Lunar lovers of NSW, we’ve got news. Moon-gazers in the Harbour City are in for a dazzling celestial show this week, as the biggest and brightest supermoon of the year is set to light up our skies (and the forecast is looking clear). Known as the Beaver Moon, it's the second in a rare trio of 2025 supermoons, following the Hunter’s Moon in October and ahead of December’s Cold Moon. Coming within 356,980 kilometres of Earth, this month’s moon is the closest of the bunch.
When is the November full moon in NSW?
Australia’s next supermoon, the Beaver Moon, lights up the sky on the night of Wednesday, November 5. It will start rising just before sunset, however, the peak of the full moon will happen around midnight (the exact timing varies depending on your location in Australia).
When is the best time to view the supermoon in NSW?
On Wednesday, November 5, the supermoon will rise in Sydney at 7.14pm. Not in the city? You can find the scheduled moonrise time for your location here.
How to watch the supermoon in NSW?
Astrophysicist and associate professor Kamath says, “The best way to experience a supermoon is at moonrise, when it climbs above the eastern horizon just after sunset. At this moment, the moon illusion makes it look especially large, and setting it against trees, buildings or a skyline adds to the drama.”
When it comes to fully appreciating the supermoon, the darker the area you're in, the better. You can find our top spots in this handy guide to the best stargazing spots in Sydney.
What is a supermoon?
A full moon is dubbed a supermoon when it’s at the closest point to Earth during its orbit. At this time, the moon appears bigger and brighter than usual in the night sky.
How big is a supermoon?
A supermoon can appear up to 14 per cent larger and up to 30 per cent brighter than your standard full moon – so spotting it should be a breeze.
November’s supermoon is extra special, coming just 356,980 kilometres from Earth. That makes it the closest, biggest and brightest of the year in Australian skies.
How did the Beaver Moon get its name?
The Beaver Moon coincides with the time of year when beavers become particularly busy building their dams for the long winter ahead. These nocturnal creatures make the most of the full moon’s bright light. Traditionally, November also marked the hunting season for beavers in North America.
When is the next full moon?
The Cold Moon, the final supermoon of 2025, will reach its peak on December 5.
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