A Snow Moon is rising over Australia this weekend

On Sunday 1 February, a Snow Moon will shine above Australia. We’ve rounded up the best spots to see this extra-bright full moon in every state.

Last year’s lunar spectacles had us collectively spellbound, with a Strawberry Moon, Harvest Moon, Beaver Moon and Cold Moon setting the night skies aglow. And while this weekend’s ‘Snow Moon’ isn’t a supermoon (the result of a full moon reaching its closest point to Earth along its elliptical orbit), it is a brighter-than-normal moon worth looking to the skies for. Here’s when and where to catch it.

What is a snow moon and why is it special?

Catch the Snow Moon above the Walls of China, Mungo National Park. (Image: Destination NSW)

A Snow Moon is really just a fancy word to say the second full moon of the year. It derives its name from the snowfall that’s usually seen in the Northern Hemisphere in early February. Of course, we Aussies can’t relate that much – being in the height of summer and all – but the Snow Moon is still significantly brighter than a usual moon.

Whether you’re dusting off the binoculars, setting up your camera at a scenic lookout or simply poking your head out after dinner, this lunar eye-candy will be visible with the naked eye all over the country – making it an easy win for every skygazer out there.

When to see the Snow Moon this weekend in Australia

While the Snow Moon will reach its peak the morning of Monday 2 February at 9:09am, the daylight means we won’t actually be able to see the spectacle in all its glory. This means the best time to see the Snow Moon shining brightly is on Sunday evening, 1 February, around 30 to 60 minutes after the sun goes down. During this time, the moon will appear full, large and low on the eastern horizon. It will continue to be visible later into the night, passing directly overhead between midnight and 1:00am (depending on what state you’re in), when it crosses the meridian.

The best places to see this weekend’s Snow Moon in Australia

snow moon australia — See the moon from Kata Tjuṯa, NT. (Image: Unsplash/Melanie Dretvic)

The best lunar viewing spots are elevated, unobstructed and distant from the light pollution of cities. If you’re planning to catch the Snow Moon at moonrise (when the moon begins to appear above the horizon), make sure to look towards the east. Below are the top places for viewing the Snow Moon in each Australian state.

NSW:

Walls of China, Mungo National Park

Echo Point Lookout, Blue Mountains

Palm Beach Headland, Sydney

Sydney’s eastern beaches (such as Bronte, Coogee and Maroubra)

Observatory Hill, Sydney

Broken Hill

WA:

Kings Park, Perth

Perth Observatory, Bickley

Lancelin Sand Dunes, Lancelin

Cape Leeuwin, Margaret River

The Pinnacles Desert, Nambung

SA:

Mount Lofty, Adelaide

Semaphore Jetty or Glenelg Foreshore, Adelaide

River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve

Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park

Vic:

Arthurs Seat lookout, Mornington Peninsula

Phillip Island

Grampians National Park

ACT:

Mount Ainslie Lookout, Canberra

Mount Pleasant Lookout, Canberra

Qld:

SkyPoint Observation Desk, Surfers Paradise

Redcliffe Peninsula, near Brisbane

Double Island Point, Cooloola

Winton

Palm Cove

Tas:

Seven Mile Beach

kunanyi/Mt Wellington summit, Hobart

Constitution Dock, Hobart

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

NT:

Kata Tjuṯa/Mount Olga, Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park

Earth Sanctuary Alice Springs

What other lunar events are happening in 2026?

There’s more in store for lunar lovers! Look out for the total lunar eclipse on 3 March, a Blue Moon on 31 May and a supermoon on Christmas Eve, 24 December.

Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

Where to stay

Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart. — Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

1. Bruny Island

Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island. — Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

2. Mount Wellington

At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington — Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

2. Port Arthur

Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area. — Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

3. Launceston

You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart. — Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart. — Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .

A Snow Moon is rising over Australia this weekend – here’s where to spot it