots on the peninsula include Goat Bluff, about 35km south-east of Hobart, and Carlton Beach, 40km east of Hobart. The Point, a modernist retreat with ceiling-to-floor windows, offers access to aurora-viewing spots on the peninsula.
Other great spots to view the Southern Lights in Tasmania include Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, where a series of flat, mirrored lakes give way to unobstructed views of the dancing lights. Head to the still waters of Cradle or Dove Lake and settle in for a spectacular show.
In Tasmania's Central Highlands, the "Land of a Thousand Lakes" is characterised by flat, expansive plains and lakes carved out by glacial movement over millions of years. Its unobstructed horizon views make this an ideal area for viewing the Southern Lights.
The summit of kunanyi/Mount Wellington is also a favourite spot, although the glow of Hobart's lights can obscure the natural lights, and it can be chilly at 1270m above sea level.
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Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Tasmania is home to some of the best places to see the Southern Lights, and Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is no exception. The park offers unobstructed views of the dancing Southern Lights, with its series of flat, mirrored lakes. Head to the still waters of Cradle or Dove Lake for a spectacular show. With 60-million-year-old myrtle forests and alpine wilderness, you're guaranteed incredible views even on a night without the famous lights.
The park is located in the northwestern part of Tasmania, covering more than 1614 square kilometres. It is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and is known for its towering rainforests and alpine heaths. The park is characterised by its two main entrances, one in the north and one in the south. The northern entrance is accessible from Launceston, while the southern entrance can be reached from Hobart. The drive from either city takes approximately two and a half hours. It is important to note that there is no direct road connecting the two entrances, and private vehicles are not permitted during shuttle operating times.
Cradle Mountain is the centrepiece of the park, rising steeply from the shores of Dove Lake. The mountain offers a range of walking tracks, from short and easy to incredibly difficult. The challenging climb to the summit takes about eight hours and requires a head for heights and scrambling over boulders. The park also offers a well-named walk, a 20-minute loop through mossy rainforest, and a six-kilometre lap around the lake with mountain and rainforest views.
Lake St Clair is located at the southern end of the park, near Derwent Bridge. It is surrounded by nature walks and boasts sparkling waters with reflections of snow-capped mountains. The Lake St Clair Lodge offers a restaurant and bookings for the lake ferry. The southern end of the park is a walker's paradise, with a variety of impressive hikes.
When planning a trip to see the Southern Lights at Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, it is important to consider the moon phase and cloud cover. A dark moon, preferably 25% or less, and clear skies are ideal for viewing the lights. Additionally, the winter months are the prime time to witness the Southern Lights, as the long southern nights enhance the potential for a light show. However, the Aurora Australis can be seen year-round, so visitors may still be lucky enough to spot it during other seasons.
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Bruny Island
Tasmania is home to many of the best places to see the Aurora Australis, and its southernmost regions offer the most likely chance of spotting the Southern Lights. Bruny Island, in particular, is a prime location for viewing the Southern Lights. The island is just a short ferry ride from Hobart and offers minimal light pollution, expansive southern horizons, and rugged cliffs—perfect for photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.
For those looking to capture the Southern Lights on camera, the Cloudy Bay Beach House on Bruny Island is the top pick. The three-bedroom house offers expansive outlooks over the wild waters of the Southern Ocean and, hopefully, the thrilling lights. When packing for your trip, be sure to bring a pro camera and a tripod to stabilise your images. However, if you don't have access to a professional camera, don't despair! According to experts, "Smartphones can actually take pretty decent pictures, especially the newer models which have very good cameras."
If you're unable to make it to Cloudy Bay Beach House, there are plenty of other spots on Bruny Island that offer great aurora-viewing opportunities. The Neck, for example, is a popular spot, where you can climb the stairs and point your camera southward. Even if you don't get to see the Southern Lights, the views of the island, ocean, and vast, starry sky are truly unforgettable. The world-renowned Wineglass Bay, the Freycinet Peninsula, and the Tasman Peninsula are also worth visiting for their natural beauty and dramatic coastal scenery.
While the Aurora Australis can be seen year-round in Tasmania, winter is the prime time to witness the light show, with longer southern nights drawing out the potential for a display. Additionally, keep an eye on the moon phase and cloud coverage, as these factors can impact the visibility of the lights.
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South Arm Peninsula
Tasmania is home to many of the best places to see the Southern Lights in Australia. The South Arm Peninsula, about 35-40km southeast of Hobart, is one of the most popular viewing spots. Goat Bluff, a perennial favourite, is located on the peninsula. Photographers rave about the reflection shots they capture here, and the wide bay allows for an expansive view.
The Point, a modernist retreat with ceiling-to-floor windows, sits on 20 hectares of unspoilt farmland and a private headland on the South Arm Peninsula, offering access to Aurora viewing spots. The Old Bishop's Quarters in Hobart is another accommodation option, comprising five unique apartments with Derwent River views.
The South Arm Peninsula is one of the southernmost regions of Tasmania, where the Southern Lights are most likely to be spotted. The phenomenon can be observed during periods of robust solar activity and under clear, dark skies. The lights are caused by solar particles interacting with the Earth's atmosphere and are most visible in the dark night sky, typically during the late evening to the early morning hours. The optimal opportunities for viewing the lights in Tasmania are typically from May to August.
The Southern Lights are a more reserved version of the famed Northern Lights, and sightings are fleeting and faint. Images of green beams and purple glows are not the norm, and sometimes they're barely visible to the naked eye. The phenomenon can be unpredictable, but space weather maps and predictions can be helpful. Ultimately, the sun calls the show.
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Bicheno
Tasmania's Bicheno, a beloved holiday destination on the East Coast, is known for its sparkling ocean beaches, beautiful coastal scenery, fresh seafood, and wide range of accommodation options. From the end of June to late July, the town hosts Bicheno Beams, an annual celebration of light featuring two alternating nightly 15-minute laser shows synchronised to music. The event is family-friendly, welcoming locals and visitors alike to enjoy the light show, with the next one scheduled for 2025.
In addition to the Bicheno Beams festival, Tasmania offers other unique experiences to explore light phenomena during the off-season. The Beaker Street Festival, held in August in the state's south, is a week-long celebration that delves into the mysteries of light and dark. It features dark-sky dinners led by astronomers, glow-in-the-dark flora and fauna tours, and late-night adventures to explore bioluminescence in the sea. These events showcase Tasmania's commitment to celebrating and exploring the wonders of light in creative and engaging ways.
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Frequently asked questions
Tasmania is the top destination in Australia for viewing the Southern Lights. Its southern latitude and relatively clear skies make it an ideal spot for aurora hunting.
Bruny Island, Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake, and the South Arm Peninsula are all popular spots.
The Southern Lights are most visible during the winter months (April to September) when nights are longest and skies are darkest. However, they can be seen at any point in the year, even in summer.
No special equipment is required to see the Southern Lights, but if you want to photograph them, a tripod and a camera with manual mode and long exposure settings are recommended.
