Pearls Of The Sky: Western Australia's Top Stargazing

Western Australia is on track to become the world’s top destination for stargazing – from its regional towns, remote islands and even its capital city.

The Milky Way sparkles above Western Australia on a clear and moonless night. Mirroring the pearls found underwater around the state’s isolated islands, millions of stars twinkle across the inky-black sky.

Peering up at this glittery galaxy from aboard a cray-fishing boat, we can see it all. The Southern Cross shines brightest, along with planets that are visible to the naked eye.

Astro Cruise

Donna Vanzetti, director of Star Tracks Astro Tours , has been invited on the inaugural Astro Cruise with Eco Abrolhos to lead stargazing sessions at sea and on land. Using a green laser pointer, she highlights Indigenous constellations formed by the dark spaces between stars, such as the Emu in the Sky and the Hopping Kangaroo.

“Our First Nations people have used the night sky for more than 60,000 years. They used it as a calendar, for navigation, and as a storyboard for Dreamtime," Vanzetti says.

“The constellations that we grew up with [in Australia] were drawn up by people in the northern hemisphere, so everything is upside down for us. But the Aboriginal constellations are up the right way."

stargazing tours with Astrotourism Western Australia — Explore Indigenous constellations in the WA sky. (Image: Louise Goldsbury)Explore Indigenous constellations in the WA sky. (Image: Louise Goldsbury)

Vanzetti has come equipped with a powerful telescope to show us the rings of Saturn, the ‘gas giant’ of Jupiter, and the dark side of tonight’s quarter moon. Moving to the more static vantage point of a deserted beach, we take turns on the eyepiece to admire the view.

The Abrolhos is the best place in the world for stargazing, Vanzetti says, because there is no light or air pollution. “As we are off the mainland, in the ocean, this provides us with pristine, world-class skies. We have some lovely islands to land on with the telescope as well as stargazing on a beach in the middle of nowhere, which is a great adventure."

For many passengers, the region’s main drawcards are its exceptional fishing and snorkelling. But the evenings bring other treasures that outshine expectations.

“Once you have had star patterns pointed out to you, or you see a star that is actually a planet, the night sky comes alive. Just knowing a little more about what is overhead really opens people’s minds to the universe above," says Vanzetti.

The 32-passenger Eco Abrolhos offers its next Astro Cruise on 8-12 February 2024, during a New Moon phase. Guests reach the islands by small plane from Geraldton (included in fares) and sail back over five days. Pricing starts at $3265 per person twin-share or $3685 for a solo cabin including all meals and activities.

the shimmering Milky Way in the Old Shearing Shed Avoca Farm near Narembeen — The Milky Way never gets old. (Image: Astrotourism WA)

WA’s dark skies

In a world that is glowing brighter with artificial light – increasing by two to 10 per cent every year – WA is working to keep its night sky as dark as possible. Viewing the magnificence of the Milky Way is an ongoing preservation project, led by Astrotourism Western Australia founder Carol Redford.

camping under the stars, Astrotourism Western Australia — Camp under the stars in Western Australia. (Image: Astrotourism WA)

The organisation has designated many regional communities as Astrotourism Towns with efforts to change the local street lighting and offer dedicated observation sites and astrophotography hotspots. Sites along the Coral Coast include Lake Thetis in Nambung National Park, near Cervantes; Macpherson Homestead, Carnamah; Three Springs Golf Club; Yandanooka Hall campsite, Mingenew; Little Lagoon, Shark Bay; and the Bibbawarra Bore, Carnarvon.

the Resilience art sculpture under the Milky Way — Western Australia is on track to become the world’s top destination for stargazing. (Image: Astrotourism WA)

Perth is perfectly positioned as the world’s most isolated capital city on a continent. Following the steps in these locations, Redford hopes to darken the sky above Perth by implementing the same steps as used in the regional Astrotourism Towns.

“Back in the 1960s, when American astronaut John Glenn was orbiting Earth for the first time, he asked the people of Perth and Rockingham to turn on their lights so he could see them from space," she recalls.

“We became known as the City of Light. But I have a dream that one day Perth can reinvent itself as the City of Starlight. If we used Dark Sky-friendlier street lights and pointed light downwards, I think we could see the Milky Way above the Swan River in Perth, which would be an amazing achievement."

Astrotourism Western Australia is a stellar resource of stargazing trails and itineraries, tours and attractions in regional towns, and a calendar of events and experiences.

the Quobba Lighthouse under the stars, north of Carnarvon — The Quobba Lighthouse is a majestic sight. (Image: Astrotourism WA)

Other stargazing hotspots around Australia

Queensland: See planets and constellations through powerful telescopes and listen to Indigenous stories around a firepit in outback Charleville.

NT: Sounds of Silence or Tali Wiru at Uluṟu, Under a Desert Moon at Kings Canyon, or Earth Sanctuary ’s astronomy tours near Alice Springs.

a sky full of stars in Uluru — Book a stargazing trip with Uluṟu Astro Tours. (Image: Tourism NT/Tourism Australia)

NSW: Coonabarabran is the gateway to Siding Spring , home to Australia’s largest optical telescopes, Milroy Observatory , and Warrumbungle National Park , the southern hemisphere’s first Dark Sky Park.

the night sky filled with bright stars over the dark sky park in the Warrumbungles — Set up your tent at Warrumbungle National Park under the sky full of stars. (Image: Destination NSW)

SA: River Murray International Dark Sky Reserve hosts a Dark Sky Night Tour . You can also enjoy dinner followed by a telescope viewing at Juggle House .

ACT: Canberra Space Centre is the largest antenna complex in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tasmania: The best displays of the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis) take place in winter. Viewpoints include Hobart’s Mt Wellington and Mt Nelson, but the further south the better.

Aurora Australis, South Coast Track — Witness the spectacular Aurora Australis in Tasmania. (Image: Matty Eaton)

From thundering waterfalls to ancient Indigenous art, Kimberley’s raw beauty will take your breath away.

Wild, pristine, and shaped by nature, the Kimberley Coast is one of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes. A remote and rugged frontier that remains a bucket list destination for many travellers. Its most breathtaking attractions – including Montgomery Reef, King George Falls and Horizontal Falls – are accessible only by sea or air, making a guided expedition cruise aboard Silversea’s luxury expedition ship, Silver Cloud, the ideal way to explore it.

From its intricate intertidal zones to ancient rock art, extreme tides and rare wildlife found nowhere else in Australia – or the world – this journey offers an unparalleled exploration of one of Earth’s last true wildernesses.

Why Silversea?

Silversea offers a 10-day expedition departing Broome, or an extended 16-day expedition voyage from Indonesia, including landings on the hidden gems of Palopo Sulawesi and Komodo. Accompanied by expert guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology, guests gain a deeper understanding of the Kimberley’s dramatic landscapes, rich cultural heritage and extraordinary biodiversity.

Silversea offers one of the experiential travel industry’s leading crew-to-guest ratios. Along with all-suite accommodation (80 per cent with private verandah), 24-hour butler service, a swimming pool and four dining options. Silver Cloud also has an experienced crew of multilingual expedition guides and specialists in marine biology, history and geology to enhance your Kimberley Experience.

silversea cruise ship pool deck — Take a dip in the pool deck.

1. Koolama Bay

Before visitors see King George Falls, they hear them – a growing rumble in the distance, steady and foreboding as the Zodiac glides through the gorge, the sound echoing off sheer rock formations. At 80 meters tall, the twin cascades carve through the red cliffs, churning the waters below in a spectacular finale – but Koolama Bay holds secrets beyond its striking scenery.

Named after a ship that beached here following an aerial attack by Japanese bombers in World War II, the bay may seem desolate, yet it teems with life. With Silversea’s expert guides on their 10-day Kimberley itinerary, guests gain a sharper eye for its hidden wonders – rock wallabies darting across the cliffs, crocodiles lurking among dense green mangroves, and high above, the silhouette of a bird of prey circling the sky.

King George Falls at koolama bay excursion on Silversea Kimberley Cruise — Take a shore excursion to see King George Falls.

2. Freshwater Cove / Wijingarra Butt Butt

Connect with Country on a wet landing at Freshwater Cove, also known as Wijingarra Butt Butt. Considered one of the most special experiences on both the 16-day and 10-day Kimberley cruises, Silversea guests are welcomed by the traditional Indigenous custodians of the land, painted with traditional ochre, and invited to take part in a smoking ceremony.

Located on the mainland near Montgomery Reef, Wijingarra Butt Butt holds deep cultural significance to the local Indigenous community. Here, rock formations along the shore represent spiritual ancestors, and guests are guided to a nearby rock overhang filled with ancient art, where traditional owners share the stories and meaning behind these sacred paintings.

welcome to country on freshwater cove during silversea kimberley cruise — Take part in a smoking ceremony. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

3. Vansittart Bay (Jar Island)

Modern history, ancient culture and mystery converge in Vansittart Bay, which is also known as Jar Island. Here, the first thing to catch the eye is the dented, silver fuselage of a World War II-era C-53 plane – a striking relic of the past. Yet, the true cultural treasures lie just a short hike away where two distinct styles of Indigenous rock art – Gwion Gwion and Wandjina – can be found.

The Wandjina figures, deeply connected to Indigenous traditions, stand in stark contrast to the enigmatic Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) paintings, which date back more than 12,000 years. Significantly different in form and style, the two different styles create a striking juxtaposition, offering a rare glimpse into the region’s rich and complex past.

aerial view of Vansittart Bay, See it in you Silversea Kimberley Cruise. — Explore ancient Gwion Gwion rock art at Vansittart Bay. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

4. Horizontal Falls

Part illusion, part natural phenomenon, the Kimberley’s much-lauded Horizontal Falls aren’t a waterfall, but a tidal and geographic spectacle that visitors have to see to comprehend. Known as Garaanngaddim, the phenomenon occurs when seawater rushes through two narrow gaps- one just twenty metres wide, and the other seven metres in width, between the escarpments of Talbot Bay.

With each tidal shift, the force of the water creates whirlpools, furious currents and the illusion of a horizontal cascade as thousands of gallons of water are pushed and pulled in through the gap every six hours with relentless movement, making this one of the Kimberley ’s most mesmerising natural wonders.

Horizontal Falls are described as "One of the greatest wonders of the natural world". They are formed from a break in-between the McLarty Ranges reaching up to 25m in width. The natural phenomenon is created as seawater builds up faster on one side of the gaps than the other, creating a waterfall up to 5m high on a King tide. — Watch whirlpools and furious currents collide. (Image: Janelle Lugge)

5. Montgomery Reef

As the tide turns in Montgomery Reef, magic happens. With the Kimberley’s legendary tides varying up to ten metres, at low tide the submerged reef almost appears to rise from the depths: exposing up to four metres of the sandstone reef.

The impact is otherworldly: as the water drains, waterfalls cascade on either side of the channel, turtles left exposed scramble and dive, and fish leap in search of sanctuary in shallow pools. Meanwhile, the dinner bell rings for the migratory seabirds dugongs, reef sharks and dolphins that scavenge and feast in the area.

Using zodiacs, guests cruise through one of the world’s most significant inshore reef systems navigated by experienced guides, exploring the most intricate and fascinating parts of a 300-square-kilometre-wide biodiversity hotspot.

aerial view of boat going along Montgomery Reef — Witness seabirds, dolphins and reef sharks on the hunt.

6. Mitchell Falls by Helicopter

Experiencing the Kimberley by sea allows you to feel the power of the tides, but travelling by helicopter reveals the sandstone tapestry of the Kimberley, a landscape geologists believe is over 1.8 billion years old.

One of Silversea’s most popular optional excursions , guests who opt to fly into the interior from the onboard helipad soar up above the rust-coloured landscape of the Mitchell plateau, taking in one of Australia’s most scenic waterfalls: Mitchell Falls, a series of four emerald-coloured pools gently cascades into each other, before plunging down to the river below.

Seeing the landscape from above reveals a landscape weaved and shaped by the power of the freshwater wet season, juxtaposed to the constant lapping of the relentless and powerful tide on the coast.

aerial view of mitchell falls on silversea helicopter excursion — See emerald pools cascade into the river below. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

7. Indigenous Art Caves, Wandjina Art

The Kimberley Region of Western Australia is home to some of the most striking and significant

Indigenous rock art in Australia. Dotted throughout the landscape are caves, cliffs and rock overhangs depicting the striking, ethereal image of Wandjina, the rainmaker spirit and creation being central to many of the Dreamtime stories in this region.

Some of the paintings are regularly repainted by traditional custodians, while others are believed to be over 4,000 years old. Each artwork serves as both a cultural record and a living connection to the past, offering a rare opportunity to engage with the enduring traditions of the Kimberley’s Indigenous communities.

Freshwater Cover Rock Art the kimberleys — Walk among cultural records preserved in stone. (Image: Tim Faircloth)

See the best of this incredible part of the world on a Silversea Kimberley cruise. Book your 10- or extended 16-day expedition voyage at silversea.com

Pearls of the sky: Western Australia’s top stargazing