The first blood moon since 2022 is here. Here’s how to see it

Elizabeth Whitehead Elizabeth Whitehead
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Australians are placed to just catch this rare celestial event.

The blood moon, or total lunar eclipse, has captivated humans for millennia. The ancient Mesopotamians believed it meant demons were attacking the moon. The Chinese understood it to be a dragon biting it. Even today, new-age astrologers have their own myriad interpretations surrounding eclipses (a great love about to enter your life? An unexpected revelation?).

The Blood Moon is a rare celestial event that occurs roughly every 1.5 years, but its timing varies. For instance, there hasn’t been a total blood moon since late 2022. But the stars have aligned (so to speak), and we are in for a celestial treat in 2025 with not just one, but two blood moons set to occur. And the first took place on Friday, 14 March. Here’s what to know.

blood moon lunar eclipse
The blood moon is a rare celestial event that happens on average once every 18 months. (Image: Flickr/PiConsti)

What is a ‘blood moon’?

A lunar eclipse occurs under very specific conditions, when the Sun, Earth and Moon are in close alignment and when the Moon is in full phase. This happens, on average, about three times per year. But a blood moon is a special kind of lunar eclipse that happens when the alignment on the Sun, Moon and Earth is exact, occurring on average every 1.5 years.

lunar eclipse blood moon
A blood moon happens under special conditions, when the Earth, Sun and Moon are perfectly aligned. (Image: Getty/PhilVisualHK)

The Earth blocks the sun, meaning that the light can only pass through the Earth’s atmosphere causing it to scatter, with longer-wavelength red and orange to refracting onto the moon and giving it a stunning red tint.

When to see it

Parts of Australia will be able to see a partial blood moon, but will get a better view of the next event later in the year. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

The further east you are in Australia, the more of the eclipse you’ll see. Australia is right at the edge of the eclipse’s path, so unfortunately it will only be partially visible, and Western Australians will miss out completely. (If you’re in WA though, don’t fear – you’ll be perfectly placed to see the next blood moon, set to take place on September 7, 2025).

Australians in the east can start observing the eclipse from the time the moon rises, as it will already be in progress. Here’s when to set your alarm for:

Brisbane: 6:04pm
Sydney: 7:13pm
Canberra: 7:29pm
Melbourne: 7:40pm
Hobart: 7:32pm

If your city isn’t on this list, just head out whenever the moon starts to rise.

The eclipse will last between 10 and 42 minutes, depending on where you are. Aussies further east will experience the eclipse for longer. Happy moongazing!

Elizabeth Whitehead
Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
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The best places to wine and dine across regional Victoria

    Lara Picone Lara Picone
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    There’s no shortage of exceptional eateries in regional Victoria. From casual classics to finely tuned fine diners, here’s our pick of the plentiful bunch.

    Le Foyer Brasserie, Bendigo

    French plate at Le Foyer Brassiere, Bendigo
    Le Foyer serves upscale French fare.

    From the owners behind Bendigo’s beloved The Woodhouse comes this newly opened elegant French bistro. It’s all about welcoming warmth at this city fine diner, after all Le Foyer , translates to ‘the hearth’ in French. A place to linger in the chic, Parisian-style salon, the menu unfurls in the classics, from beef bourguignon to steak frites and mille-feuille.

    Riverbank Moama, Murray River

    seafood plate at Riverbank Moama, Murray River
    Dine on the banks of the Murray at Riverbank Moama. (Image: Cindy Power Photography)

    If you’re journeying on or beside the Murray, it’s only fitting that you dine by its banks. This nature-nestled restaurant by the river is idyllic for a long, sun-filled lunch. The menu is an unfussy playlist of the hits served with a seasonal spin – and the mood is as gently flowing as the nearby water.

    Felix, Geelong

    a bartender mixing up drinks at Felix, Geelong
    Felix offers a relaxed French bistro experience. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)

    Soft brown banquettes, walnut hues and a terrazzo bar welcomes with relaxed French bistro vibes at Geelong’s Felix . But really, it’s the collage of simple, seasonal flavours that make this restaurant an easy-going favourite. Come for brunch or dinner; vegans are welcomed with a dedicated menu.

    The Perch, Lavers Hill

    a plate of food at The Perch, Lavers Hill
    Savour the seasonal menu at The Perch.

    A laid-back classic of the Great Ocean Road, The Perch at Lavers Hill welcomes those taking a pause from the serpentine drive. Lunch in the warm-wood dining room is accompanied by vineyard vistas and fleeting cameos from native birds.

    The Shared Table, Ballarat

    The Shared Table, Ballarat
    The Shared Table in Ballart.

    If you go for the ‘Dine without Decision’ option at this beloved eatery , you’re free from the tyranny of food envy with a chef-selected procession of dishes that highlight the bounty of the Midwest region. Think mochi gnocchi with pumpkin and XO or Western Plains pork cotoletta.

    Barragunda Dining, Mornington Peninsula

    Paddock-to-platedining at Barragunda Dining, Mornington Peninsula
    Paddock-to-plate dining at its finest. (Image: Arianna Harry Photography)

    This fine diner , which opened in early 2025, has been lauded as one of the region’s most ambitious and significant openings in recent years. Set on a 400-hectare, cliffside Cape Schanck property that delivers the kitchen with a cornucopia of produce, it’s elegant and honest paddock-to-plate dining at its most refined.

    Mount William Station, Grampians

    plating a dish at Mount William Station, Grampians
    Dine on elevated seasonal and local produce at Mount William Station. (Image: Phil Hocking)

    Whether you’re staying at this luxe historic station or just swinging in for dinner with friends, the shared table vibe here is country hospitality at its most welcoming and elevated. Seasonal and local produce guides chef Dean Sibthorp’s hand for plates finessed with the mountain-fresh flavour of the Grampians.

    Emerald City, Yarra Valley

    a curated plate at Emerald City, Yarra Valley
    Emerald City offers a curated dining experience that is wonderfully intimate.

    You’re certainly not in Kansas anymore when you slip behind the emerald curtain from Cavanagh’s Whiskey and Alehouse to the diminutive Emerald City . Allusions to the fraudulent wizard and Dorothy aside, this acutely intimate four-seat diner is a curated experience worthy of a road trip. As you may imagine, bookings are essential.

    du Fermier, Trentham

    dining at du Fermier, Trentham
    du Fermier is Trentham’s exquisite French fine diner. (Image: DJN Photography)

    Annie Smithers’ intimate, farmhouse-y French fine diner is not at all new, but it is every bit iconic. It’s long attracted food-lovers to its charming dining room for a set menu that undulates with the seasons. If you’re a gourmand to your core, book into one of Annie’s delightfully informal masterclasses.

    Messmates Dining, Gippsland

    diners at Messmates Dining, Gippsland
    Inside Messmates Dining. (Image: Fotoarco)

    This Warragul diner’s menu is a well-arranged collection of delicious, farm-forward morsels crafted, quite simply, to delight. Dishes such as French onion dip scooped onto nigella seed crackers and fresh-made pasta tossed with a black pepper and butter emulsion are all about balanced, enjoyable flavours paired with good wine.