Southern Lights Melbourne – How to See the Aurora from St Kilda
The Southern Lights Melbourne skywatchers dream of seeing can sometimes be spotted right from St Kilda foreshore. On the right night, you can experience this rare natural wonder just minutes from the CBD. With sweeping views across Port Phillip Bay, St Kilda is one of the city’s best vantage points to try your luck at witnessing the aurora.
What Are the Southern Lights?
The Southern Lights, or Aurora Australis, are a natural light display caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with Earth’s magnetic field. The result? Dancing ribbons of green, pink, and purple that illuminate the southern horizon. They are less frequent than their northern counterpart, the Aurora Borealis, but just as spectacular.
Best Times to See the Southern Lights from Melbourne
While sightings aren’t guaranteed, the Southern Lights Melbourne locals hope for are most likely when solar activity is strong. To maximise your chances:
Time of Year: The cooler months (May – September) offer the clearest, darkest skies.
Time of Night: Aim for after 10pm, when light pollution decreases, with midnight to 2am being peak viewing hours.
Conditions: Look for clear skies with low humidity. Aurora forecasts and apps such as Aurora Australis Forecast or Space Weather Live can help predict geomagnetic activity.
Moon Phase: New moons are best, as bright moonlight can wash out the aurora.
St Kilda as a Viewing Spot
The St Kilda foreshore provides an uninterrupted horizon facing south over the bay. Key spots to try include:
St Kilda Pier – stretching out into the water, it gives photographers a front-row seat.
South Beach and Breakwater – further away from street lights, perfect for darker skies.
The Esplanade Foreshore – a relaxed, accessible spot with plenty of room to set up tripods.
Photography Tips for Capturing the Aurora
DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras
Lens: Wide-angle (14mm–24mm) with a low aperture (f/2.8 or lower).
Settings: ISO 1600–3200, shutter speed 10–20 seconds, aperture wide open.
Tripod: Essential for long exposures.
Composition: Include the pier, reflections on the bay, or palm silhouettes.
iPhone Settings
Works best on iPhone 11 and newer with Night Mode.
Use a tripod to avoid blur.
Enable Night Mode and extend exposure to 10–30 seconds.
Use the 0.5x ultra-wide lens.
Lock focus on the horizon and manually brighten exposure.
Turn off flash and Live Photos.
Android Settings
Pro/Manual Mode (Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.):
ISO: 800–1600
Shutter: 10–20 seconds
Focus: Infinity
White balance: 3500–4000K
Use apps like NightCap Camera (iOS) or ProCam X (Android) if default camera doesn’t allow manual control.
Always stabilise with a tripod or solid surface.
Pair Your Aurora Hunt with Dinner at Republica St Kilda
Turn your Southern Lights adventure into a full St Kilda night out. Before heading to the foreshore, enjoy a relaxed seaside dinner at Republica St Kilda or Captain Baxter.
With beachfront dining, fresh seasonal dishes, and a buzzing atmosphere, Republica is the perfect pre-aurora spot. Whether it’s a casual pizza, cocktails with friends, or a full dinner overlooking the bay, you’ll be just steps away from your aurora viewing location.
Why St Kilda is Special
Unlike remote viewing points, St Kilda lets you combine the thrill of chasing the Southern Lights Melbourne locals talk about with everything that makes this suburb iconic – live music, sandy beaches, palm-lined boardwalks, and some of the best food and drink on the bay. Even if the aurora doesn’t appear, you’ll still have a magical night under the stars.