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Where and how to see the Aurora Australis in Melbourne and Victoria
Victoria is ideally located to spot the Aurora Australis, with sightings even possible from Melbourne. Learn all about the best times and locations to spot the Southern Lights and get tips for photography.
Seeing the Aurora Borealis is a bucket-list item for many Australians, with Finland, Norway and Alaska among the top places to see the Northern Lights. But that means saving up for a trip, travelling upwards of 15,000km on a long-haul flight, and bracing yourself for extreme cold, with autumn, winter, and spring being the best times to see the Northern Lights (due to reduced daylight hours).
Luckily, there’s an alternative. The southern hemisphere has its own version of the Aurora Borealis called the Aurora Australis, and while it’s less famous than its northern twin, it’s just as magnificent to behold.
Victoria is one of the best places to witness the Aurora Australis, with keen stargazers able to spot the Southern Lights even within Melbourne.
In this article
Aurorae come in a variety of colours, including green, yellow, orange, pink, red and purple. Photo: Sia Nikolaou
What is an aurora?
Although auroras are only visible at night, they’re actually caused by a celestial body visible only during the day - the sun.
"Solar activity enhances the solar wind and creates 'space weather'," says Sia Nikolaou, Solar Section Director for the Astronomical Society of Victoria.
"This leads to an increase in energetic particles (plasma) in the sun's magnetic field and in the solar wind. This solar wind can then either bounce off or re-connect with the Earth's magnetic field.
It is under the conditions of magnetic field re-connection that feeds the high-energy required for aurora visibility in Victoria."
What is the Aurora Australis?
The Aurora Australis – aka the Southern Lights – is the southern hemisphere’s answer to the famed Aurora Borealis, and it can be spotted throughout Victoria, but usually in the far south.
However, during periods of strong solar activity, it’s possible to see the Aurora Australis across southern Australia (including Victoria) and as far north as Canberra, and Sydney.
In May 2024, there was strong aurora activity across Victoria and the whole of south eastern Australia due to magnetic superstorm, with some viewers spotting the Aurora Australis as far north as Queensland.
"Here in Victoria, the predominant colour in an aurora is red, but with stronger geomagnetic storms that have higher energies, we can see greens and more mixing of colours," Nikolaou says. "This can include greens, reds, oranges, yellows and, under certain times and conditions, also blue (seen just after dusk or before dawn)."
Are the Southern Lights harder to spot than the Northern Lights?
Nikolaou explains that the reason the Aurora Australis is harder to spot than its northern twin comes down to geography and the way human populations are distributed.
"In the northern hemisphere, people live under the 'aurora arc oval', which is the region directly around the geomagnetic pole. This is where the Earth’s magnetic field touches the ground and where an aurora forms," says Nikolaou.
"Whereas the equivalent region in the southern hemisphere is located in Antarctica, away from the general population."
It's only during periods of heightened solar activity that auroras can be seen in more populated areas of the southern hemisphere, such as Tasmania and Victoria.
More: Winter festivals and nocturnal attractions in Melbourne and Victoria in 2026
Locations with minimal light pollution and and a clear view of the southern horizon are ideal for spotting aurorae. Photo: Sia Nikolaou
How to spot the Aurora Australis in Melbourne and Victoria
It’s possible to spot the Aurora Australis by luck, but your chances are vastly improved with a little preparation.
What are the best locations around Melbourne and Victoria to see auroras?
The further south you are, the more likely you’ll glimpse the Aurora Australis. It's also vital your location has minimal light pollution, as well as an unobscured view of the southern horizon. This is especially important during low periods of auroral activity.
During periods of high auroral activity it can be possible to see the Aurora Australis within Melbourne itself, though your chances improve if viewing through a camera.
Rickett's Point in Beaumaris is a popular aurora-spotting location in Melbourne, While Portsea, Queenscliff and Cape Schanck are good aurora locations in regional Victoria.
When is the best time to see auroras in Melbourne and Victoria?
Much like the Earth has seasons, the sun also goes through a cycle of sorts. The difference is that the solar cycle takes around 11 years in total and is measured, in part, by the number of sunspots on the sun’s surface.
The period that has the peak number of sunspots and solar activity is called ‘solar maximum’ and features increased solar storms due to enhanced solar wind. This in turn can lead to more auroras on Earth.
According to NASA, the sun reached its most recent solar maximum in October 2024. As the sun cycles down from its maximum, the Earth can still expect to see some solar activity (and auroras). Gradually sunspot activity and auroras will wane until the sun reaches solar minimum (around 2030), before cycling back up again to solar maximum.
Note that auroras can still be seen during the solar minimum period.
What is the best time of year to see the Aurora Australis in Victoria?
Auroras can be seen year-round, but you're more likely to see them in late autumn, winter or early spring when there are more nighttime hours.
It's still possible to see an aurora during summer should the right conditions (for example, an active solar storm, a good location, minimal light pollution) be in place.
More: The best places for stargazing in Victoria
If you think an aurora is occurring but can't quite see it, try taking a photo to see the colours better. Photo: Sia Nikolaou
Tips for seeing the Aurora Australis
Take a photo
If asked to picture an aurora, you might think of a starry night sky with undulating waves of green, red, pink, blue and purple.
While the Aurora Australis can present as all those colours, you're typically only going to see those dazzling displays of colour when you take a photo of the aurora.
Nikolaou advises that you're unlikely to see anything with the naked eye during low periods of auroral activity. Even during high periods of activity, your eyes alone can only detect muted, subdued colours interspersed with grey.
"The vivid colours are only detected using a camera such as a DSLR or even a mobile phone camera," says Nikolaou.
Aurora photography tips
- Use a tripod
- Shoot with a 5 to 15 second exposure
- Use low light settings (wide aperture and high ISO).
Check the space weather
The Bureau of Meteorology publishes space weather forecasts in addition to its regular weather forecasts.
These forecasts report on various types of space weather conditions, including a dedicated page on aurora conditions. You can even subscribe to be notified when aurora activity is more likely.
Daily forecasts and real-time information on local aurora activity in Victoria is also posted daily by Nikolaou on the Astronomical Society of Geelong Facebook group.
Nikolaou also recommends Space Weather Live and the Glendale app for additional real-time information about aurora activity.
Make sure to check the normal weather forecasts too, as cloudy nights can make it harder to spot an aurora.
Consider a stargazing road trip
If you're interested in travelling further afield for a spot of stargazing or for a better chance of seeing the Aurora Australis in the night sky, make sure you're prepared. Before you take off, ensure your car is safe by completing these important safety checks, and have a car safety kit on hand in case of an emergency.
More: How to improve night vision for safer driving
