Eclipse 2028 City Guides

Broome, Western Australia

Partial eclipse · begins 9:16 a.m. AWST · maximum 10:46 a.m. AWST · ends 12:19 p.m. AWST · magnitude 0.921

Broome gets one of the clearest-looking partial prospects in this guide, with the Moon covering most of the Sun before midday but no totality at the town center.

For viewers staying in Broome, the main planning constraint is heat and sun exposure rather than darkness. The event peaks in the late morning, so choose a shaded setup with an unobstructed northern sky and keep certified viewing glasses available throughout. Because the town is outside the central path, there is no safe naked-eye interval. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 48 degrees above the north-northeast horizon.

Timeanddate reports that 22 July has been cloudy in Broome 12% of the time since 2000, the strongest historical cloud signal among the listed cities. That does not guarantee a clear day, but it makes Broome useful as a low-cloud partial-viewing base or as a staging point for longer overland planning.

If the goal is totality, Broome is not the endpoint. Treat it as a northwest gateway and confirm road distances, fuel, accommodation, and permits before building an itinerary toward the central path. Visitors who remain in town should still expect a striking partial event and should plan photography around filtered partial-phase images rather than corona shots.

Nearest totality guides: Bourke, Dubbo.

Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Partial eclipse · begins 11:21 a.m. ACST · maximum 12:53 p.m. ACST · ends 2:19 p.m. ACST · magnitude 0.954

Alice Springs sees a very deep partial phase near midday, close enough to the spectacle to reward careful planning but outside the city-center totality line.

At maximum, only a narrow fraction of the Sun remains uncovered from the city center. That can feel dramatic, but it is still partial, with continuous eye-protection requirements. Use the local timing as a planning anchor, then compare exact viewing coordinates against a path map if you intend to drive toward totality. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 46 degrees above the north horizon.

Central Australia is often discussed for dry-season clarity, but city-level cloud summaries differ by dataset. Keep the weather claim conservative: use Alice Springs as a flexible inland base, check model forecasts in the final week, and avoid assuming guaranteed clear skies from climate averages alone.

Long distances make this a logistics-first option. A move from Alice Springs toward totality may involve remote roads, limited services, and changing mobile coverage. Build a route with fuel margins, water, overnight stops, and a fallback site rather than choosing a last-minute pin on a map.

Nearest totality guides: Bourke.

Melbourne, Victoria

Partial eclipse · begins 12:32 p.m. AEST · maximum 1:52 p.m. AEST · ends 3:07 p.m. AEST · magnitude 0.844

Melbourne gets a deep partial phase, but the city is well south of the totality path and will not see the corona from the city center.

The partial phase peaks early in the afternoon and will be obvious through proper filters. It will not become safe to view without eye protection. If you want totality, the practical question is whether to travel north into New South Wales or fly to another path city rather than waiting in Melbourne. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 29 degrees above the north-northwest horizon.

The historical cloudy figure is 71% for 22 July since 2000, the highest listed on these city pages. Melbourne can still have clear breaks, but the climate signal favors either a flexible local partial-viewing plan or a booked trip toward totality.

Melbourne is a strong departure base because of transport capacity. For totality, compare Dubbo, Bourke, and Sydney on availability, road load, and cloud prospects. If staying local, choose an open park or waterfront site with a low northern skyline and bring filters for every viewer.

Nearest totality guides: Dubbo, Sydney.

Brisbane, Queensland

Partial eclipse · begins 12:41 p.m. AEST · maximum 2:01 p.m. AEST · ends 3:14 p.m. AEST · magnitude 0.845

Brisbane has a deep partial phase with a relatively favorable cloud-history figure, but the Moon's central shadow misses the city.

The maximum occurs at the same clock time as Sydney's maximum, but Brisbane remains partial. The difference matters for safety and photography: there is no filter-free total phase in Brisbane. Treat the event as an extended filtered-viewing session. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 33 degrees above the northwest horizon.

Timeanddate reports cloudy conditions on 22 July 38% of the time since 2000, lower than Sydney and most Aotearoa New Zealand city entries. That makes Brisbane a good partial-viewing city, though it does not solve the totality question.

For totality, Brisbane observers should compare flying to Sydney with longer inland travel. If staying in Queensland, pick a site with shade, drinking water, and an unobstructed northern sky. Schools and community groups should order certified glasses well ahead of demand.

Nearest totality guides: Sydney, Dubbo.

Adelaide, South Australia

Partial eclipse · begins 11:47 a.m. ACST · maximum 1:11 p.m. ACST · ends 2:29 p.m. ACST · magnitude 0.803

Adelaide sees a substantial partial phase around lunchtime, but totality remains well away from the city center.

The timing is convenient for a local public viewing event because it begins before noon and ends mid-afternoon. The city-center magnitude is high enough to be memorable through certified glasses, but all direct viewing must remain filtered. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 34 degrees above the north-northwest horizon.

The historical cloudy figure is 55% for 22 July since 2000. That is a mixed signal, so local viewers should plan for a reachable backup site with better forecast cloud cover rather than relying on one fixed location.

Adelaide can serve as a departure point for inland plans, but distances to totality are significant. Build any road trip around rest stops, winter daylight, fuel, and accommodation. If the priority is certainty of totality, compare flying east or north with attempting a long drive.

Nearest totality guides: Dubbo.

Perth, Western Australia

Partial eclipse · begins 9:58 a.m. AWST · maximum 11:24 a.m. AWST · ends 12:51 p.m. AWST · magnitude 0.620

Perth sees a morning partial eclipse from the city center, useful for public viewing but well south of the totality path.

The event is a filtered-viewing morning eclipse in Perth. The Sun is never fully covered from the city center, so there is no safe naked-eye interval. Choose a site with a clear northern and northeastern outlook and keep certified glasses on for the entire event. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 36 degrees above the north-northeast horizon.

Perth sits far from the totality corridor, so the weather decision is mostly about comfortable local observing rather than chasing the central shadow. Treat cloud-history figures as context only and check coastal cloud, showers, and wind in the final week.

Travelers starting in Perth should compare the cost and resilience of flights or long overland routes before committing to a totality trip. If staying local, plan a morning viewing session with shade, water, certified glasses, and a backup site if cloud builds near the coast.

Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Partial eclipse · begins 12:37 p.m. AEST · maximum 1:58 p.m. AEST · ends 3:20 p.m. AEST · magnitude 0.924

Canberra sees a deep partial eclipse near 2 p.m. AEST, but the central shadow misses the city center.

The partial phase will be obvious through proper filters, but it never becomes safe to view without eye protection from Canberra. Treat the city event as a long filtered-viewing session unless you travel into the totality path. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 29 degrees above the north-northwest horizon.

Winter conditions may include cold mornings, cloud, fog, or clear dry air. The best local plan is a site with an open northern sky and a backup location if low cloud lingers.

For totality, compare road options north toward central New South Wales with travel to Sydney or other path towns. Build in winter daylight, traffic, fuel, and accommodation rather than planning a tight same-day dash.

Nearest totality guides: Orange, Sydney, Wollongong.

Hobart, Tasmania

Partial eclipse · begins 12:40 p.m. AEST · maximum 1:56 p.m. AEST · ends 3:07 p.m. AEST · magnitude 0.781

Hobart sees a deep partial eclipse in the early afternoon, with roughly three-quarters of the Sun covered, but Tasmania sits well south of the 2028 totality path.

From central Hobart the Moon covers about 73% of the Sun's area at maximum (magnitude 0.781), dimming the winter afternoon without bringing true darkness. Certified solar filters are required for the entire event, because the Sun is never fully covered and the partial phase is never safe to view with the naked eye. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 23 degrees above the north-northwest horizon.

July is mid-winter in Tasmania and Hobart is one of Australia's cloudier capitals at this time of year, so plan for a real chance of overcast skies. Keep a flexible site list and check current satellite imagery and short-range forecasts on the morning of the eclipse.

Reaching totality means leaving Tasmania for the central path that crosses inland New South Wales or the South Island of Aotearoa New Zealand. If you are staying in Hobart for the partial eclipse, pick a spot with a clear, open view toward the north and allow for cold weather and the low winter Sun.

Nearest totality guides: Sydney.

Uluru/Ayer's Rock, Northern Territory

Partial eclipse · begins 11:22 a.m. ACST · maximum 12:53 p.m. ACST · ends 2:25 p.m. ACST · magnitude 0.823

Uluru/Ayer's Rock sees a substantial partial eclipse around midday, but it is outside the city-center totality path.

The partial eclipse is significant but never total at the resort area. Keep certified filters on throughout and respect site rules, cultural restrictions, park access requirements, and designated viewing areas. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 44 degrees above the north horizon.

Central Australia may offer useful winter clarity, but remoteness makes flexibility harder. Use current forecasts and local advice before deciding whether to stay in place or travel toward the central path.

This is a logistics-first location. Confirm accommodation, park passes, road conditions, fuel, water, communications, and emergency plans before building any eclipse itinerary around the region.

Wellington, Wellington

Partial eclipse · begins 3:12 p.m. NZST · maximum 4:19 p.m. NZST · ends 5:26 p.m. NZST · magnitude 0.850

Wellington sees a late-afternoon partial eclipse, with the totality path passing farther south across Aotearoa New Zealand's South Island.

The Sun remains partially visible throughout the event from Wellington, so certified filters must stay on the entire time. Because maximum occurs late in the day, choose a site with a clear western and northwestern outlook. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 8 degrees above the northwest horizon.

Wind, hill cloud, and fast-changing winter conditions can matter as much as the eclipse path. Use current forecasts and keep a flexible local site plan rather than assuming one waterfront or hilltop location will work.

For totality within Aotearoa New Zealand, compare South Island locations such as Christchurch, Dunedin, and Queenstown. Ferries, flights, vehicles, and accommodation may tighten as eclipse travel increases.

Nearest totality guides: Dunedin, Queenstown.

Christchurch, Canterbury

Partial eclipse · begins 3:08 p.m. NZST · maximum 4:16 p.m. NZST · ends 5:25 p.m. NZST · magnitude 0.758

Christchurch sees a late-afternoon partial eclipse and is a practical South Island base for people comparing local viewing with travel toward totality.

The city center remains outside totality, so direct viewing needs certified filters throughout. Western horizon clearance matters because the event is late in the winter afternoon. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 9 degrees above the northwest horizon.

Canterbury conditions can shift between clear air, low cloud, and coastal influence. Current forecasts and local horizon checks should drive the final viewing choice.

Christchurch has useful transport capacity for South Island eclipse planning. If totality is the priority, compare road and accommodation options toward Dunedin, Queenstown, or other path locations well before eclipse week.

Nearest totality guides: Dunedin, Queenstown.

Auckland, Auckland

Partial eclipse · begins 3:18 p.m. NZST · maximum 4:23 p.m. NZST · ends 5:23 p.m. NZST · magnitude 0.737

Auckland sees a late-afternoon partial phase, useful for public viewing but outside the South Island totality path.

Because the event occurs late in the day, western horizon clearance is important. Hills, buildings, and trees can interrupt the final stages. Scout a site with an open view before 22 July and remember that Auckland never enters totality for this event. At maximum eclipse the Sun stands about 10 degrees above the northwest horizon.

The historical cloudy figure is 63% for 22 July since 2000. Auckland viewers should plan for changing winter cloud and avoid making a single exposed waterfront site the only option. Current forecasts will matter far more than the long-term average.

For totality within Aotearoa New Zealand, look south to Dunedin or Queenstown rather than staying in Auckland. Flights, ferries, rental vehicles, and accommodation may all tighten as eclipse interest rises, so make plans early if crossing islands.

Nearest totality guides: Dunedin, Queenstown, Sydney.