NASA says it’s the world’s best meteor shower – here’s how to see it

Taylah DarnellBy Taylah Darnell
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Get ready – the Perseid meteor shower is just around the corner.

The night sky above Australia has been putting on a show this year, with a flurry of interstellar activity on display throughout 2025. But July is really delivering the celestial drama, as the spectacular Perseid meteor shower begins its roughly one-month journey past Earth.

What is the Perseid meteor shower?

The Perseid meteor shower is often dubbed the best of its kind. Characterised by its swift and bright meteors that are visible from both the northern and southern hemispheres, it’s one of the most highly anticipated celestial events around the world.

The Perseid meteor shower
The Perseid meteor shower has been hailed as one of the world’s best. (Image: Getty Images/bjdlzx)

This natural light show has long been a favourite among astronomy enthusiasts, famed for the vibrant trains of light left in its wake and the dazzling fireballs that often accompany it. Not only can us Earth dwellers easily spot it with the naked eye, but we’re also able to make out different colours and sizes.

Compared to other showers like the Lyrids, which usually average 10 to 20 meteors per hour, the likelihood of witnessing the Perseids is extremely high. According to NASA , observers can expect between 50 and 100 meteors an hour – a whopping 400 per cent increase in sighting probability.

When will it be active?

The Perseids originate from comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which left a large trail of detritus as it cruised past us back in 1992. When Earth passes through this debris stream during its orbit around the sun, the cometary material collides with our atmosphere. Extreme speeds create air friction, and that, combined with atmospheric compression, causes the objects to heat up, break apart and burn out. That’s what we see during a meteor shower.

The Perseid meteor shower
The celestial shower is easily visible to the naked eye. (Image: Getty Images/bjdlzx)

Earth enters comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle’s debris trail once a year and takes around a month to fully clear it. This means we’re treated to the Perseids meteor shower every year! While it’ll be visible from as early as 17 July, the best time to witness the celestial show is around mid-August. This year, it’s expected to peak on 12–13 August. This is when Earth passes through the most concentrated part of the debris trail, resulting in the most meteor activity.

Where can I see it?

Australia is home to plenty of prime stargazing spots – from dedicated reserves and observatories to our very own DarkSky-approved stay. But thanks to the Perseids’ spectacular scale, you won’t need to venture far to catch a glimpse. No matter what part of the country you call home, even backyard star-chasers are in for a treat.

The Perseid meteor shower
Low light pollution is key to the viewing experience. (Image: Getty Images/Jerry Hamblen)

But to get the most out of your experience, a few simple tips and tricks can go a long way. First things first, find a spot with minimal light pollution – the darker, the better. Head outside about 30 minutes before you want to catch the show, giving your eyes enough time to fully adjust to the darkness. The best part? No fancy gear required. You won’t need a telescope or even binoculars – just a cosy blanket, a little patience and an astronomical attitude.

Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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This geological wonder is hiding in the heart of Victoria

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    Mythical, historical and most of all, spectacularly beautiful, Buchan Caves demands you take your time – and a tour. 

    In the pools of water, so still they could be mirrors, the reflections of the stalactites make these limestone towers seem even taller. Almost 400 million years ago, an underground river carved through the rock to create the Buchan Caves . Now, artworks created by dripping water adorn these subterranean galleries: stalactites hanging from the ceiling, pillars connecting some to the ground, even curtain-like wave formations clinging to the stone.

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    Visit the caves for the day or stay onsite in the campground or at the self-contained Caves House. (Image: Ben Savage)

    “This is called the Fairy Cave because it’s full of fairy dust,” a guide tells visitors as they enter a cavern glittering with “calcite that’s solidified into thousands of tiny little diamond shapes”.  Buchan Caves is Victoria’s largest cave system, but Fairy Cave is a highlight and, along with nearby Royal Cave, is accessible only by tour. Naturally cold, naturally dark, these caverns deep below the surface light up as the local experts tell their stories. 

    couple walking in cave
    You’ll need to book a guided tour to see the caves. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Among the hundreds of caves, some can be easily accessed from the surface. For instance, a casual stroll along the FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk, as kangaroos watch on from beneath acacia trees, leads into the 400-metre-long Federal Cave and its natural steps of white limestone. A slightly longer track, the Granite Pools Walk heads through soaring forest down into moss-covered gullies where the calls of lyrebirds trill through the leaves. 

    A quick history lesson on Buchan Caves 

    Buchan Caves
    Buchan Caves are a must-visit attraction in Gippsland. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Among the geology and the nature are millennia of history. This part of East Gippsland connects the high country to the coast and was long a place of refuge for the local Gunaikurnai people on seasonal migrations to the mountains. Archaeological studies show humans lived here up to 18,000 years ago, with artefacts such as small stone tools found around the site. But not too far into the caverns – oh no! The Gunaikurnai didn’t dare venture deep into the dark at Buchan Caves, telling stories they were inhabited by gnome-like nyols (small grey-skinned creatures that could steal memories). 

    Buchan Caves Hotel
    The Buchan Caves Hotel was rebuilt after burning down in 2014. (Image: Jess Shapiro)

    By the early 1900s, more people had started to hear about these incredible caves and so the Moon family set up home at the site and started to run tours below ground for intrepid visitors. More than a century later, their historic residence is available as accommodation, with the three-bedroom house sleeping up to eight people and now equipped with modern amenities the Moons could only have dreamt of. 

    But whether you stay overnight or just spend the day here, it’s worth taking your time to explore more than just the main caves, to get a deeper understanding of one of Victoria’s fascinating geological attractions.