How best to see the Southern Lights Aurora in Tasmania

Aurora predictor for tonight. See the two charts below. Read on for more information about viewing sites and science information.

We saw the Southern Lights from Huon Bush Retreats

I was about to go to bed at about 10pm. I noticed the sky behind the trees was unusually bright so I called Olivier, from France, who is staying at Huon Bush Retreats. A few hundred metres to the labyrinth gave us a clear view of the southern sky, where the Aurora was active. Not a spectacular show this night but a subtle green glow with just a hint of a few pulsing red beams.

When can I see the Southern Aurora Lights ?

Auroras are somewhat random natural phenomena. As such, they cannot be predicted accurately. Questions such as "when is the best time to see the Southern Lights" cannot be answered accurately. However over time, statistical likelihood can be used as a guide to plan your visit to increase your chances of seeing the Aurora.

Auroras can happen day and night, summer and winter. However they are only visible if the sky is dark. Therefore the following can be a guide:
  • In winter, the nights are longer, so you have more opportunity to see Aurora
  • On nights without a moon, the sky is darker, so fainter Auroras will be visible
  • Displays come and go. As short as a few minutes, sometimes many hours.
    The longer you look, the better your chances.

The sample image below, shows the current extent and position of the auroral oval in the southern hemisphere, extrapolated from measurements taken during the most recent polar pass of the NOAA POES satellite. Find the outline of Tasmania in the bottom left of the image. If it has green colour over it, then the aurora will be visible. The red line in the plot indicated the northernmost extent of view. Further down the page is the real time predictor for tonight.

Use these sample images to understand Auroral prediction

The image above shows the Aurora prediction for the next hour or so. Click button below for the next 24 hours.
The Auroral Forecast product is based on the OVATION Prime model which provides a 30-40 minute forecast on the location and probability of auroral displays for both the northern and southern polar regions.

The statistical pattern depicting the auroral oval is appropriate to the auroral activity level determined from the power flux observed during the most recent polar satellite pass. The power fluxes in the statistical pattern are color coded on a scale from 0 to 10 ergs .cm-2.sec-1 according to the color bar on the right.

This presentation provides an estimate of  the possibility that the aurora is located near a given location in the southern hemisphere under the conditions that existed at the time of the most recent polar satellite pass.

These locations will boost your chances of seeing the Southern Aurora Lights

The Aurora Australis, also known as Southern Lights, is sometimes seen in the southern sky from much of Tasmania. The best places are those with open sky to the south and no city lights. Buttongrass Retreat, Port Huon Cottages and Clifftop Cabin at Huon Bush Retreats are all suitable on an aurora active night.

Several Huon Valley Escapes properties have views to the south. Come for the waterways, wilderness and wildlife that we have on display every day. maybe you get lucky and see an Aurora as a bonus.
Totally dark sky, reasonable southward view
Clifftop Cabin at Huon Bush Retreats has a perfect south view and dark sky.
A few town lights, might get an Aurora view on a good night.

Bonus free upgrade if vacant

Book any cabin at Huon Bush Retreats. During the booking process, you can choose  to book and pay for Clifftop Cabin, which has the best view to the south, or a different cabin which will be cheaper. However, no matter which cabin you book and pay for, when you checkin, mention this special offer and ask if Clifftop is still available. If it is vacant, we will give you a free upgrade to Clifftop Cabin. Sunday to Thursday nights (excludes Friday and Saturday nights)
Also, see our Aurora refund guarantee below.

Aurora 50% Refund Guarantee

Southern Lights Guarantee: 50% refund if no Aurora Australis

Book and pay two nights at the discounted multi night rate, in Clifftop Cabin at Huon Bush Retreats, Monday to Thursday nights during the low season months each year (excludes Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights). Full payment is required at time of booking, no changes or refunds except as per these conditions. You must book at least 2 nights at the already discounted multi night rate. This guarantee is not available in conjunction with any other discount rates or vouchers.
The refund can be claimed in the following instances:
  • There are no new social media images of Aurora visible in southern Tasmania dated on any of the nights that you stay
  • The "Aurora Forecast Ovation" chart shows less than 50% likelihood of Aurora for all the relevant nights
The refund cannot be claimed if:
  • It is cloudy
  • You were asleep at the time of the aurora display
  • There are social media images of Aurora visible in southern Tasmania dated on any of the nights that you stay
  • The "Aurora Forecast Ovation shows more than 50% likelihood of Aurora for any of the relevant nights
  • The "view line" crosses Tasmania any time during your stay

Book at Huon Bush Retreats using the Aurora Guarantee

This event was in the past but it might be of historical interest to you.

Tasmanian Aurora Festival: August 07 to September 03, 2015

The program so far (more to come):
  • The Tasmanian Night Sky Photography Awards competition
    – entries will open on June 11 and close on June 29
    – finalists announced on July 02
    – exhibition opening on August 07 and closing on September 03
    – awards announced on August 14
    – exhibition closing on September 03
  • Night sky photography workshop (beginners) with Loic Le Guilly
    on Saturday 15 August at 6pm (Wild Island in Hobart)
  • Aurora talks on Sunday August 16 at 2pm (Wild Island in Hobart)
    – the science of the aurora
    – how to predict and monitor auroras
    – introduction to the night sky
    – bioluminescence in Tasmania
  • Night sky photography workshop (advanced) with Greg Gibbs
    on Sunday 16 August at 6pm (Wild Island in Hobart)
  • and more to be announced…