Are there any southern lights

Very few people make it as far south as South Georgia Island or the snow-coated continent of Antarctica, particularly in winter. But anyone who does get the chance to brave the below-zero temperatures and howling winds will be in for a treat that will no doubt induce Instagram envy once you get a solid Wi-Fi signal, that is.

Being the most southerly chunk of landmass on the planet, Antarctica is the quintessential spot for viewing the aurora australis in all its brilliant glory. The challenge is just getting there. But what about the similar — yet far rarer — phenomenon in the Southern Hemisphere? Aurora Australis occurs year round, swirling through the sky in reds, pinks, oranges, purples and greens. The key to a Southern Lights sighting is a dark sky and a pollution-free atmosphere.

Skies are darkest in winter, which in the southern hemisphere is June to August. Undoubtedly, the best chance of an Aurora Australis is in Tasmania. Bruny Island, accessible by ferry from nearby Kettering, offers a prime geographical position for a sighting — with minimal light and air pollution.

Satellite, another small island off the south-east coast, offers the same. Another spot with Southern Lights potential. Getting away from the light pollution is key. Of course, national parks are often the best places to see such natural phenomena as light shows in the sky — given their size, and the lack of pollution. But home to rainforest and grasslands, Cradle NP is well worth a visit beyond the Aurora.

The lack of land from which to view the skies — and the fickle nature of the aurora itself — means glimpsing the lights requires persistence.

However, aurora-hunters willing to make the effort are often rewarded by stunning ribbons of colour lighting up the night sky, in displays arguably more impressive than their boreal counterparts.

What is an aurora, exactly? Wavelengths determine the colour — oxygen often releases a red or greenish-yellow hue while nitrogen emits a blue light.

Displays can last for several minutes or even days, and visibility is affected by factors such as light pollution, cloud cover, starlight and moonlight. Or, you might miss the aurora lights altogether. Or, if you have a DLSR camera, we would suggest that you pack a tripod, a wide lens and of course, spare batteries to charge your camera. To read our complete guide on how to photograph the northern lights with a smartphone, take a look at this article here for more information. Are you ready for your next aurora-filled adventure?

Gemma is a travel-lover from Melbourne. When she's not surrounded by the great outdoors, Gemma can be found spending her time with family and friends or planning her next trip overseas. This story was created in partnership with: Tourism Authority of Thailand and Qatar Skip to content Search for: Search.

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