The best places to see the southern lights in Victoria

Australian TravellerBy Australian Traveller
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You probably have the northern lights on your bucket list, but did you know there are impressive aurora light shows in Victoria?

While tourists flock in the thousands to see the northern lights, the southern lights are a little more elusive – possibly because of their remote locations, and hence difficulty for travellers to access. The good news is that solar activity is expected to peak in 2024/2025, and seeing the aurora australis in Victoria is even more likely.

Here’s everything you need to know for your best chance at spotting the southern lights (aurora australis) in Victoria.

What are the southern lights?

Auroras occur when fully charged particles burst from the sun, creating a solar wind that slams into the Earth’s magnetic field and rushes towards the North and South Poles. As the solar particles collide with atoms of nitrogen and oxygen in our atmosphere, their electrons charge, leaving ions that radiate energy in wavelengths and producing a spectacular natural dancing rainbow. 

Southern lights in Victoria
Increased solar activity has resulted in the southern lights being seen in Blind Bight in Melbourne. (Image: Getty Images/ FiledIMAGE)

Where to see the southern lights in Victoria

There’s an element of magic to any aurora – no matter how perfectly you plan, a viewing is never guaranteed. Adding to the mystery, there’s no peak time or season to see an aurora, and no one really knows until right before it happens. They could glow for minutes or hours at any time of the night.

But for your best shot at catching the magic in Victoria, you’ll want to head far south. Point Lonsdale, the south side of Phillip Island, Aireys Inlet, Anglesea and Cape Liptrap Coastal Park are all good options. But Wilsons Promontory National Park is a standout for its pitch-black skies and southerly location.

Wilsons Promontory National Park

A three-hour drive from Melbourne, Wilsons Promontory National Park offers verdant views and nature adventures by day, a serene starscape by night and, if you’re really lucky, an aurora light show. You can camp beneath the stars at Tidal River Campground or check into one of the local cabins or wilderness retreats.

Point Lonsdale

Ninety minutes south-west of Melbourne on the Bellarine Peninsula, Point Lonsdale is known for its scenic lookouts and iconic lighthouse. Head to Point Lonsdale Lighthouse for spectacular photos of the lights and tower. Staying the night? Opt for one of the seven luxury suites at Lon Retreat & Spa which are perched on a hill – perfect for stargazing.

Phillip Island

90 minutes south-east of Melbourne, Phillip Island stretches out into the Bass Strait and is brimming with wildlife, hiking trails, and idyllic beaches. There are a plethora of camping and glamping spots on the island that will provide darkness and uninterrupted southern lights viewing opportunities. Alternatively, treat yourself to a night in one of the luxury bed and breakfast “pods" at The Nest.

Southern Lights in Victoria
For your best chance at spotting the southern lights, head far south. (Image: Getty Images/dannogan)

Aireys Inlet

Located between Melbourne and the Twelve Apostles on the Great Ocean Road, Aireys Inlet is home to another iconic lighthouse which was featured in the popular TV show Round The Twist. Split Point Lighthouse provides a great vantage point for capturing the lights and rugged coastline.

Anglesea

Another Great Ocean Road hotspot is Anglesea. This coastal town is renowned for its patrolled surf and swimming beaches and nature conservation areas, the latter of which makes it perfect for aurora watching.

Cape Schanck Lighthouse

It’s not as far south as other spots, but Cape Schanck Lighthouse on the southernmost tip of the Mornington Peninsula is a favourite location for southern lights photographers. Base yourself at the freshly finished Cape Schanck Resort before heading out to catch the lights.

When to see the southern lights in Victoria

Auroras can be seen year-round, but no one knows until right before it happens. They could glow for minutes or hours at any time of the night. While the southern lights aren’t as affected by seasonal light change as the northern lights your best bet at witnessing the phenomena is still in the winter months. 

To further your chances of successful aurora hunting, look up the space weather forecast on the Australian Bureau of Meteorology which will show you when solar activity is predicted. You can also follow the Aurora Hunter Victoria page on Facebook where members chat about active aurora nights.

Southern lights in Victoria, Australia
High ISO was used to capture the colour and night sky in this dazzling photo. (Image: Getty Images/dannogan)
Find tips for photographing the aurora australis in our southern lights guide.

This article was originally written by Jessica Humphries.

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This geological wonder is hiding in the heart of Victoria

    Michael TurtleBy Michael Turtle
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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.

    Caves House
    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.