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Trails from Halley’s comet: How to catch the Orionid meteor shower this October

Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
October is the peak time to view this astronomical event.

2025 has been a dazzling year of astronomical events. The planetary parade alongside a host of meteor showers like the Perseid has delighted stargazers, perfectly in line with the growing astrotourism trend. The astronomical events are set to continue this year, with the Orionid meteor shower set to peak later this month.

October 2025 is set to be a particularly good year for viewing the Orionid meteor shower, as it lines up with a new moon, which means darker skies and therefore better visibility from Earth.  

What are comets and meteor showers?

meteor shower
2025 has been a dazzling year for watching astronomical events. (Image: Getty Images / Adventure_Photo)

World-renowned astrophotographer and educator Adam Block from the Steward Observatory, part of the Department of Astronomy at the University of Arizona, explains that comets are remnants from the early part of the solar system, made from both water ice and other frozen gases.

“Basically, you have a ball of rock with a trail of gas coming out behind it. It’s the sun that controls all of that; the solar wind blows the gas back," he tells Australian Traveller. “But it’s not just gas; there are also particles of dust released and liberated from the surface of this dirty iceball."

That gas and dust particles released from the surface form a tail behind the comet, creating a trail in space. 

“If the Earth runs through that stream of dust, those dust particles will enter the Earth’s atmosphere at around 30 kilometres per second, so they literally burn up in the upper atmosphere," he says.

Simply put, the resulting light trail is the meteor.

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The Orionids and Halley’s comet

A comet in space
A comet is an icy, dusty celestial body that orbits the sun. (Image: Adam Block)

Halley’s Comet is one of the most famous comets. Last seen in 1986, it appears roughly every 75 years, with its expected return in 2061. Even though Halley’s Comet isn’t visible in the sky right now, the Orionids are one of the two meteor showers that it creates. 

When is the best time to see the Orionids?

The Orionids meteor shower occurs from 26 September to November.

According to Adam, the best time to view the Orionids is after midnight, when the Earth is turned and facing the same direction as we are travelling through space, and it directly encounters the meteoroid stream.

October 20-21 will offer the best viewing opportunities because of the new moon, which offers extra dark skies. Adam also advises heading away from city lights. 

How to see the Orionid meteor shower

The good news, according to Adam, is that you don’t need a telescope or optical aid to witness the event; you just need “a dark sky, a clear view and some patience."

For the Orionids, the average is roughly 20 meteors per hour. But given you can’t see the whole sky at once, Adam says you’re doing well if you see a meteor once every five or 10 minutes. 

And if you’re lucky, he says you might even see a fireball, also known as a bolide. 

Rachael Thompson
Rachael Thompson is Australian Traveller's Evergreen Editor and Hotel Addict. She's responsible for the foundational content on AustralianTraveller.com, helping to manage and grow the brand’s destination guides. With a background in design and travel media, Rachael is dedicated to curating content that is as much informational as it is beautiful. She began her career at Belle magazine, before taking up editorial roles at Homes to Love and Bed Threads. When she's not writing, editing or optimising content, Rachael enjoys exploring the city's newest restaurants, bars and hotels. Next on her Aussie travel wish list is Lord Howe Island.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.