Here in Australia it can often feel like we're isolated from noteworthy happenings. But this week, stargazers on Australia's east coast have been treated to something truly spectacular, with clear views of the Aurora Australis. Vibrant hues have flashed periodically across the southern horizon in recent days, as the Aurora Australis — also known as the Southern Lights — made a rare, stunning appearance visible as far north as New South Wales.
If you missed it, you’re not alone. While you can catch up with the Aurora Australis via your TikTok FYP, there's good news for those hoping to catch a glimpse IRL: solar activity is only ramping up, and with the right timing, location and conditions, you could still catch the lights for yourself. Here's everything you need to know to see the Aurora Australis from Australia.
@xhuiinnz Stunning Aurora Australis lights up the New Zealand skies. 🌌 #auroraaustralis #southernlights #newzealand #southisland #purenewzealand #nztravel #nzmustdo #nzroadtrips #travel #stargazing #milkyway ♬ A Piece of Memory - Cozy Forest Ambient
So, what is the Aurora Australis?
Put simply, it's the southern hemisphere’s version of the Northern Lights. It's a natural phenomenon created when solar wind (charged particles from the Sun) collide with Earth’s magnetic field. The energy released ignites the upper atmosphere in surreal colours, illuminating the night sky in hues of green, pink, and yellow.
While the Southern Lights are more commonly seen near Antarctica, geomagnetic storms, caused by solar flares, can push them further north, reaching Australia’s southern coastline and, occasionally, much further inland.
This is what happened on Sunday night, when many southern parts of the country were treated to a light show, caused by a solar flare at around 8pm AEST.
Where (and when) to see it
As the name suggests, the Southern Lights are best seen from the most southern points of Australia. In particular, the best locations are:
- Tasmania: Mount Wellington, Bruny Island and Cockle Creek offer incredible viewing points, with minimal light pollution and uninterrupted southern views.
- Victoria: The Otways, Wilsons Promontory, and Phillip Island are all within reach for Melburnians chasing the glow.
- South Australia: Locations with wide southern horizons can surprise with breathtaking displays.
- New South Wales: In especially strong storms, faint auroras have been spotted from inland NSW.
The best time to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Australis is winter, from May to August, where the skies are typically clearer, and the nights are longer. As this week has demonstrated, you're also more likely to see them during geomagnetic storms and intense solar flares. These are usually reported by space weather services a few days in advance. The ASWFC alerts can keep you update on when to expect these.
