Stargazing

Stargazing Phillip Island

If you love gazing into the night sky, spotting planets, shooting stars, and the Milky Way, then you must add Phillip Island to your stargazing list!

Clear skies and uninterrupted views on Phillip Island allow for some of the best star-bright spots across Melbourne and Gippsland, Victoria. Stargazers, young and old, can discover the wonders of the cosmos at these incredible dark-sky locations – no experience required. Did you know that you can sometimes see the Aurora Australis from Phillip Island?

If you plan on visiting Phillip Island for stargazing, it's best to check the conditions before coming. You can also download one of the many stargazing and aurora-hunting apps for predictions and star mapping.

Autumn, winter, and spring are the best times to visit Phillip Island to stargaze. The cold air holds less hazy moisture than balmy summer air, meaning the nights tend to be a lot clearer if there is no cloud cover. The longer nights of Autumn and Winter tend to help and are also ideal for gazing into the night sky with the whole family, including the little ones. If you want to spot the Milkyway, the season runs from March - November but it is in June and July when the core rises earlier in the evening and presents optimum viewing opportunities.

Where to go stargazing on Phillip Island

Whilst seeing a clear night sky is possible almost all over Phillip Island, it is best to avoid having any interfering light, thus heading to nature areas such as beach lookouts or staying at rural accommodation is ideal for stargazing. Discover tips and tricks for stargazing on our blog here.

Some of the best places to stargaze include:

• Beach carparks on Phillip Island or San Remo (Summerlands is closed at night)
• Lookout points
• Accommodation away from main lights

Please remember when stargazing to stick to paths, be cautious about where you are walking, and check your surrounding area and conditions.