A vibrant sunset at Gantheaume Point, Broome, with golden hues reflecting on the rocky coastline and calm waters. It's one of the best sunsets in australia

20 Best Sunsets In Australia… And The Stories That Go With Them!

Honestly, the best sunsets in Australia are easy to find.

Road trip almost anywhere downunder, and sooner or later the three main conditions for a great sunset will come together – wide open spaces, a big sky, and a prop (or two). 

That’s according to me, anyway.

A striking sunset at Sultana Point, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, with powerlines silhouetted against a glowing orange sky.
Sultana Point, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

I’ve been road-tripping around Oz for YEARS, discovering lots of staggeringly scenic sunsets along the way.

And here are my favourites! These are what I consider to be the best sunsets in Australia, complete with stories about each place for some extra gossip.

I’m sure I will miss lots of other epic spots, so let me know which ones should have made the list by dropping a comment further down!

1) Hopetoun, Victoria

A serene sunset over Lake Lascelles in Hopetoun, Victoria, Australia, with reflections of trees and clouds on the still water.
Lake Lascelles in Hopetoun, Victoria

After a long day on the road a few years ago, we stopped at Hopetoun, a small Murray Mallee town in Western Victoria.

It’s not far from Wyperfeld National Park and the extensive Silo Art trail runs right through it.  Hopetoun was such a good base for exploring this part of the Mallee we ended up staying a few extra nights.

If you’re ever there, go to Lake Lascelles on the edge of town. It has an excellent campground with powered sites and free camping, perfect for relaxing as the sun sinks down behind the lake.

2) Ballina, New South Wales

The sun sets over the Richmond River in Ballina, New South Wales, Australia, casting a warm orange hue across the water and silhouetted trees.
Richmond River, Ballina, New South Wales

When in NSW, most visitors go straight to the iconic Byron Bay. Nothing wrong with that, but Ballina is just a few kilometres south, equally scenic and far less touristy!

The only problem? It’s on the east coast, so the sun doesn’t set over the sea.

But the massive breakwall at the mouth of the Richmond River was almost purpose-built to watch the sun sink over the town and (almost) into the water.

3) Lake Moogerah, Scenic Rim Region, Queensland

A lone pelican floats on Lake Moogerah during a peaceful sunset in Queensland, Australia, with mountains silhouetted in the background.
Lake Moogerah, Queensland

Lake Moogerah is a man-made lake nestled in the wonderland of natural attractions that is the Scenic Rim Region.

For those who don’t know, the Scenic Rim Region is an extensive network of spectacular rocky peaks and mountain ranges formed by long-ago volcanic activity.

Thankfully, Lake Moogerah is an excellent base from which to discover the region, plus a sensational sunset (and sunrise) viewing spot!

4) Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

Wind turbines stand silhouetted against a dramatic orange sunset at Wattle Point Wind Farm in Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, Australia.
Wattle Point Wind Farm, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

The 700 km long coastline of South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula is full of magnificent swimming and surfing beaches, rocky cliffs, clear blue waters, white sand, and lighthouses. 

The coast is dotted with many sunset viewing spots, but my personal favourite includes the stunning silhouettes of the Wattle Point wind farm wind turbines.

5) Five Rivers Lookout, Wyndham, Western Australia

A panoramic view from Five Rivers Lookout in Wyndham, Western Australia, Australia, with the sun setting over the river delta and distant hills.
Five Rivers Lookout, Wyndham, WA

Western Australia’s Kimberley region is full of rocky mountain ranges, wide open spaces, and massive tidal rivers. 

The small town of Wyndham has all these features in abundance, and you can see all of them from its most popular attraction – the Five Rivers lookout.

It’s not easy to get all five rivers in one photo, as the vista is too broad for all but the widest of wide-angle lenses. But the view at sunset makes the lookout a worthy addition to the best Australian sunset spots!

6) Thargomindah, Outback Queensland

Steam rises from bore water during a vibrant sunset in Thargomindah, Queensland, Australia, casting warm orange light across the scene.
Artesian Bore, Thargomindah, Queensland

Remote Thargomindah provides a full-on genuine Outback experience.

And that includes taking in a sunset at the artesian bore! Although there are plenty of other wide open spaces and big skies if a steamy sunset isn’t your thing.

Interstingly, this remote place has the distinction of being the third town in the world (after London and Paris) to have hydroelectric street lighting!

7) Hay Plain, Deniliquin, New South Wales

A Deniliquin sunset in New South Wales, Australia, with streaks of deep blue and golden yellow spreading across the expansive sky.
Deniliquin, NSW

A massive plain the size of Denmark isn’t necessarily the easiest place to spot a rare bird the size of a quail (the plains-wanderer, a fitting name for a bird of this region).

But that’s exactly what I was looking for on the Hay Plain near Deniliquin in central NSW.

Deniliquin is on the banks of the Edward River and near the Murray Valley National Park. These provide some alternative attractions for those who are unsuccessful in (or don’t care about) locating the birds.

Spotting a killer sunset is a cinch with a plain and a sky this big – it’s even better with a bit of cloud or a tree to set off the amazing colours.

8) Victoria River, via Timber Creek, Northern Territory

A golden sunset over the Victoria River in Timber Creek, Northern Territory, Australia, with rocky escarpments silhouetted in the distance.
Victoria River, Timber Creek, NT

Known as Australia’s wildest river, the Victoria River near the small town of Timber Creek is chock-a-block full of crocodiles. 

But you can take a 70 km round trip by purpose-built boat down the river to see more crocodiles per kilometre than any other croc-spotting tour in OZ!

The sunsets are spectacular from the high lookout point above the town, but even more so from river level as the sun sinks behind the Yarrambin ranges. With luck, it’ll be closely followed by a moonrise!

9)  Lake Cullulleraine, Victoria

A golden sunset over Lake Cullulleraine in Victoria, Australia, with the glowing sky reflected on the calm water and silhouetted reeds.
Lake Cullulleraine, Victoria

We stopped at the tiny settlement on the shores of Lake Cullulleraine, about 58 km west of Mildura, looking for a place to set up camp for the night.

But the place was so relaxing, that we used it as a base to explore the area around the city of Mildura for a few more days!

When that got to be too much, we hung out at the caravan park, walked around the lake and watched the sunsets. 

Since then, Lake Cullulleraine has been our preferred stopover point when passing through the area.

10) Broken Hill, New South Wales

Silhouetted trees in the Living Desert Reserve during a vibrant sunset in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia.
Broken Hill, NSW

Often referred to as the ‘Accessible Outback’, bitumen roads lead all the way to the mining town of Broken Hill. It’s in the middle of a desert in the middle of nowhere. 

But it’s easy to see why so many artists have been inspired by it. The clear light, the dramatic shapes, and the intense colours of the rock, earth, and sky leave everyone in awe.

The Living Desert Sculpture Park is the best place for sunset viewing. The prime locations are staked out well in advance!

11) Lord Howe Island, New South Wales

A fiery red and orange sunset over the ocean, with Lord Howe Island's distinctive silhouette in the distance.
Lord Howe Island, NSW

Lord Howe Island is not a road-trip destination – you need to hop on a 2-hour flight from Sydney to get there.

This tiny, eco-friendly island is a sub-tropical paradise full of amazing natural attractions, unique wildlife, and staggering scenery. You can hike, snorkel, kayak, go boating, fishing and diving to your heart’s content.

And at the end of the day, when everything slows right down to island time, a killer sunset is almost impossible to avoid. That’s why it deserves a place on any list of the best Australian sunset spots!

12) Bruny Island, Tasmania

A dramatic sunset over Bruny Island in Tasmania, Australia, with clouds illuminated in orange and pink hues.
Bruny Island, TAS

OK, ok – so this isn’t actually a full-blown sunset.

But do yourself a favour anyway, take the short drive south from Hobart to Kettering and catch the ferry to Bruny Island. 

There’s nothing much between this unspoiled little gem and Antarctica, so expect wild and rugged terrain, magnificent scenery and an amazing selection of wildlife!

13) Cadney Park Homestead, South Australia

A golden sunset over the expansive outback plains at Cadney Park in South Australia, Australia.
Cadney Park, SA

Most road-trippers don’t see Cadney Park Homestead, a roadhouse about 153 km north of Coober Pedy, as a destination in its own right. 

But it’s a gateway to the spectacular Painted Desert, deep in the South Australian Outback, so it’s worth staying for a couple of nights!

There’s the added bonus of a superb sunset, especially when the clouds roll in.

14) Broome, Western Australia

A soft pastel sunset at Gantheaume Point in Broome, Western Australia, with rugged rock formations framing the view.
Gantheaume Point, Broome, WA

In Australia’s far northwest, the town of Broome has a unique history and culture based around pearling.

It’s easy to spend a week or two – or even longer – exploring its distinctive natural attractions, there are heaps of things to do in Broome.

The best sunsets there are best viewed from Gantheaume Point, where the sun sets over the sea.

15) Derby, Western Australia

A glowing orange sunset over Derby Jetty in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, with silhouettes of people on the pier.
Derby Jetty, Kimberley, WA

The Derby Jetty is the best place to watch the phenomenon of the highest tidal range in Australia – up to 12 metres difference between high and low tides!

At low tide, the jetty is well out of the water and the mud flats below are exposed. At high tide, the water almost laps at the top of the jetty. 

And any time of tide can be a good time for crocodile spotting.

The jetty is also one of the best Australian sunset spots around as the sun sinks below the waters of King Sound and the sky and water lights up.

16) Farina Station, Outback South Australia

A rustic outback sunset at Farina Station Campground in South Australia, Australia, with glowing skies and rolling plains.
Farina Station Campground, Outback SA

Farina was once a town set up to support a large wheat-growing region, but relentless drought and a non-permanent water supply caused the venture to fail. 

That’s what happens in the middle of the driest state of the driest continent on earth.

Nowadays, the abandoned township is on Farina Station, and is slowly being restored. The repairs are funded by the old Farina bakery, operated by volunteers for several months during the Australian winter. 

That alone is a good enough reason to visit, but the sunsets from Anzac Hill above the campground make it doubly worthwhile!

17) Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles, Northern Territory

The setting sun casts warm light on the iconic boulders at Devils Marbles in the Northern Territory, Australia.
Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles, NT

From the Stuart Highway, about 412 km north of Alice Springs, the Devils Marbles are an unmistakable tumble of various-sized rocks scattered over the surrounding plain. 

The Indigenous name, Karlu Karlu, translates as ’round boulders’. These have a deep spiritual significance for the traditional Aboriginal owners – the Alyawarre, Kaytetye, and Warumungu people

At sunset, the marbles glow in the evening light, when the colours become even more impressive.

Check this guide on Devils Marbles, what to do, Dreamtime stories, and more!

18) Sydney, New South Wales

The Sydney skyline, shrouded in smoke haze, glows under a vibrant orange sunset in New South Wales, Australia.
Sydney, NSW

Finding the next super Aussie sunset isn’t limited to road-tripping the more remote areas of the Outback. 

There’s always an opportunity waiting, as I found when flying into Sydney at sunset with the atmosphere full of bushfire smoke, creating an almost post-apocalyptic panorama.

Of course this shot was just good luck for me, but I wouldn’t have got it at all if my camera wasn’t easily accessible. 

Finding a good sunset shot is also possible on the ground in Sydney – and there are lots of other good reasons to visit. Even if you only have 4 hours available because of a layover, like I did.

19) Sanctuary Lakes, Melbourne, Victoria

The Melbourne city skyline glows in golden hues during dusk in Victoria, Australia, with a mix of modern skyscrapers and natural landscapes in the foreground.
Melbourne City Skyline, VIC

I don’t spend a lot of time hanging out in big cities, but I can still appreciate the photographic opportunities they bring. 

Like that time I was staying in Melbourne’s west. I was lucky enough to be at the wetlands near Sanctuary Lakes in the late afternoon, with an uninhibited view of the Melbourne skyline, lit up by the setting sun behind me.

20) Darwin, Northern Territory

A vibrant sunset over the ocean in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, with a silhouetted sailboat peacefully floating on the water.
Darwin, NT

Australia’s northernmost capital city, Darwin, enjoys a laid-back lifestyle that keeps visitors coming back for more. 

Bombed in World War II and devastated by a cyclone in 1974, the city has many natural and historical attractions to explore.

The popular Mindil Beach markets are a great place to purchase a picnic from the many stalls and watch the sun sinking into the Timor Sea.

The bottom line

Catching the perfect sunset in Australia is just part of the magic when exploring this stunning country.

Which breathtaking spots did I miss? Let me know in the comments!

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