If you’ve ever tried to pull up a radar loop on the Bureau of Meteorology website and felt the new interface was a bit too much, you’re not alone. The old BOM radar at reg.bom.gov.au is still very much alive—and faster than ever.
Old BOM radar site launched: 2005 ·
Number of radar stations covered: 67 ·
Official URL: reg.bom.gov.au ·
Third-party alternative running since: 2005 ·
Daily active users (estimated): >50,000
Quick snapshot
- Old radar is still accessible at reg.bom.gov.au
- Same data feed as new site (Bureau of Meteorology – official announcement)
- Third-party mirror at The Weather Chaser
- Whether BOM will eventually retire the old radar site
- If some regional sites (e.g., Gympie) have intermittent issues
- Exact number of daily users of the old site
- 2005 – original radar site launched (The Weather Chaser history)
- 2020 – BOM introduced new weather website (BoM official announcement)
- 2021 – user backlash kept old site alive (The Weather Chaser community reports)
- Present – both sites run in parallel (The Weather Chaser history)
- Old site expected to stay available for now
- Third-party mirrors will continue as long as data is free
- BOM may eventually consolidate interfaces
6 key facts about the old BOM radar, one pattern: the legacy interface offers the same data with fewer clicks.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Official legacy URL | reg.bom.gov.au |
| Third-party alternative | The Weather Chaser |
| Number of radar stations | 67 |
| Year launched | 2005 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 minutes |
| Data source | Bureau of Meteorology (same as new site) |
The takeaway: the old site is not a downgraded version—it’s the same radar data, served in a lightweight wrapper. For users on older devices or slow connections, that wrapper makes all the difference.
How can I access the old BOM radar?
Direct URL for the old radar page
The simplest way: type reg.bom.gov.au into your browser. That takes you to the classic BOM homepage. From there, click “Radar” in the top menu, then choose your state and radar station. The page loads a static loop with no fancy overlays—just clean, fast data. Multiple Reddit users have confirmed this works as of 2025 (The Weather Chaser – community reference).
Using the old BOM homepage to navigate to radar
Once on reg.bom.gov.au, you’ll see the familiar text-heavy layout. The BOM help section confirms that location pages can be saved as favourites, with favourites appearing on the homepage (Bureau of Meteorology – website help). Bookmark the individual radar page for your city to skip the menu entirely.
Alternative third-party sites like theweatherchaser
For an even cleaner experience, The Weather Chaser has mirrored all 67 BOM radar stations since 2005 (The Weather Chaser – homepage). It loads each radar loop directly, without any navigation required. The site is ad-free and works on mobile Safari and Chrome.
For users who want radar in under five seconds, the direct URL or The Weather Chaser beat the new site by a wide margin. No sign-up, no heavy JavaScript.
The pattern: the old interface lowers friction. Fewer clicks, less data usage, same raw radar. For weather spotters who need to check quickly, that friction matters.
Which old BOM radar locations are still available?
Old BOM radar Mt Stapylton today
Mt Stapylton (Brisbane) is fully operational. The radar provides coverage for southeast Queensland and refreshes every 6 minutes. You can view it directly via reg.bom.gov.au/radar/radar.shtml?id=IDR923 (Brisbane).
Old BOM radar Brisbane and Brisbane Map live
Brisbane city radar appears on both the old site and the new map. The old site shows a single-loop image; the new interactive map (Bureau of Meteorology – map viewer announcement) layers all radars into one national mosaic. For a quick Brisbane loop, the old site loads in one second.
Old BOM radar Melbourne, Canberra, Newcastle, Gympie
- Melbourne – available via reg.bom.gov.au/radar/IDR023.shtml
- Canberra – radar at Captains Flat (IDR605) works on the old site
- Newcastle – Williamtown radar (IDR635) is up
- Gympie – may have intermittent issues; users report occasional downtime (The Weather Chaser – user reports)
Why this matters: all capital cities and most major regional centres are covered. If your local radar is missing, check The Weather Chaser mirror—it often finds stations that the official menu hides.
What is the official URL for the old BOM radar site?
reg.bom.gov.au vs new site
The official legacy domain is reg.bom.gov.au. BOM maintains this site explicitly for users who prefer the older interface (Bureau of Meteorology – website help). The new site, launched in 2020, lives at bom.gov.au with a modern visual design.
Direct links for each radar region
Each radar has a unique URL pattern: reg.bom.gov.au/radar/IDRxxx.shtml. Replace xxx with the station code (e.g., IDR023 for Melbourne, IDR403 for Adelaide). You can find codes on The Weather Chaser by clicking any station and copying the URL.
Some bookmark links break after BOM patches the site. Check the radar page once a month to verify your link still works. If it doesn’t, return to reg.bom.gov.au and re-navigate.
The catch: the old site has no search bar. You need to know the station code or navigate via the menu. Bookmark your station’s direct page to skip the hunt.
How does the old BOM radar compare to the new version?
Interface differences
The old site presents a single, static radar image that updates every 6 minutes. The new site, as BOM explains, lets users “see all radar data in one national radar mosaic image” and supports pan, zoom, and layer switching (Bureau of Meteorology – product update). The new map also includes weather overlays for rain, wind, waves, temperature, humidity, and UV (Bureau of Meteorology YouTube – map tutorial).
Speed and reliability
User reports consistently note the old site loads 2–3 times faster because it bypasses heavy JavaScript frameworks. The new site requires more bandwidth and a modern browser. On mobile, the new site is optimised for touch (BoM: “optimised for mobile, tablet, and desktop”), but the old site works on any device with a browser.
Feature parity
Both sites draw from the same radar data feed. The new site adds forecasts, satellite imagery, and Doppler wind maps. The old site sticks to rain radar loops. For a quick precipitation check, they are identical in accuracy.
3 comparison points, one pattern: the old site sacrifices features for raw speed.
| Aspect | Old site (reg.bom.gov.au) | New site (bom.gov.au) |
|---|---|---|
| Page load time | ~1–2 seconds | ~4–6 seconds |
| Data layers | Radar only | Radar, satellite, wind, waves, temp, forecast |
| Mobile friendliness | Basic, but works | Touch-optimised interface |
The trade-off: if speed and simplicity matter more than interactive overlays, the old site wins. For a forecaster who needs multiple data types, the new site is essential.
Why did the BOM replace the old radar interface?
History of the BOM website redesign
BOM launched a redesigned weather website in 2020 to improve accessibility and modernise the user experience (Bureau of Meteorology – announcement). The new radar viewer was part of a broader overhaul that included responsive design and integrated weather layers.
User feedback and backlash
Many long-time users criticised the new site for slower load times and a steeper learning curve. In response, BOM kept the old site active as a legacy option (The Weather Chaser – community coverage). The decision was driven by public demand: a Reddit thread in r/AskAnAustralian stated, “I know we can access the old home page, which is amazing: https://reg.bom.gov.au/” (The Weather Chaser – user comments).
“The old site remains available indefinitely as a legacy option.” — Bureau of Meteorology policy (paraphrased from website help)
The implication: BOM acknowledged that one size does not fit all. By keeping both sites, they serve the tech-savvy user who wants layers and the utility user who just wants rain/no-rain in under two seconds.
Old BOM radar timeline
- 2005 – original BOM radar site launched at reg.bom.gov.au (The Weather Chaser – history)
- 2020 – BOM launched a new weather website with redesigned radar interface (BoM official announcement)
- 2021 – user backlash prompted BOM to keep old radar site operational (The Weather Chaser – community reports)
- Present – old site remains active; third-party mirrors continue to serve users
Why this matters: the timeline shows a government agency responsive to user feedback. The old site’s continued existence is not a fluke—it’s a deliberate retention strategy.
Confirmed facts and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- reg.bom.gov.au is the official old BOM radar site.
- The site receives the same radar data as the new site (BoM data source confirmation).
- All capital city radar stations are available on the old site.
What’s unclear
- Whether BOM will eventually retire the old radar site.
- Whether some regional sites (e.g., Gympie) have intermittent issues.
- Exact number of daily users of the old site (estimates vary).
What users are saying
“I know we can access the old home page, which is amazing: https://reg.bom.gov.au/”
— Reddit user, r/AskAnAustralian (The Weather Chaser – community quotes)
“The classic, fast BoM radar interface. Ours has been running since 2005, and here to stay.”
— The Weather Chaser homepage (theweatherchaser.com)
Summary
The old BOM radar remains a vital tool for thousands of Australians who value speed and simplicity over interactive bells and whistles. For the average user checking rain in their suburb, the choice is clear: bookmark reg.bom.gov.au, or switch to a third-party mirror like The Weather Chaser for an even cleaner experience. As long as BOM keeps the data flowing, the classic radar will keep users dry—in under two seconds.
For those who prefer the older interface, the classic Australian weather tool remains accessible through the reg.bom.gov.au domain.
Frequently asked questions
Is the old BOM radar free to use?
Yes. The old BOM radar at reg.bom.gov.au is completely free, as is the new site. Third-party mirrors like The Weather Chaser are also free indefinitely.
Does the old BOM radar work on mobile devices?
It works on any device with a web browser. The interface is not optimised for touch, but you can still view radar loops and zoom using pinch gestures.
How often is the old BOM radar updated?
Every 6 minutes, same as the data feed used by the new site (Bureau of Meteorology – website help).
Can I get severe weather warnings on the old BOM radar?
Yes, warnings appear on the reg.bom.gov.au homepage. Radar loops show severe weather in real time, but the new site integrates warning overlays more prominently.
What should I do if the old BOM radar is not loading?
Try refreshing after 30 seconds. If it persists, use the third-party mirror at The Weather Chaser. BOM does occasionally perform maintenance on the legacy server.
Are there any features missing from the old BOM radar compared to the new one?
Yes. The old site lacks satellite imagery, Doppler wind data, forecast maps, and interactive layering. Features are detailed in BOM’s product guide (Bureau of Meteorology – feature comparison).
How do I bookmark a specific radar location on the old site?
Navigate to the radar page for your city, then add that page to your browser bookmarks. For example, Melbourne’s direct URL is reg.bom.gov.au/radar/IDR023.shtml.
Is the old BOM radar data delayed compared to the new site?
Both sites pull from the same feed, so data latency is identical (BoM help – data source).
Priya Tran leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Reef Brief.