Aurora Australis 2025–2026: Your Ultimate Guide to Chasing & Photographing the Southern Lights in Australia
WTF Is That?
The first time I saw an aurora, I thought I was hallucinating.
It was May 2024, and I was out on a solo camping trip in Cadell, South Australia—just me, the stars, and a tent I absolutely regretted not setting up before sunset. No aurora alerts, no forecast, no prep. Just dumb luck.
I was sitting by the fire, halfway through burning my dinner, a few beers deep, and enjoying the kind of quiet you only get in the middle of nowhere. Then I noticed something weird in the sky.
A faint, eerie glow hovered on the horizon. My first thought? Maybe the beers were hitting harder than I thought. My second thought? I should probably drink some water.
But instincts kicked in, and I grabbed my camera. One long exposure shot later, and boom—streaks of green and red light dancing across the sky.
That’s when I learned two things:
- Auroras can sneak up on you.
- Your camera sees way more than your beer-soaked eyes do.
That moment kicked off my obsession with chasing and capturing the Aurora Australis. And right now? We’re heading into one of the best aurora years in decades.
So if you’ve ever wanted to see the Southern Lights, grab your gear—because I’ve mapped out exactly when, where, and how to catch them over the next 12 months.
Why 2025–2026 Will Be Huge for Aurora Chasers (But Also Unpredictable)
Auroras aren’t random. They follow the 11-year solar cycle, where the Sun swings between being calm and chaotic.
Right now? We’re at Solar Maximum—which means more solar flares, more geomagnetic storms, and more auroras visible further north than usual.
But here’s the catch—Space Weather is Unpredictable.
- Auroras depend on solar storms, which are incredibly hard to predict more than a few days in advance.
- Even with 20 years of data, exact aurora dates are estimates—they can shift by days or even weeks depending on how the Sun behaves.
- Some storms fizzle out before hitting Earth. Others intensify unexpectedly, bringing auroras to places that weren’t even in the forecast.
What This Means for You
✔ Use the forecast below as a guide, but be flexible with your plans.
✔ Monitor real-time aurora alerts (more on this below).
✔ If the Sun throws out a massive coronal mass ejection (CME) a few days before your planned shoot—drop everything and go aurora chasing!
For those looking to capture similar candid or professional moments at your next big occasion, you might want to check out my event photography services.
The Best Aurora Viewing Dates for 2025–2026 (With Margin for Error)
This forecast is based on historical patterns, solar activity trends, and moon phases—but give yourself a date range around each prediction in case the storm arrives early or late.
| Date Range | Peak Date | Likelihood | Kp Prediction | Moon Phase | Best Viewing Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🔥 March 27–31, 2025 | March 29 | Extremely High 🔥 | Kp 7-8 | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, SA, Victoria, WA |
| 🔥 May 25–30, 2025 | May 27 | Strong Chance 🔥 | Kp 7-8 | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, SA, WA |
| 🔥 September 20–25, 2025 | September 22 | Perfect Timing 🔥 | Kp 7-8+ | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, Victoria, SA, WA |
| 🌤 April 26–30, 2025 | April 28 | Moderate | Kp 6-7 | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, Victoria |
| 🌤 June 23–27, 2025 | June 25 | Moderate | Kp 6 | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, Victoria, SA |
| 🌤 July 23–27, 2025 | July 25 | Moderate | Kp 6 | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, Victoria |
| 🌤 August 21–25, 2025 | August 23 | Moderate | Kp 6 | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, SA, Victoria |
| 🌤 October 19–23, 2025 | October 21 | Moderate | Kp 6-7 | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, Victoria, SA |
| 🌤 November 18–22, 2025 | November 20 | Moderate | Kp 5-6 | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, Victoria |
| 🔭 December 18–22, 2025 | December 20 | Low-Moderate | Kp 5-6 | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, SA, WA |
| 🌤 January 16–20, 2026 | January 18 | Moderate | Kp 6 | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, Victoria, SA |
| 🌤 February 15–19, 2026 | February 17 | Moderate | Kp 6 | 🌑 New Moon | Tasmania, Victoria |
What to Expect When Seeing an Aurora
- Faint Auroras (Kp 5-6) – Might look like a pale white or green haze low on the horizon.
- Moderate Auroras (Kp 6-7) – You’ll start to see greens and purples with the naked eye.
- Strong Auroras (Kp 7-8) – The sky will light up with visible colors and fast-moving waves.
- Extreme Auroras (Kp 9+) – Bright streaks of green, purple, and red filling the sky, moving like a curtain in the wind.
📸 Pro Tip: Even if you think it’s just a faint glow, take a test photo—your camera will often reveal colors and details your eyes can’t see.
What to Pack for an Aurora Chase
✔ Camera with manual settings (DSLR or mirrorless)
✔ Wide-angle lens (f/2.8 or faster is best)
✔ Tripod (don’t even bother without one)
✔ Headlamp with red light mode (so you don’t blind yourself)
✔ Extra batteries (cold weather drains them faster)
✔ Warm clothing & gloves (standing still in the cold = suffering)
✔ Thermos with coffee or whiskey (optional, but highly recommended)
Final Thoughts: Why This Year is Special
Auroras over mainland Australia aren’t an everyday thing. But with Solar Cycle 25 peaking, multiple strong storms predicted, and new moon dates lining up perfectly, this is one of the best years we’ve had in decades.
But remember—space weather is chaotic. Stay flexible. Track solar storms. And be ready to move when the alerts hit.
And if you capture an insane aurora shot? Tag me on Instagram @whyphotographytho—I’d love to see what you got.
May your skies be clear, your camera settings be right, and your beers be fewer than mine were that night.