14 Ridiculously Good Aussie Sunset Views You Have To Tick Off Your Bucket List
There’s something magical about skies aflame; golden light dipping below the horizon turning shades of pink, orange and purple. In Australia, our incredible, diverse landscape makes sunsets that much sweeter.
If you love to chase a striking sky, here are 14 places (in no particular order) you need to pop on your bucket list.
#1 Cable Beach, Broome, WA
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WA is hard to beat when it comes to sunsets — the coastline is dubbed the ‘Sunset Coast’ for a reason. Cable beach might be one of its most famous outposts: a 22-kilometre stretch of white sand and turquoise water backed by red cliffs, where you can ride camels as the sun mirrors off the Indian Ocean.
#2 Bell Gorge, The Kimberley, WA
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The ancient landscape of Bell Gorge, in the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges (King Leopold Ranges) of the Kimberley will change tones before your eyes at golden hour.
#3 Busselton Jetty, WA
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The Busselton Jetty is the southern hemisphere’s longest wooden jetty, extending nearly two kilometres out from the shore with unobstructed views of the sun setting into the Indian Ocean. Catch the jetty train if walking isn’t your thing and watch sea life from the underwater observatory.
#4 Cape York Peninsula, QLD
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Right at the top of Far North Queensland you’ll find Cape York Peninsula – the largest unspoiled wilderness in northern Australia. Mecca for 4WD lovers, these sunset spots are the definition of remote. Check out Punsand Bay (the northernmost point in the country) to see the sun set over the Arafura Sea or Elim Beach just north of Cooktown.
#5 Uluru, NT
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One of nature’s most amazing shows can be found at Uluru in central Australia. This significant and sacred Indigenous site is at its most spectacular at sunset, when the light plays off the natural contours of the stone. It’s a sight to behold.
#6 Mindil Beach Darwin, NT
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It’s no secret that the Northern Territory has some pretty special landscapes, and Mindil Beach in Darwin is a really fun one. The famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets bring a buzz to this beautiful beach over dry season, topping off the dreamy sunsets.
#7 Kakadu National Park, NT
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Australia’s iconic Kakadu National Park is an attraction in itself, but when you add in a beaut sunset it’s otherworldly. A huge nature preserve, Kakadu is brimming with plants and other wildlife like saltwater crocodiles and migrating birds.
For sunset seekers, head to Ubirr, a large rock outcrop that offers panoramic views of the surrounding Nadab floodplains. Ubirr is a site in itself, known for its large concentration of Aboriginal rock paintings that date back thousands of years.
#8 Lord Howe Island, NSW
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The whole of Lord Howe Island is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its natural significance, and roughly 70 percent is protected reserve. With only 300 residents and 400 tourists allowed on the island (although, this is currently restricted due to COVID-19) it’s an unspoilt paradise. If you want gorgeous views with your sunset, take a leisurely hike to Malabar Hill (about 25 minutes).
#9 Sydney Harbour, NSW
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You can’t have a sunset list of Australia without the iconic Sydney Harbour included. Whether you want to climb the bridge to see the sun set from the top, or hit up any of the awesome vantage points in the harbour — from Watsons Bay to the Larkin St Lookout in Waverton — this cityscape on the water is a must.
#10 Byron Bay, NSW
Byron Bay is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations for a reason: it’s gorgeous with lush green rolling hills, great beaches, excellent surf, delicious food and a distinct community feel. Head to the Lighthouse, the Wreck, the northern end of Main Beach, Belongil Beach or Brunswick Heads for sunset.
#11 Long Jetty, Central Coast, NSW
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This little town is the Central Coast’s answer to Sydney’s Newtown, named after its long jetty that sits on Tuggerah Lake. Depending on the day, you can catch a ripper of a sunset here in this burgeoning little area.
#12 Glenelg or Henley Beach, Adelaide, SA
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It’s not just WA where you can catch the sun dip below the ocean horizon; Adelaide has a bunch of great beach spots to drink it all in. Glenelg might be the most well known, with Australia’s first beach club, The Moseley Beach Club, right on the sand serving French Riviera vibes. But if it’s packed with tourists, head to nearby Henley Beach instead.
#13 The Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, VIC
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These 12 iconic rock stacks standing powerfully off the coast of Victoria are already a must-see, but they’re even more spectacular come sunset. They are one of the most popular pit stops on the Great Ocean Road though, so be prepared for other peeps.
#14 Loch Ard Gorge, Great Ocean Road, VIC
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If the crowds at the Apostles are too much, just minutes away you’ll find Loch Ard Gorge, another top attraction on the GOR. Part of the Port Campbell National Park, Loch Ard Gorge happens to be a stunning place to watch the sunset: the colours light up the sand and surrounding walls of the gorge.
(Lead Image: Unsplash / Yuriy MLCN)
