Southern lights dazzle skywatchers across Australia in rare winter display

A spectacular aurora lit up skies across the country on Sunday night, with rare sightings of the Aurora Australis stretching as far north as Taree, the ACT and the NSW South Coast.

Aurora Australis pictured last night at Broulee Headland on the South Coast NSW. Picture: Josh Burkinshaw

A spectacular aurora lit up skies across Australia on Sunday night, with rare sightings of the Aurora Australis stretching as far north as Taree, the ACT and the NSW South Coast.

The display — caused by a strong geomagnetic storm — painted the night sky in vivid streaks of pink, green and violet, in one of the most widespread southern light shows in recent years.

Photographer Josh Burkinshaw was among those who had been tracking solar activity closely, hoping for another chance to capture the phenomenon after first photographing an aurora last October.

“I packed my camera gear up the night before knowing it was going to happen,” he said.

“And once I’m shooting you think, ‘this might not happen in my lifetime again’, so it was about taking advantage when you can get it.”

The Aurora Australis on the South Coast of NSW. Picture: Josh Burkinshaw

The sky was lit up beautifully at Broulee Headland on Sunday night.

Clear skies and a powerful solar storm combined to create ideal viewing conditions in parts of Tasmania, Victoria and NSW — with some onlookers even spotting the display with the naked eye.

Experts say sightings of the Aurora Australis this far north are uncommon but not impossible during periods of intense solar activity.

Aurora Australis viewed from the Kiama Blow Hole. Picture: Christine Dixon

Geomagnetic conditions are expected to remain elevated until at least June 3, meaning Australians may still have a chance to catch another glimpse if skies stay clear.

Originally published as Southern lights dazzle skywatchers across Australia in rare winter display