Sydney Harbor or the outback of Western Australia—where will you be on July 22, 2028? As all good eclipse chasers know, four years before the moon crosses the sun is the perfect time to begin thinking about how you’re going to experience nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomenon.
Australia is currently living through a golden age of total solar eclipses, with 2023’s beginning a run of five in 15 years—2028, 2030, 2037 and 2038.
The next one, in 2028, is sure to impress—particularly if eclipse chasers check climate predictions and head inland.
‘Great Sydney Eclipse?’
Many will talk about the “Great Sydney Harbor Eclipse.” After all, what could be better than a 3-minute, 44-second totality from one of the world’s most famous places? Few armchair travelers will appreciate this, but Sydney is a rainy city. You can blame its warm waters for that.
No, the best places to experience a long totality will be the emptier, drier regions of on the vast path of totality.
Path Of Totality
Stretching 7,442 miles (11,976 kilometers) and at most 143 miles (230 kilometers) wide, the path of totality on July 28, 2028, will stretch from the mid-Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean southeast of New Zealand.
The first to experience totality will be the Cocos Islands, followed by the Christmas Islands. The moon’s shadow will then strike the Kimberley coast of northern Western Australia, peaking deep in the outback with totality lasting 5 minutes 10 seconds. That’s incredibly long—longer than April 8’s total solar eclipse in North America. The path will then cross diagonally through the middle of the Northern Territory, southwest Queensland and northeast New South Wales. New Zealand’s South Island—including Queenstown and Dunedin—will also see an eclipsed sun close to sunset, though mountains will block the view for many.
“Chasers travel to very remote parts of the globe to see total solar eclipses,” said Carol Redford, CEO at Astrotourism WA. “In 2028, visitors will be able to choose between many locations across Australia and New Zealand [but] I think the Kimberley will be the most popular choice as it has the greatest eclipse totality.”
Where To Watch
In total, just over six million people will experience totality. Where should you go? Here are five places to consider—with pros and cons:
Kununurra, Western Australia
2 minutes, 55 seconds at 10:59 a.m. AWST
11% chance of cloud since 2000
This tiny town on the Ord River is super-remote, but the only place of any size close to where totality peaks at 5 minutes 3 seconds on the Great Northern Highway which intersects the eclipse centre line just south of Durack, about 65 miles (100 kilometers) miles the southwest of Kununurra. The town is the gateway to the Kimberley region’s lakes, ranges and huge outback stations. Nearby Wyndam, Purnululu National Park and Lake Argyle are also in the path.
Karlu Karlu, Warumungu, Northern Territory
4 minutes, 50 seconds at 12:48 p.m. ACST
23% chance of cloud since 2000
These huge granite boulders, scattered across a shallow valley, are also called the Devil’s Marbles. The closest town is Tennant Creek, about 65 miles (100 kilometers) to the north.
Siding Springs Observatory, New South Wales, Australia
1 minute, 55 seconds at 1:56 p.m. AEST
34% chance of cloud since 2000
If you want something astronomical, head to this observatory within Warrumbungle Dark Sky Park, staying in nearby Coonabarabran or the many campgrounds in the area.
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
3 minutes, 45 seconds, at 1:59 AEST
47% chance of cloud since 2000
Sydney Harbor’s first total solar eclipse for 170 years will see millions lined up between Botany Bay and Manly via Clovelly and Bondi, but July is not the best time of the year for clear weather.
Milford Sound, New Zealand
2 minutes, 51 seconds at 4:14 p.m. NZST
63% chance of cloud since 2000
With the eclipse just nine degrees above the northwest horizon amid a risky climate, a ship on this beautiful fiord will need to be perfectly positioned—but the prize will be an eclipsed sun between peaks.
Pick up my books Stargazing in 2024, A Stargazing Program For Beginners, and When Is The Next Eclipse?
Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
