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How to see the last (and best) meteor shower of 2025

Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
Look up for the last (and best) meteor shower of the year.

There’s something magical about meteor showers, a sky of shooting stars twinkling across the sky. It seems a fitting way to end 2025, so luckily, Australia will be treated to one last show: The Geminid meteor shower.

What is the Geminid meteor shower?

A composite photo created by combing 44 phots that have been oriented to match the star position and show how meteor showers originate from the same point relative to the stars. These meteors were part of the Geminids meteor shower. The midground is an evergreen forest as a silhouette.
The Geminds meteor shower hike is the ultimate nighttime event. (Image: Getty Images / Craig Taylor)

Several night sky organisations rank the Geminids at the top of their lists, like the International Meteor Organization, which calls the meteor shower the “best and most reliable of the major annual showers presently observable". The shower originates from the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, which NASA has stated orbits the Earth in approximately 1.4 years.

Not only is it one of the brightest celestial displays, but the Geminid meteor shower is occasionally the colour of fireworks: yellow, green, blue and red. This is thanks to the various metallic elements in the debris from the asteroid – think sodium, magnesium and calcium. These elements burn in different colours as they vaporise in Earth’s atmosphere.

When to watch

Geminid meteor shower 2018 over Ulanhada Volcano, Inner Mongolia, China
The shower can flash yellow, blue, red and green. (Image: Getty/ bjdlzx)

While the shower has already started, and will continue until 24 December, its peak performance is coming up. The predicted peak (aka when the meteors will be shining brightest in the night sky) is between 14-15 December.

This is thanks to a waning crescent moon that won’t interfere with a dark sky backdrop for the Geminids to put on their show.

Where to watch

Super Full Moon Hike in thredbo
Thredo’s summer hike series takes in the best of the night skies – from meteors to super full moons.

As with all night sky events, a clear, dark sky is the dream. According to EarthSky, when the conditions are just right – ie, you’re under a dark sky with no moon – you might catch 120 Geminid meteors per hour. So yes, you probably want to head out of the city, with all its light pollution. In Australia, you’ll also need a clear view of the eastern sky.

A pollution solution? Join Thredbo’s Geminids Meteor Shower Hike. This unique adventure takes hikers on a guided journey to the summit of Mt Kosciuszko, climbing steadily as day turns to night, until stopping to watch the natural light show in astonishing clarity at the peak. The 13-kilometre Grade 3 round-trip is challenging but rewarding.

Rather go it alone? Try designated Dark Sky Parks like Warrumbungle National Park in NSW, or head to as remote a location as you can get to.

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Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
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This hidden region in Victoria is home to a peaceful lake trail

    Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
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    Video credit: Tourism Australia

    From pink salt landscapes to oases fringed by forests of red gums, the lakes of this rural region are astounding. 

    You’re going to find peace and quiet when you take a road trip through the lakes of the Wimmera Mallee region. Whether it’s mirror-like pink salt lakes that look like an inland sea, or lakes fringed by forests of red gums that showcase Victoria’s arid beauty, there’s a lake for you out here somewhere.  

    1. Lake Tyrrell  

    Lake Tyrrell
    The colours of Lake Tyrrell blend into the sky. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Located in the dead heart of the Mallee, Victoria’s largest salt lake, Lake Tyrrell, is a landscape photographer’s dream – especially at sunrise and sunset when the pink salt flats look like a gigantic mirror. It’s easy to camp or park a caravan nearby, too, though the tiny town of Sea Lake is just south (with accommodation). In winter, shallow water covers the salt, creating surreal reflections of the sky.  

    2. Nhill Lake  

    There’s a permanent water source here, so there’s always plenty of water for water skiing, swimming and fishing (the trout and redfin fishing here is legendary). Located beside the pretty heritage town of Nhill with its main street of historic buildings, there’s options for eating and drinking right next door. There’s also a barbecue area with plenty of shady picnic spots and a boardwalk for walking around the lake.  

    3. Lake Bringalbert  

    Lake Bringalert
    Lake Bringalert is a great spot for aquatic adventures.

    Located south-west of the pretty Mallee town of Kaniva, Lake Bringalbert epitomises the best of ‘outback’ Victoria. It’s ringed by red gums and red mallee and feels completely hidden from the world – you’ll barely ever see another person. There’s basic camping on its foreshore and Kaniva offers more accommodation options. It’s the perfect lake for swimming, kayaking and skiing, and the stars at night come without even a hint of city glow.  

    4. Lake Hindmarsh 

    If you’re a bird fan, you’ll love Lake Hindmarsh. Located north of Dimboola, Victoria’s largest natural freshwater lake is like an inland sea full of pelicans, swans and numerous species of ducks – but it also teems with everything from spoonbills to parrots. Sunsets here will blow your mind – the lake is a mirror for the pinks and golds you’ll see on the horizon. There’s free camping spots along the foreshore if you’d like to really contemplate the magic of the lake.  

    5. Pink Lake 

    pink lake
    The Pink Lake is most vivid after rain. (Image: Visit Victoria/Anne Morely)

    Also known as Loch Lel, the summer months offer up some seriously vivid pink water colour at this lake north of Dimboola. The pink varies throughout the year, but is best after rain (hence why summer is the time to visit).

    pink lake
    Pink Lake, also known as Loch Lel, is located near Dimboola in the Grampians. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    There’s plenty of birds, including wedge-tailed eagles, but you’re as likely to spot big lace monitors, kangaroos and echidnas. Nearby, check out the uber-cute heritage town of Dimboola and its eclectic shops, and Little Desert National Park, full of walking trails through mallee heathland. 

    6. Lake Lascelles 

    Lake Lascelles
    You can camp at Lake Lascelles.

    On a hot summer’s day, there’s nowhere better for a cooling dip, kayak or boat ride. You can camp by the lake, or at powered caravan sites – or the pretty town of Hopetoun offers numerous accommodation options a short walk away. At night you’ll see the lights of Hopetoun reflect off the lake. Fish for yellow belly, redfin or catfish, or try water-skiing. There’s also a great walking trail around the lake, where there’s more birds than you can count.