The best stargazing in Australia

Where: Exmouth, Western Australia

Tucked away on Western Australia’s North West Cape, Exmouth offers crystal-clear skies, minimal light pollution and breathtaking views of the Milky Way. Surrounded by the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, Cape Range National Park is far from major cities or towns, meaning the skies are much darker and clearer. Add in a high number of cloudless nights, and it’s the ideal spot for stargazing year-round. If the thought of the whole national park is a little overwhelming to bite off at once, we recommend heading to Turquoise Bay for free views, getting bougie with a glamping stargazing session at luxury eco-retreat Sal Salis, or joining Ningaloo Stars for a guided astronomy tour at Milyering Discovery Centre. 

Where: Arkaroola Village, South Australia

Arkaroola was Australia's first ever internationally recognised dark sky sanctuary. Not to be confused with dark sky 'reserves' or 'parks', a sanctuary is way more remote, requires special approval and is just generally a far superior stargazing spot. Located on the protected land of the Adnyamathanha people in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, Akaroola has the perfect combo of high elevation, arid environment and general remoteness for next-level stargazing. Protected by a team of conservationists, this remote outpost has six observatories on site and offers up an abundance of starry experiences for all those so inclined. Pack warm socks. 

Where: Hobart, Tasmania

When it comes to stargazing, Tassie is special. Australia's southernmost state is the winner of a geographical lottery, offering rare views of southern constellations as well as the transcendent Aurora Australis – or Southern Lights. Plus, a tiny population, huge swathes of forest and significant distance from any major cities mean that its skies really know how to glow. Even though it's smack bang in the middle of Hobart (Tasmania's biggest city), Kunanyi is one of the best places on Earth to get up close to the southern stars. And who knows, you might see an aurora while you're at it.

Where: Hyden, Western Australia

Wave Rock is one of Australia's most beloved rocky formations in the daylight hours (How many photos have you seen of someone you know pretending to surf this gnarly break? Answer: too many), but once the sun goes down, this curiously shaped boulder knows how to turn the lights on too. Located in the town of Hyden in WA, this 15-metre curvy cliff poses a dramatic figure when the stars come out. Crisp air, super black skies and pretty awe-inspiring views of the Milky Way make this an ideal location for night sky photographers. Plus, it's easy to get to, very accessible and totally free to look up. 

Where: South Coast, New South Wales

By day, Jervis Bay is home to some of the most beautiful (and clearest water) beaches in Australia (heck, the world), but in the evening it's just as glorious, thanks to lower light pollution than in the city. If you’d like to dig your toes into the sand and marvel at the canopy of lights in the sky, then a guided Jervis Bay Stargazing tour should go to the top of your to-do list. This 90-minute experience will open your eyes to the wonders of the universe right on the water's edge. You’ll get a chance to peep at the moon, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and the Orion Nebula through a telescope – and you might even spot a shooting star if you cross your fingers and toes.

Where: Uluru, Northern Territory

Our nation's monolithic red heart has a particularly potent pull that makes most sense when you're standing next to it and looking up. Once dubbed the best place to see the sunset in the world, Uluru's skies are just as spectacular as its rocky flanks. With long flat desert plains, little to zero light pollution and very low humidity, Uluru is famous for being a brilliant place to see stars. At night, the heavens are so bright and plentiful that you'll feel like you're walking through the Milky Way. To get the most out of a stargazing experience in Uluru, we recommend doing an astronomy tour, where (if you're lucky) you'll get to learn the Indigenous history of these very ancient constellations. 

Where: Kakadu, Northern Territory

Apart from human-eating crocs, giant red gorges and Crocodile Dundee, Kakadu is home to some pretty incredible stars. With very little light pollution and an abundance of remote, wild viewing points, this NT jewel is an ideal place to lie back and watch the heavens do their little sparkly dance. Pretty much anywhere you go in Kakadu (if the skies aren't cloudy) is bound to offer up a night sky bursting with billions of stars, all clustered together in perfect harmony. Ending a day in this magical place feels all the more right when you get to see what's been hiding above you, all along. 

Where: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

Volunteer-run Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society has been kicking around since 1969 (yep, the same year as the moon landing). The organisation hosts public stargazing nights at 8pm on the first Friday of each month at the Mt Martha Observatory, where their celestial wizards will point out everything from the stars to the planets. Bookings are essential and can be made online at $15 for adults, $5 for kids or $35 for families.

Where: Nambung, Western Australia

If getting intergalactic is your thing, we highly suggest you take yourself to the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park. This wild-looking landscape is the closest you're going to get to Mars (in driving distance from Perth's CBD, anyway). The pinnacles are ancient limestone rock formations that spike up like an alien city, and they provide a pretty amazing backdrop to the starry carpet that stretches above the desert. With dark skies, clear dry air and plenty of free campgrounds nearby, this is one of the best places to stargaze in WA. Plus, you can always dip back to Perth if you forget your telescope – something not normally possible when off grid in Australia's vastest state.

Where: Dandenong Ranges, Victoria

This adorable Dandenong Ranges observatory was first built in 1972 by Monash University. These days, you can book public Night at the Observatory sessions where you'll get a tour of the night sky and a viewing through the 18-inch telescope. Tickets for these sessions sell out within minutes ($40 for adults and $20 for children), but a waitlist is available on their website. Alternatively, you can book Mount Burnett for a private session.

Where: Huon Valley, Tasmania

Franklin is a tiny town on the western side of Tasmania's Huon River. It's also a stellar (ha, geddit) spot to see an epic display of stars, year-round. A remote location, accessibility by road and pitch-black skies make this township a perfect place to bring people who love stargazing, but who also aren't up to an intrepid trek through the wilderness. A renowned astrophotography location, Franklin also has a name in the astronomy world for occasionally playing host to the vibrant, rainbow colours of the Aurora Australis. Head down in the winter, and prepare to look up.