Where to watch September’s supermoon in Sydney

It’s time to whip out your telescopes and clock some craters as a rare supermoon hangs over Sydney this month.

What’s a supermoon? When a full moon is at the closest point to Earth during its orbit it is called a supermoon. For 2024, the most prominent supermoons are scheduled for mid-September and mid-October – an ideal time to start staring at the sky with a bit more intent.

The 2024 September supermoon, a Harvest Moon on the 18th, will be one of the biggest and brightest yet. It occurs on a Wednesday evening so you’ve got a good excuse to get out to the best stargazing spots in and around Sydney.

But what are those stargazing spots in Sydney, you ask? There’s a number of those scattered around with six observatories in Sydney and countless numbers of parks and beaches offering great visibility over the eastern horizon, which is where the supermoon will rise. 

Best places to watch the Sydney supermoon

Sydney Observatory

Anyone trying to stargaze or view a full moon in Sydney are advised to get away far away from the bright lights of Sydney CBD as possible. It goes against instinct, but you can also climb up to Sydney Observatory in The Rocks.

The only lights that do matter once you’re staring through the oldest working telescope in Australia are the ones in the night sky. So this is a great way to have full control over your scope of the pocky Harvest Moon when it rises on September 18. 

The downside here is that you’ll have to contend with all the other sky nerds looking for the best view of the supermoon. There’s only so much historic equipment to go around.

Although you also have an incredible view of Sydney from the hill. Set up an evening picnic, take your significant other, and make a night of it under the glow of Sydney’s biggest supermoon of 2024. 

Address: 1003 Upper Fort St, Millers Point NSW 2000

Mangrove Mountain

If you really take your moon viewing seriously, you’ll need to travel about one hour and a half outside of Sydney CBD to a place called Mangrove Mountain. This spot is located inland from the Central Coast near Peats Ridge.

You’ll typically find Sydneysiders from niche “astro societies” out there. It’s a secret stargazing spot amongst many enthusiasts so just be prepared to get a few glowering looks once they sniff out a tourist. 

Address: Waratah Rd, Mangrove Mountain NSW 2250

Linden Observatory

Suitable, accessible sites for astrology are shrinking as more environmental conditions start encroaching on dark sky spaces. The Blue Mountains used to be full of incredible stargazing spots. Now there’s only a few.  If you’re heading out to the Blue Mountains, your best bet is the area in and around Linden Observatory.

Katoomba was once the best stargazing spot in Sydney but amateur astrologists have been sticking to Liden lately. It’s become such a haven for night viewing that local astronomy groups are currently working with the Blue Mountains City Council to establish a Dark Sky Park there. 

It’s also just a great place to keep in mind the next time a Sydney meteor shower comes around. 

Address: 105 Glossop Rd, Linden NSW 2778

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

A nice middle-ground is Mount Ku-ring-gai. It’s only a 45-minute drive outside of Sydney CBD, making this one of the closest stargazing spots to the city.

Park your car and head to the football park on the edge of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. This is generally where you’re going to get the best, uninterrupted view so you’ll find a lot of photographers snapping set up on the oval. 

Address: 688 Ku-ring-gai Chase Road, Mount Colah, NSW 2079

Bondi Beach

If completely accuracy doesn’t concern you, then it’s completely fine to stick close to the city. And if you’re doing it for the ‘Gram, you’ll want a great backdrop to accompany your best amatuer moon shot.

It doesn’t get much better than Bondi Beach, which will have a fantastic view of the moon rising over the water.

Address: Queen Elizabeth Dr. Bondi Beach New South Wales 2026