Moths swarm popular Sydney landmark as millions sweep across Australia

Stunning footage has emerged of a horde of endangered moths descending on Bondi Beach, as the bogong moth plague continues its massive migration across Australia’s east coast.

Beachgoers shared footage on Wednesday showing thousands of bogong moths resting on the sand.

The moths were blown off course by recent wild weather that hit Sydney, including winds and heavy rain, earlier this week.

The long, dark ribbon of moths stretching across Bondi Beach is indicative of what residents of Sydney and other parts of the state have become used to in recent weeks.

The moths have been an almost constant presence for millions of people living in coastal NSW since late September, with the bogong moth undergoing its annual migration to the alpine regions of Australia.

Video sent to nine.com.au shows moths converging on a window at holiday accommodation in the Blue Mountains, being attracted to the inside lights.

They do this every year, but 2026 has seen a huge rise in its numbers, with a bogong moth tracker showing many sweeping south.

The map, run by Zoos Victoria, allows Aussies to submit photos of the bogong moths they see, and upload them to a map. For the current season, there have been thousands of reported and confirmed bogong moth sightings, centred along Sydney and the NSW South Coast.

Social media has been inundated with Aussies surprised to find swarms of the moths outside or inside their homes, as they’re attracted to artificial light.

There have also been a plethora of reported sightings in Victoria, as well as central regions of NSW.

It is common for the insects to migrate from Queensland towards the southern regions of NSW and alpine region of Victoria in spring due to the cooler weather.

They are hugely important to the mountain-pygmy possum, which live in this area and emerge from hibernation, for food.

Recently, the bogong moth population declined significantly due to drought, irrigation, and land clearing.

Archived data from the bogong moth tracking map shows just how much their numbers fell, with significantly fewer sightings being recorded in the 2019-20 season, which preceded the Black Summer bushfires.

Each year, the map data shows their numbers have been increasing, which has culminated in their boom this year.

Despite their booming numbers this year, experts stress they are still considered endangered, and have urged Aussies not to kill or injure the moths if they see them.

Instead, Aussies are told to gently relocate the moths outside, so they can continue their migration to the Snowy Mountains.

If people do not want moths near their home, they have been advised to switch off any artificial lights that are not strictly necessary.

This will also allow the moths to go on their journey safely and without interruption.