Total Solar Eclipse • 22 July 2028
Australia Eclipse 2028 — Quick Guide
Path: East Kimberley (WA) → Barkly (NT) → Channel Country (QLD) → western NSW & Sydney. Links to state plans below.
Totality up to ~5m
Path crosses Sydney CBD
Dry-season odds NW; coastal risk SE
Plan A/B/C cloud dodges
Path & weather
- Traverse: Clips East Kimberley (WA), sweeps Barkly (NT), crosses Channel Country (QLD), western NSW and through central Sydney, then out over the Tasman.
- Weather: WA/NT dry-season is your highest-clear odds (cool mornings, low humidity). Channel Country generally clear but windy/dusty. NSW inland often stable; Sydney has coastal cloud risk—watch short-range models.
- Crowds: Expect congestion around Sydney CBD/harbour viewpoints; outback hubs will fill early with caravans/astro crews.
Use The Nightmap eclipse layer for live coverage % and duration at any pin.
Transport & lodging
- Fly/drive: Gateways include Kununurra, Darwin, Alice, Brisbane, Sydney. Expect long bitumen drives; some unsealed stretches in WA/NT/QLD.
- Book early: Motels/parks near hubs (Kununurra, Tennant Creek, Birdsville, Cobar, Sydney) will sell out. Carry camping kit for flexibility.
- Day-of: Be on-site hours early. In Sydney, plan transit/parking and consider elevated/coastal viewpoints with NW/W aspect.
Pins include centreline targets, logistic hubs, and reference towns for each state.
Gear & timing
- Solar filters/glasses; remove filters only during totality. Practice the sequence.
- Wide + tele options, intervalometer, sturdy tripod, tape focus, spare batteries/cards.
- Outback: 10–20 L water pp, tyre repair/compressor, paper maps, shade, PLB/UHF. Sydney: monopod/light kit and public-transport plan.
- Timeline: lock travel/rooms 6–12 months out; scout 1–3 days prior; set Plan A/B/C the night before.
State Guides
Western Australia (East Kimberley)
Dry-season reliability; coastal & inland options near the NT line.
Open WA guide →Northern Territory
Victoria River & Barkly corridor; long sightlines, mixed dirt/bitumen.
Open NT guide →Queensland (Channel Country)
Birdsville–Eulo anchors with Plan A/B/C cloud dodges; 2WD-friendly stretches.
Open QLD guide →Capture Checklist
- Solar filters on for all partial phases; remove only during totality.
- Bracket during totality; lock focus pre-C2, use a wide safety shot.
- Wind/dust: weight tripods, park off-track, lens hoods on.
- Heat/cold: insulate batteries; keep spare media staged.
Pins and times are approximate; verify local access and weather on eclipse day.