The 15 most spectacular places to watch the sunset in Australia

Crowned as the third-best beach in the world by Tripadvisor in 2023, it’s no surprise that Broome’s Cable Beach also puts on a sensational sunset. Located 2000-odd kilometres north of Perth, Cable Beach boasts white sandy flats that fade into the seemingly eternal Indian Ocean, where the sun sets over the broad horizon like a red rubber ball. Relish the dramatic fire in the sky atop a camel’s back or have your camera all geared up to snap the iconic Cable Beach mirror image as the gentle giants stroll by.

If perpetual summer and crocodiles are right up your alley, then Darwin should be on your to-visit list – more specifically, Mindil Beach for sublime Northern Territory sunsets. Located just a five-minute drive from the town centre on the western side of the peninsula, Mindil Beach offers eye-wateringly pretty sundowns over the Timor Sea. The stretch boasts tropical oceanside gardens, as well as the Mindil Beach Sunset Market during the dry season. Here, you’ll be spoiled with more than 200 stalls slinging both local delicacies and international cuisine heavy on Southeast Asian flavours. Spicy food and a spicy sundown is a winning combo. 

Big with avid photographers, the Port Willunga Jetty Pylons are a prime setting for soaking up the coastal South Australian sunset. Don’t be fooled by the word ‘jetty'; you won’t find a walkway hovering over the crashing ocean, just remnants of the 1868 rebuild of the Port Willunga Jetty. The rotting pylons unite with jagged shoreline rocks and spits of incoming swell to create a striking sunset foreground. You’ll find the semi-rural pylons 45 kilometres south of Adelaide’s city centre, where gazing from the comfort of cliffside caves carved out by yesteryear fishermen is the place to be.

Aptly named, The Neck, is Bruny Island’s finest spot for catching a Tasmanian sunset, all thanks to the elongated isthmus to the north and south resulting in oceanic views, double time. The lush isle is a nature enthusiast’s haven with its rugged coasts, hiking trails, rare birds and whatnot – the serene dusk is the cherry on top. Glide up 279 steps to Truganini Lookout where 360-degree views of The Neck and mainland Tasmania are a blessing for the eyes as the light declines. A 20-minute ferry ride from Hobart will get you to the brilliant Bruny Island.

While Queensland is best known for its eastern sunrises, there’s a hotspot in the north that turns up the heat – Magnetic Island, that is. The mountainous oasis may be small in size, but hosts a whopping 23 bays of bright blue waters and is reminiscent of an equatorial paradise. And it’s just 20-minute ferry ride from Townsville – how about it? Magnetic Island pitches a fair few vantage points for a remarkable twilight session. Locals recommend Horseshoe Bay, West Point overlooking Townsville, along with Hawkings Point for the best sunsets on the coral isle.

Say it louder for those in the back – in 2023, Uluru was named as the world’s very best sunset spot. What’s so special, you may ask? Well, if you park up at Uluru’s car sunset viewing area, you’ll be in for a full view of the western surface, where a reaction between the mineral particles in the sandstone and the sun’s rays reflect hues of yellow, pink, deep red and fluorescent orange. An Uluru sunset is nothing short of breathtaking – it’s no wonder watching it is a bucket-lister for many domestic and international travellers.

An oldie but a goodie. Perch yourself on the weathered footbridge, dangle your feet into Port Phillip Bay, cast out as the sun sets – and stick around to catch the post-dusk penguin parade. Yes, that's right. You can see little penguins right at St Kilda’s breakwater as twilight falls and the colony of around 100 teeny guys heads home.

Cottesloe Beach is a go-to for the people of Perth when it comes to sunsets, morning swims, picnics and everything in between – and for good reason. The turquoise waters and mammoth pine trees aid in the cooling department, while the sunbeams over the Indian Ocean horizon in all its glory. Pubs and restaurants line the high street, which also serves as an idyllic pozzy for satisfying more than just the visual senses. At just a 25-minute drive southwest of Perth city, Cottesloe Beach is a spectacular smorgasbord with one of the best sunsets in Australia.  

Situated just five kilometres southeast of Adelaide’s city centre, Mount Osmond offers sweeping views across the CBD and Saint Vincent Gulf, as well as the neighbouring Mount Lofty Ranges. Oceanic sunset reflections can be viewed from the many trails scattered across the peak, with heights reaching 276 metres in elevation. Or, take it easy and simply pack a picnic, set up shop facing westward and visualise what it means to be part of ‘the 20-minute city’.

Australia’s Capital Territory may be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean beaut sunsets are off the cards. Dairy Farmers Hill Lookout within Canberra’s National Arboretum is a stellar locale for 360-degree views over the main drag, neighbourhoods, surrounding national forests and beyond. In as little as a ten-minute drive from central Canberra, Dairy Farmers Hill Lookout serves up sunsets behind the wave-like valleys, creating soft silhouettes of faraway flora and maybe even some fauna. 

Perch yourself high over the Brisbane River at the marvellous Kangaroo Point – 18 metres high, to be precise. The inner-city suburb is a popular spot for watching the sundown with a CBD skyline backdrop, accompanied by Brisbane’s hilly outskirts in the distance. It’s the perfect combination of natural beauty and shiny cosmopolitan clutter. Park benches amongst the shrubbery and grassy patches make for divine spots to plonk your toosh and enjoy one of the best sunsets in Australia’s eastern cities.