The Magic of the Aurora Australis

A Rare Night on the Ridge

Every so often, the night sky offers something extraordinary.

Earlier this year, as guests settled into their cabins and the valley grew quiet, a soft green glow appeared on the horizon. It began almost shyly — faint, like a trick of the eye. But as cameras and phones lifted to the sky, the glow deepened, stretched and spilled into pinks and purples.

The Aurora Australis, the southern lights, had reached us here in Victoria. And the Ridge, with its clear southern view and dark skies, became a front-row seat.

It was fleeting. It was rare. And it was unforgettable.

Why We Can See it

Our position above the Yarra Valley means more than just sweeping daytime views. At night, it gives us an open horizon, a southern sky uninterrupted by city glow.

This year, with the sun entering a particularly active phase, we’ve been lucky to witness multiple aurora events — from cabin balconies, wine glasses in hand, firelight behind us. While most people chase the northern lights across the globe, here they arrived quietly, as if reminding us that wonder sometimes finds you when you least expect it.

Aurora Australis wafting over the ridge in winter with trees in the fore ground

The Science of the Southern Lights

The Aurora Australis is born of solar storms. When the sun erupts with solar flares or coronal mass ejections (CMEs), streams of charged particles race toward Earth. When they collide with our atmosphere, they release colour: greens from oxygen, pinks and reds from nitrogen, purples from high-altitude oxygen.

In Victoria, the aurora usually appears at the edge of visibility. To the eye, it may seem like a faint white or green glow. But through technology — a camera on long exposure or even an iPhone in night mode — the sky reveals its true colours.

That’s exactly what happened on the Ridge: guests lifted their phones and suddenly the aurora unveiled itself in vibrant detail, shimmering across the valley.

When the Lights Appear

The Aurora Australis is never guaranteed, but some conditions make sightings more likely:

Solar activity – after solar flares and CMEs, auroras often follow.
Solar maximum – the sun’s most active years, like now, bring more frequent auroras.
Equinoxes (March + September) – historically tied to stronger geomagnetic activity.
Winter months (May–August) – longer, darker nights in Victoria.
Clear skies – even the strongest aurora won’t shine through cloud.

This year, the combination of solar maximum and cold, clear nights has given us more sightings than usual.

The Gift of an Unplanned Moment

We don’t promise auroras at Kangaroo Ridge Retreat — they are rare, unpredictable, and belong entirely to nature. But that’s what makes them so powerful.

One night, you may sit by the fire, glass in hand, stars overhead. Another night, you may lift your iPhone to the horizon and find that the universe has painted it green and violet.

That’s the beauty of the Ridge. We make space for slowing down, looking up, and letting the wild surprise you.

📍 Location: Healesville, Yarra Valley, Victoria
🛏 Stay: Private luxury cabins with southern sky views
🌌 Bonus: A rare chance to capture the Aurora Australis right from your balcony

Captured Moments of the Aurora

Aurora Australis: A Visual Journey

Beautiful pink and purples aurora rays across the night sky

Vibrant pink skies just after dusk with lights from the valley

Frequently Asked Questions About The Southern Lights at Kangaroo RIdge Retreat

Can you see the Aurora Australis in Victoria?

Yes. While rare, the Aurora Australis has been visible across Victoria multiple times this year due to high solar activity. At Kangaroo Ridge Retreat, guests have captured it from their cabin balconies.

When is the best time to see the Aurora Australis?

Auroras are most likely during solar maximum years, after solar flares or CMEs, in the winter months or around the equinoxes (March and September).

Do I need special equipment to see the Aurora Australis?

Often, yes. In Victoria, auroras are usually too faint for the naked eye to see in full colour. A camera with long exposure or an iPhone in night mode will reveal the greens, purples and pinks more vividly.