Weird and wonderful natural phenomena in Australia

Wildflower blooming, WA

Image: Tourism Western Australia

Every year, the outback plains of Western Australia erupt in a sea of blooms. From pale pink everlastings to golden wattles and even orchids, more than 12,000 different species of wildflowers blanket the fields during wildflower season.

One of the best ways to see this phenomenon is to go hiking through the countryside, where you might also see some adorable Aussie animals in the wild, like kangaroos, emus and wallabies.

If waltzing around a blossoming field of flora and fauna sounds idyllic, head to the Coral Coast, the Pilbara or Goldfields regions of the state between July and November. This botanical treasure trove is a must-see for any nature lover.

Stay nearby: YHA Kalbarri, YHA Exmouth

Aurora Australis, TAS & VIC

Image: Pierre Destribats

You don’t need to go to Iceland or Scandinavia to fulfil your aurora-chasing dreams. Every year, the Aurora Australis, also known as the Southern Lights, electrifies the skies above southern Australia.

Charged solar particles collide with different gases in the Earth’s atmosphere creating the aurora’s dazzling greens, yellows, purples and blues. Good news: As the sun approaches its solar maximum over the next two years, scientists forecast that this display will appear even stronger and more frequently.

Winter is the best time to see the Aurora Australis, but it’s possible to catch a glimpse on any clear night during the year. The best vantage points have low light pollution and a broad view of the southern horizon, like Bruny Island and Cradle Mountain in Tasmania or the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.

Stay nearby: YHA Hobart Central

Pink lakes, WA

Image: Tourism Western Australia/@martineperret

Ever seen a candy-pink lake? In South, and particularly Western Australia, you can. These famous lakes get their distinctive hue from high salinity and blooming algae. 

Drive six hours from Perth along the Coral Coast Highway, and you’ll reach the ultra-Instagrammable Hutt Lagoon. Its colours can change from striking pink to red and even purple — often all in one day.

Fringed by forest and dunes on remote Middle Island, Lake Hillier also blushes with rosy hues. You can only see the lake from the air or by sea, but a flight over the island promises spectacular views and vibrant photos.

Stay nearby: YHA Kalbarri

Coral spawning, Great Barrier Reef, QLD

Image: Department of Parks and Wildlife

Every year, a curious phenomenon occurs on the Great Barrier Reef. Coral colonies release their tiny gametes in the water, swirling around in a flurry of pinks, oranges and purples to form new coral.

Coral spawning occurs along the reef, from Port Douglas in the North to Heron Island in the South, and can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days. If you’re planning a Queensland road trip, consider timing your visit to coincide with the spawning season (usually from November to December.) You can see it up close on a night dive or snorkelling trip.

Stay nearby: YHA Cairns Central, YHA 1770

Horizontal Falls, WA

Image: Tourism Australia

Horizontal Falls, located along the rugged Kimberley coastline, are just as puzzling as they are wildly beautiful. Perhaps one of the most unusual natural phenomena, the falls form when extreme tides funnel water into a narrow passage between two dramatic gorges. This creates the illusion of turquoise waterfalls flipped sideways against towering cliffs.

The falls lie in a truly untouched corner of the world, so they aren’t accessible by car. Travellers can book full-day or overnight cruises and seaplane tours from Broome and Derby.

Stay nearby: YHA Broome

The filling of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, SA

Image: Peter Rowe

Every few years the bare, dry landscape of Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre undergoes an astonishing transformation. The vast salt lake, nestled in the heart of South Australia, begins to fill as it’s flooded by inches of desert rain. The result? A 144-kilometre glass-like expanse of pink and orange brimming with wildlife; a true marvel of nature.

The lake becomes an oasis for waterbirds, fish and aquatic plants. A few campgrounds are located nearby, but due to its incredibly remote location in the Outback, this spectacular event is best witnessed from above on a scenic flight.

Whale migration, Hervey Bay, QLD

Image: Tourism Australia

Ever wanted to get up close to a humpback whale? Head to Hervey Bay. Every year, more than 1,200 of these gentle giants migrate from Antarctica to the subtropical waters of Hervey Bay. Named the first Whale Heritage Site in the world, these sheltered waters are ideal for whales to give birth and nurse their young.

Hop aboard an ethical whale-watching cruise to see these magnificent creatures up close as they breach, tail slap and play in the water. Some outfitters even offer the chance to swim with the whales.

You can also test your luck from one of the many vantage points along the shore. Keep your eyes peeled, too, for dolphins, sea turtles, dugongs, rays and sharks.

Stay nearby: YHA Hervey Bay

Wolfe Creek Crater, WA

Image: Tourism Australia

The second-largest meteorite crater on Earth, Wolfe Creek Crater is a showstopper. Although it’s estimated to be hundreds of thousands of years old, the impact is astoundingly well-preserved.

Raw, rugged and beautiful, the surrounding landscape hosts brown ringtail dragons and pink Major Mitchell’s cockatoos. You can take a guided tour of the crater, hike to the rim or soar over it on a scenic flight. It’s best to visit during the dry season (May to October). 

Morning Glory Clouds, Burketown, QLD

Image: Mike Petroff

Calling all photographers! You’ve probably never seen anything quite like the Morning Glory Clouds. Considered to be one of the most spectacular cloud formations in the world, they stretch up to 1,000 kilometres in length.

This meteorological phenomenon is a result of atmospheric conditions that create a series of interconnected air currents, forming tubular clouds. They are often seen rolling across the sky like giant ocean waves. In fact, hang gliders flock from all over to ‘surf’ the Morning Glory.

Plan a trip to Queensland’s Gulf of Carpenteria during the spring and summer months to witness these rare clouds.

Staircase to the Moon, Roebuck Bay, WA

Image: Tourism Australia

Far-flung Broome is home to some of Australia's most striking and otherworldly sights, and as the sun sets over Roebuck Bay, something magical happens. The unique angle of the moon’s reflection on the tidal flats creates an optical illusion that conjures the image of an ascending staircase. Locals and tourists alike gather at nightfall during full moon (two to three nights a month) between March and October to witness it. 

Stay nearby: YHA Broome

Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay WA

Image: Tourism Australia

The extremely salty seawater of Western Australia is home to one of only two living marine stromatolites in the world. At first glance, they look like strange, dome-shaped structures, but they’re actually made up of layers of living fossils, built up over 3.5 billion years.

But it’s not just the stromatolites that make this a must-see destination. The crystal-clear waters of the bay are also home to an abundance of marine life, including sharks, dolphins and sea turtles, making it perfect for snorkelling and diving.

Stay nearby: YHA Kalbarri, YHA Exmouth

Honourable Mention: Min Min lights, Outback, NT

If you’ve always wanted to chase “ghost lights” through the desert, this is your chance. The eerie Min Min lights have been allegedly spotted in night skies from Katherine to Uluru.

Witnesses describe the lights as bright, spooky orbs of colour that swirl in the night. The exact scientific explanation for the lights is yet to be determined, but in Aboriginal folklore, they are spirits of elders watching over the country.

Urban myth or not, there’s no denying the mysterious and intriguing nature of this natural phenomenon. Embark on an Outback quest, and who knows what you’ll see!

Words: K. Hastings

Read next: 9 Aboriginal sacred sites you should visit (and one you shouldn't!)