Aurora australis Bairnsdale tonight

A low-key coastal park on the East Gippsland coast with beaches facing south over Bass Strait. The park has a campsite and is dark at night - no town within 30 km. The beach faces south-southeast with a clear ocean horizon. Banksia woodland behind the beach absorbs ambient light from inland. At Kp 5-6, aurora australis appears south of due south from the beach. The drive east from Bairnsdale follows the Princes Highway then turns south to the coast. One of the more accessible dark sky positions on the East Gippsland coast with good foreground options using the beach and low headland.

A small coastal town at the edge of Croajingolong National Park. Mallacoota faces south over the inlet and beyond to Bass Strait. The town has minimal lighting and is surrounded by national park. Position south of the inlet on the ocean beach or at Tip Beach for direct south-facing views. Bortle Class 2-3 conditions on the oceanside beaches. Mallacoota is one of Victoria's most isolated coastal towns - the sense of remoteness translates to genuinely dark sky. Accommodation exists but is limited; book in advance during storm events that draw aurora chasers.

A UNESCO biosphere reserve stretching 100 km along the East Gippsland coast. The park includes Point Hicks, Thurra River, and Mueller Inlet beaches facing south over Bass Strait. Bortle Class 2 conditions in the more remote sections. Point Hicks has a lighthouse and a south-facing beach with no towns visible in any direction. The park is best accessed via Cann River off the Princes Highway. The most remote positions require 4WD or a walk. Croajingolong is widely regarded as one of the darkest accessible areas in Victoria - equivalent to some Tasmanian dark sky positions for sky quality.