Where you can see the Southern Lights

Where you can see the Southern Lights

From Australia to Antarctica, we list the best places to see the Southern Lights

People often ask, “Aren’t you done traveling yet?” or “Where’s left to go?”

To be honest, we thought 2018 would be the year we would settle down, so to speak, and perhaps look for a semi-permanent base somewhere in the English Peak District...

But then we went to the World Travel Market and met representatives from Greenland and the Falkland Islands and the Faroe Islands and lots of other far-flung places we'd like to see one day, and we realized we'd probably never be done traveling. We would always want to see more.

Take the Northern Lights for example. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that absolutely lives up to the hype. After seeing them we thought we were satisfied, but now of course we want to see the Southern Lights, also known as the Aurora Australis.

The Southern Lights are the lesser-known, less-seen counterpart of the Northern Lights and appear in the lower reaches of the Southern Hemisphere.

But where can you see the Southern Lights? We list your best bets below.

South Georgia Island

Where: Anywhere on the island. When: March to September

alt="Where to see the Southern Lights: South Georgia Island">island protection; CC BY-NC-ND 2.0South Georgia Island is one of the best places to see the Southern Lights

South Georgia in the South Atlantic is one of the southernmost islands in the world. The island is covered in ice most of the year and is therefore largely inaccessible, but polar cruises do stop there, usually in March when the weather is relatively calm.

Part of a British Overseas Territory, South Georgia offers a rugged landscape of glaciated peaks, sparkling fjords and wild beaches. The Allardyce Range stretches across the spine of the island and, incredibly, 57% of its 3,755 square kilometers (1,450 square miles) area is covered in glaciers.

Visit the island of South Georgia on G Adventures' Spirit of Shackleton or Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica trip.

Antarctic

Where: Any of the Antarctic regions (likely limited by your expedition) When: March to September

alt="Where can you see the Southern Lights: Antarctica">Australian Antarctic Division; Fair useThe Southern Lights are most active in Antarctica

Ah, the final frontier is Antarctica. Of course, this region of the world is off-limits to most people, but those determined to go can save up for an Antarctic expedition.

If you choose the right time, you will see the Southern Lights at their most vibrant, active and impressive. They often light up the sky during the winter months (March to September). Expeditions typically take place from November to March as the weather can become treacherous later in the year. Therefore, March is a good option for accessibility and ratings.

Visit Antarctica on G Adventures' Antarctic cruises.

Falkland Islands

Where: All parts of the islandsWhen: April to August

alt="Where to see the Southern Lights: Falkland Islands">DreamtimeThe Falkland Islands offer the opportunity to see five species of penguins

Located approximately 500 km (310 miles) off the east coast of Argentina, the Falkland Islands offer an excellent opportunity to see the Southern Lights. Home to around 3,400 people, the Falkland Islands are a place of outstanding beauty and wildlife, the latter of which includes over 120,000 breeding pairs of gentoo penguins!

The skies are darkest between April and August, making this the best time to visit. It's worth noting that the British Antarctic Survey installed a monitoring system on the Falkland Islands in 2010 to record aurora activity - a pretty good omen for your chances.

Visit the Falkland Islands on G Adventures' Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica trip.

New Zealand

Where: Stewart Island, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, The Catlins, Invercargill, Dunedin, Queenstown, ChristchurchWhen: March to September

alt="Where to see the Southern Lights: New Zealand">Ben; CC BY-ND 2.0New Zealand's South Island is a great place to see the Southern Lights

New Zealand has a number of options when it comes to discovering the Southern Lights. Stewart Island, the southernmost populated island, is a particularly good location. Much of the island belongs to Rakiura National Park and the population is sparse, meaning light pollution is minimal. However, it is worth noting that the weather is difficult to predict.

Lake Tekapo and Aoraki Mt Cook National Park are part of the Dark Sky Reserves, meaning they are internationally known for having some of the darkest skies in the world.

Other options include the Catlins and even cities like Invercargill, Dunedin, Queenstown and Christchurch.

Visit New Zealand on G Adventures' trips to New Zealand.

Tasmania, Australia

Where: Mount Wellington, Mount Nelson, South Arm Peninsula, Dodges Ferry, Cockle Creek, Rosny Hill, Seven MileWhen: March to September

alt="The Southern Lights illuminate Lion Rock in southern Tasmania">Jamen Percy; CC BY-SA 4.0The Southern Lights illuminate Lion Rock in southern Tasmania

Despite what the name suggests, the Aurora Australis is not easy to see from mainland Australia. To do this you have to travel to Tasmania via the Bass Strait.

Considered Australia's answer to New Zealand, Tasmania is a dramatic island of wild rivers, temperate rainforests, vast plains and glaciated mountains.

Much of Tasmania offers the opportunity to see the Southern Lights. Mount Wellington, near the capital Hobart, is a particularly good spot. The higher you climb the 1,271m (4,170ft) peak, the better your chances are, making it one of Australia's best places to see the Southern Lights.

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Make Tasmania one of G Adventures' trips to Australia.

Mission Statement: Australian Antarctic Division; Fair use

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