Total Eclipse 2028 – July 22

TOTAL ECLIPSE 2028: SATURDAY JULY 22

Path overview

The path for this total solar eclipse commences in the Indian Ocean, passing over the isolated Christmas and Cocos Islands before making landfall in the Kimberly, WA. The Moon’s shadow then crosses the Australian states of NT, QLD, (briefly grazing SA) and NSW before heading into the Tasman Sea. The path then crosses the south island of New Zealand, and over the Antipodes Island Group before ending in the South Pacific Ocean.

All of Australia, New Zealand, and most of South East Asia will see a partial solar eclipse.

This total solar eclipse will be the second of a quintet of eclipses visible from Australia over the coming years. This eclipse gives many options for viewing totality under clear skies across Australia, and will be far more accessible than the total eclipse of 2023 which only grazed the western-most tip of the continent.

Unique path features

• Everyone living and traveling into the path will see a total solar eclipse, which is the most awe-inspiring event and worth traveling for.
• The long duration of totality for this eclipse is a stand-out feature. This, along with the ease of access to the path and wide choice of interesting locations, will make this a very appealing total solar eclipse.
• The eclipse path is a very wide maximum of 230km, which is in contrast to the 40km wide path of totality for the 2023 total eclipse visible only from the North-west Cape in WA.
• The maximum duration of totality is a long 5m 10s at the point of greatest eclipse in the Kimberly region of WA, in Australia’s North-West.
• The best weather prospects along the path will be in the Timor Sea, WA, NT, and QLD locations. In NSW and beyond to NZ, the chance of cloud increases dramatically.
• In NZ, the path goes through major tourist areas such as Queenstown and Dunedin, although the winter weather will be not as favorable as in Australia.
• The path goes over high population areas of NSW including Sydney, although most chasers are likely to head to WA, NT, and QLD for an uncrowded outback experience where clear weather is almost guaranteed.
• All of Australia, New Zealand, and most of South East Asia will see a partial solar eclipse.

Special planning considerations

• This is the second of five total solar eclipses visible from Australia over a 16 year period and should be considered the ‘king of the quintet’ given the duration and ease of accessibility
• Although the path travels through Australia and New Zealand, most international travellers will make a beeline to Australia given the best chances of clear weather
• Compared to the limited options for the 2023 total solar eclipse in Australia, most visitors will be able to travel independently with very little cost to experience this eclipse
• For a party atmosphere, Sydney will be hard to beat. However, the weather prospects for viewing from NSW are not as favourable as regional areas in Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Queensland.
• The Kimberly region of WA is likely to be of interest to the media and those wanting to experience the maximum duration of time in totality
• The South Island of New Zealand is likely to be inundated with travellers seeking spectacular landscapes, keeping in mind the eclipse occurs during the winter
• New Zealand will also be experiencing three further eclipses also visible from Australia

The ‘King of the Quintet’ of Australian eclipses

The Total Solar Eclipse in 2028 offers a tantalisingly long duration of totality, and promises to be accessible and affordable for many Australians and international visitors.  See the excellent eclipses.au for a detailed overview into everything you could possibly want to know about this and the future Australian eclipses in 2030, 2037, and 2038.   

Momentum for planning can take YEARS to build, and some regions are further along than others, especially in the remote outback areas.  Keep your eyes on the Astronomical Society of Australia, who have Eclipse Working Groups and Media Coordination that will play a role nationally for this and the future eclipses.