Where to see the Staircase to the Moon in Karratha

The Staircase to the Moon is one of Australia’s great natural phenomena—and it only occurs here in Western Australia. It draws crowds from all over WA, and even internationally.

And, while other parts of the North West may be more famous for it, it’s a stunning spectacle that you can catch in Karratha. This may even work in your favour, with fewer crowds granting a better view.

What is the Staircase to the Moon?

The Staircase to the Moon occurs during the dry season in the North West, between March to October. But it’s a fleeting occurrence, and only happens for two or three days each month.

On these special days, when the tide goes out in the evening, and the moon rises, it creates just the right conditions that the moon’s glimmering orange light is reflected off the exposed sand bars and tidal mud flats.

This creates a magical layered illusion that looks like a shimmering staircase leading all the way up to the horizon.

What causes the Staircase to the Moon?

During this time of the year, the earth, the sun, and the moon are all aligned in just the right way, creating large tides. These tides cause high waters at high tide, and extremely low water at low tide.

On the North West coast, this sees high tide occurring around midday (making it the ideal time to swim at the beach), with low tide occurring in the early evening. At low tide, the water goes out for hundreds of metres, leaving all the mud flats out from the beaches and the bays exposed.

But the mud and sand out there isn’t flat: it’s rippled. And when water gets trapped in these ripples, as the sun goes down and the moon starts to rise, the moonlight reflects off this water. And from the shore this creates a layered effect, which looks like a staircase of light, streaming out towards the moon.

Where is the best place to view the Staircase to the Moon in Karratha?

One of the things about the Staircase to the Moon that makes it so unique is that it can’t be seen from every beach or bay.

Only certain ones that have tidal mudflats and specifically face east—the direction from which the moon rises.

Hearson Cove near Karratha is ideally situated to create the perfect viewing conditions for the Staircase to the Moon. Just a 22-minute drive north of town, it’s one of the region’s most popular beaches. A family- and dog-friendly beach by day, the wide, open beach provides ample space at night to witness this stunning phenomenon.

Staircase to the Moon viewing times in 2024

The fleeting nature of the Staircase to the Moon is part of its charm. It’s a special sight, that you only get in a few parts of the state, for a handful of nights every year. So it’s crucial that you get the date and time right, otherwise you will miss it.

The dates and times are different each year—and even in different parts of WA. In Karratha, the Staircase to the Moon rises a few minutes later than Broome.

So make sure that you’re using the current year’s dates and times to plan your Karratha trip around it.

Here are the 2024 viewing times for the Staircase to the Moon in Karratha

March 2024
Monday 25 March – 5:59pm
Tuesday 26 March – 6:31pm
Wednesday 27 March – 7:04pm
Thursday 28 March – 7:40pm

April 2024
Thursday 25 April – 6:20pm
Friday 26 April – 7:04pm
Saturday 27 April – 7:54pm

May 2024
Friday 24 May – 5:49pm
Saturday 25 May – 6.43pm
Sunday 26 May – 7.43pm

June 2024
Sunday 23 June – 6:35pm
Monday 24 June – 7:39pm
Tuesday 25 June – 8:42pm

July 2024
Monday 22 July – 6:29pm
Tuesday 23 July – 7:32pm
Thursday 24 July – 8:33pm

August 2024
Tuesday 20 August – 6:17pm
Wednesday 21 August – 7:19pm
Thursday 22 August – 8:19pm

September 2024
Wednesday 18 September – 6:00pm
Thursday 19 September – 7:02pm
Friday 20 September – 8:05pm

October 2024
Friday 18 October – 6:47pm
Saturday 19 October – 7:54pm

Stay the rest of the night with us

After seeing the Staircase to the Moon, you want a hotel nearby where you can come back and relax in comfort.

The Karratha International Hotel is the perfect place to stay when you’re in town for the Staircase to the Moon. Located in the heart of town, just a 22-minute drive from Hearson Cove, we provide a range of inviting rooms, with all the modern conveniences that make your stay as magical as the Staircase itself.

So when you’re heading to Karratha to catch this stunning natural phenomenon, book your stay at the Karratha International Hotel.