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 2019. 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 Broome Staircase to the Moon dates and times, please see below. For the 2019 Karratha Staircase to the Moon dates and times, please click here.
Staircase to the Moon Dates and Times 2019
March 2019
21 March, Thursday 18.28
22 March, Friday 19.13
23 March, Saturday 19.58
April 2019
20 April, Saturday 18.32
21 April, Sunday 19.18
22 April, Monday 20.06
May 2019
19 May, Sunday 17.55
20 May, Monday 18.44
21 May, Tuesday 19.35
June 2019
18 June, Tuesday 18.17
19 June, Wednesday 19.09
20 June, Thursday 20.01
July 2019
17 July, Wednesday 17.54
18 July, Thursday 18.46
19 July, Friday 19.36
August 2019
16 August, Friday 18.21
17 August, Saturday 19.10
18 August, Sunday 19.58
September 2019
15 September, Sunday 18.42
16 September, Monday 19.30
17 September, Tuesday 20.18
October 2019
14 October, Monday 18.15
15 October, Tuesday 19.05
16 October, Wednesday 19.56
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.