Guide to Seeing the Aurora Australis: Best Destinations & Seasons in the Southern Hemisphere

Most people are already familiar with the natural phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, where colorful lights dance across the night sky in the northern hemisphere, in places like Norway, Sweden, Iceland, or Canada.

However, not many may know that a similar phenomenon also occurs in the southern hemisphere, known as the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights. Although it is less frequently discussed, the beauty of the southern aurora is just as mesmerizing and can be witnessed from several locations in the southern hemisphere, such as New Zealand, Tasmania, and Antarctica.

When Is the Best Time to See the Aurora Australis?

Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights, is a colorful light phenomenon that appears in the night sky near the South Pole. While the scientific process behind the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis is the same, their visual appearances are slightly different.

Green is the dominant color in both auroras, but the Aurora Borealis tends to display green and white hues, sometimes accompanied by pink, purple, blue, or red. Meanwhile, the Aurora Australis more commonly features green and pink, with streaks of blue, red, and purple.

The best time to see the Aurora Australis is during the southern winter, between May and August. However, March to September is also ideal as the nights are longer and the skies are darker, increasing the chances of witnessing this phenomenon.

That said, since this is a natural occurrence, the appearance of the Aurora Australis cannot be precisely predicted—weather and luck play a significant role.

Best Places to See the Aurora Australis

As mentioned earlier, the Aurora Australis can be seen in the southern hemisphere, in places like Australia, New Zealand, and Antarctica. These locations are far from city lights, making the skies darker and ideal for enjoying the aurora without interruption.

Bruny Island, Australia

Bruny Island in Tasmania, Australia, is one of the most ideal places to see the Aurora Australis thanks to its dark night skies and wide coastal views. At the southern tip of the island, Cape Bruny Lighthouse offers a stunning backdrop for photos, with the mesmerizing Aurora Australis in the background.

For a broader panorama, visitors can head to Truganini Lookout at The Neck. From the top, you’ll get a breathtaking 360-degree view of the night sky and open ocean.

With its peaceful atmosphere and minimal artificial light, Bruny Island provides a truly magical aurora-viewing experience.

Cradle Mountain, Australia

Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania is one of the best places to witness the Aurora Australis. Located in a wilderness area that is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the park offers exceptional natural scenery—mountains, clear lakes, and wide open skies—ideal for aurora hunting.

Due to its remote location (about 4.5 hours’ drive from Hobart), the sky here is very dark and free from light pollution. The best spots to see the aurora include the shores of Dove Lake and the surrounding peaks.

Stewart Island, New Zealand

In Māori, Stewart Island is called Rakiura, meaning “land of the glowing skies.” The name feels especially fitting when you see the Aurora Australis often appearing in the southern skies above this island.

Stewart Island is the world’s southernmost Dark Sky Sanctuary, making it a perfect place to enjoy a star-filled night sky without artificial light interference.

The Dark Sky Sanctuary status is awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) to locations with extremely dark, natural night skies that are protected from light pollution. These places are selected for their extraordinary night sky beauty and their commitment to preserving the natural night environment.

The Catlins, New Zealand

As one of the southernmost points on New Zealand’s mainland, The Catlins is an ideal location to escape light pollution and maximize your chances of seeing the Aurora Australis.

Its quiet beaches, dramatic cliffs, and wide horizons create the perfect backdrop for this natural light show. Some popular spots for aurora hunting in this area include Nugget Point Lighthouse, Curio Bay, and Waipapa Point—all facing south and offering unobstructed views of the sky.

With clear skies and a bit of luck, you may witness the green and pink hues of the Aurora Australis dancing above the calm ocean.

Antarctica

The Aurora Australis in Antarctica is one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural phenomena. Due to its proximity to the South Magnetic Pole, this region is an ideal location for viewing the dancing aurora lights. However, seeing them isn’t as easy as it sounds.

Most tourists visit Antarctica during the summer months (November–March), when the sun shines nearly 24 hours a day (the Midnight Sun phenomenon). This condition makes for extremely short or nonexistent nights, making the aurora difficult to see.

In contrast, researchers who stay through the winter can enjoy the aurora during the long, dark polar nights—the best time to witness the phenomenon. For tourists, March offers the best opportunity, as the nights begin to lengthen and auroral activity tends to increase.

Though it still depends on weather and luck, this is the most ideal time to chase the aurora in Antarctica.

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