On 5 December, a spectacular ‘Cold Moon’ will close out this year’s supermoon trilogy with a bang.
Australian skies have been shamelessly showing off this year. We’ve had meteor showers Eta Aquariids and the Perseids sprinkling sparks across the sky, seen a striking strawberry moon and witnessed our first blood moon since 2022. But galaxy gazers and photographers have more to look forward to before we tick over into the new year.
The Cold Moon will loom large and luminous on Friday, 5 December. Following the Harvest Moon in October and the Beaver Moon in November, it marks the third and final supermoon of the year.
What is a supermoon?
According to NASA, a supermoon occurs when a full moon reaches its closest point to Earth along its elliptical orbit. There are roughly 12 full moons each year, but only a select few draw close enough to qualify as ‘super’. When they do, they can appear up to 14 per cent larger and 30 per cent brighter than usual – a breathtaking visual illusion that has skywatchers in awe.
When to see the Cold Moon on 5 December
Look East to catch the Cold Moon on 5 December. (Image: Getty/Gergo Rugli)
While it may be visible earlier, the best time to catch the Cold Moon is a little after sunset, when the ‘moon illusion’ is at its most dramatic. Here are the respective sunset and moonrise times for each capital city in Australia:
Sydney – 7:52pm – 8:35pm AEDT
Melbourne – 8:30pm – 9:16pm AEDT
Brisbane – 6:32pm – 7:07pm AEST
Perth – 7:11pm – 7:57pm AWST
Adelaide – 8:17pm – 9:02pm ACDT
Hobart – 8:36pm – 9:28pm AEDT
Darwin – 7:01pm – 7:31pm ACST
Canberra – 8:06pm – 8:49pm AEDT
How to see it
The Cold Moon will rise on the eastern horizon. (Image: Pexels/Oscar Sánchez)
You won’t need any fancy equipment – supermoons are nature’s way of offering a zoomed-in lunar study to anyone with functioning eyesight. That being said, binoculars or a telescope will reveal craters and maria (large, dark basaltic plains) in sharper detail, ideal for those seeking to soak up the Moon’s geological drama.
Quick tips for viewing the December supermoon in Australia
Find a location with a clear, unobstructed view of the eastern horizon
Just after sunset is when the moon appears largest and brightest
Turn down the exposure and brightness on your phone camera to avoid fuzzy, blown-out white photos of the moon
Check the weather forecast before heading to your viewing spot
Why is it called a Cold Moon?
The Cold Moon marks the arrival of the coldest months in the northern hemisphere. (Image: Pexels/David Kanigan)
In the northern hemisphere, the December supermoon is nicknamed the Cold Moon as it signals the arrival of winter’s chill and the year’s longest, darkest nights. Down under in Australia, of course, it does the opposite – ushering out the cool weather and heralding summer’s peak.
Celestial events to look forward to in 2026
Worried about missing the December Cold Moon? No need for lunar FOMO. Another splendid supermoon will grace our skies on 3 January 2026, with two more following on 24 November and 23 December 2026.
Aussies can also mark the calendar for a total lunar eclipse in March, the Eta Aquariid meteor shower in May and a close rendezvous of Venus and Jupiter in June.
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
Those dreaming of a river escape that’s less rush and more rest will discover the perfect getaway in Echuca Moama.
Best known for summer river holidays, Echuca Moama dishes up extraordinary options for those craving good food, experiences and culture. Discover how best to spend your getaway in this gorgeous river town.
1. Find unique stays in Echuca Moama
Bathe under the stars at Goolwa River Retreat.
An adventure here starts with the perfect place to stay. Echuca Moama is famous for its luxury houseboats. Be spoilt for choice with amenities like spas, chef’s kitchens and en-suites onboard Murray River Houseboats and Echuca Luxury Houseboats .
For those who prefer to stay on dry land to sleep, there’s no shortage of accommodation options to suit every taste and budget. The villas at Goolwa River Retreat offer spectacular views of the Murray Riverfront, cosy evenings by the fire pit. And, a truly unique and luxurious experience: bathing under the stars in an outdoor bathtub.
Families travelling with young kids will appreciate the fully self-contained cabins, which sleep up to six, at NRMA Echuca Holiday Park . Complete with BBQ facilities and a kids’ playground, Echuca Holiday Park is the perfect base for families exploring the Echuca Moama region.
More adventurous guests can experience off-grid serenity at Carriages Water Front Retreat , where they can slumber among the redgums in a lovingly converted vintage train carriage.
If you prefer a more central place to stay, the Mercure Port of Echuca is located just five minutes from the Port of Echuca on foot and offers comfortable rooms, as well as easy access to all the region has to offer.
2. Explore the Murray River
Jump aboard one of Echuca Moama’s famous paddlesteamers.
Those who prefer an active holiday can hire a stand-up paddleboard with Echuca SUP to explore the river. Duck under the historic Echuca Moama Bridge and listen out for local wildlife. At the end of your paddleboarding trip, you’ll find a shuttle service to return you to the car park.
Kayaking is another great option if you like to combine seeing the sights with a full-body workout. Hire a kayak from River Country Adventours , or join a river safari for a guided experience.
3. Go hiking and biking in Echuca Moama
Peddle along the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail.
On foot or by bike, there are plenty of trails to explore the region. Embark on a guided e-bike tour with Green Pedal (or hire an e-bike and go it alone) to explore the 19-kilometre Waranga Rail Trail . Traverse through beautiful bushland and the scenic Waranga Basin. Bakeries and picnic areas in the historic town of Rushworth provide the perfect place for refreshments.
Day trip to the lookout at Whroo Forest, near the now-abandoned Whroo township, located on historic Balaclava Hill. The Hill was once the site of Victoria’s largest open-cut gold mine and home to a thriving town. Today, the area offers picturesque walking tracks and picnic sites.
4. Taste Echuca Moama’s best dining options
Taste delicious, authentic Greek at Opa. (Image: Visit Victoria)
Whether you like a candlelit dinner or a coffee in the sunshine, Echuca Moama is ready to delight your taste buds.
Pop into Opa for authentic Greek fare with views of the town from its upstairs balcony. Enjoy seasonal produce at The Mill , offering everything from global street food and share plates to classic dinner and dessert options inside a historic building.
Discover a local secret at Monkee and Co , a relaxed Asian-fusion restaurant serving up classics like Banh Mi and dumplings.
Start the day with excellent coffee and waterfront views at the family-run Watson St Pavilion .
5. Drink at Echuca Moama’s best bars
Cheers to neon at Paradise Bar.
Top-notch tipples can be found at Paradise Bar , a new cocktail bar serving up handcrafted cocktails to delight the taste buds in the heart of Echuca. The menu features classics like mojitos, margs, and spritzers. As well as Paradise’s own creations featuring funky ingredients like bubble gum syrup and an Old Fashioned with truffle oil.
Bar Lee at the Echuca Distillery is the place to go to watch the sun go down at the rooftop bar, taste Echuca’s locally made spirits and nibble your way through an exceptional selection of share plates.
For river views, excellent service and a more than extensive wine menu, head to Social Wine Bar . You’ll find a laid-back atmosphere in the riverfront beer garden that sprawls out under an ancient pine tree and a cosy interior perfect for hiding away on a cool evening.
6. Follow local art trails
Jump in the car and follow the Silo Art Trail.
The region’s silos have been transformed into impressive, towering canvases depicting local fauna, Echuca’s historical links to industry and the building of the local railroad. Follow the Silo Art Trail by car, which takes between three and four hours.
Rochester Mural Park is home to an annual lineup of changing murals, while the Rochester Mural Festival showcases established and emerging artists.
7. Dive into local history
See the historic Port of Echuca.
The Echuca Moama region is bursting with history. Among its historical treasures is the Port of Echuca . Interactive displays showcase the port’s importance to historical trade along the river, industrial sites like the Evans Brothers Sawmill and the Port of Echuca railway station with its very own heritage steam train.
The displays pay homage to the site’s significance to the local Yorta Yorta People and their ancestral connection to the land where the Murray, Campaspe and Goulburn Rivers meet.
Explore the port independently or join a guided tour to learn from Echuca’s history buffs.
