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Aurora australis Falls Creek tonight

Falls Creek sits at 50°S magnetic latitude and 1600 m elevation in the Victorian Alps. The Bogong High Plains give an open treeless plateau facing south with reduced atmospheric haze. Kp 6-7 is needed. The elevation advantage over sea-level Victorian sites makes this one of the best aurora positions on the mainland. Peak season: June to August, with September the most geomagnetically active month.

Aurora visibility — Falls Creek

Unlikely tonight

Kp 1 is well below the Kp 6–7 threshold needed for aurora to be visible from Falls Creek.

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Falls Creek: Kp 6–7 Magnetic latitude: ~50°S Updated: 11 May, 16:04 UTC

What Kp is needed here?

Falls Creek sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 50°S. The Kp index - a global measure of geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme storm), updated every 3 hours - needs to reach Kp 6–7 before the auroral oval expands far enough north to be visible from here.

At Kp 6–7, visibility is possible from Falls Creek but skies need to be clear and dark. Cloud cover and light pollution remain the main obstacles even when Kp is high enough.

Best dark sky sites near Falls Creek

Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark southern horizon within reach.

Falls Creek resort area (1600 m)

The ski resort village sits at 1600 m on the Bogong High Plains. In summer it is accessible by the Falls Creek Road from Mount Beauty. The open snowfields face south with wide unobstructed sky. At 1600 m elevation, atmospheric haze is significantly reduced compared to valley positions. The resort lights go off late — after midnight the village is dark enough for aurora photography. A 3.5-hour drive from Melbourne via the Hume Freeway and Mount Beauty.

Bogong High Plains (beyond resort)

The road continues past Falls Creek resort onto the open Bogong High Plains — a subalpine plateau extending for 20 km. The high plains give a panoramic 360-degree sky at 1700-1800 m. No settlements for many kilometres in any direction on the plain. In summer the road is open to ordinary vehicles. In winter and spring, chains are required and sections may be closed. Aurora australis photographers from Victoria make the drive to the high plains for elevated, dark conditions during G2-G3 events.

Lake Dartmouth (Kiewa Valley base)

Lake Dartmouth on the Kiewa Valley Highway below the falls gives a lower-elevation alternative when the alpine road is closed. The lake surface faces south and the surrounding mountains block north light pollution from Mount Beauty. About 20 km north of Mount Beauty on the Kiewa Valley Highway. Not as dark or elevated as the high plains, but accessible year-round and a practical position during G3+ events.

Other Australia aurora forecasts

Australia overview Hobart Melbourne Mount Gambier

Related pages

Aurora Australis Australia

Australia aurora hub — all locations with current Kp status.

Aurora Australis Melbourne

Melbourne — Point Nepean and Wilson's Promontory, Kp 7.

Aurora Australis Hobart

Hobart — Australia's lowest aurora threshold, Kp 5.

What Is the Kp Index?

How Kp 6-7 translates to aurora visibility at 50°S.

Northern Lights Viewing Tips

Dark site selection and camera settings — same principles for aurora australis.

Common questions

Aurora australis at Falls Creek — elevation advantage, Bogong High Plains, and when to go.

Can you see aurora australis from Falls Creek?
Yes. Falls Creek at 50°S magnetic latitude and 1600 m elevation is one of the best aurora positions in mainland Victoria. The elevation reduces atmospheric haze, the open snowfields face south, and there is minimal light pollution once the ski resort lights are off. Kp 6-7 is needed. During G2-G3 storms, Falls Creek and the Bogong High Plains have produced strong aurora australis photographs. The G5 storm of May 2024 produced exceptional aurora from this area.
What makes Falls Creek good for aurora watching?
Elevation. At 1600 m the Falls Creek resort sits well above the haze and light scatter of the Victorian valleys. The Bogong High Plains extending south of the resort give an open treeless plateau with panoramic sky. Most mainland aurora sites in Victoria are at sea level with valley haze; Falls Creek's alpine position gives a meaningful advantage. The open faces of the snowfields give clear southern horizon views without trees blocking the low-angle aurora.
What Kp is needed for aurora australis at Falls Creek?
Kp 6 from the resort and high plains area. Kp 7 for aurora clearly visible to the naked eye. At 50°S magnetic latitude, Falls Creek needs slightly stronger activity than Hobart or Launceston. G2-G3 storms are the practical target. The elevation advantage means aurora that would be marginal from a valley floor position can be clearly photographed from the high plains.
Is Falls Creek accessible in winter?
Falls Creek is a ski resort — winter is peak season. The resort road from Mount Beauty is maintained and accessible with chains. However, in mid-winter the snowfields make aurora photography in sub-zero conditions a serious undertaking. Summer (December-February) has short nights, limiting viewing time. The best balance is late winter (August-September) when nights are still long (11-12 hours) and conditions are milder.
When is the best time for aurora at Falls Creek?
August to October gives the best balance — nights are 11-13 hours long, the temperature is cold but not extreme, and the September equinox is the most geomagnetically active time of year. June-July gives longer nights but harsher alpine conditions. The Bogong High Plains road is usually clear of snow by October. For dedicated aurora photographers, planning a trip around a G2+ storm forecast during September is the optimal strategy.