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Friday’s Cold Moon is your last chance to see a supermoon in 2025 

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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  

supermoon above ocean
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 

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

How to see it

december supermoon
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?

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.  

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Eleanor Edström
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.
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Your guide to a summer staycation in Sydney

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

    Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

    Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

    Where to stay

    The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney
    Sleep inside a 151-year-old icon.

    Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

    Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom
    Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

    Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

    The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

    Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

    Where to drink & dine

    1. The Bar

    the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar
    Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

    Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

    Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

    The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of  Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

    On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

    Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

    2. The Place

    the Fullerton Hotel the place dining
    Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

    On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

    3. Local gelato

    Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks
    Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

    What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

    What to do/see

    1. GPO Heritage Tour

    the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby
    Be awed by the building’s history.

    Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

    From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

    2. Circular Quay

    aerial of circular quay sydney
    Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

    An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

    3. Royal Botanic Gardens

    view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden
    Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

    Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

    It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

    4. Theatre Royal

    a show at Theatre Royal
    Take in a show at Theatre Royal. (Image: Daniel Boud)

    Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

    Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.