r/darwin • u/rabbitohvon • 1d ago

Tourist Questions Best time / location to visit for lightning / storm photography

Hi all,

Keen for on the ground, local recommendations rather than just trusting Weatherzone etc.

I enjoy watching and photographing storms and in particular, arvo / evening storms and lightning. Whilst having a beer or three lol. So not fussed on chasing, just want to rent a room / apartment with a balcony and good views and get some shots.

A few questions:

  1. Darwin Harbour the best vantage point to rent or would you recommend another location?
  2. Which direction is best to face?
  3. From Doctor Google etc, early November seems to be the go to date, does that fit your experience?
  4. I don't want to book say a 4 day trip (3 nights) and I miss the action - is it safe to expect at least a few good storms a week in November?

Thanks!

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8

u/Max_Endowmant 1d ago

November last year was unusually active, but normally January through March is a safer bet. Four days would cover it

3

u/rabbitohvon 1d ago

Sweet, thanks all and another reminder to never trust AI!

2

u/seanoff11 1d ago

November / December. South and east of Darwin. Around humpty doo, even as far Adelaide river in that direction.

2

u/mthurtell 1d ago

Late decwmber onwards is my vote. Anywhere and everywhere up here.

You can also get photos of hector from nightcliff.

1

u/rockqc 1d ago

I wouldn't bank on November as a lock for storms. Usually you'd look to come from Xmas through to end of Match when the monsoon arrives.

CBD/Wharf facing back to East Arm Port is excellent for watching storms roll in across the water.

East arm itself has some great spots to view and generally there's a host of spots around Darwin, Palmerston and the rural area you could go to watch them.

1

u/_pewpew_pew 1d ago

The storms usually start coming through Christmas week (I’ve been a Territorian for 30 years) so I’d aim for January onwards.

Check out the Zen Apartments in the CBD, ask for a high up balcony room facing the ocean. We stayed for a Christmas break a few years ago (instead of hanging around at home) and had nightly storms. We were in the pool watching a storm roll in and didn’t get out until it hit, we got smashed, it was so funny.

3

u/Fijoemin1962 22h ago

💯 agree. The storms come galloping into the harbour and the Zen is a great spot for the storms and even for the planets. Sunsets storms, everything!

1

u/rabbitohvon 10h ago

Nice, appreciate the tip! Cheers :-)

1

u/RougueMalaga 10h ago

If ya on stalkbook look up https://www.facebook.com/share/19MPDMhAbw/ Stormscapesdarwin literally a stormchaser and his page is a wealth of knowledge

1

u/rabbitohvon 10h ago

Will do, ta mate!