We don’t like to play favourites, but if we had to choose a time of day, golden hour would take the crown. Hotly contested by happy hour, this glorious wedge of daytime – just after sunrise or before sunset – casts a warm, soft glow over everything in its path. Our Great Southern Land is home to many of the world’s most stunning lookouts, coastal landscapes and natural reserves – all of which look even better at golden hour. But where exactly can you snap the most spectacular golden hour shot?
Australian technology retailer, Becextech, set out to find the top ten golden hour locations across the country. They gathered Pinterest data for Australia’s most popular sunrise and sunset spots, looking at the number of pins, reactions and repins to create a final score.
The golden glory was awarded to one of our most sought-after tourist hot spots, the Great Barrier Reef, which claimed the title of Australia's most picturesque golden hour location. As the sun dips below the horizon, the skies over the reef melt into hues of orange, pink and red. This casts a shimmering reflection over the clear turquoise water, making the vibrant coral colours truly come alive.
The majestic Margaret River ranked as Australia’s second-best golden hour destination, proving that the region has a whole lot more up its sleeve than just a good pour. But if you find yourself at one of the region’s famous wineries, the golden light bouncing off your wine glass will add an extra sparkle to that sunset sip.
Australia’s magical stretches of coastline truly shine during golden hour, with popular spots like the Twelve Apostles, Coffs Harbour, the Great Ocean Road and Noosa Main Beach all ranking in the top six. Feeling inspired? Check out our guide to Australia’s most spectacular sunrise spots, along with the best places to watch the sunset.
Here are the 10 best golden hour locations in Australia:
1. Great Barrier Reef, QLD
2. Margaret River, WA
3. Twelve Apostles, VIC
=4. Coffs Harbour, NSW
=4. Great Ocean Road, VIC
6. Noosa Main Beach, QLD
=7. Kings Canyon, NT
=7. Thredbo, NSW
9. Lancelin, WA
10. Mooloolaba, QLD
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