Activities & Itineraries

The Best Spots To Watch The Sunset In Sydney

Written by: Urban List Writers

If you thought daytime in Sydney/Eora was something special—just wait until it's time for the sun to go down.

Thanks to our beautiful harbour, national parks, and elevated spots (in every way) offering beautiful views, every day offers the opportunity to catch an incredible sunset in Sydney.

Here are Urban List's picks for the best spots to watch the sunset in Sydney.

Know what you want? Skip to

When Does The Sun Set In Sydney?

If you're planning on catching a stunning Sydney sunset, you'll need to know when to stake out your perfect position. In the summer, the sunset in Sydney is around 7pm or 8pm, depending on daylight savings. In the winter, the sun sets as early as 5pm.

The Best Free Sunset Spots In Sydney

Bradleys Head

Sydney Harbour National Park

the sun setting over sydney harbour as seen from bradleys head
Image credit: Destination NSW | Hamilton Lund

You’ll score some of the best vantage points in Sydney to watch the sunset from various points of Sydney Harbour National Park—we love the spots along the Bradley’s Head to Chowder Bay walk, with loads of bushland, small beaches, and various glimpses (read: major photo ops) of our damn pretty city.

The Details

Getting there: Parking is limited, so be prepared to walk a little. Regular ferries also run from Circular Quay.
Good to know: Time things right to catch the sunset after checking out Taronga Zoo.

Observatory Park

Millers Point

a couple watches the sunset at observatory park in sydney
Image credit: Destination NSW | Daniel Boud

On the CBD side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Observatory Park is a stunning sunset spot on a rolling green hill. Once the sun's set, check out a free tour of the 1850s-built Sydney Observatory, which run Wednesday–Saturday. 

This one's popular among locals, tourists, and professional picnic set-ups, so be prepared to get in early for a prime position.

the details

Getting there: Your best bet is to walk from the CBD or Circular Quay.
Good to know: Head to the Harbour View Hotel or The Glenmore for a twilight pub sesh once the sun's gone down.

Camp Cove

Watsons Bay

the sun setting behind the sydney cbd from camp cove
Image credit: Destination NSW | Jason Ierace

Have your main character moment watching sunset over Sydney from the iconic Camp Cove. A west-facing harbour beach, you'll enjoy the sun setting over the northernmost part of the harbour, and can stroll down to Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel for a pint afterwards.

The Details

Getting there: Parking is available at Camp Cove Car Park, as well as some limited street spots.
Good to know: The Camp Cove kiosk is open until 7pm for sunset snacks.

Milsons Point

North Sydney

Tucked just under the Harbour Bridge, you’re in for one insanely jaw-dropping sunset vista from Milsons Point at dusk. Hit tip: stroll into Luna Park (it's still free to enter) and pick up popcorn and fairy floss to pair with your sunset viewing.

The Details

Getting there: Street parking in and around North Sydney is generally free for two hours. Don’t like your chances? Jump on the train or metro.
Good to know: Looking for a fun post–sunset activity? Luna Park is open until 8pm.

La Perouse

Kamay Botany Bay National Park

This gem of a spot should be your go-to when it comes to watching the sky change colours at dusk. You’re in for absolutely uninterrupted views of the sunset, and you’ll be able to spot planes coming and going too.

The Details

Getting there: Parking is available at Cape Banks, with nearby street parking on Anzac Parade.
Good to know: The Boatshed is right on the water, so it's a great dinner and drinks option once the sun has set.

Mrs Macquarie’s Chair

Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney CBD

groups of people watch the sun set behind the sydney opera house and bridge from mrs macquarie's chair
Image credit: Destination NSW | Keith McInnes

Stunning harbour views, a story straight out of Sydney’s history, and somewhere to finally rest your legs–Mrs Macquarie’s Chair is one of the best vantage points for those chasing the sunset.

A historic seat carved out of the natural sandstone by convicts in 1810, it was commissioned for the Governor’s wife as a place to sit and view the sights of Sydney’s skyline. Now that’s a story to impress your date.

The Details

Getting there: There's metered parking on Mrs Macquarie’s Road, or you can stroll around from the CBD.
Good to know: Take a late afternoon walk through the beautiful Botanic Gardens of Sydney (they close at 5.30pm) before heading down to this sunset spot.

The Best Bars For Sunset In Sydney

Henry Deane

The Hotel Palisade, 35 Bettington Street, Millers Point


Image credit: Henry Deane | Instagram

A modern addition to the Hotel Palisade, set on top of Barangaroo, Henry Deane is a slick rooftop bar with some of the best views in Sydney. There's a menu of share-friendly snacks, and live music on Sundays for serious sunset vibes.

"This bar is such an underrated spot for taking visitors to Sydney," says Urban List's Sydney Editor, Georgia Condon. "It's perched on top of a historic pub with a gorgeous Harbour Bridge view on one side, and an unobstructed look at the sunset on the other. Bonus points for a great martini!"

The details

Getting there: You could walk up from the Barangaroo ferry or Metro, or take the 20-minute walk from Circular Quay. Limited parking is available nearby.
Good to know: This bar gets busy at peak times—consider booking for a guaranteed seat at sunset.

Zephyr Bar

Level 12/161 Sussex Street, Sydney CBD

women enjoying cocktails while watching the sunset over darling harbour from zephyr bar
Image Credit: Zephyr Bar | Instagram

There’s nothing quite like a cocktail in one hand and an oyster in the other–especially when paired with panoramic sunset views. Zephyr Bar not only boasts unrivalled rooftop views of the harbour, but also an extensive snack and sip selection.

Come for the sunset and stay for their renowned mixologists, DJS spinning weekend tunes, and the Saturday night Darling Harbour fireworks. 

The Details

Getting there: We recommend public transport. For a special occasion, you could splash out on a water taxi to Darling Harbour.
Good to know: Closed on Mondays.

Bar 83

Westfield Sydney, Level 4/108 Market Street, Sydney CBD

bar 83 in the sydney cbd at sunset
​Image Credit: Bar 83 | Instagram

Named appropriately, Bar 83 sits 83 stories above the CBD street level, making it the highest bar in Sydney—so that should say enough about the sunset views you can score.

With revolving views of the city skyline and harbour, this Sydney Tower spot makes for the perfect luxury dining experience alongside some unparalleled sunset watching. 

The Details:

Getting there: Best for public transport to the Sydney CBD.
Good to know: Select ‘sky-high seats’ when booking to guarantee a window spot.

Opera Bar

Sydney Opera House, Lower Concourse Level, Sydney

people enjoying the sunset view from opera bar on sydney harbour
Image Credit: Destination NSW | Isaac Brown

You can’t get more iconic than Opera Bar: Sydney’s best venue for unspoilt views of the sunset behind the Harbour Bridge, right on the water.

Grab a table, order some seafood (we recommend the market sashimi) and settle in to watch the Sydney skyline put on a show. They don’t take evening bookings, so best to get in early—this spot packs out fast. 

The Details:

Getting there: Best for public transport–why not take a ferry to Circular Quay?
Good to know: Live music sessions run every day.

The Best Sunset Experiences In Sydney

Sydney Kayak Experience

Lavender Bay, Sydney CBD

people watch the sunset over sydney harbour from kayaks
Image credit: Sydney Kayak Experience | Website

Hoping to see the sky from a new perspective? Try a sunset Sydney Kayak Experience on Sydney Harbour.

This two-hour adventure past the Opera House and Harbour Bridge makes for unforgettable waterborne viewing (and plenty of Insta-worthy pics). Sessions start at $149 for a single kayak and $298 for a shared kayak.

The Details

Getting there: Best for public transport, with limited street parking in and around Milsons Point.
Good to know: Gift vouchers are available online.

Twilight BridgeClimb

3 Cumberland Street, The Rocks

a group of climbers on top of the sydney harbour bridge at sunset
Image Credit: Bridgeclimb | Instagram

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge should be on every Sydneysider's (or visitor's) bucket list, and a twilight climb is the cherry on top of what's always a magical experience.

If you are lucky enough to score a clear day, you’ll be able to see all the way out to the Blue Mountains. See available sessions (you'll want to book a Twilight Summit Climb to catch the sunset) and book online.

The Details

Getting there: Best for public transport, but there are nearby Wilsons parking locations
Good to know: BridgeClimb also offers private climbs and romantic packages.

Sydney Tower SkyWalk

Sydney CBD

people watching the sunset from the sky tower in the sydney cbd
Image Credit: Destination NSW | Jason Ierace

The Sydney sunset from 268 metres in the sky is about as good as it gets. SkyWalks start at $89pp and include a one-hour experience, with a 45-minute tour around the outside of Sydney Tower and access to the Observation Deck, or you can level-up with a SkyWalk and Sip package from $133pp, which includes your one-hour SkyWalk experience plus cocktails and charcuterie at the bar.

The Details

Getting there: Citipark Carpark is located on the corner of Kent, Market and Sussex Street, and lots of public transport runs to the CBD.
Good to know: The minimum number to book is two people.

More of an early bird? Here are the best spots to catch a sunrise. 

Main image credit: Destination NSW | Jeremy Shaw

Editor's note: Urban List editors independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. Urban List has affiliate partnerships, and if you purchase something through the links in this article, we will earn a commission from those partners. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Subscribe

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Subscribe