Chasing the Full Moon in the Moree Plains
April is one of the most rewarding times to visit the Moree Plains — when mild autumn days roll into crisp, clear nights and the sky comes alive. It’s also when the “Pink Full Moon” rises, casting a soft glow across the vast black soil plains — the perfect excuse to slow down, look up, and stay a little longer. The April full moon is traditionally called the Pink Moon, named after the early spring bloom of the wild ground phlox (Phlox subulata), a pink wildflower common in North America. In Australia, this is the Easter Moon, and the kids might imagine a friendly face in the sky.
Big skies, brighter stars
Out here, light pollution fades and the stars take over. The Moree Plains offer uninterrupted horizons and wide-open landscapes — ideal conditions for stargazing. Whether you’re stretched out beside a campfire or soaking in a warm pool, April nights deliver a sky full of detail you simply don’t see in the city.
Soak under the stars
What truly sets Moree apart is its artesian water — something you won’t find anywhere else along the train line. Fed from the Great Artesian Basin, these mineral-rich waters naturally sit at around 41°C and have drawn visitors for generations. Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre is the centrepiece, where you can float beneath the night sky as steam rises into the cool air — a uniquely Australian stargazing experience.
Stay somewhere special
To make the most of those night skies, consider staying a little outside town:
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Hipcamps & farm stays – dotted across the region, these offer quiet paddocks, wide horizons and that authentic country connection. Think campfires, sunrise over farmland and zero light pollution.
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Caravan parks & thermal stays – places like Moree Tourist Park combine easy access from the Train Station with creature comforts, including thermal pools to wind down after a night under the stars.
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Free camping – rivers, billabongs and rural reserves across the plains provide simple, low-cost options for travellers chasing solitude and sky views.
Skip the drive, take the train
One of the easiest ways to experience the Moree Plains is by rail. The NSW TrainLink service runs from Sydney to Moree, taking you through changing landscapes without the stress — or the fuel bill.
Arrive relaxed, wander town, soak in the artesian pools, and spend your evenings under some of the clearest skies in the state. You can hire a bike from the Moree Visitor Information Centre or rent a car for your visit (Europcar, Avis, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty all service Moree).
Your April escape
This April, trade city lights for starlight. Watch the Pink Moon rise over the plains, soak in naturally heated artesian waters, and fall asleep beneath a sky full of stars.