Another method is to point to the “pointers” (Alpha & Beta Centauri) with one out-stretched hand and at Achernar (a bright star in the direction of one axis of the Cross with your other outstreched arm and then bring your hands together. You will be pointing roughly at the South Celestial Pole (SCP) and due south.

The Cross roughly pints to Corvus (A kite shaped group of stars with Spica nearby – it is sometimes referred to as “Spica’s spinakker” (the large yacht sail) in one direction and Achernar and a ‘H’ shaped asterism of stars incl. Achernar (Alpha Eridani, two other fainter stars in Eridani, two stars in Phoenix and Alpha Hydrus.

@ 14 mike burkhart : Exactly -it is located near Mimosa or Beta Crucis. Fantastic through a telescope. Also sometimes called the Kappa Crucis cluster I think.

And yeah, the Southern Cross is a lifesaver. Another way to find South – follow a line down its long end and another down the perpendicular of the Pointers. Where they meet is just about due south.