The Total Solar Eclipse Over Sydney: Your 2028 Guide
A total solar eclipse is crossing directly over Sydney. The first since 1857, and the last until 2858.
A total solar eclipse passes right over Sydney on 22 July 2028, and for a few minutes the sky goes dark, the temperature drops, and the Sun's corona appears as a pearly halo around a black disc where our star used to be. We haven't had one over Sydney since 1857, and we won't get another until 2858, so this really is a once-in-many-lifetimes event.
The phenomenon
What's actually happening
A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes right between the Earth and the Sun and drops its shadow onto us. Stand inside the narrow central shadow (the path of totality) and the Moon covers the Sun completely for a few minutes. The day turns to an eerie twilight, bright stars and planets pop out, and the Sun's outer atmosphere, the corona, shows up as a shimmering halo of pearly light.
Here's the thing though, it only looks like this from inside the path of totality. A 99% partial eclipse is a nice curiosity, but 100% is a completely different beast. The good news for us is that Sydney sits smack inside the 2028 path, and you can check the exact track on NASA's eclipse pages.
Our star, up close.
This is the Sun captured through proper solar gear. On 22 July 2028 the Moon hides all of it, and reveals the corona you can normally never see.
Geography
The path of totality
The Moon's shadow first hits land in Western Australia's Kimberley region, then sweeps south-east across the Northern Territory, south-west Queensland and into New South Wales, passing right over Sydney before heading out across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. The longest stretch of totality, a bit over five minutes, lands near the Drysdale River in WA. All up, the shadow races across the country for nearly three hours from first landfall to last contact.
What makes 2028 so special is the geography. Any given spot on Earth only sees totality about once every 375 years or so, which is why Sydney has waited since 1857 for this one. The path runs straight over the Sydney metro area and its five million-odd people, so most of us won't have to travel far at all to stand under it. If you do want to chase the centreline, the Astronomical Society of Australia has the full state-by-state rundown.
Timing
Exact timing for Sydney
From Sydney the partial phase kicks off early in the afternoon as the Moon takes its first bite out of the Sun. Totality arrives around 2:00 pm AEST and lasts up to about 3 minutes 44 seconds, depending on exactly where you're standing relative to the centreline. After that the partial phase carries on for over an hour as the Moon slides off the other side. July is mid-winter downunder with no daylight saving, so all times are AEST (UTC+10). We'll lock in the exact second-by-second contact times closer to the day.
Stay safe
How to watch it safely
The good news is that watching safely is easy and pretty cheap. Here's the plan.
For your eyes
Wear certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses for the entire partial phase. They block 99.999% of sunlight, and ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass and exposed film simply won't cut it. Only take them off once the Sun is 100% covered and totality has begun, then pop them straight back on the instant the first bead of sunlight returns.
For binoculars & telescopes
Never point an unfiltered telescope or binocular at the Sun, the concentrated light will destroy your eye in an instant. Fit a certified white-light solar filter over the front of the scope (never one of those little eyepiece-end 'sun' filters). For the most detailed view, a dedicated hydrogen-alpha solar telescope shows up prominences and surface detail in glowing red.
Plan your spot
Anywhere in Sydney inside the path gets totality, but a clear view low toward the Sun's afternoon spot helps. Scout somewhere with open sky, get there early, and have a backup nearby in case of cloud.
Get ready
The gear you need from Bintel
We're Australia's specialist binocular and telescope shop, and there are really just three things that'll get you set for totality.
Eclipse Glasses
Certified ISO 12312-2. The essential, affordable starting point for safe naked-eye viewing.
Shop eclipse glasses →Telescopes
From grab-and-go refractors to serious aperture, bringing the corona and prominences up close.
Shop telescopes →Solar Filters
White-light front filters that turn your telescope or binoculars into a safe solar instrument.
Shop solar filters →Don't wait until the week before.
Eclipse stock sells out fast as the date nears. Get sorted early and be ready when Sydney goes dark.
Shop Solar Viewing GearGood to know
Frequently asked questions
When is the total solar eclipse in Sydney?
Saturday 22 July 2028. Totality occurs around 2:00 pm AEST and lasts up to about 3 minutes 44 seconds.
Is it safe to look at a solar eclipse?
Only during the brief moments of total eclipse. During every partial phase you must use certified ISO 12312-2 eclipse glasses, and any telescope or binoculars must have a certified solar filter over the front. Viewing the partial Sun unprotected causes permanent eye damage.
Where can I see the 2028 eclipse?
The path of totality crosses the Kimberley (WA), the Northern Territory, south-west Queensland and New South Wales, passing directly over Sydney, then crosses the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. Sydney is inside the path.
When is the next total solar eclipse over Sydney after 2028?
The 2028 eclipse is the first over Sydney since 1857. The next will not occur until 3 June 2858.
Credits
Brought to you by Bintel, The Binocular and Telescope Shop. Sun image by Geoff. Eclipse timing and path data from the Astronomical Society of Australia, NASA and timeanddate.com. Exact contact times will be confirmed closer to the event.