What is the staircase to the Moon?

North Western Australia’s The Staircase to The Moon can be as magical as it sounds. Rather than simply viewing the sunset and marking the end of a beautiful day, spectators can witness a lunar phenomenon.

The natural event occurs every full moon between March and October. The spectacle is celebrated over three consecutive nights  when the NWA coastline along Broome, Onslow, Cossack, Karratha and Dampier provide the setting for the perfect view.

The Staircase (an optical illusion of course!) is created as the moon rises from the horizon and casts its bright reflection across the ridges of the exposed mud flats giving the appearance of steps. To many people the event is jaw-dropping and so spectacular that even locals, who get to see it for five months every year, stare in awe.

Jo Durbridge, is one such fan: “The tide goes out, and the moon peeks slowly above the horizon. It’s quite amazing.” Mind you at time of writing, Jo was marketing manager at Australia’s North West Tourism, so a little biased!

The best viewing spot in Broome, and arguably in the entire region, is at Roebuck Bay.

As it is such a big crowd-puller, Broome businesses have taken the event and run with it. At The Mangrove Hotel, they hold live entertainment parties every ‘Staircase’ night. Guests gather to listen as a didgeridoo player ushers in the spectacle and there is usually an excited anticipation in the air.

(Full disclosure; early in the season there can also be the buzz of mosquitos from the mangrove swamps along the coast as well).

Next door to the Mangrove Hotel is Moonlight Bay Suites which also has some great vantage points. This property is one of our personal favourites in Broome town and quite often is your “free inclusion hotel” when booking your Kimberley cruise with Kimberley Travel and Cruise. If your visit coincides with the full moon we would highly recommend you book a Bayview apartment

At Town Beach (note this is not the same as Cable Beach), the Staircase’s arrival takes on a festival feel. Picnic blankets are spread out; there’s an audible pop of a bottle of fizz and an infectious atmosphere. All this is and a Staircase Night Market where local businesses sell food, products and crafts as well as entertaining the crowds with live music. Usually extra bus services are out on to enable people staying at the various Cable Beach hotels to view the spectacle as well. Just keep your eyes out for the locals – they know the best viewing points.

Undoubtedly, Mother Nature plays the most significant hand in this event. Although she delivers the Staircase, she also juggles other factors that can affect the visibility such as time of sunset, moonrise and tidal flow. Check with guides and locals for information and Staircase dates.

I have had the pleasure of seeing the Staircase on a number of occasions and can be a lovely sight. I have a couple of cautions about the Staircase as a spectacle:

Onslow
A trip to Onslow and Sunset Beach is an excellent choice for viewing magical sunsets and the Staircase to the Moon phenomenon.

Cossack
If in Cossack head to Settler’s Beach. This ghost town offers a unique location to witness an equally unique event.

Karratha & Dampier
Hearson’s Cove is a 30-minute drive from Karratha. The large mud flats make it an excellent spot for Staircase watching.

Port Hedland
Head to the viewing deck next to the Cooke Point Caravan Park.

Cape Keraudren Nature Reserve

Pitch up at the Cape Keraudren Nature Reserve for top Staircase viewing.