You have to see it to believe it! This amazing natural phenomenon takes place along the Pilbara and Kimberley Coastline, when the full moon rising across the exposed tidal flats creates the impression of a staircase leading to the moon.
These are the dates and time for Broome for 2018. In the Pilbara, the Staircase appears a few minutes later than Broome, so please check with the local visitor centre for the correct times for that location. Dates and times have been supplied by Greg Quicke's Astro Tours. Visibility varies in strength depending on weather, sunset, moonrise and the tides.
For the 2019 Staircase to the Moon dates and times, please see the end of this page.
Staircase to the Moon Dates and Times 2018
April 2018
1 April 18.40
2 April 19.21
3 April 20.04
30 April 17.58
May 2018
1 May 18.40
2 May 19.24
30 May 18.05
31 May 18.52
June 2018
1 June 19.40
29 June 18.24
30 June 19.13
July 2018
28 July 18.00
29 July 18.49
30 July 19.39
August 2018
27 August 18.25
28 August 19.15
29 August 20.05
September 2018
25 September 18.01
26 September 18.52
27 September 19.45
October 2018
25 October 18.31
26 October 19.28
Best locations to view Staircase to the Moon
Broome
The Staircase appears along the shores of Roebuck Bay - Town Beach and the Mangrove Hotel are the most popular spots, with night markets at Town Beach complementing this special event.
The Broome Explorer Bus operates extra services departing from the Town Beach night markets and the Mangrove Hotel approximately 30 minutes after moonrise, travelling to the Cable Beach area.
Dampier Peninsula
Staircase to the Moon may be viewed from the western side of the Peninsula at Gambanan campsite, or from Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.
Onslow
First Avenue in Onslow is a beautiful spot for Staircase to the Moon.
Cossack
Head to the Lookout at Settler's Beach in Cossack for Staircase to the Moon in this beautifully restored ghost town.
Karratha & Dampier
A half an hour’s drive from Karratha, Hearson’s Cove’s expansive mud flats make it an ideal spot to watch the Staircase.
Port Hedland
A special Staircase to the Moon viewing deck is located next to the Cooke Point Caravan Park on Goode Street.
Staircase to the Moon Dates and Times 2019
March 2019
Thursday 21 March 18.28
Friday 22 March 19.13
Saturday 23 March 19.58
April 2019
Saturday 20 April 18.32
Sunday 21 April 19.18
Monday 22 April 20.06
May 2019
Sunday 19 May 17.55
Monday 20 May 18.44
Tuesday 21 May 19.35
June 2019
Tuesday 18 June 18.17
Wednesday 19 June 19.09
Thursday 20 June 20.01
August 2019
Friday 16 August 18.21
Saturday 17 August 19.10
Sunday 18 August 19.58
July 2019
Wednesday 17 July 17.54
Thursday 18 July 18.46
Friday 19 July 19.36
September 2019
Sunday 15 September 18.42
Monday 16 September 19.30
Tuesday 17 September 20.18
October 2019
Monday 14 October 18.15
Tuesday 15 October 19.05
Wednesday 16 October 19.56