The mystery of Mt Wellington’s Organ Pipes lights put to rest

Alien lights or a bushfire? Hobart looked on as strange lights shone from Mt Wellington, but it was never meant to be a mystery.

The famous organ pipes on Mt Wellington/kunanyi. Picture: Tia Ewen

Hobart residents rushed to call triple-0 on Tuesday night over the strange, bright lights that appeared on Mt Wellington’s Organ Pipes – but the explanation is far more interesting.

A team of rock climbers were testing lighting on the Pipes in the late hours of Tuesday as part of a commercial filming project following Queensland adventure photographer Krystle Wright.

Ms Wright, who has worked for National Geographic and Red Bull capturing tornadoes and wild natural phenomena, has a series of photographic works focusing on light following the journey of rock climbers in an image.

Hobart residents shared their concerns online about the bright lights appearing on the Organ Pipes on Mt Wellington, with many calling triple-0 to report a fire. Picture: supplied.

A new documentary hopes to put Ms Wright’s work towards producing these images on display.

“I’m known for being an adventure photographer and a lot of my work and in a recent production I did with National Geographic, I used LED lights in Moab, Utah, to capture these great images and it’s a really versatile technique,” she said.

“I’m expanding on that concept and with the support of outdoor clothing and equipment brand Rab, we have the support to film the process that goes into finding the perfect location.”

Ms Wright said the social media frenzy and concern from Hobart residents was the “last thing she was expecting” from her lighting.

“Most times, I’m filming in more remote locations, so this has never happened before,” she said.

“The funny thing about Mt Wellington is it feels so remote up there but is so close to people and the public.

“I checked social media after we came down and combined with the photos shared online and the smoke from a nearby registered burn, I see where people have thought it was a bushfire.”

Ms Wright and another climber will spend three more days filming on the Organ Pipes as part of their permit.

The pair hope to return in summer to “try and line up other natural elements” in their images.

Originally published as The mystery of Mt Wellington’s Organ Pipes lights put to rest