If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing an Aurora Australis, your moment has arrived.
Space weather forecasts predicted a geomagnetic storm on Thursday, 19 March 2026, which resulted in a light show worth pausing your evening plans for in some lucky southern states.
And while the aurora australis might have reached its peak overnight, there's evidence to suggest it will stick around through to the weekend. Here's what you need to know to get a glimpse.
Can I still see the Aurora Australis?
In short, yes. You'll have another opportunity to glimpse the Aurora Australis at night on March 20, 2026.
Where can you see the Aurora Australis?
You don’t have to travel to Antarctica to see this — the aurora australis is predicted to be visible from parts of Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and parts of southern NSW.
As a general rule, the more horizon you can see, the better your chances of catching the full display, so head away from the city and opt for spaces with dark skies and a clear southern horizon for the best vantage points.
What time to look at the sky
The coronal mass ejection (CME) — i.e., the geomagnetic storm triggered by the Sun’s solar flare — is expected to reach Earth around 8 pm AEDT, and the best viewing window is roughly 65–70 minutes after sunset. Depending on where you are, these are the best viewing times.
Tasmania
- Sunset: 7:50 pm AEDT
- Best viewing: 9:00–11:00 pm AEDT
Tasmania is your prime aurora zone, with clear southern skies offering the best chance to see the lights in full colour.
Victoria
- Sunset (Melbourne region): 7:50 pm AEDT
- Best viewing: ~9:00–11:00 pm AEDT
Head to regional Victoria or coastal spots for minimal light pollution. The aurora may appear as a subtle green glow at first, brightening if the storm peaks.
South Australia
- Sunset (Adelaide region): 7:40 pm ACST
- Best viewing: 8:45–10:30 pm ACST
Southern South Australia, away from city lights, may catch a glimpse of dancing streaks along the horizon.
Western Australia
- Sunset (Perth region): 6:55 pm AWST
- Best viewing: 8:30 - 9:30pm AWST
Southern WA offers opportunities for late-night viewing if skies are clear. Look toward the southern horizon.
New South Wales
- Sunset (Sydney region): 7:15 pm AEDT
- Best viewing: 8:30–10:30 pm AEDT
Aurora sightings are less common here, but during a moderate G2 storm, a faint glow might be visible to the south if conditions are perfect.
New Zealand
- Sunset (Wellington region): 7:50 pm NZDT
- Best viewing: 8:30–10:30 pm NZDT
New Zealand’s South Island is famous for aurora sightings thanks to clear skies and minimal light pollution.
Tips for seeing (and capturing) the Aurora
Seeing the lights is one thing, capturing them is another. Here are some tips to photograph the moment:
- Keep it dark, and opt for areas without streetlights. Beaches, hills, and country roads are ideal.
- Give your eyes 15–20 minutes in the dark to see faint colours.
- Look south. The aurora typically arcs from the southern horizon upward.
- A tripod, long exposure (10–30 seconds), and high ISO will help you capture the glow. Modern smartphones with night mode can do a surprisingly good job.
Feature image by Graham Holtshausen via Unsplash.
