kunanyi/Mt Wellington, Hobart, Tasmania © Tourism Australia
Australia’s top 10 epic sunrises
From majestic mountains to epic surf spots and ancient rock formations, Australia’s landscapes make for magical moments at first light.
Visiting the spiritual heart of Australia is special in itself, but to stand before the glowing Uluru – a giant monolith of over 550 million years old – as the sun rises over the red sand is a memory that will never leave you. Soak up a 360-degree view of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park at the Talinguru Nyakunytjaku viewing area, or for a really unique experience, ride around this natural wonder on the back of a camel.
Australians love to drink a coffee while sitting on the sand, so join the locals at the beach. At Sydney’s famous Bondi Beach, there’s a special buzz around dawn, with locals participating in everything from beach yoga to surfing. Feel a rejuvenating energy wash over you as you dive into the beautiful blue water at Bondi Iceberg’s ocean pool.
Victoria’s Grampians mountain range is an adventurer’s playground. Among the many outdoor adventures on offer – fishing, wildlife spotting, canoeing – nothing beats catching a glimpse of a new day as the sun rises above the peaceful mountaintops. The Boroka Lookout offers panoramic views of Halls Gap, Lake Bellfield, Fyans Valley and Mt William mountain ranges.
Read any Byron Bay bucket list and you’ll no doubt find a sunrise walk to the Cape Byron Lighthouse – and for good reason. This early morning attraction isn’t just the finish line to an epic coastal walk. It’s also the first place the sun rises on mainland Australia. Reach the top and be the first to celebrate the new day while feasting your eyes on a sweeping coastline where kangaroos, dolphins and (in season) whales frolic under the cotton candy sky.
Hiking to the summit of Tasmania’s kunanyi/Mount Wellington is a must when visiting Hobart. The mountain serves up awe-inspiring views of Southern Tasmania's dense wilderness and snow-capped peaks; add a picturesque sunrise to the equation and you’ve got quite the spectacle. Make your way through the winding walking tracks, stopping for a brew at Bentwood Coffee before settling in for the show.
Cape Hillsborough National Park is a popular spot to watch the sunrise, and not just for humans. Every dawn and dusk, clusters of kangaroos and wallabies gather on the beach to feed by the water’s edge. It’s the perfect opportunity to meet one of Australia’s most iconic animals. Sleep metres away at Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park. In the morning, join the Sunrise with the Wallabies Tour and watch nature’s wonders unfold around you.
There’s something particularly energising about watching the day break over a city skyline. From Brisbane’s Mount Coot-tha Lookout, 287m (941ft) above sea level, you can do just that. Watch as the sun emerges from the blanket of fog, filling the epic panorama with enchanting silhouettes of the city. Bring a picnic and enjoy breakfast with a view – on a clear morning, you might even see all the way out to Moreton Bay.
In the wildlife-abundant Flinders Chase National Park, you’ll find the Remarkable Rocks – a collection of unusually shaped granite boulders sprinkled with orange lichen. Laying your eyes on the intriguing shapes created by years of waves and wind is fascinating, but visit during sunrise and your early alarm will be rewarded with a mesmerising display of colour as the Remarkable Rocks glow with a golden hue.
Australia’s capital is home to a plethora of beautiful green spaces. A favourite among the city’s parks and gardens is the magnificent Lake Burley Griffin, known for its calm early morning waters that offer a dazzling mirrored reflection of the sunrise. Join the locals for a morning stroll or bike ride around the water’s edge. Or start your day in a hot air balloon with Balloon Aloft and drift over the lake through the blush-tinged sky.
One of the best things about rising early in Australia is that you won’t be the only one up before the sun. At the epic surf spot of Snapper Rocks, you’ll find at least a couple of mates riding the gnarly barrels even before the sunrise – and you can join the fun during a surf lesson with Cheyne Horan Surf School. Is there anything more Aussie than riding the waves as the sun reflects off the sea spray?
