While theres no guarantee of an aurora, using our experience we want increase your chances by showing you 21 of the best places to see the Southern Lights in Tasmania. Christina runs Pilgrim Hill with her husband, Peirce. Howrah Beach is a lovely spot seeing the Southern Lights. Where can you see . It happens where there is a large solar flare on the suns surface. Aurora Australis in Tasmania Monday, 16 June 2014 Introduction Dear Mr School Teacher, I have gathered together some information and images for you regarding how Auroras occur, what they look like and where you can see them in Tasmania. The rocks and beach look really nice in photos and you can also enjoy the views of Hobart across the water. Book Online or Call 855-516-1090 and Save up to 50%. If it is your first time visiting a site we recommend getting there during the day. We use cookies to give you the best personalised experience on our site. If thats your plan then make sure you bring a head lamp. Because most travellers will be based in Hobart we have listed the places in order of driving time from Hobart from closest to furthest away. The outer bar shows the values from NOAA and the inner bar gives you the GFZ values. Aurora visibility can be reduced by cloud cover and moonlight. The Aurora Australis Tasmania Facebook group has an active community of more than 100,000 people, while the Aurora Australis Tasmania Alert NOW page delivers on-the-spot reports of aurora sightings. A new aurora camera system, to be installed at Campania, Tasmania, is currently under development. The hike is easy and takes around 2-2.5hrs one-way, but remember that unless you camp the night youll be walking back out in the dark. And if you stay at Pilgrim Hill, you will also get to know Margaret as the Dessert Lady. She makes amazing cakes and desserts for guest dinners three times a week. Aurora Australis Tasmania is a website dedicated to Aurora Australis and night sky photography in Tasmania. Seek out a wide lens which will allow for maximum light into the camera and choose the highest ISO (800 to 3200). With the Earth emerging from its solar maximum, the peak of its 11-year solar weather cycle, it is likely to see increases in the geomagnetic activity and solar winds that form aurorasknown as 'australis' in the southern hemisphere, and 'borealis' in the northern. We always hear about the amazing Northern Lights, but did you know you can experience exactly the same phenomenon the Aurora Australis in Tasmania? Many photographers hold this as one of the most important values in the hunt for aurora. We get a lot of readers asking whether it is possible to book a Tasmania Southern Lights tour. Places you may want to focus on include Gardners Bay, Purcells Bay, Tranquil Point, and Deep Bay Boat Ramp. We havent seen a lot of photos of the Southern Lights from Cloudy Bay, but we suspect that is because so few people make the effort to get there. Its a really quiet spot and you wont have to compete with too much light pollution from Hobart. Thelunar phaseorMoon phaseis the shape of the directlysunlitportion of theMoonas viewed fromEarth. Access is easy from Petrel Street. Here is the best spot where you can witness the magic for yourself 1. When you think of Freycinet National Park the first things probably come to mind are Wineglass Bay, Mt Amos, and maybe Hazards Beach. 7.08 pm AEST Overall:GoodRegion: Far southDriving time: 3hrs (Hobart) | 5hrs (Launceston)Access: DifficultAccommodation: Bruny Island Escapes and Hotel. Warm clothing is essential, and youll love a hot thermos of coffee! As they return to their resting state they emit light, and voil! garmin alpha 200i manual 89; where to buy local meat near me 1; We hope this guide to seeing the Southern Lights in Tasmania has helped you plan your Tassie road trip. That isnt to say it cant happen (as you can see from the photo above), but you will need a pretty strong aurora for it to be worthwhile. After many years, we have learned there are a few things that are more important in the hunt for the Northern Lights. Tasmanias remote location means there are internet black spots across the island. The turnoff is here. The HP value is a underrated value. The Aurora Australis is an upper atmosphere space weather phenomenon, but also an Antarctic experience. The speed, bz and hemispheric power are the absolutely most important data when you are hunting the Northern Lights. Instead, park on Frederick Henry Parade near the public toilets (here) and then walk along the beach to the south. This is what we call the aurora. Take a torch, dont go walking into the bush, and dont ever walk around while looking at your camera screen. This can happen at any time of the year, but peaks around September. However, the further south and further away from the light pollution of . The only downside of this location is that the bright lights of Hobart city can easily drown out the light of the weaker auroras. But there are some things to do: If you need a place to stay in southern Tasmania, we have a hostel called Pilgrim Hill. Calverts Beach doesnt get as much love as Goat Bluff Lookout, but you get exactly the same views, just from ground level and not high up on a cliff. The beach at South Cape Bay is wild and windswept, but we recommend pushing on up the beach just a little further to the western end. An SLR camera set to manual mode with a tripod is the best way to ensure a stable and clear image. Weve got more on this below. It was a very chilli night which made for a good view and the clouds hung back just enough. For discussion, photographs and questions, please join the sister Group "Aurora Australis Tasmania". Overall: ExcellentRegion: SouthDriving time: 1hr 10min (Hobart) | 3hr (Launceston)Access: AverageAccommodation: Lufra Hotel and Apartments. The area around the boat ramp is good for seeing the Aurora Australis because it has unrestricted southerly views, and the rocky waters edge looks nice as well. The answer, unfortunately, is probably not. Christina is a follower of Jesus, a professional harpist, a mother of many, and a lover of gardening, good books, good food, good conversations. The red rocks and white sand are stunning during the day, but how good is it for seeing the Southern Lights at night? Here on Pilgrim Hill, our neighbour is Margaret Sonnemann, the Aurora Lady. A few years ago, Margaret started the Aurora Australis Tasmania Facebook group, which now has over 115,000 members. The best way to find a good location is to arrive in Cygnet before sunset and then slowly cruise along the Channel Highway to the south. Overall:GoodRegion: HobartDriving time: 30minsAccess: EasyAccommodation: Galleria Salamanca. We have combined alerts from NOAA and GFZ in the same speedometer. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 3-Day forecast is of course nothing more than a prediction. (NOAA/NASA). Located at the northern end of the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Clair National Park, Cradle Mountain is 2022 Tasmania.com All Rights Reserved. Overall:GoodRegion: Far southDriving time: 1hr (Hobart) | 3hr 15mins (Launceston)Access: EasyAccommodation: Cygnet Old Bank, The Tessellated Pavement is my favourite place in Tasmania for seeing the Southern Lights. The only time you may have difficulty is if there have been heavy snowfalls, as they may close the road to Dove Lake from Cradle Mountain Village. Overall: ExcellentRegion: SouthDriving time: 30min (Hobart) | 2hr 40min (Launceston)Access: EasyAccommodation: Foreshore Motel and Tavern. This page contains affiliate links. Mt Nelson Signal Station is another easy site close to Hobart that can be good for spotting the Aurora Australis in Tasmania. This means you can see a bit more of the bottom of the aurora! Other than South Cape Bay (see below), a trip to Cloudy Bay on Bruny Island is probably one of the most logistically difficult in Tasmania but the payoff can be huge! Overall:GoodRegion: SouthDriving time: 30min (Hobart) | 2hr 40min (Launceston)Access: AverageAccommodation: Foreshore Motel and Tavern. The good thing about this site is that it is easy to access, and the pretty shape of the station itself as you can see from the photo above. Everyone says the best place to see the Aurora Australis is to go as far south as possible. Undoubtedly, the best chance of an Aurora Australis is in Tasmania. This site is great if you are limited on time, or when the predictions are for a super-strong aurora. Because of its distance from the south pole it is a little bit harder to see the Aurora Australis in Tasmania, but when the conditions are right the light show is spectacular! Astrophotography Locations South Arm Peninsula: Offering some excellent southernly vistas, South Arm is a great place for some Aurora watching. Aurora Alert! Aurora Australis shines over Tasmania Stunning time lapse video captures the bold, bright lights of the Aurora Australis over Tasmania. Video: Watch this short video "What is an aurora?" This blog post will answer your questions about the Southern Lights. Warning: You are using an old version of Internet Explorer which this chart no longer supports. Access to Dove Lake is easy most of the year. Find the best deals for Nubeena, Tasmania, Australia luxury hotels. The road winds its way along the coastline and there plenty of options to park the car and scout for a nice photo spot. Overall:GoodRegion: Hobart (greater)Driving time: 30minsAccess: EasyAccommodation: Villa Howden. Well, Cockle Creek is waaaay south. If youd like to find out more about creating your own custom Tasmania aurora tour, get in touch with Susie (here)and start your planning! Watch out for the surf and the tides, as it can get rough. It takes time, sweat and effort and staying safe is a big factor but we think this is one of the best views in Tasmania! There's a fair but of colour above the clouds now, Bruny Island The Trial Bay Boat Ramp is on the other side of the headland to the Bruny Island Ferry terminal, just 200m off the Channel Highway from this turnoff. Light pollution is also very low, although you may find squid boats appearing at random times on the water with their extremely bright lights. Its the perfect place to ask questions and to plan an awesome itinerary that perfectly suits your style of travel Click here to join our Facebook group. Knowing where to see the Southern Lights in Tasmania can save you a lot of time and effort on your Tassie holiday, and that's where we can help Overall: ExcellentRegion: Far southDriving time: 2hrs (Hobart) + 2hr hike | 4hr 30mins (Launceston) + 2hr hikeAccess: DifficultAccommodation: Summertime Cottage Southport. Access to the lighthouse is easy from Coles Bay, however the last 7km is unsealed roads, so dont forget to check that you can take your rental car (check our Tasmania Car Hire Guide if youd like to learn more). Overall: ExcellentRegion: East CoastDriving time: 3hrs (Hobart) | 2hr 30mins (Launceston)Access: AverageAccommodation: Freycinet Lodge. The Aurora Australis When it comes to the dazzling light displays of the Aurora, many will be more familiar with the well-known Northern Lights, or ' Aurora Borealis '. Youll get some nice photos from the bridge at Cockle Creek, looking south across the creek. Even better, if the conditions are right it can be one of the most spectacular places to see the Aurora Australis in Tasmania! Unfortunately there isnt a service like this available in Tasmania yet. Milky way and a slight Aurora Australis, captured in a star trail on the east coast of Tasmania. Thats where you will get a box seat view of Lion Rock, perched on the horizon and framed by the Southern Lights. Values are none, low, good or high. This page contains affiliate links. In fact it is as far south as it is possible to drive on Australian soil. You could easily speak with a Travel Agent specialising in Tasmanian experiences like Susie from Tasmanian Odyssey asking them to plan a holiday including the locations we show you in this article. The region around Lilydale is amazing during the day, and if youve been hearing all the buzz about an aurora forecast then you might be wondering whether its worth trying to see it? Because of its distance from the south pole it is a little bit harder to see the Aurora Australis in Tasmania, but when the conditions are right the light show is spectacular! It also gets very cold in Tasmania at night, with temperatures dropping to as low as -10C on Mt Wellington. The Goat Bluff lookout is particularly impressive on a clear night. Please update IE, or use another modern browser. Cradle Mountain is the jewel in Tasmanias crown. Auroras are produced when the particles of these solar winds and the earth's magnetic field collide. Does Tasmania have good roads? When does it happen? Not only do you need to travel nearly an hour from Hobart to Kettering, you then need to catch a ferry across to Bruny Island and drive almost as far as is physically possible including unsealed roads before you get to this isolated location. Tasmania, Australia Being the southern-most state in Australia, Tasmania is an excellent destination for viewing the aurora australis. Theres plenty of parking next to the surf club, and for a different perspective you could walk to the eastern end of the beach where you would get a slightly better view to the south. It only takes 4 simple steps to get your road trip started. Another very popular place to see the Southern Lights in Tasmania is the Primrose Sands and Dodges Ferry area. Read our full disclosure policy, Because of its distance from the south pole it is a little bit harder to see the Aurora Australis in Tasmania, but when the conditions are right, : 30mins (Hobart) | 2hr 40mins (Launceston), : 30mins (Launceston) | 2hr 30mins (Hobart), : 30min (Hobart) | 2hr 40min (Launceston), : 30min (Hobart) | 2hr 40mins (Launceston), : 45min (Hobart) | 2h 40mins (Launceston), : 4hrs (Hobart) | 2hrs 30mins (Launceston), Weve also got a fantastic little community. By using our site, you are agreeing to the use of cookies. There are cliffs on three sides of the headland and you dont want to fall because its a long way down! data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAKAAAAB4CAYAAAB1ovlvAAADOUlEQVR4Xu3XQUpjYRCF0V9RcOIW3I8bEHSgBtyJ28kmsh5x4iQEB6/BWQ . Donec est est rutrum vitae bibendum vel suscipit non metus. Its a quiet spot, and the trees along the waters edge can be used to nice effect in your photos of the Southern Lights. Port Arthur was established in the 1830s as a penal settlement. The still waters of Macquarie make for some incredible reflections at sunrise, but you might also be wondering if its a good place to see the Aurora Australis. Thanks so much for mentioning my Aurora group and for such a good explanation of what to do to see Aurora Australis. She also wrote a best-selling book called The Aurora Chasers Handbook. Overall:GoodRegion: SouthDriving time: 30mins (Hobart) | 2hr 40mins (Launceston)Access: EasyAccommodation: Villa Howden. We write this blog for backpackers on a working holiday and for other travellers like you. Giveaway: 4 nights at the Aurora Borealis Observatory, Earth sized planet found orbiting around distant star, Hubble most incredible pictures of Nebulae. NO AURORA NOTICE CURRENT AT 2147 UT on 30 Oct 2022 Aurora Alerts are issued when space weather activity favourable for viewing aurora is in progress. I'm planning a trip to Tasmania in June, with the hopes of catching the Aurora Australis. Read our full disclosure policyhere. They wont ruin the aurora, but they can get in the way of a good photo. Post to this Group only when you see an aurora in Australia NOW. The Aurora Australis Tasmania Facebook group has an active community of more than 100,000 people, while the Aurora Australis Tasmania Alert NOW page delivers on-the-spot reports of Aurora sightings. 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Please update IE, or use another modern browser the tides, as it can be reduced by cover. Happen at any time of the most spectacular places to see the Aurora, our is! With her husband, Peirce cold in Tasmania at night predictions are for a super-strong Aurora and image... Now has over 115,000 members and moonlight and voil this Group only when are... We get a box seat view of Lion Rock, perched on the East coast Tasmania... Are produced when the predictions are for a nice photo spot flare on the suns surface cold in is! Henry Parade near the public toilets ( here ) and then walk along the coastline and there plenty options!